Some Takeaways from the Longhorn Spring Game

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,"
Colossians 3:23

Just got back from Spring Game, thoughts:

• Sam Ehlinger needs to learn how to chill.  Following a first half pick (Note: whatever), Sam put a hard hit on the returner at the two yard line.  Stupid, unnecessary, risk.
  
  You don't need to risk your body in Spring Game.

• Speaking of Sam taking unnecessary risks with his body, Casey Thompson looked solid as backup.  Dude can fly.   Some early jitters, but worked through them.

• The offensive line needs to stay healthy, the backups look really green.

CDC and the Governor

 [Note: The picture above doesn't show it, but the Governor was wearing mom jeans.]

• Jordan Whittington didn't get much action until the second half; once he got going, look out!!!

Bru McCoy

• On defense, nobody stood out by name.  But the unit looked solid.  The low score speaks for itself (and the weather).

Breckyn Hegar does not look like Breckyn Hegar with short hair

• Speaking of weather, dadgum it got cold. 

Props to Chris del Conte for the atmosphere.  But, especially, props to Chris Del Conte for the on-field autograph session after the game.  We didn't wait in line for autographs, but getting to walk around the field was really cool.

Finally, props to Tom Herman; without him, nothing CDC does matters.

Bottom Line: Great evening (except for the weather), and a lot for which to look forward....

#DKR500, #HookEm: A Senior Night to Remember

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
Galatians 6:9

Confession: It was the first time we've ever cried on Senior night.

Kris Boyd, Charles Omenihu, Davante Davis, P.J. Locke, Jerrod Heard, Patrick Vahe and, of course, Breckyn Hegar (in pigtails, no less!).

We've always had a soft spot for Charlie Strong's 2015 recruiting class. That was the year talent began to return to the forty acres after the drop-off in the late Mack Brown years. It's had to believe they've played their last home game at DKR.

As for the game itself, it was the most dominant performance the Longhorns have turned in all season.  Following Oklahoma State's upset over West Virginia, Texas controlled its own fate.  They responded accordingly.

Sam Ehlinger continues to play like a monster.  He passed for one touchdown and ran for another.  His early game rhythm with Colin Johnson was a sight to behold.  Unfortunately, he sat out the second half due to injury.

But Shane Buchele didn't miss a beat.  He literally didn't have an incomplete pass the entire night.  Where Sam connected with Colin, Shane connected with Lil'Jordan Humphrey (including for one touchdown and several other impressive plays).

Speaking of Lil'Jordan, that guy's a superstar.  He needs to come back for senior year.  Right now, he's probably a mid-round draft pick, but a monster senior season would catapult him into the first or second round.  He should learn from Malik's mistake, wait a year, and make real money.

Tre Watson and Keontay Ingram deserve credit.  They've become a phenomenal duo.  Having a pair of backs who can bust 25 yards on any given play does wonders for your passing game.

Also, Breckyn totally had a sack in the second quarter.

Beyond the game was the atmosphere at DKR.  Electric doesn't cover it.  Unreal might be the place to start.

During the fourth quarter, they played "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey.  Beginning with the student section, everybody used the flashlights on their phones to light up DKR.  Unfortunately, we were too busy enjoying the moment to capture video.  To understand what it was like, check out this author's twitter feed and watch any video we retweeted with the phrase "chills."

Bottom Line: This season has had its ups and downs.  But it's had a lot more ups, and a lot fewer downs, than any recent season.  With one game to go, we're masters of our own fate.  And it feels good.

-------



























-------

Westlake High's Finest: Breckyn and Sam embrace
 following their final home game as teammates.

Longhorns look like they're starting to turn a SERIOUS corner!!!

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
Galatians 6:9

Hoo boy!!!

Yesterday afternoon, the Longhorns turned in a dominant performance against TCU, a team that has given them fits for most of this decade.  That follows last week's strong win against USC.  It remains too soon to use the "B"-word, but man do the signs look good.

The defense looks phenomenal.  Especially red zone.  For all of TCU's trips into Longhorn territory, they only managed one touchdown.  USC wasn't much better.  They still give up more yardage than we'd like.  But they get stops when they need them.  And they're starting to get serious turnovers.

The offense isn't far behind.  Sam Ehlinger is emerging.  The running game can chew up yards.  Obviously, that sets up the receivers down field.  And those receivers are getting open.  None of this is rocket science, but it's the first time in awhile that we've seen this level of execution.

The kicking game is a work in progress; we hope it doesn't come back to bite us.

Otherwise, some thoughts:

• DKR has been electric!!!  We can't remember the last time it was this consistently loud.  Of course, it's been awhile since we've had something to be loud about.

• Sam Ehlinger's level of poise is improving.  He's starting to give his receivers time to get open.  We still wish he wouldn't run as often as he does.

• Tre Watson and Keaontay Ingram are an impressive duo in the backfield.

• For the first time in ages, the receiver rotation makes sense.  For too many years, Texas has had wide receiver A.D.D.  This means nobody can get into a rhythm.  That seems to have changed.

• Colin Johnson is, straight up, the man.

• Lil'Jordan Humphery is emerging a perfect complimentary receiver.  His touchdown against USC was pretty impressive.  Helping put the game away yesterday was also pretty solid.

• Props to the offensive line, who are doing everything we expect.

• Gary Johnson has been everywhere on defense.

• The secondary is nasty.

• Kris Boyd is turning into a serious leader.  Both in terms of his personal performance and how he elevates his teammates.  Really impressive.

• Davante Davis is turning into a SHUTDOWN cornerback.

• Similar to Johnson, Brandon Jones is everywhere.

• That being said: Where's Breckyn Hegar?!?  Besides offside.  If he can get going, it makes this defense that much more fearsome.

Bottom Line: It's been a long time coming.  Still too soon to get carried away.  But so far, so good!!!

-------

-------