Photo via Austin American Statesman
ARLINGTON – Texas football coach Tom Herman was not ready to paint a pretty picture on this football season after a disappointing 39-27 loss against Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game.
The loss hurt. It hurt because Texas could have won this game. The Longhorns hung close for three quarters, but there were just too many errors to overcome. Some will say there were too many Big 12 officials to overcome, and if you want to go there, have at it. Texas had its chances, and it just did not capitalize.
Herman was seemingly still processing the loss when he took the podium in AT&T Stadium. One moment Herman was stoic. At other times, Herman was reflective. Herman initially dismissed a question he did not like before deciding to answer it. Another time he gave a huge smile as quarterback Sam Ehlinger spoke during the press conference. As Herman sat there, I wanted to know how he balanced the disappointment of this loss with the reality of realizing how hard this program has advanced in two years.
“It's difficult,” Herman told me from the podium. “Losing is supposed to hurt, and with a 1-0 mentality that we have, we don't worry about the big picture. We went 0-1 today. When we wake up tomorrow, it's our job to prepare to go 1-0 in the bowl game. After the bowl game, I think we will do some reflection and be very proud of where we've come. But there's just not anytime for that right now. We've got a game to prepare for starting tomorrow. I do know that whenever we're done with our bowl game, we will reflect on the season and realize truly just how much progress we have made.”
Herman can wait until after the bowl game for a moment of reflection. However, we do not have to wait.
Texas did not win a Big 12 Championship.
It does not negate the progress his team has made in two years.
On November 27, 2016, Herman stood in front of a podium in Austin at his introductory press conference. Less than one minute into his first press conference, Herman said, “The University of Texas is a place, a special place, that deservedly holds a seat among college football elite. We will win championships. We will build men of character. We will graduate our players, and we will do it all with integrity and with class.”
It was the right thing to say, but one hell of a bold declaration.
A former football coach declared the cake was baked. Herman quickly discovered the cake he received was raw, did not have the right ingredients, and he had to start from scratch.
Herman took over a program that endured a 6-7 season, followed by back-to-back 5-7 seasons. These were a group of guys who did not know how to win. They did not have the best work ethic. There were no real leaders on the team. There was a lot of hype around former strength and conditioning coach Pat Moorer, but the players rarely were asked to do leg exercises, and their lower bodies were weak.
Texas strength and conditioning coach Yancy McKnight developed a plan to transform those bodies, and it worked. Players became stronger and faster. They also gained more confidence. It was the first step toward rebuilding the program.
Prior to Herman’s arrival, blowout losses were just a way of life for Texas. Longhorn observers never knew when it was coming. However, it was always just a matter of time before all hell broke loose.
During Strong’s tenure, Texas was defeated by 18-points-or-more nine times in 2014 and 2015 (five blowout losses in 2014, four in 2015). Some of the worst losses were against TCU (48-10 and 50-7 against TCU), BYU (41-7), Arkansas (31-7), Notre Dame (38-3), and Iowa State (24-0). Sorry for bringing up something it took a lot of counseling, or alcohol, to get over, but sometimes you need to reflect on the past to appreciate the present.
Since Herman’s arrival in Austin, there has not been one defeat by more than 18 points. The worst loss was against TCU last season (24-7).
Texas was defeated by Maryland, Oklahoma State and West Virginia this season.
The combined average margin is three points.
Oklahoma defeated Texas by 12 points.
Overall, the average margin of defeat in four losses this season has been five points.
Yes, less than a touchdown.
Obviously, Herman was hired to do more than to make the losses closer. He was hired to win games.
However, this program is arguably on schedule, or ahead, after two seasons under Herman.
There have been other signs of progress.
--- Texas finished with six regular season wins last season. Herman's team won nine regular season games this year.
--- After the offensive line struggled in Herman’s first season, he did not waste any time. Herman looked around and found one of the best offensive line coaches in the country, and hired him. Herb Hand transformed the team’s biggest weakness into a strength this season. Prior to Saturday’s game, UT’s offense averaged 413.8 yards per game (156.4 rush/257.4 pass) and allowed just 22 sacks. Last season, UT averaged 398.5 ypg (139.6 rush/258.8 pass) and allowed 34 sacks.
