Texas Longhorns 27, Kansas State Wildcats 24
An exciting and much needed win for the Texas Longhorns over K State, with Dicker the Kicker nailing another last second field goal. Of course, the touchdown that came off the board that would have provided a 7 point margin of victory (assuming the PAT) was of great interest to many who had Texas at the early 6.5 point line. But a Texas Longhorn victory is the most important, and congratulations to the team on a great win. Texas is now alone at third place in the conference. More on the game below.
Texas Longhorns vs. Iowa State Cyclones
An incredibly important game for Texas in Ames, Iowa this Saturday. Of course after we lost in Fort Worth, they all became incredibly important games. Given the conference standings and pre-season hype, this weekend’s match with the Cyclones is must-win if the Horns want to play in Arlington in December.
The game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on FOX Sports 1. Brian Custer and Robert Smith with the call. The game will be broadcast around the world on the Longhorn Radio Network.
Texas holds a 13-2 edge in the series with the Cyclones. Only one loss in Ames, the 24-0 shutout in the Charlie Strong Era. The loss in Austin (21-28) was in the annus horribilis (The Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Ten) of the otherwise golden Mack Brown Era.
The Cyclones are favored by 7, and the over/under is 65.5.
Great Stuff
I like Good Stuff. I try to include a few cool things that have caught my eye each week. I rarely get to include a truly Great Stuff. But the largest gift in the history of The University of Texas is about as great as it gets. The Moody Foundation, under the leadership of Ross Moody, are giving $130 million to The University, and the new basketball arena and events center will be The Moody Center. Ross joined President Fenves and CDC on Longhorn College Gameday:
The generosity of the Moody Foundation is legendary. As noted in the video, the Moody Foundation has made significant gifts in recent years to the (now) Moody College of Communications ($50,000,000) and the Blanton Museum ($20,000,000). Philanthropy is what allows Texas to continue to grow and pursue our constant goal of being a University of the First Class. The best.
Texas Longhorns Basketball
Texas had an early road test at No. 23 Purdue. A great basketball tradition in West Lafayette, and their home crowd was really good. Texas got the win 70 – 66. Then Tuesday at the Frank Erwin Center, a solid 67-54 win over Cal Baptist. Horns are 3-0, with Prairie View A&M here in Austin Friday night.
Texas Longhorns Volleyball
The Number 1 team in the country continues to roll. Texas has won 13 straight. They swept K State at the Greg this past Wednesday.
https://www.dailytexanonline.com/2019/11/14/longhorns-win-13th-consecutive-match
Texas Longhorns Baseball
Coach Pierce and his staff have signed the top ranked recruiting class in the country. Good news. Time to get back to Omaha on a consistent basis.
https://texassports.com/news/2019/11/14/baseball-announces-nations-best-signing-class.aspx
Fall World Series this weekend. Games at 10:00 Saturday, Sunday at 1:00, and Tuesday at 4:30. Hook Em!
Good Stuff
Jim Nicar: Life in Cliff Courts.
https://jimnicar.com/2018/04/15/life-in-cliff-courts/
Will Gallagher’s Photo Gallery on Inside Texas
https://insidetexas.com/photo-gallery-kansas-state/
CDC and the AD for ISU, Jamie Pollard, have been pretty funny on Twitter this week. A good one from Pollard:
Checkout the precautions we have taken in the visiting AD suite to make sure @_delconte stays warm on Saturday during our game. @TexasFootball pic.twitter.com/5lwHkq7th3
— Jamie Pollard (@IASTATEAD) November 13, 2019
Longhorns vs. Cyclones
Iowa State is really good. Preseason picked to finish third, behind the Land Thieves and Texas. They are 5-4 and 3-3 in the Big 12.
Matt Campbell’s Cyclones opened with a narrow win over Northern Iowa, 29-26, escaping the upset. Next week was a close (17-18) loss to Iowa. 72-20 destruction of Louisiana Monroe, then a 2 point loss in Waco (21-23).
Three straight wins: 49-24 over Texas Christian, 38-14 over West Virginia, and 34-24 over the Sand Aggies.
Then they faced the Oklahomans and lost both. A home loss to Okie A&M, 27-34, and then that heartbreaking highway robbery in Norman by the Land Thieves and Big 12 referees, losing 41-42 after the no-call on the 2 point conversion. Lots more on that below.
So they limp in barely above .500 overall, even in conference, and probably a bit ticked off.
Brock Purdy is one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and the highest ranked nationally from the Big 12 at No. 6. 2,849 yards on 221 completions (325 attempts), with 20 touchdowns and a 141.63 rating. He is averaging 316.6 yards per game. 8.8 yards per attempt, and 12.89 yards per completion. He is really good, and like Sam, a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award (announced this week). Purdy can also run, and he is the second leading rusher for Iowa State, with 251 yards on 74 carries and 7 TDs.
No. 28, Breece Hall, leads the Cyclone ground attack. 585 yards on 99 carries, with 7 touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. His 77.1 yards per games puts him a No. 6 in the conference, one spot ahead of Ingram.
Wide Receivers: Deshaunte Jones (56 catches, 604 yards, 1 TD), Tarique Milton (26/591/3), and La’Michael Pettway (34/404/4).
Campbell has good tight ends and knows how to use them. Charlie Kolar (36/515/6) and Chase Allen (12/119/2).
Linebacker Marcel Spears, Jr. leads the Cyclones, 70 tackles (43 solo), with 2.5 sacks, DB Lawrence White has 60 tackles and 2 picks. Linebacker O’Rien Vance leads ISU with 6.5 sacks for 42 yards.
Side note of the week: Tom Herman was OC at ISU from 2009-2011. How many of y’all remembered that?
The Statistics
One of the interesting times about this time of year is that we have shifted to the part of the college football season where MAC teams play on Tuesday and Wednesdays, and thus the national statistical rankings change every night of the week. So, this week’s stats were as of Tuesday night.
