Insider: Texas
Breaking down the stats and key players for the Texas Longhorns.
Keep an eye on 'em
Derek Lokey, DT / Sr. / 6-2 / 290 pounds
Last year, Nebraska managed just 38 yards rushing against the Longhorns and Lokey didn’t even play because of a leg injury. His return makes it likelier that Texas, giving up just 89 yards on the ground, can repeat that performance.
Marcus Griffin, FS / Sr. / 6-0 / 202 pounds
Griffin might be able to lure Nebraska quarterback Sam Keller into thinking he’s got a receiver running free downfield. Careful, Sam. This guy has great recovery speed. Ask the Baylor quarterback that he picked off twice last week.
Jamaal Charles, RB / Jr. / 6-1 / 205 pounds
This would seem to be the perfect time to give Charles a heavier load. He began the season with three straight games where he had 22 or more carries and more than 100 yards. Since then, he’s gotten no more than 17 attempts and 79 yards.
Quarterbacks (4 balls)
Colt McCoy, shouldering a bigger load behind a less-experienced line, is having a smashing follow-up to a season in which threw a school-record 29 TDs and was named by The Sporting News as the National Freshman of the Year. He’s produced at least 300 yards in five games this year. Yes, he’s throwing too many interceptions (12 compared with 15 TDs), but his completion percentage in the last three games is an astounding 75.2 percent. He finished off last week’s win against Baylor by completing 10 of his final 11 passes. Backup John Chiles has directed Texas’ third drive each of the last two weeks. His 5.5 yards-per-carry average leads the Horns.
Running backs (3 balls)
Jamaal Charles ranks No. 2 in the Big 12, averaging 90.2 yards per game. His per-carry average is 5.1 yards. Earlier this year, Charles became the first back in 22 games to post a 100-yard day against TCU. He’s got the kind of jets that allowed him to win the Big 12 Conference 100-meter title two years ago and finish second last spring. Over his career, Charles, also a capable receiver, has ripped off a run of at least 10 yards nearly once every five carries. While Charles has the second-most attempts, look to see redshirt freshman Vondrell McGee. He’s carried the ball 17 times the past two weeks and ranks No. 2 on the team with five rushing TDs.
Wide receivers (3 balls)
It’s hard to feel sorry for Texas that it lost first-team All-Big 12 receiver and preseason All-American Limas Sweed to a broken wrist. In the two games since Sweed was sidelined, the Horns had three receivers with at least five catches apiece. Flanker Nate Jones produced his first 100-yard game the first week Sweed was out, and leads the team with 49 catches and 4 TDs. The same week, Jermichael Finley set a Texas tight end record with 149 receiving yards. Split end Quan Cosby, who played minor-league baseball for four years before going to Texas, has at least five receptions in six games. Jordan Shipley averages 16 yards a catch.
Offensive line (3 balls)
This was Texas’ biggest question mark coming into the season, as three members from last year’s unit moved on to the NFL. Left tackle Tony Hills, a preseason first-team all-league pick, may be the next to join that fraternity. Like Hills, junior right guard Cedric Dockery has come back from a knee injury. Right tackle Adam Ulatoski, a freshman all-american last season, has battled an elbow injury but still started five games. Sophomore left guard Chris Hall is listed as the top backup at three other positions. Three redshirt freshmen are receiving time on a No. 2 unit that’s been sent out on the third series in the last two games.
Defensive line (3 balls)
It’ll be no easy sledding for Nebraska to create wide running lanes or keep the pressure off Sam Keller. The return of end Brian Orakpo (injured in the first game and back at full-speed the past two weeks) has strengthened an already solid front. Inside, Derek Lokey (who bench presses 515 pounds), Frank Okam and Roy Miller have a combined 16 tackles-for-loss and 29 QB pressures. Lamarr Houston, who was thrust into a starting role when Orakpo was hurt, has taken over for Aaron Lewis (out the last three games with an elbow injury) at the other end spot and leads the Horns with nine tackles-for-loss and four sacks.
Linebackers (3 balls)
One reason you don’t hear a ton about these guys is because Texas always expects to be good in the defensive middle. Returning starters Robert Killebrew, Rashad Bobino and Scott Derry are living up to those expectations. Middle linebacker Bobino has started 34 straight games. He and Derry, who’s started 18 consecutive games at the weakside spot, each have 40 tackles. Killebrew has made 30 starts. Three sophomores — Roddrick Muckelroy (who started the first three games of 2006 before a finger injury ended his season), Sergio Kindle (who was suspended to start the season) and Jared Norton — also see regular playing time.
Defensive backs (3 balls)
Defensive backs coach Duane Akina deserves a big ‘Hook ’em Horns.’ Despite losing three starters (two of them first-round NFL draft picks) from last year, Texas ranks 19th nationally in pass-efficiency defense. FS Marcus Griffin (three interceptions, 55 tackles) is playing like a proven veteran. But so are four others who are relative newcomers. SS Erick Jackson is Texas’ third-leading tackler. Right CB Ryan Palmer leads the squad in tackles, breakups and forced fumbles. Left CB Brandon Foster has a school-record three defensive TDs. And the guy who backs them up, Deon Beasley, has interceptions the last two weeks.