--- Herman took a more active role in the offensive play-calling during the season-opening loss against Maryland. He could have blamed offensive coordinator Tim Beck, but shouldered that responsibility and became more involved. Overall, the offense played much better this season.
--- When Herman discovered another program was interested in Bryan Carrington, he quickly stepped in and increased the salary of one of the most important members of his recruiting department.
--- When Herman discovered other teams were interested in Todd Orlando, he increased the salary of his defensive coordinator, making it hard for other programs to pluck away one of his top assistants.
--- Speaking of recruiting, nearly every member of Herman’s transition class contributed during the past two seasons, and Samuel Cosmi might be the biggest steal of that class. Meanwhile, Texas safety Caden Sterns was named Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, while defensive back B.J. Foster, defensive back Anthony Cook, defensive lineman Keondre Coburn, and running back Keaontay Ingram received valuable playing time this season.
--- Needless to say, Texas finally has its franchise quarterback. For once, Texas will enter the offseason without huge questions about the quarterback position. Even if Shane Buechele does decide to leave as a grad transfer, there is quality depth behind Ehlinger.
--- He won over the locker room, which was a major accomplishment considering there were players who blindly supported Strong and were unwilling to totally buy-in last season. Some of those guys left the program, while others simply decided to let their guards down. Remember all of that speculation outside of Orangebloods about the possibility of mass transfers after last season? There is a reason why it did not occur.
--- As a I previously reported, a leadership council was formed to give Longhorn players a voice.
--- Last season, Malik Jefferson, Holton Hill, Poona Ford and DeShon Elliott’s had breakout seasons because of this coaching staff. Defensive end Charles Omenihu shinned this year, along with receivers Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Collin Johnson.
Q: I know this wound is fresh, but what did you learn about your program this year?
Herman: “I learned that our guys love each other. I learned that our guys believe in our plan, that they are completely and utterly bought in. I've learned that, you know, we're the kings of close ball games. I know that. I learned that these guys have a ton of confidence in themselves and their teammates' preparation, and we never feel like we're out of a game.”
Texas did not win a Big 12 Championship.
It does not negate the progress Herman's team has made in two years.
Photo via AP
TEAM NOTES
• Texas is now 9-4 on the season after today’s Big 12 Championship Game loss. Today marked UT’s sixth appearance in the game and they are now 3-3.
• The Longhorns’ defense snapped Oklahoma’s streak of 24 consecutive games with a touchdown in the first quarter.
• The loss dropped Texas to 4-2 against ranked teams in 2018.
• Collin Johnson’s 177 receiving yards were the most ever in the Big 12 Championship Game and the most ever by a Longhorn against Oklahoma.
• Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Collin Johnson have now combined for 2,054 receiving yards on the season, just the third receiving duo in school history (Cosby/Shipley in 2008; Shipley/Williams in 2009) to reach 2,000 combined yards in a season.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
QB Sam Ehlinger
• Finished 23-of-36 for 349 yards and four total touchdowns (two passing, two rushing). He now has accounted for 38 touchdowns on the season (25 passing, 13 rushing), tied with Vince Young (2005) for second-most in school history. Colt McCoy had 45 in 2009. His 13 rushing touchdowns are one shy of tying the school record in a single season.
• With two more rushing touchdowns today, Ehlinger finished with five against the Sooners in 2018, the most ever by a Longhorn (Bobby Layne, 4 in 1946) in a single season against OU.
• Ehlinger now has 3,123 passing yards on the season, sixth-most in school history. His 5,038 passing yards are seventh-most in school history.
• He now has 256 completions, sixth-most in school history in a single season.
• Today marked Ehlinger’s 16th career 200-yard passing game and his fifth career 300-yard game.