First Ranking is National, Second Ranking is Big 12.
Offense
Statistic |
Texas |
Iowa State |
| Rushing Offense | #52, #6 – 173.0 ypg | #77, #8 – 156.0 ypg |
| Passing Offense | #16, #4 – 303.7 ypg | #8, #2 – 323.2 ypg |
| Total Offense | #20, #5 – 476.7 ypg | #16, #3 – 479.2 ypg |
| Scoring Offense | #14, #2 – 37.8 ppg | #19, #4 – 36.4 ppg |
| First Downs | #5, #1 – 26.3/game | #16, #4 – 24.9/game |
| Sacks Allowed | #104, #10 – 25, 155 yards | #17, #3 – 12, 82 yards |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed | #65, #5 – 53, 212 yards | #7, #1 – 35, 126 yards |
| Third Down Conversions | #4, #1 – 52.6% | #60, #7 – 40.9% |
| Fourth Down Conversions | #92, #9 – 46.2% | #73, #7 – 50.0% |
| Red Zone Offense | #16, #5 – 92% / 75% | #13, #3 – 93% / 73% |
| Long Run Plays | #25, #3 – 58, 10, 3, 1, 1 | #50, #7 – 51, 11, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1 |
| Long Pass Plays | #13, #3 – 111, 34, 13, 8, 5, 2, 1 | #5, #1 – 119, 42, 16, 9, 5, 4, 3, 1 |
| Long Scrimmage Plays | #8, #3 – 169, 44, 16, 9, 6, 2, 1 | #6, #2 – 170, 53, 19, 11, 6, 5, 4, 1 |
Defense
Statistic |
Texas |
Iowa State |
| Rushing Defense | #54, #5 – 148.0 ypg | #32, #3 – 128.4 ypg |
| Passing Defense | #124, #9 – 299.6 ypg | #72, #5 – 231.3 ypg |
| Total Defense | #109, #8 – 447.6 ypg | #43, #4 – 359.8 ypg |
| Scoring Defense | #89, #8 – 30.7 ppg | #48, #3 – 25.0 ppg |
| Sacks | #90, #8 – 16, 83 yards | #52, #4 – 21, 125 yards |
| Tackles for Loss | #70, #6 – 54, 179 yards | #34, #4 – 63, 223 yards |
| First Downs Allowed | #103, #8 – 22.6/game | #40, #4 – 19.2/game |
| Third Down Conversions | #85, #8 – 41.7% | #89, #9 – 42.1% |
| Fourth Down Conversions | #71, #7 – 54.6% | #39, #3 – 44.4% |
| Red Zone Defense | #113, #7 – 89% / 61% | #101, #5 – 87% / 61% |
| Long Run Plays Allowed | #62, #6 – 45, 11, 4, 2, 1, 1 | #27, #3 – 35, 9, 4, 4, 1, 1 |
| Long Pass Plays Allowed | #124, #10 – 107, 39, 18, 12, 6, 2, 1 | #38, #4 – 74, 22, 11, 6, 3, 2, 1 |
| Long Scrim. Plays Allowed | #113, #10 – 152, 50, 22, 14, 7, 3, 1 | #27, #3 – 109, 31, 15, 10, 4, 3, 1 |
Other
Statistic |
Texas |
Iowa State |
| Turnovers | #39 – 4F, 8I:12 | #39 – 5F, 7I:12 |
| Turnover Margin | #41 – 15:12; 0.33 | #72 – 11:12, -0.11 |
| Penalties | #102, #10 – 67, 593 yards | #9, #1 – 43, 361 yards |
*Based on total number of penalties.
Match-up Comparison
Texas Offense |
Iowa State Defense |
| Rushing Offense – 173.0 ypg | 128.4 ypg – Rushing Defense |
| Passing Offense – 303.7 ypg | 231.3 ypg – Passing Defense |
| Total Offense – 476.7 ypg | 359.8 ypg – Total Defense |
| Scoring Offense – 37.8 ppg | 25.0 ppg – Scoring Defense |
| First Downs – 26.3/game | 19.2/game – First Downs Allowed |
| 3rd Down Offense – 52.6% | 42.1% – 3rd Down Defense |
| 4th Down Offense – 46.2% | 44.4% – 4th Down Defense |
| Red Zone Offense – 92/75 | 87/61 – Red Zone Defense |
| LRP – 58, 10, 3, 1, 1 | 35, 9, 4, 4, 1, 1- LRP Allowed |
| LPP – 111, 34, 13, 8, 5, 2, 1 | 74, 22, 11, 6, 3, 2, 1- LPP Allowed |
| LSP – 169, 44, 16, 9, 6, 2, 1 | 109, 31, 15, 10, 4, 3, 1 – LSP Allowed |
Texas Defense |
Iowa State Offense |
| Rushing Defense – 148.0 ypg | 156.0 ypg – Rushing Offense |
| Passing Defense – 299.6 ypg | 323.2 ypg – Passing Offense |
| Total Defense – 447.6 ypg | 479.2 ypg – Total Offense |
| Scoring Defense – 30.7 ppg | 36.4 ppg – Scoring Offense |
| First Downs Allowed – 22.6/game | 24.9/game – First Downs |
| 3rd Down Defense – 41.7% | 40.9% – 3rd Down Offense |
| 4th Down Defense – 54.6% | 50.0% – 4th Down Offense |
| Red Zone Defense – 89/61 | 93/73 – Red Zone Offense |
| LRP Allowed – 45, 11, 4, 2, 1, 1 | 51, 11, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1 – LRP |
| LPP Allowed – 107, 39, 18, 12, 6, 2, 1 | 119, 42, 16, 9, 5, 4, 3, 1 – LPP |
| LSP Allowed – 152, 50, 22, 14, 7, 3, 1 | 170, 53, 19, 11, 6, 5, 4, 1 – LSP |
Our defensive statistics are still Diazacal bad. The only national stat we are ranked in the top half in the country is rush defense. We are in the bottom quartile nationally in 6 of the 13 stats I track. Just got to improve there.
