Texas and Big 12 Capsules: A&M's offense humming along
COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M’s offense put up big numbers in its first three games, but the level of competition raised doubts about how good the Aggies really were.
After losing three in a row, A&M (5-3, 2-2 Big 12) has now topped 500 total yards in consecutive Big 12 victories and the offense remains one of the nation’s best.
The Aggies rank third in total yardage (490.5 yards per game), eighth in scoring (35.8 points per game) and fourth in third-down conversion rate (52.5 percent) heading into Saturday’s game at Colorado (2-6, 1-3).
While junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson has put together one of the best seasons in school history, the offensive line has taken a lead role in the last two weeks, paving the way for the Aggies’ top two rushing games of the season.
Earlier in the year, coach Mike Sherman shuffled players up front because of injuries and inexperience, and the unit struggled to open holes and protect Johnson. Sherman has found the right mix now, and the Aggies averaged 294 rushing yards in lopsided victories over Texas Tech and Iowa State.
The running game taken some of the burden off Johnson, who ranks among the top 10 nationally in total offense (329 yards per game) and passing yards (295.6).
Johnson averaged 43 pass attempts in A&M’s first six games, but threw only 28 passes in each of the last two.
"Now, it’s more along the lines of the way coach Sherman wants it," Johnson said. "Our offense gives us versatility to where, if the running is not working, we can throw the ball. But I know he definitely wants a balanced attack and the last couple games, it’s more what he wants our offense to be."
The Aggies use an up-tempo, no-huddle system and average 83 snaps per game, second in the nation. Johnson seems more and more comfortable running it and Sherman has given him more freedom to call audibles at the line in the second half of the season.
Johnson said the offense is clicking now because every player knows Sherman’s complicated playbook so well.
"Now, we’re just starting to come around to where everybody understands it, executes it and makes decisions on the run," Johnson said.
Johnson has completed passes to 13 different receivers and his favorite target — sophomore Jeff Fuller — is back after missing four games with a broken right leg. Fuller caught a touchdown pass in last week’s 35-10 win over Iowa State.
Sherman said the receiving corps, like Johnson, has made a marked improvement since he became A&M’s coach in November 2007. Fuller is one of 10 players with TD catches this season.
"When we first got here, boy, we struggled catching the football," Sherman said. "They catch the ball pretty well. We just don’t drop the ball. I’m adamant about that. The guys have bought into that."
A&M ranks 12th nationally in passing offense (299.4 yards per game). The Aggies have moved from 49th to 23rd in rushing offense in the last two weeks, now averaging 191 yards per game.
Sherman said he’s scaled back the variety of running plays lately, calling many of the same ones repeatedly. That’s simplified the assignments for the linemen, and helped them recognize how opposing defenses are trying to stop them.
"If you keep calling the same play consistently, if you screw up on the first one, you know why you screwed up and you can take a different angle or a different step to make it work the second time," senior left tackle Michael Shumard said. "You learn throughout the game how the defense is going to play it. If one guy goes one way on a certain play, you learn that he might do that the next time."
Colorado’s defense ranks ninth in the Big 12 (382 yards per game) and 10th against the run (154 yards per game). A&M will face two of the league’s top defensive teams — No. 20 Oklahoma and No. 2 Texas — in the coming weeks, but Sherman thinks the Aggies have reached a point where they believe they can move the ball on anyone.
"I don’t think there’s a situation that comes up on the field that they feel overwhelmed with," Sherman said. "I would think they have pretty good confidence in themselves. We still have a lot of football left to play, a lot of good teams to play. The true tests will be as we wind up the month of November."
Loss at Texas Tech still haunts Texas in ‘09
AUSTIN — Eight games into the 2009 season, 1 second from 2008 still haunts and motivates Texas.
One second, one play and one loss to Texas Tech ruined the Longhorns’ chance to play for a national championship.
Several Longhorns said Monday the memory of that game has been with them all year and will be over the final month of the season.
"Let’s not let that happen again," quarterback Colt McCoy said. "We know that feeling and we don’t want to feel it again."