Special teams (2 balls)
Ryan Bailey has been ‘money’ ever since he arrived on the scene last year as a walk-on injury replacement and beat Nebraska with his first collegiate field-goal attempt. This season, Bailey’s 11-for-14, with a 52-yarder. Texas has had punting issues. Justin Moore (averaging 39.9 yards) has taken over the last three games. But opponents are averaging 14.5 yards on returnable punts. Quan Cosby is a legitimate return man (remember his 78-yard kickoff run to open last year’s NU game?). The Horns also could reach for a trick. Last week against Baylor, they kept a drive going by executing a fake punt while leading just 10-7.
Scouting report
Kansas State didn’t need much offensive flash during its 41-21 win at Texas on Sept. 29 game. While Ron Prince’s team managed only 272 yards against the Longhorns, it did not turn the ball over and watched the defense force Colt McCoy into four interceptions. One of those was returned for a TD, and the Wildcats also scored on a kickoff and punt return.
“Probably, the biggest factor in the game were the three plays that Texas attempted to get the ball to (Limas Sweed) when they got the one-on-one matchups. Once it was (Ray) Cheatham and twice it was (Justin) McKinney, in which the player from Texas had his hands on the ball, had a legitimate chance to outsize us, outskill us and we were able to cause it to be an incomplete pass. ... I thought that was why we were able to maintain what we were going to maintain.
“The kicking game is obviously a big part of that. We were able to play the game offensively in such a way that we did not have to take a lot of chances with the ball because of some of the things that occurred on defense and in the kicking game. (Offensively), we didn’t do anything to erode what was happening.
“No. 25 (Jamaal Charles) is a pro in every sense of the word. He is a dynamic runner and has no problem with being able to catch the ball or blocking out of the backfield. He is the kind of guy you can build an entire game plan around.
“(McCoy) has the ability to get the ball to the guy who is most open. There are some plays where quite a few guys are open because they are difficult to defend. He is putting the ball precisely where it needs to go so the player catching it can get the most yards out of the situation.
“(On defense), it (is) very challenging when they can defend passes as well as they can. They (were) No. 2 in the league in opponent third-down conversions, and No. 3 in red-zone defense. Third down and red zone is where we think you measure yourself on offense and defense.”
Keep an eye on 'em
Derek Lokey, DT / Sr. / 6-2 / 290 pounds
Last year, Nebraska managed just 38 yards rushing against the Longhorns and Lokey didn’t even play because of a leg injury. His return makes it likelier that Texas, giving up just 89 yards on the ground, can repeat that performance.
Marcus Griffin, FS / Sr. / 6-0 / 202 pounds
Griffin might be able to lure Nebraska quarterback Sam Keller into thinking he’s got a receiver running free downfield. Careful, Sam. This guy has great recovery speed. Ask the Baylor quarterback that he picked off twice last week.
Jamaal Charles, RB / Jr. / 6-1 / 205 pounds
This would seem to be the perfect time to give Charles a heavier load. He began the season with three straight games where he had 22 or more carries and more than 100 yards. Since then, he’s gotten no more than 17 attempts and 79 yards.
Quarterbacks (4 balls)
Colt McCoy, shouldering a bigger load behind a less-experienced line, is having a smashing follow-up to a season in which threw a school-record 29 TDs and was named by The Sporting News as the National Freshman of the Year. He’s produced at least 300 yards in five games this year. Yes, he’s throwing too many interceptions (12 compared with 15 TDs), but his completion percentage in the last three games is an astounding 75.2 percent. He finished off last week’s win against Baylor by completing 10 of his final 11 passes. Backup John Chiles has directed Texas’ third drive each of the last two weeks. His 5.5 yards-per-carry average leads the Horns.
Running backs (3 balls)
Jamaal Charles ranks No. 2 in the Big 12, averaging 90.2 yards per game. His per-carry average is 5.1 yards. Earlier this year, Charles became the first back in 22 games to post a 100-yard day against TCU. He’s got the kind of jets that allowed him to win the Big 12 Conference 100-meter title two years ago and finish second last spring. Over his career, Charles, also a capable receiver, has ripped off a run of at least 10 yards nearly once every five carries. While Charles has the second-most attempts, look to see redshirt freshman Vondrell McGee. He’s carried the ball 17 times the past two weeks and ranks No. 2 on the team with five rushing TDs.
Wide receivers (3 balls)
It’s hard to feel sorry for Texas that it lost first-team All-Big 12 receiver and preseason All-American Limas Sweed to a broken wrist. In the two games since Sweed was sidelined, the Horns had three receivers with at least five catches apiece. Flanker Nate Jones produced his first 100-yard game the first week Sweed was out, and leads the team with 49 catches and 4 TDs. The same week, Jermichael Finley set a Texas tight end record with 149 receiving yards. Split end Quan Cosby, who played minor-league baseball for four years before going to Texas, has at least five receptions in six games. Jordan Shipley averages 16 yards a catch.