As far as the match-up with the Cyclones, what stands out and scares me the most is their pass offense versus our pass defense. They are No. 8 offensively, Texas is No. 124 defensively. We are going to have to get pressure on Purdy, and coverage is going to have be really solid. No 70 yard touchdown passes.
I believe Ehlinger and the Texas offense will move the ball well. Their rush defense is better than ours, but I trust Herman to have a game plan that produces a lot more yards than most are expecting to do against Iowa State. I sure hope so.
Two pretty well-matched teams for the most part, and so the key will be turnovers and special teams. I have been on the special teams all year, and last week was better in the punt return, but giving up the kick-off return was really bad (and costly).
I really can’t figure this out, but I could not find the official preview or game notes this week.
Previews:
Wes Crochet on BON:
Scipio Tex, in Inside Texas:
https://insidetexas.com/scipio-tex-iowa-state-preview-2/
I think Texas wins this, 38-34.
Jack Trice Stadium
Saturday’s game will be played in Jack Trice Stadium. John G. “Jack” Trice was the first African-American athlete at Iowa State, and only the second playing football at a college in the country. He was the son of a Buffalo Soldier, Green Trice. He died from injuries sustained in a game against Minnesota on October 6, 1923. His first game. The night before, he wrote a letter.
“My thoughts just before the first real college game of my life: The honor of my race, family & self is at stake. Everyone is expecting me to do big things. I will. My whole body and soul are to be thrown recklessly about the field tomorrow. Every time the ball is snapped, I will be trying to do more than my part. On all defensive plays I must break thru the opponents’ line and stop the play in their territory. Beware of mass interference. Fight low, with your eyes open and toward the play. Watch out for crossbucks and reverse end runs. Be on your toes every minute if you expect to make good.”
During the first half of the game he had so anticipated, Trice suffered a broken collarbone. He continued to play during the third quarter, until he was thrown on his back and trampled by three Minnesota players. He died three days later. Four thousand students and faculty members attended his funeral service on central campus.
Source: https://www.isualum.org/s/565/17/interior.aspx?sid=565&gid=1&pgid=2534]
Jack Trice Stadium is currently the only Division I FBS stadium or arena to be named after an African-American.
https://www.sbnation.com/longform/2014/11/25/7275681/jack-trice-iowa-state-football-profile
Iowa State University of Science and Technology
From the ISU website (https://digital.lib.iastate.edu/online-exhibits/iowa-state-sesquicentennial
Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm (now Iowa State University) was officially established on March 22, 1858, by the legislature of the State of Iowa. Story County was selected as a site on June 21, 1859, and the original farm of 648 acres was purchased for a cost of $5,379. The Farm House, the first building on the Iowa State campus, was completed in 1861, and in 1862, the Iowa legislature voted to accept the provision of the Morrill Act, which was awarded to the agricultural college in 1864. Iowa Agricultural College (Iowa State College of Agricultural and Mechanic Arts as of 1898), as a land grant institution, focused on the ideals that higher education should be accessible to all and that the university should teach liberal and practical subjects. These ideals are integral to the land-grant university.
The first official class entered at Ames in 1869, and the first class (24 men and 2 women) graduated in 1872. Iowa State was and is a leader in agriculture, engineering, extension, home economics, and created the nation’s first state veterinary medicine school in 1879.
In 1959, the college was officially renamed Iowa State University of Science and Technology. The focus on technology has led directly to many research patents and inventions including the first binary computer (the ABC), Maytag blue cheese, the round hay baler, and many more.
Beginning with a small number of students and Old Main, Iowa State University now has approximately 27,000 students and over 100 buildings with world class programs in agriculture, technology, science, and art.
Iowa State University is a very special place, full of history. But what truly makes it unique is a rare combination of campus beauty, the opportunity to be a part of the land-grant experiment, and to create a progressive and inventive spirit that we call the Cyclone experience. Appreciate what we have here, for it is indeed, one of a kind.
Beginning with a small number of students and Old Main, Iowa State University now has approximately 27,000 students and over 100 buildings with world class programs in agriculture, technology, science, and art.
Not sure why it isn’t mentioned, but Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm was the first designated land-grant institution under the Morrill Act.
Iowa Aggies.
Kudos on the round hay baler and Maytag blue cheese.
What starts in Ames changes farming and salads.
Big moments in ISU History:
- 1876, the university cemetery opened, one of the few active cemeteries associated with a university campus in the U.S.
- 1898, renamed the Iowa State College of Agricultural and Mechanical Arts.
- 1913, college roads are paved.
- 1939, the Atanasoff-Berry Computer is invented; The ABC was the world’s first electronic digital computer.
- 1943, James Keith Shillington earns his B.S. degree. Shillington would go on to teach organic chemistry at Washington & Lee University for decades, influencing the lives of hundreds of young men who would go on to be fine doctors and other professionals, even real estate lawyers, throughout the South and other parts of the country.
Want to learn more? Of course you do!
http://www.isualum.org/pride/traditions/traditions-and-history/
Some truly distinguished alumni. My selections from a lengthy list.
- George Washington Carver (1894 ag, MS 1896).
- Charles W. “Chuck” Durham (G.E. ’39; C.E. ’40; PD ’45), founder of global architecture and engineering firm HDR, Inc. and noted philanthropist.
