View from the Cheap Seats-kentucky

echeese · Sunday at 3:01 PM

View from the Cheap Seats-Kentucky

Wildcats skinned

In last week’s Cheap Seats, we mentioned this game as a trap game sandwiched between games against two emotional rivals. We noticed that Sark referred to it as a trap game as well.

And it played out much like the TEXAS season has gone, at times the Horns were dominate, at other times it was “what in the wide wide world of sports is going on” (bonus points if you know the movie). Much the same for Quinn Ewers. In the 1st half he was money, accurate on his throws, moving well in the pocket and getting the ball out quickly. He would throw for 2 touchdown passes in the 1st half, both to Gunnar Helm and both examples of great QB play. It is important to note that Kentucky was one of the better defenses TEXAS would face this year. After a 2nd quarter that would see TEXAS score 17 points on their 3 drives to seemingly salt the game away, the 2nd half would start poorly for the Horns. The 3rd quarter seemed a comedy of errors. Opening with a 3 and out punt, then back-to-back fumbles, the 2nd leading to a catch it in the air and score then the rare Bert Auburn missed FG attempt.

While the 3rd quarter might have been a comedy of errors, the 4th saw TEXAS simply take over the game following the missed FG.

TEXAS is pinned deep at their own 14 and Sark put the team in the offensive line’s hand, rushing 15 times (no passes) on an 86 yard drive that started at the 11:32 mark and ended with 3:04 left on the clock, a TD and the game’s final of 31-14. TEXAS would record an interception on the Wildcats next drive and take a knee to run out the clock.

Saban said it best:

Glass half full: This defense is GREAT and can carry the team deep into the playoffs. The offense is only a step behind.

Glass half empty: TEXAS will bog down at times and alternate playing lights out and lights off.

Award Finalists

Jake Majors-Finalist-William V Campell Award
Often referred to as the academic Heisman, it is an award for excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community. If he secures this award, Jake would be the third Longhorn to be so honored, along with Sam Acho and Dallas Griffin.

Jadea Barron-Finalist for both the Jim Thorpe and Bronko Nagurski Award.
The Jim Thorpe Award is for the Nation’s best Defensive Back and the Nagurski for the Nation’s best defensive player. He will be the 3rd Longhorn to win either award. The Thorpe won by Michael Huff and Aaron Ross while the Bronco Award was won by Derrick Johnson and Brian Orakpo.

Kelvin Banks-finalist-Outland Trophy (Nation’s 3rd Oldest award) for best College interior lineman and the Lombardi Trophy for Top Lineman in CFB.
The Outland award has been earned by Horns Scott Appleton (1963) Tommy Nobis (1965) Brad Shearer (1977) Shameless self-promotion, played against Brad in HS and T’Vondre Seat (2023). TEXAS players earning the Lombardi are Kenneth Sims (1981) Tony DeGrate (1984) and Brian Orakapo (2008)

TEXAS Offensive Line-Joe Moore Award Semi-finalist. Award for best offensive line.

Offensive Player of the Game

Quintrevion Wisner-26 carries 156 yards (6.1 ypc) and a TD to carry the Horns.

Honorable Mention: Gunnar Helm 5 catches 51 yards 2 TDs.

Defensive Players of the Game

Anthony “Ant” Hill-lead the team in tackles with a combined 11, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and a forced fumble. He was disruptive.

Honorable Mention-Gillani McDonald, went full blown superman to lay out on an interception leading to 7 points.

Special Teams Player of the Game

Once again, the Kickoff coverage team, pinned one of the most dangerous return men in the country deep.

Stats that Matter

165 Combined starts by the offensive line
21 Consecutive games with a passing TD by Quinn, 2nd longest streak for TEXAS
4/4 TEXAS trips to the Red Zone and Red Zone TDs
17/25 TEXAS TDs on red zone trips in SEC play. Much improved from 2023.

On Deck

Perhaps the most anticipated game of the season and #1 in many fans' minds when the schedule was announced. Georgia has locked up one half of the SEC title and in the last regular season SEC game of 2024, TEXAS will square off with lil brother to decide who fills the other half of the bracket. TEXAS can lose and still back into a CFB playoff berth (68% chance per the Playoff Predictor) but do not think this is what Sark and the Horns are thinking. The game should be played on Friday T+1 but the Aggies pitched another fit. Primetime, under the lights before a raucous crowd at Kyle Field. The Aggies love to think of this as a “rivalry” game but in a true rivalry, you can throw out the records. This game marks one of the rare games when the outcome matters. And this year it matters a bunch. Both teams playing for their 1st SEC title berth as so far, Aggie has enjoyed little real success in the SEC.

TEXAS Tale of the Tape A&M

#15 Scoring offense #36

#58 Rushing offense #17

#17 Passing offense #86

# 3 Scoring defense #36

#13 Rushing Defense #41

# 2 Passing defense #81

On paper TEXAS is the better team, but the margin is not great. Make no mistake, Aggies will be sky high for the game and this might be the best QB TEXAS faces this year. He is a true dual threat QB and he is coming off his best game since LSU. Big test for the SEC’s best D.

Fighting Mack Browns

Stumbling to the end of the year being blown out by Boston College

If we had a playoff vote