It would seem Texas players would have exorcised those demons when the Longhorns beat Texas Tech 34-24 on Sept. 19, but they acknowledged the last-second defeat to Michael Crabtree and the Red Raiders in Lubbock last year has driven them motivated every day of 2009.
"It was a good lesson," defensive tackle Lamarr Houston said. "We don’t ever want to leave our destiny in someone else’s hands again."
That won’t happen if Texas keeps winning.
At 8-0, the Longhorns are No. 2 in the Bowl Championship Series standings and in sole possession of first place in the Big 12 South.
Win the division, and Texas gets to the Big 12 title game. Win that, and Texas has a clear path to the BCS championship game on Jan. 7 in Pasadena, Calif., the site of the Longhorns 2005 championship game victory against USC.
On Saturday, the Longhorns play Central Florida (5-3). The Knights were supposed to be an early season tuneup before the game got switched with Texas Tech.
Then the Longhorns travel to Baylor (3-5), which has lost four in a row, before hosting Kansas (5-3), which has lost its last three. The finale at Texas A&M (5-3) seems to be the biggest hurdle on the way to an undefeated regular season.
The Longhorns are trying to tune out talk from fans and media that they might as well start making hotel reservations in California.
"But we’re the ones who have to play," senior center Chris Hall said. "We know better."
And that’s when he brings up Texas Tech, that 1 disastrous second and how it keeps the Longhorns razor sharp at what could be a dull point in the season.
"With our experience last year, there are no thoughts like that with us," Hall said.
For anyone unfamiliar, No. 1 Texas fought back from 19 points down at Texas Tech to take a 33-32 lead with 89 seconds to play. Then Crabtree made the play of the year, scoring the winning touchdown with a tick left.
That play ultimately knocked Texas out of the Big 12 title game and out of a chance to play for the national title.
Roy Miller, who was a Longhorns defensive tackle last season and is now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, visited his old team last week. He told them he is haunted by that second in Lubbock.
"Don’t leave a play on the field," Miller told them. "It stays with you the rest of your life."
After Miller’s speech, Texas thumped Oklahoma State 41-14 and got a bump from No. 3 to No. 2 in the rankings and the BCS standings. It also put the Longhorns in first place in the Big 12 South.
Although Central Florida can’t impact the Big 12 race, Brown said he told his players they can make a statement nationally.
The win over Oklahoma State earned some national respect that had waned in recent weeks. And after his slow start, McCoy can still make a run for the Heisman Trophy.
Everything is still within Texas’ reach.
If the Longhorns keep winning. If they avoid that one game — or 1 second — letdown.
"These guys don’t ever want that feeling again," defensive end Sergio Kindle said.
-- Jim Vertuno
No. 2 Texas stays close to home for last few games
AUSTIN — The eyes of Texas can stay in Texas, with only an occassional glance to the West Coast if absolutely necessary.
After two dominant wins on the road, the No. 2 Texas Longhorns don’t have to leave their home state for the rest of the regular season.
At 8-0 and in sole possession of first place in the Big 12 South, the Longhorns have games left at home against Central Florida, 99 miles north at Baylor, home against Kansas and 105 miles east at Texas A&M on Thanksgiving.
And if they do win the division, the Big 12 championship game is at the Dallas Cowboys’ new stadium in Arlington.
The challenge now is fighting off outsiders’ assumptions that they’ll breeze to 13-0 and into the BCS title game in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 7.
Big 12
Notebook: North race a muddled mess; K-State in lead
DES MOINES, Iowa — No. 2 Texas clarified the Big 12 South title picture by thumping No. 18 Oklahoma State 41-14 in Stillwater on Saturday night.
The race for the North division crown, though, is more muddled than ever.
The top five teams in the North are either 5-3 or 5-4 and have at least two losses in conference play. Kansas State (5-4, 3-2) remains the surprise leader of the division, followed by Nebraska (5-3, 2-2) and Iowa State (5-4, 2-3).
Preseason North favorites Missouri (5-3, 1-3) and Kansas (5-3, 1-3) got off to slow starts in the Big 12. Only Colorado (2-6, 1-3) looks like it won’t be a factor after losing four of its last five.