- Hugh Sidey (’50 journalism), presidential biographer and former White House columnist for Time magazine
- John Garang (PhD ’81 econ), former vice president of Sudan and former leader of Sudan’s People’s Liberation Army
- Elwood Mead (1883 civil engineering), Bureau of Reclamation commissioner during the construction of the Hoover Dam; Lake Mead is named for him
- Lee Teng-Hui (attended, ’53 ag econ), president, Republic of China, 1988-2000
- Frederick Douglass Patterson (DVM ’23, MS vet path ’27), founder, United Negro College Fund
Iowa State alums have been CEO of: Dow Corning, Lockheed Martin, Principal Financial Group, 3M, Texas Instruments, Standard Oil, Boeing (2), and Tailgate Clothing Co.
Nobel laureates (from faculty):
- Dan Shechtman, (2011, Nobel Prize in Chemistry), for “the discovery of quasicrystals”
- Theodore Schultz, (1979, Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics), for “pioneering research into economic development research with particular consideration of the problems of developing countries”
- Leonid Hurwicz, (2007, Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics), for having laid the foundations of mechanism design theory
- George Stigler, (1982, Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics), for his contribution on capture theory
Ames and Iowa
Iowa derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many Native American tribes that occupied the land at the time of European exploration.
It is the only state that has a state abbreviation that consists of two vowels (IA).
It is the only state who’s eastern and western borders are formed entirely by rivers (Mississippi on the east and the Missouri and Big Sioux on the west).
Iowa was once part of Louisiana, and as such came to the United States in the greatest real estate deal of all time, the Louisiana Purchase. (Refresher – $11,250,00 cash and debt forgiveness of $3,750,000, or 3 cents an acre; adjusted for inflation, that is still over $250 million, or less than 50 cents an acre. And it came with minerals.)
Estimated population of Iowa in 2018 was estimated 3,156,000. By way of comparison, the population of the Austin-Round Rock MSA (2,168,316) plus San Antonio-New Braunfels MSA (2,518,036) is 4,686,352.
Ames is a bustling metro area of about 90,000. City population in 2017 was 66,498. Founded in 1864 as station stop for the Cedar Rapids and Missouri Railroad, by a woman named Cynthia Olive Duff (a Kellogg) and a railroad baron named John Insley Blair. Ames is named after a Massachusetts congressman, Oakes Ames (helped get the transcontinental railroad built). The location was chosen because it was a good place to cross the Skunk River.
Ames public schools: one high school (Ames High School, the Little Cyclones), one middle school, and five elementary schools.
The local paper, the Ames Tribune, is published Tuesday-Sunday. Now owned by GateHouse.
Going that way? Ames Municipal Airport has upgraded!
Hap Westbrook a B-24 Bomber pilot during World War II, started Hap’s Air Service in Guthrie Center, Iowa after the War. Hap and his beloved wife Jane moved to Atlantic, Iowa in 1952, operating one of the busiest airports in Southwest Iowa for years. Then, in 1975, they made the move to Ames. Jane passed in 2000, and Hap in 2002. Hap and Jane’s daughter Diana and her husband Robert Holden operate Hap’s Air now at the Ames Municipal Airport. Call ahead, 515.232.4310. Big note on Hap’s website (www.hapsair.com): “PLEASE NOTE: It’s ISU football season and that means the Ames Airport is under a TFR for every home game. TFRs’ typically begin one hour before kickoff and end one hour after the game’s conclusion. Always contact DSM ATC before landing or taking off during the TFR.” Just a heads-up Tony.
Central Iowa Air Service also operates an FBO at Ames Municipal.
https://northiowaair.com/central-iowa-air-service/
Round trip flights (Austin to Des Moines) were still available late Thursday night, but Economy was sold out.
If driving, you are in luck. I-35 runs through Ames. From downtown Austin, it is just 953 miles to Jack Trice Stadium. Without traffic, you can do that in under 14 hours. There is never any traffic on I-35. Arrive at 1732 South 4th Street in Ames with plenty of time to tailgate if you leave Austin by 9:00 p.m. Friday night.
Longhorns 27, Wildcats 24
That game started scary, got much better, and then ended back scary. But a win. Bless our man Dicker.
K State rolled out of the locker room and popped the Horns right in the face. I was a few minutes late getting to my seat (look, the lamb tailgate is a hard on my liver me). The first K State drive took 94 seconds, and that seems long realizing they went 75 yards and 70 of it was on the touchdown pass to Knowles.
Texas mounted a drive, but after getting to the K State 33, we stalled, and after Ehlinger was sacked on third down, Dicker missed a 55 yarder wide left.
Thompson and the Wildcats with another good drive, including 2 long passes to Dalton Schoen (21 on third and 3 and 14 on third and 9). Wrapped it up with a 19 yard touchdown pass to Gill.
So less than 10 minutes in the game, Skylar is throwing all over the field and both K State drives resulted in touchdowns. I was grateful for the Mendoza Province of Argentina.
Texas 3 and out, but Texas at least held on the next Wildcat possession.
Texas opened the next series with a 29 yard pass completion to Collin Johnson, and that was the start of the change. Over the next 7 plays, Sam would complete passes: 14 yards to Eagles, 32 yards to Duvernay, 7 to RoJo, and the 21 yard touchdown pass to CoJo. It is only 14-7 and we have most the second quarter to play.
K State eased off the passing game next series. A 10 play, 6:12 drive that only gained 37 yards ended with Brandon Jones forcing a fumble and Texas getting the ball back on the UT 36.
I really like to see a quick strike after a turnover. Texas wasn’t able to, and it was a 5 and out.
K State had another good drive, getting back to the passing game, and picking up 54 yards on 4 completions before we had a blitz that actually worked, sacking Skylar on third and 10.
Texas had 72 seconds to work with and get points before half, and the first play was 7 yards sack. Wyatt Hubert of course. I concede we were back on our own 19, and perhaps not worth risking a turnover and score, but both plays we ran were screens.
Texas got the ball to start the second half, and this time I really felt like the coaches had made some solid halftime adjustments.