• Ehlinger now has 3,541 total yards this season, surpassing Major Applewhite (1999) for fifth-most in a single season in school history. He has 5,841 career total yards, surpassing Cedric Benson for eighth-most in school history for a career.
WR Collin Johnson
• Johnson finished with eight catches for 177 yards and a touchdown. His 177 yards were the most ever in the Big 12 Conference Championship Game and the most ever for a Longhorn against the Sooners. It was the third, 100-yard receiving performance by a Longhorn in Big 12 Championship Game history.
• Now has 65 catches on the season, 10th-most in school history for a single season.
• Johnson became the ninth 2,000-yard receiver in Longhorns’ program history and now has 2,025 career receiving yards.
WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
• Finished with seven catches for 51 yards and a touchdown. He now has 1,109 yards on the season, fifth-most in school history.
DE Charles Omenihu
• Finished with three tackles (1.5 TFL) and a sack.
• He now has 16 tackles for loss on the season, the most for a Longhorn since Jackson Jeffcoat’s 22 in 2013.
• Omenihu’s sack brings him to 9.5 on the year, the most for a Longhorn since 2013 when Cedric Reed had 10 and Jeffcoat had 13.
LB Anthony Wheeler
• Finished with 12 tackles and a sack, the second-most in his career behind 13 against OU in 2016.
LB Gary Johnson
• Finished with 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. The 11 tackles matched his career high, set twice earlier this season (Baylor, TCU).
Provided by UT
Funniest Things You Will See This Week
Somebody tell him those sneakers will not help his 40-yard dash time
I really hoped it would end well for him
When Lil Jon's uncle joins the church choir
Sports On A Dime
1. Oklahoma deserves to be in the college football playoffs. Yes, I know you hate OU, but Oklahoma avenged its only loss and is a conference champion. If Oklahoma is omitted from the CFP, Texas and OU need to immediately create an exit strategy from the Big 12.
2. Everyone associated with the program wants Texas to travel and play in the Sugar Bowl. I was previously told coaches wanted their players to have a bowl experience outside of Texas to experience something different, give this year’s seniors a new experience, while allowing young players to get a taste of an out-of-state bowl game. If Texas travels to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl, there will be a lot of happy faces in the football facility.
3. I thought Sam Ehlinger’s response about potentially playing in the Sugar Bowl was another reflection of his maturity: “I don't really have a comment. We're still at AT&T Stadium.”
4. If Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Collin Johnson decide to stay in college for their senior seasons, the Longhorns will not have to worry about many losses next year. In addition, each player will improve his draft stock by coming back.
5. Oklahoma defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeal on his decision to call a safety blitz in the fourth quarter, which resulted in a safety: “I have called that particular blitz at least eight times before today. It’s a blitz where particular players and parts of the field determine who may rush and who may not rush. I thought it was great execution. It proved to be huge late for us.”
6. Props to Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts. In an era of guys transferring the moment a coach does not throw rose pedals in front of them, Hurts stayed at Alabama after getting benched, and preserved his team’s undefeated season with a victory against Georgia. Hurts could leave Alabama as a grad transfer next year, and if he does, nobody can question his loyalty to his program.
7. Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby on the decision to begin penalizing teams for the “horns down” gesture: “The sportsmanship, and sports-like conduct rules, are very specific. If you are drawing attention to yourself, if you’re taunting an opponent, if you’re doing something that is intentionally derogatory, it counts as an unsportsmanlike conduct. We don’t want to turn this game into a circus. These kids have worked too hard for too long to have that be the situation.”
8. The Big 12 should spend more time working to improve its officiating more than anything else this offseason.
9. Stop me if you have heard this before – Shaka Smart’s team had a bad shooting night. It really is hard to understand why Smart has not signed enough pure shooters during his tenure. Instead, he loves to long/athletic players, which continues to hinder the progress of this team each season. It looks like another long season for the Longhorns.
10. Unfortunately, I missed the Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury fight. I will have to catch the replay. It appears most fans believe Fury easily won the fight. Experts believe the fight was close. If you watched the fight, who won?
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