View from the Cheap Seats-Colo State
Game 1 on the path to the CFB Playoffs.
Game 1 on the path to the CFB Playoffs.
Seems to have been a long time between real football but we’re here now. Make no mistake, this is a CFB playoff or bust season. Frankly over the next 3-4 years, making the playoffs will be the benchmark for the Horns. Not sure you could have scripted a better opening-day game. The offense opened with a 5 play punt, then a TD drive follow by an Ewers INT but turned it on to score on their next 7 drives, 6 of them touchdowns
Colorado State was never in this game. They came into the game featuring a top flight QB and WR combo. Tory Holton was held to 31 yards on 5 catches, a complete non-factor in the game.
One thing Coach Sark wanted to do early in the year is get lots of players on the field. With 3 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter, Arch Manning took the field and played well. 50 players took the field per the participation charts. 7 RBs logged carries while 12 different pass catchers snagged balls. Arch also recorded his 1st TEXAS passing TD and rushing TD. 2025 should be fun. . . but we’re getting ahead of ourselves as we have 2024 to enjoy. TEXAS opened the game with a very nice drive following their only KO return on the day, Silas Bolden setting TEXAS up nicely. Tre Wisner ended the drive with TEXAS’ 1st TD of the year.
TEXAS lost it’s top 5 pass catchers to the NFL this offseason. Leading to the biggest question about the offense which is how quickly Ewers would mesh with his new WRs, TEXAS picked up 3 portal WR additions, all of whom look to play significant roles. The early verdict is this will not be a major issue. Another observation, Arch throws more of a fastball than Quinn. His passes get off his hand quickly.
The only negative is Jayden Blue left the game in the 3rd quarter after reaching for a 1st down. We hope his not returning was simply cautionary as TEXAS is already 2 RBs down. In the NEXT category, true freshman Jerrick Gibson acquitted himself well late in the game and led the team in rushing.
Sadly, the idiots at ESPN decided they would do the split screen to interview Terrell Davis while the game was going on with true freshman Jerrick Gibson getting extended play. How stupid was this? Now it’s common in pre-season NFL games but this was beyond moronic and we missed some excellent football. Our negative of the game.
Both sides of the ball came to play. CSU would only cross the TEXAS 50 twice in the game. Early in the 1st they reached our 49 before punting then late in the 4th they made it down to the TEXAS 17, aided by a major penalty, before a beautiful INT saved the shutout. Also, it should be noted that on defense, TEXAS tackled well and played solid assignment football.
The real season starts this weekend and should be GREAT football. This game did not tell us much about the Horns but vs a tomato can, TEXAS did what it needed to do.
Stats that Matter
- 7 of 7 Red Zone TDs. Now that is how you handle the red zone
- CSU only reached the TEXAS 49 twice in the game, the deepest on the last drive
- 6 of 12 on 3rd downs, not impressive but 2 of 3 on 4th downs
- Defense held them to 5 of 14 on 3rd downs (CSU converted several in the 4th quarter) and 0-2 on 4th EXCELLENT
- Zero-TEXAS D pitched a shutout.
- True Freshman Wardell Mack saved the shutout with a diving interception in the end zone.
- 545 to 192 TEXAS yards vs CSU yards 2 ½ Xs better.
Quinn Ewers-he likely wins this multiple times this year. 20-27 260 yards 3 TDs but a pesky INT.
Honorable Mention: Ryan Wingo, the true freshman was TEXAS’ leading receiver, both yards and catches. Pre-season 4th /5th string RB Jerrick Gibson with a 6.7 ypc average on 10 carries.
Defensive Player of the Game
The LB crew of Ant Hill and David Gbenda. Each had a tackle for loss (TFL) and they finished #2 and #3 in tackles.
Honorable Mention: Jahdea Barron for his INT and 30 yard return.
Special Teams Player of the Game
Silas Bolden for his 35 yard punt return though Gavin Holmes saved his bacon by recovering a fumble inside our own 20. He opened the game with a very nice kickoff return, which would be TEXAS’ only chance to enjoy a KO return.
On Deck
TEXAS makes it’s 1st trip to the Big House and only 2nd time playing the Maize and Blue. Big test for the DL as Michigan always seems to have excellent offensive linemen and runs the ball well. Big key for the game is get up early on Michigan and test their new QB and new WRs. Michigan boasts 2 pre-season Herbie awards winners with his “Game Wrecker”, DT Mason Graham, #55 on defense, and his pick for the nation’s top TE, Colston Loveland #18, 6’5” 245 who can catch and block.
Hope you are not expecting a Colo State type game, Michigan might have lost a great deal to the NFL but they are a deep and solid team. Don’t think we see Arch in this game but think TEXAS wins this one in the 4th. Early test for the Horns to get ready for a rugged SEC run. Hope Blue is ready as he and Tre will need to strap their chin straps on tight.
Fighting Mack Browns
It was a sloppy, first-game effort by both teams but Mack’s charges made a late 4th quarter surge to win the day on the road in B1G country playing the Mighty Minnesota Gophers. There was a time when Minnesota was one of the best teams in the land, a frequent National Title winner. But that time was before most who read this were born. Mack likely makes a bowl but you can tell he’s missing that 1st round QB.
Week 1 Top 10
#1 Georgia, zero reason to change their seeding. Other than ND/Lil Brother, the most anticipated match up of Week 1 and the Dawgs came out firing on all cylinders. Interesting stat of the game, Dabo has had ZERO transfer starters since 2018 and the advent of the portal. The game maybe passing Dabo by.
#2 tOSU Beat up their tomato can
#3 Oregon (OK, 2b to tOSU) Did NOT beat up their tomato can in style. Beat Idaho 24-14, home of Hall of Famer Jerry Kramer and Mr Irrelevant David Vabora (dude doing some great work for veterans and adaptive athletes)
#4 TEXAS beat up a tomato can in fine style
#5 Bama Beat up their tomato can
#6 Ole Miss Beat up their tomato can
#7 Notre Dame Won a defensive struggle with Lil Brother. Worth mentioning Conner Weigman (Ag QB) is not very good.
#8 Michigan Stumbled and bumbled for 3 quarters before putting away a decent Fresno State team. Looking ahead to the Horns????
#9 LSU Opens with USC out in Vegas, we are projecting a win but we shall see
#10 Mizzu Beat up their tomato can
Our poll, our rules, and Pedophile State gets no top 10 votes from us. FSU plays Boston College on Monday night needing a win to keep from falling out of the ACC race. Odd they opened with a pair of conference games.
TEXAS/CSU highlights
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