The first drive was awesome. Ingram for 20, Ehlinger with passes to Eagles (7 yards) and Collin Johnson (14 yards). Ingram ripped off a 34 yard touchdown from there, and 103 seconds into the third quarter, we are tied at 14.
K State’s first possession saw 2 runs to begin (thank you!), and after an incompletion it was 3 and out.
Texas started the next drive with Ehlinger hitting Collin Johnson for 37 yards, and Texas was in business at the K State 33. A pass interference call got the Horns to Kansas State 6. Then the drive unraveled. Because of penalties. Okay, I can forgive Ehlinger for his flag, and I know he is a football player, but Sam you don’t need to be blocking. That backed us up to the 16. 2 plays later Parker Braun got an unfortunate unsportsmanlike, and we had second and goal at the 29. Epps got an 11 yarder, but we settled for a Dicker the Kicker special, and the Horns took the lead, 17-14.
Texas held K State on their next possession (thanks again for trying to the run the ball), and Texas got the ball on its own 18. A good drive was going will, but it ended with an interception.
K State had possession as we hit the final period. And that drive ended with another punt, as the Texas defense was playing one of their best halves of the year. That punt changed Texas’ punt return stats for the year, as Brandon Jones got a 53 yard return to the KSU 21. On third and 1 from the 12, Ingram took it to the house. 24-14 Texas with 12 minutes to play. I was very happy, and confident. In both the win and the line (-6.5 for me).
That lasted exactly zero seconds, as Kansas State returned the kickoff 98 yards to get it back to a 3 point game.
Texas responded to that disaster with a 3 and out. And Kansas State got the ball back on their 28. A couple of passes later, Wildcats at midfield. A targeting penalty on Jalen Green got K State to the Texas 28. Some good defense contained the Cats, and they had to settle for a game-tying field goal. 24-24. I was very appreciative the beer that Hagelman had brought in the third quarter.
Texas got the ball with 6:45 to play. The perfect way to end the game would be with a 6 minute, 45 second touchdown drive. A good way to end the game would be a 6 minute, 45 second drive capped with a game winning Dicker the Kicker field goal. Ehlinger was brilliant. 14 yards to Collin, a 13 yard Ingram run, then 10 yards backwards on a holding call. First and 20 at the UT 42. Ehlinger to Ingram for 5, Sam runs for 1, Sam to Duvernay for 18, and first and 10 at the K State 34. We are okay on time. Another 18 yard completion to Duvernay, 9 yards from Ingram, and 2 from Sam, and K State burns a timeout with 1:42 to play. A few plays, and it was third and goal at the 3. Sam with a great run and touchdown! Texas wins and covers. This link takes you right to that play:
But Texas in an illegal formation. We decide to play it safe and let Dicker win it for us. And he does.
Some interesting, and very encouraging, stats from the game.
Despite the rough first quarter, the defense finished really strong. Most impressive, holding K State to 51 yards on 26 carries. And that wasn’t because of a bunch of big losses. 68 gross, and only 17 lost (Skylar gained 11 and lost 11 on sacks). 2 yards per rush, which is really good. Yes, 253 yards passing, but most of those came on those first two drives (135 yards, 70 on one play). From the 5:18 mark in the first quarter, the Texas defense would allow only 118 yards passing.
You may recall a few weeks ago we learned that Keaontay Ingram was better and running for the first time without his brace. That continues. 139 yards on 16 carries, an 8.7 ypc average, and 2 touchdowns.
A good run here:
Keaontay – Shifty#ThisIsTexas #HookEm pic.twitter.com/XrS1joC95U
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 12, 2019
Sam was a very solid 22-29, 263 yards and a score. But of note, 220 of those 263 yards were split between Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson, who each 110 (DD on 9 catches, CJ on 7).
With Brandon Jones’ punt return, we move out of dead last in the country up to No. 116.
Kudos to Orlando and his staff on the defensive side of the ball. Set aside those 2 drives, and Texas gave up 166 yards over the rest of the game. We are going to need that this week, as Brock Purdy is a whole lot better quarterback than Skylar Thompson.
Congrats to the team on a very good and important win.
Highlights from the Big XII (6:33):
Highlights (11:03)
Inside the Numbers:
Good review ($) from Ian Boyd on Inside Texas
https://insidetexas.com/forums/threads/ehlingers-mastery-of-the-rpo-game.89424/
Dustin McComas on Orangebloods ($):
Juan Heisman Tailgate
We had a spectacular tailgate party last Saturday. Judd Messer did a masterful job in orchestrating the first ever afternoon lamb and red wine Juan Heisman Tailgate, as all previous such grand parties had been evening games. Kudos especially to Marcus Crawford and Otis Edmonds for having the lamb chops perfectly cooked and right on time. Sorry we ran out folks. Bigger and hungrier crowd than we were expecting. As always special thanks to the Early Crew, last week comprised of Jack Nash, Rick Whiteley, Judd Messer, Hunter Wilcox, and Collin Shaw. Dulce Vida tequila was very tasty on that beautiful Saturday afternoon. And thanks to J.D. Gins and Megan Klein for bring the Texas Beer. It was good. Maybe too good.
Polls – Week 12
CFP: Louisiana State, The Ohio State University™, Clemson, Georgia. No. 5 is Alabama, followed by Oregon, Utah, Minnesota, Penn State, and the Land Thieves rounding out the top 10. Auburn at 12, Baylor at 13, Notre Dame at 16. Texas at No. 19. Okie State at 22 and Kansas State at 24. Navy at 23.
AP Top 25: Louisiana State, The Ohio State University™, Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, Minnesota, Utah, PSU, Land Thieves. Baylor drops to 12 after their win. Notre Dame at 16, Southern Methodist at 20. Navy at 21. Texas back in as predicted at 22. Okie State at 25.
Coaches Poll: Bayou Bengals, The Ohio State University™, Dabo Tigers, Roll Tide, UGA, Ducks, Gophers, Land Thieves, Utes, and the Brazos Baptists at 10. L’Université de Notre Dame du Lac at 16. Southern Methodists at 20. Midshipmen at 21. And Texas back in at No. 23.