Offensive line (3 balls)
This was Texas’ biggest question mark coming into the season, as three members from last year’s unit moved on to the NFL. Left tackle Tony Hills, a preseason first-team all-league pick, may be the next to join that fraternity. Like Hills, junior right guard Cedric Dockery has come back from a knee injury. Right tackle Adam Ulatoski, a freshman all-american last season, has battled an elbow injury but still started five games. Sophomore left guard Chris Hall is listed as the top backup at three other positions. Three redshirt freshmen are receiving time on a No. 2 unit that’s been sent out on the third series in the last two games.
Defensive line (3 balls)
It’ll be no easy sledding for Nebraska to create wide running lanes or keep the pressure off Sam Keller. The return of end Brian Orakpo (injured in the first game and back at full-speed the past two weeks) has strengthened an already solid front. Inside, Derek Lokey (who bench presses 515 pounds), Frank Okam and Roy Miller have a combined 16 tackles-for-loss and 29 QB pressures. Lamarr Houston, who was thrust into a starting role when Orakpo was hurt, has taken over for Aaron Lewis (out the last three games with an elbow injury) at the other end spot and leads the Horns with nine tackles-for-loss and four sacks.
Linebackers (3 balls)
One reason you don’t hear a ton about these guys is because Texas always expects to be good in the defensive middle. Returning starters Robert Killebrew, Rashad Bobino and Scott Derry are living up to those expectations. Middle linebacker Bobino has started 34 straight games. He and Derry, who’s started 18 consecutive games at the weakside spot, each have 40 tackles. Killebrew has made 30 starts. Three sophomores — Roddrick Muckelroy (who started the first three games of 2006 before a finger injury ended his season), Sergio Kindle (who was suspended to start the season) and Jared Norton — also see regular playing time.
Defensive backs (3 balls)
Defensive backs coach Duane Akina deserves a big ‘Hook ’em Horns.’ Despite losing three starters (two of them first-round NFL draft picks) from last year, Texas ranks 19th nationally in pass-efficiency defense. FS Marcus Griffin (three interceptions, 55 tackles) is playing like a proven veteran. But so are four others who are relative newcomers. SS Erick Jackson is Texas’ third-leading tackler. Right CB Ryan Palmer leads the squad in tackles, breakups and forced fumbles. Left CB Brandon Foster has a school-record three defensive TDs. And the guy who backs them up, Deon Beasley, has interceptions the last two weeks.
Special teams (2 balls)
Ryan Bailey has been ‘money’ ever since he arrived on the scene last year as a walk-on injury replacement and beat Nebraska with his first collegiate field-goal attempt. This season, Bailey’s 11-for-14, with a 52-yarder. Texas has had punting issues. Justin Moore (averaging 39.9 yards) has taken over the last three games. But opponents are averaging 14.5 yards on returnable punts. Quan Cosby is a legitimate return man (remember his 78-yard kickoff run to open last year’s NU game?). The Horns also could reach for a trick. Last week against Baylor, they kept a drive going by executing a fake punt while leading just 10-7.
Scouting report
Kansas State didn’t need much offensive flash during its 41-21 win at Texas on Sept. 29 game. While Ron Prince’s team managed only 272 yards against the Longhorns, it did not turn the ball over and watched the defense force Colt McCoy into four interceptions. One of those was returned for a TD, and the Wildcats also scored on a kickoff and punt return.
“Probably, the biggest factor in the game were the three plays that Texas attempted to get the ball to (Limas Sweed) when they got the one-on-one matchups. Once it was (Ray) Cheatham and twice it was (Justin) McKinney, in which the player from Texas had his hands on the ball, had a legitimate chance to outsize us, outskill us and we were able to cause it to be an incomplete pass. ... I thought that was why we were able to maintain what we were going to maintain.
“The kicking game is obviously a big part of that. We were able to play the game offensively in such a way that we did not have to take a lot of chances with the ball because of some of the things that occurred on defense and in the kicking game. (Offensively), we didn’t do anything to erode what was happening.
“No. 25 (Jamaal Charles) is a pro in every sense of the word. He is a dynamic runner and has no problem with being able to catch the ball or blocking out of the backfield. He is the kind of guy you can build an entire game plan around.
“(McCoy) has the ability to get the ball to the guy who is most open. There are some plays where quite a few guys are open because they are difficult to defend. He is putting the ball precisely where it needs to go so the player catching it can get the most yards out of the situation.
“(On defense), it (is) very challenging when they can defend passes as well as they can. They (were) No. 2 in the league in opponent third-down conversions, and No. 3 in red-zone defense. Third down and red zone is where we think you measure yourself on offense and defense.”
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