#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.

Buchele DOMINATES.....

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
John 3:16

TL;DR version: Longhorns win.

During tonight's UT Football spring game quarterback Shane Buchele took initiative.  From the initial snap through halftime, the game revolved around Buchele.  Outside of a couple of late drives, Sam Ehliger was irrelevant.

Working with the Orange Team offense, Buchele found an open receiver every time he needed one; Sam Ehlinger, meanwhile, tried way too hard.

Reciever Jerrod Heard did what every Longhorn fan expected; Meh.

"But seriously dawg": Everybody LOVES Shane Buchele so long as Shane Buchele is doing Shane Buchele stuff.

That being said, there's stuff about which this author should't comment.

Bottom Line: Hookem Horns.

Arrogant, Entitled, University gets what it deserves....

"He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy."
Proverbs 28:13

In just the past month, the University of Texas was sued for inventing an arbitrary 'sexual assault' policy at the behest of a big donor.  Then they created national controversy by defying the Governor over statue removal (Note: They also want nuclear weapons).  But that fancy new football coach is going to change everything...right?!?

LOL.

Today's game was brutal.  Penalties, turnovers, special teams mistakes, and idiotic play calling...it was all there.  This third quarter play epitomized the game:



But, realistically speaking, what do you expect?!?  The University of Texas is run by a corrupt clique of arrogant criminals with a sense of entitlement.  This is the natural, and predictable, result.

If there's one silver lining in today's debacle, it's this: literally EVERYONE with whom we spoke during the game agreed with us that the University needs a bottom-to-top housecleaning, starting with Greg Fenves.  This is a sea change from the usual sea of excuses the average UT fan delivers.  If Tom Herman doesn't right the ship, alumni patience might finally begin to wear out.

One more football note: Shane Buchele looked lost out there.  If he doesn't get straightened out, this could get even worse.  Brutal.

Bottom Line: The University of Texas remains one of the most valuable brand names in the world.  With a bottom-to-top housecleaning, it could thrive again lickety split.   We suppose every ugly loss brings that day just a little closer.

-------

















-------

Christmas Eve in Austin....

"Do not be furious, O Lord,
Nor remember iniquity forever;
Indeed, please look—we all are Your people!"
Isaiah 64:9

Eventful council meeting last night.  Our original plan had been to discuss it today, but it's late and we feel like talking about Football instead.  If you don't like it, start your own blog.

Obviously, tomorrow marks the beginning of the Tom Herman era.  We honestly don't know how we feel about it.  We'd love to believe the optimistic case, but we hope you'll pardon us if we've heard the hype machine before.

For the Longhorns to be successful this season, the following needs to happen:

• Shane Buchele needs to stay healthy.

• They need to learn to convert first downs in medium yardage situations; this was a consistent shortcoming during the previous coach's tenure.

• With Swoopes and D'Onta Foreman gone, they also need to establish the short yardage game.

• On defense, they need to dramatically improve their coverage of the middle of the field.

• Malik Jefferson needs to become A LOT more consistent...but we have a funny feeling Breckyn Hegar is going to be the one everyone's talking about at the end of the year.

• The pass rush has been the one pleasant surprise the past few seasons; this needs to continue.

• Finally, most important of all: THEY NEED TO STOP TAKING STUPID PENALTIES AND GIVING AWAY SLOPPY FUMBLES.  This is a team that lost five games last season by less than a touchdown.  If they had simply take care of the penalties and turnovers, they would have won several of those games.
• Note: This is where you'll know if Tom Herman has made a difference.

Bottom Line: We'll see, but we don't think we're gonna be able to sleep tonight.

Longhorn Spring Game Strengthens the Pessimistic Case

"Therefore by their fruits you will know them."
Matthew 7:20

We attended UT Football's spring game this afternoon...and we weren't impressed.

With a newly onboarded coaching staff, we were looking for evidence of crispness, discipline, and hustle.  We found little.  The penalties continue.

This team will go as far as Shane Buchele takes them.  In a day where the rest of the team was forgettable, Buchele passed for two touchdowns and ran for another.  The Longhorns are going to need him this fall.

The sloppy play continues.  There are still too many penalties, there were too many dropped passes, and drives still stall out way too early.  For as much money was spent to turn over the coaching staff during the off-season, we see more of the same.

On offense, Buchele was joined (at times) by Jerrod Heard, Devon Duvernay, and running back (#30) Toneil Carter.  Buchele's ability to successfully navigate mid-range yardage situations has improved since last season...but the question is by how much?!?  Sam Ehlinger wasn't notable.

The defense was kinda "meh."  The pass rush continued to be above average, but they also continued to give up too many yards in the middle of the field.  Malik Jefferson visibly dogged it every time he came on the field.

Bottom Line: With the legislature in town, we'll throw out a suggestion.  Attach a rider to the budget that cuts off state funding to any public university whose football program has four consecutive losing seasons.  At some point the alumni have to revolt...right?!?

-----