This Week in College Football
CFP ranking for teams.
Big XII – Week XII
Seems like it has been a long time since we have had everyone in action.
Kansas at No. 22 Oklahoma State. 11:00 a.m. on FOX Sports 1. Okie Aggies favored by 17.5, and the over/under is 66. Coach Mullet and his Pokes playing some good ball.
Texas Christian at Texas Technical, 11:00 a.m. on ESPN2. Identical records of 4-5 and 2-4. Texas should not have lost that game. Should be a nice day on the South Plains. Frogs favored by 3 over the Sand Aggies, and the over/under is 55.5.
West Virginia at No. 24 Kansas State. 2:30 p.m. on ESPN. Wildcats favored by 14, and the over/under is 48.
No. 10 Oklahoma at No. 13 and undefeated Baylor. 6:30 p.m. on ABC from Waco. Land Thieves are favored by 10. I am guessing the Bears are feeling slighted, after dropping in the polls despite the big win over Texas Christian, and Rhule will have the Bears ready to play. Wonder if Defee is refereeing this game. Baylor is vastly improved, but my gut tells me Lincoln Riley is going to pull out all the stops. Over/under is 67.5. Land Thieves to win.
Top 25 – Week 12
No. 5 Alabama in Starkville to play Mississippi State. 11:00 a.m. on ESPN. Bulldogs are 4-5, 2-4. Crimson Tide favored by 20.5, and the over/under is 63.5. I would not want to be playing Saban and the Tide this week.
Indiana at No. 9 PSU. 11:00 a.m. on ABC. Most of you probably don’t know this, but the Hoosiers are 7-2 (4-2 in Big 10). Having a great year, for Indiana. PSU favored by 14.5, over/under is 54.5.
No. 11 Florida at Missouri. 11:00 a.m. on CBS. Gators favored by just 7, and the over/under is 50.5. I think Florida wins and covers.
No. 14 Wisconsin at Nebraska. 11:00 a.m. on BTN. Badgers favored by 14.5, and the over/under is 51. Huskers are 4-5/2-4, and Wiscy is 7-2/4-2. I think Wisconsin wins, but Nebraska might show some Big Red pride at home and give them a fight.
Michigan State at No. 15 Michigan. A great rivalry game, this year in the Big House. 11:00 a.m. on FOX. Wolverines are 13.5 point favorites, and the over/under is 44. This game is almost always good, and it has had some crazy endings.
One of the best games of the day is No. 23 Navy (7-1) at No. 16 Notre Dame (7-2). 1:30 p.m. on NBC. Irish favored by 9, and the over/under is 54.
No. 2 The Ohio State University™ at Rutgers. 2:30 p.m. on BTN. Tuesday night, ESPN didn’t even show a line in this game. Thursday night, Buckeyes by 51.
Wake Forest just got their second loss of the season and dropped out of the CFP rankings. At No. 3 Clemson. And Dabo’s Tigers are favored by 34.5. Wow. Over/under is 59.5. Have fun Rob!
The other great game of the day is No. 4 Georgia at No. 12 Auburn. 2:30 p.m. on CBS. This game was first played in 1892, and is known as the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry”. (“Deep”, because the South’s Oldest Rivalry is Virginia vs. North Carolina; another story for another day.) The Bulldogs and Tigers have played every year since 1944, and second most played rivalry in FBS (Minnesota-Wisconsin is tops, and tied with the Battle for the Bell, Miami and Cincinnati, and UVA-UNC). Also one of the closest, with Georgia leading the series 59-56-8 (include SEC CG). Georgia favored by 2.5, and the over/under is 41. War Eagle.
No. 18 Memphis (8-1/4-1) at Houston (3-6/1-4). 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2. Surprised the Tigers are only favored by 10. Over/under is 68.5.
No. 9 Minnesota at No. 20 Iowa. 3:00 p.m. on FOX. For some reason, I am not surprised Iowa is favored in this, by 2.5. Over/under is 44.5. Gophers undefeated, and Hawkeyes 6-3, 3-3 in the Big 10. Should be a great battle for the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy.
Want a talk about a rivalry? Or at least an historic one? No. 1 Louisiana State at Ole Miss. 6:00 p.m. on ESPN. The Magnolia Bowl. In the 1950’s and 1960’s, both teams were really good, and both won national championships (of some variety). The Rebels have not enjoyed sustained success the last few decades, but this game is still a big one for both schools. Louisiana State favored by 21, and the over/under is 65.5. Alas, I fear the Tigers might cover that line. But I know this: Ole Miss will win the tailgate party. Going to be a great day in The Grove. Hotty Toddy!
No. 17 Cinci (8-1/5-0) at South Florida (4-5/2-3). Cinci fighting hard to get in the New Year’s Day 6 conversation, and they will if they keep winning. Certainly a shot at the American Conference title. Charlie Strong’s Bulls are 14 point home dogs, and the over/under is 49.5.
No. 25 Appalachian State at Georgia State. 6:30 p.m. on ESPNU. App State favored by 16, over/under is 62.5.
UC Los Angeles at No. 7 Utah. Bruins are 4-5, 4-2 in PAC 12. Utes are 8-1 and 4-1, with sole loss being the Southern Cal upset. 7:00 p.m. on FOX. Utah favored by 21, and the over/under is 52..
New Mexico at No. 21 Boise State. 9:15 p.m. on ESPN2. Broncos favored by 28, and the over/under is 59.5. Lobos have 2 wins, Sam Houston State (FCS) and New Mexico State (PU). Boise to win and cover.
The night wraps up with a game from Autzen Stadium in Eugene. No. 6 Oregon Ducks host Arizona. 9:30 p.m. on ESPN. Ducks favored by 27.5, and the over/under is 68.5.
Other Games of Interest This Week
Midweek MACtion. Tuesday night the Akron Zips stayed in the ranks of the winless, with a 14-42 loss to Eastern Michigan. Western Michigan beat Ohio 37-34.
Wednesday night, the Miami Redhawks whipped Bowling Green 44-3. Miami was favored by 17. Jimmy U happy. And Northern Illinois a 31-28 winner at Toledo. The Huskies were 3 point underdogs to the Rockets.
Thursday night, Buffalo loses 27-30 at Kent State (Buffalo was favored by 6).
Also Thursday night, Coach Mack Brown and Tarheels were in Pittsburgh. The Panthers were 4.5 point favorites. One heckuva game, as the Heels forced overtime. But Pitt prevailed, 34-27.
Saturday
Virginia Military Institute at West Point to play Army. 11:00 a.m. on CBSSN. Both teams 4-6 on the year, but the Black Knights have been playing a bit different level of competition than the Keydets. Army favored by so much there isn’t a line.
Stanford at Washington State, 3:30 p.m. on the PAC 12 Network. Both teams 4-5 overall and in need of a win to keep bowl hopes alive. Wazzu favored by 10.5, and the over/under is 63.5.
Rice at Middle Tennessee. Rice looking for that first win in 2019. Blue Raiders favored by 14.5, over/under is 47.5.
Southern Mississippi in San Antonio to play the UTSA Roadrunners. 5:00 p.m. in the Alamodome. UTSA 16.5 home underdogs; over/under is 52.5.
Air Force at Colorado State. Which is just barely “at”. 6:00 p.m. on ESPN2, and the Falcons favored by 10.5. Air Force at 7-2 and 4-1 in the Mountain West. Rams are 4-5, 3-2.
South Carolina at Texas Agricultural & Mechanical, 6:30 p.m. kickoff at Kyle Field. $EC Network. Texas Agricultural & Mechanical 6-3, 3-2 in SEC. Coach Muschamp and his Gamecocks 4-6 and 3-4. Texas Agricultural & Mechanical favored by 10.5, and the over/under is 50.5.
Southern Cal at California. 10:00 p.m. on FOX Sports 1. Trojans favored by 6.5, and the over/under is 48.5.
The Week that Will Be: Long Drive Home
From HornMafia:
This week’s viewing schedule:
Washington & Lee
The Generals got a win over Southern Virginia last week. A 28-7 beating of the Quakers. Four different Generals had over 66 yards rushing, led by Drew Richardson who had 98 yards on 13 runs. Josh Breece had 15 carries for 69 yards. And with that game, Josh Breece became Washington & Lee’s all-time leading rusher, with 3,559 yards in just 29 games.
W&L’s season concludes Saturday up the road in Winchester, with the Shenandoah Hornets. W&L leads the series 5-2. A win against Shenandoah would give W&L a fifth straight winning season. That would be the fourth-longest stretch of consecutive winning seasons in program history, and the longest such streak since posting six straight winning campaigns from 1980-85. W&L also had six straight from 1919-24 and a record 13-straight from 1905-17.
Game notes:
https://generalssports.com/news/2019/11/11/football-game-notes-for-the-shenandoah-game.aspx
Last Week in College Football
Big XII Week XI
Iowa State. Bless their hearts. And bless Matt Campbell who, like Coach Mack Brown against Clemson, didn’t settle for the point after and tie and overtime. Nope. After the Cyclones put up 20 points in the fourth quarter as they mounted a furious comeback against the Land Thieves, Iowa State went with the two point conversion. The pass was “incomplete”, and the Big 12 referees handed the Land Thieves a 42-41 win.
Man, @Big12Conference
pic.twitter.com/u0sRVE78ni— Derek Duke (@DerekDuke25) November 10, 2019
A great view of this cheating:
I have a few words for the Big 12 Conference and our referees. But I told Judge Junell I would quit using cuss words in this email many years ago, and I have done a pretty darn good job of keeping my word. So here is a picture that is worth a 1000 words.
Oh, did I mention this was Mike Defee’s crew?
When will something be done about this kind of incompetent gross negligence?
And by the way, that wasn’t the only terrible no-call that went the way of the Thieves:
No penalty 🧐⁉️ pic.twitter.com/zfhB7jkef3
— Mitchie (@mitchellcline) November 10, 2019
The Revivalry was quite the game. I didn’t get to see any of it, but it was a thrilling 9-9 at the end of regulation (and recall the total was 49 in this one). Baylor and Texas Christian went on to play 3 overtimes, and the final was 29-23 Baylor. Bears cover and remain undefeated.
Texas Tech with a big road win over West Virginia in Morgantown, 38-17. Big cover by the Sand Aggies (-2.5).
Top 25 – Week 11
Louisiana State 46, Alabama 41. A great win for the Tigers, ending an 8 game losing streak to Darth Saban. Both quarterbacks had big games. Joe Burrow was 31 for 39 with 393 yards and 3 touchdowns, Tua Tagovailoa was 21-40, 418 yards, and 3 scores. Interesting that Burrow ran for 64, while Tua was minus 5 yards. Many talking heads saying Bama out of the playoff picture, but I never underestimate the power of the Dark Side of the Force. Strong Bogan is.
Go Gophers! Minnesota upsets PSU, 31-26.
The Ohio State University™ combines being incredibly good in all aspects of the game with a complete lack of mercy for opponents. 73-14 over Maryland. Buckeyes put up 21 in the fourth quarter. Line was 43.5, and total was 66.
Clemson rolled to a 55-10 win over NC State to remain undefeated.
Georgia got another $EC win, 27-0 over Missouri. I think the shutout helped move Georgia back up. Dawgs covered, as expected.
Iowa’s 2019 season hopes went down in Camp Randall, as Jonathan Taylor continued his Heisman hunt with 250 yards on 31 carries, and Wisconsin winning 24-22 over the Hawkeyes.
I am sure there is a Hokie fan out there who can tell me this, but doesn’t it seem like Virginia Tech pulls of some good upset every year? Va Tech 36-17 over then ranked No. 19 Wake Forest, who were 2.5 point favorites.
Cinci 42-3 over U Conn.
Boise State with the 20-17 overtime win over Wyoming. Pretty good game.
Vanderbilt a Florida, I thought the line of Gators by 26 was high. Anchor Down, but not the way the Dores wanted it. 56-0 Florida (over/under was 50).
Southern Methodist had their hands full with East Carolina. Ponies were favored by 21.5, and I thought they would over. Not hardly. 59-51 over the Pirates, but they did blow the doors off the (big) 72.5 point total.
Notre Dame 38-7 over the Blue Devils. Irish were favored by 9, and the won and covered as expected.
Other Games of Interest This Week
Virginia stays on top of the ACC Coastal Division with a (much closer than expected ) 33-28 win over Georgia Tech. GT covered.
Hotty Toddy! Ole Miss 41, New Mexico State 3. Rebs win and cover.
Western Kentucky 45, Arkansas 19. The Hilltoppers were 5-4 coming into that game. Pigs drop to 2-8, and Chad Morris got fired. Pig Sooey.
UTSA with the huge road win at Old Dominion, 24-23. Roadrunners were 3.5 point road dogs. Big win for the cousins in San Antonio.
Alas, not the same for UT El Paso. Charlotte 28-21 over the Miners. But UTEP covered!
Stanford loses 13-16 at Colorado. Can’t figure this year’s Cardinal out.
Appalachian State beat Coach Boom and the Cocks 20-15. Talk about an up and down year. South Carolina beats Georgia, between the Hedges, and since then has losses to Tennessee and App State (and Florida, but that was expected).
Texas State gets a win! 30-28 over South Alabama.
Southern Cal 31, Arizona State 26, but it wasn’t easy.
Washington State loses at Cal, 20-33. Leach and Cougars now 1-5 in conference and 4-5 on the season. Be interesting to watch that.
Ivy League Football Report
Well, my mistake, because I forgot to follow up with Lonnie to see if I needed another guest writer. My big thanks to Jeff Zlotky for last week’s Princetonian report. It was quite nice.
So in their absence, just the facts.
Last week, Yale stomped Brown, 59-35. Columbia with the win over Harvard, 17-10. Penn edged Cornell 21-20.
And in the marquee game of the week between the undefeateds, Dartmouth beat Jeff’s Tigers 27-10. Dartmouth 8-0, and Princeton now at 7-1.
This week, Yale (7-1) and Princeton meet in Princeton Stadium in Princeton, New Jersey. Both will be praying for an epic upset in Hanover, where Dartmouth hosts Cornell (2-6). Penn and Harvard both 4-4 and meeting this weekend in Cambridge. Brown is the only Ivy still without a conference win. They get to go to Manhattan Island and play Columbia (3-5, 2-3).
Music
Each week, putting together the music selections is one of the most fun aspects of this exercise. But it is also fun, and very informative, to get some help. My greatest source is my son, Charles Taylor. He has introduced me to some great stuff over the years, including the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio and Wulfpeck. Not sure I have either of them in awhile, so one or both might be back in the rotation soon. This week, Charles curated the tunes from a great group to which he introduced me a couple of years ago, Western Centuries.
Bubba’s favorite Western Centuries songs:
In My Cups (this is probably my personal favorite)
Three Swallows
What will they say about us now?
Earthly Justice
Rock Salt
Seton
For most of my adult life in Austin, I have been supporting Seton and the work of the Daughters of Charity in Austin. Probably one of the first volunteer activities I had was over at Holy Cross Hospital, when Ed Small’s family (especially his mother, Annie Laurie) was very involved, and we helped with a fundraiser. Kathy was on the Holy Cross Development Board, and when the Sisters closed Holy Cross, that became the Elizabeth Ann Seton Board, supporting Seton Medical Center and the Seton Clinics. In the beginning, there was just the original Seton Clinic on East Second Street, and that would eventually come to be called Seton McCarthy, after the beloved Bishop and great shepherd of the Austin Diocese, Bishop John McCarthy. A very early memory, going back to the 1980s I believe, was going over with Tim Crowley (I think as a volunteer project for the Seton Forum, in its original incarnation), and helping build some fencing for an immunization fair at the Seton Clinic. This was back long, long before East Austin gentrification and its transformation into the booming mixed-use urban center it is today. We would go on to be involved in Seton and Dell Children’s activities in events for many years, and Kathy is still on the Seton Development Board.
But, of most importance at the moment, and the reason for this reminiscing, is that Mary Elizabeth Taylor Fleming is now working in fundraising for the Seton Fund and Ascension Seton, and the Seton Development Board Gala is this coming Sunday night. Mary Elizabeth has been working her tail off (tail – get it Teenie??) and I am asking you to help her and Seton with a contribution toward the success of this important fundraising effort. Seton continues to provide an amazing amount of healthcare to the less fortunate, in addition to great healthcare for all throughout the network, including the Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas, which is the teaching hospital for Dell Medical School.
So, if the Spirit moves you, please consider a donation:
https://supportseton.org/sdb-sponsorships-tickets/
THANKS: This Week’s featured photo courtesy of my friend Amy Villarreal (@asvillarreal). Thanks ASV!
God Bless Texas
Tim Taylor
Tailgating before Home Football Games
The Juan Heisman Tailgate
Lot 38, East of Sid Richardson Hall.
HOOK EM HORNS!!
© Timothy C. Taylor, Sr. 2019. All Rights Reserved (as to original material).
On Twitter: @tctayloratx
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You can contact me by mail: Tim Taylor P.O. Box 5371 Austin, Texas 78763-5371