Missouri snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the Buffaloes, 36-17, though the Tigers could only muster a field goal in the second half.
"At times on offense, we look like we did a year ago. And there’s times on offense when we look like we can’t get a first down," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. His team faces Baylor this week.
Kansas, which has dropped three straight after a 5-0 start, can make a big statement this weekend against the rival Wildcats in Manhattan. Coach Mark Mangino said Monday that senior quarterback Todd Reesing will start this week, despite being benched late in a 42-21 loss to Texas Tech.
Mangino said that the offensive line’s inability to adequately protect Reesing was part of the reason he pulled him. Reesing was sacked six times by the Red Raiders.
"I think it was the appropriate thing to do," Mangino said. "I didn’t want him taking any more shots."
FROSH QUARTERBACKS
Nebraska joined a growing list of Big 12 teams playing freshman quarterbacks when it started Cody Green in a 20-10 win over Baylor.
Green was the first true freshman to start for the Huskers since Tommie Frazier in 1992. Though his numbers weren’t great — he was 12-of-21 passing for 128 yards and an interception — Green led Nebraska to points on its first three drives.
Oklahoma freshman Landry Jones had one of the best games of his young career over the weekend, tossing for 294 yards and four TDs in a 42-30 win over Kansas State.
Iowa State frosh Jerome Tiller started his second game in place of Austen Arnaud, who has a bruised throwing hand. Tiller threw two costly interceptions in a 35-10 loss at Texas A&M, and Cyclones coach Paul Rhoads said Arnaud will start against the Cowboys in Ames on Saturday.
Texas Tech freshman Seth Doege completed 14 of 28 passes for 159 yards, but he also fumbled twice and was pulled in favor of Taylor Potts at halftime with the game tied at 14.
LONGHORNS NOT LOOKING AHEAD
Texas coach Mack Brown knows some have already penciled his Longhorns in for the BCS title game after their resounding victory over Oklahoma State.
That’s why he met his with team on Sunday for a "longer than normal" discussion about the rest of the season. Brown said he was impressed with his players mindset heading into the final stretch of the year, which starts on Saturday when the Longhorns host Central Florida in a rare late non-conference game.
"This is a team that, it’s got a lot of young guys on it, but it’s got mature leadership," Brown said. "These guys know where we are, they know where we’ve got to go really more than ever before."
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Oklahoma QB Landry Jones and Texas Tech RB Baron Batch were named the Big 12’s co-offensive players of the week. Batch rushed for 123 yards and four touchdowns, including three in the fourth quarter, in the win over the Jayhawks.
Nebraska’s Jared Crick was the league’s defensive player of the week, setting a school record with five sacks in a win over Baylor.
Kansas State’s Brandon Banks was the special teams player of the week for the third time this season. Banks returned a fourth-quarter kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown against the Sooners. It was the fifth kickoff return for a TD of his career and the fourth this season, both Big 12 records.
QUOTABLE
"I put my arm around him and asked him ‘You’re a senior, aren’t you?’ and he said ‘Yeah.’ And I said ‘Well, I’m glad because I’m tired of watching you return kicks."’ — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops on what he said to Banks after the game.
EXTRA POINTS
Texas A&M went 10-for-13 on third-down conversions against Iowa State and have won two straight — by an average of 23.5 points — after their 62-14 loss to Kansas State. ... Missouri’s defense, which was carved up for 41 points in a loss to Texas on Oct. 24, had eight sacks and forced four turnovers against Colorado. ... The Longhorns returned two interceptions for touchdowns against Oklahoma State and have now scored nine non-offensive TDs, the most in the FBS. ... Baylor isn’t a big fan of Halloween. The Bears haven’t won on that date since 1936.
-- Luke Meredith
No. 18 Cowboys count on rebound by QB Robinson
STILLWATER, Okla. — Zac Robinson had been the rock for No. 18 Oklahoma State through a string of injuries and the loss of All-America receiver Dez Bryant because of a violation of NCAA rules.
When Robinson struggled to perhaps the worst game of his college career as the Cowboys (6-2, 3-1) got their chance to take the lead in the Big 12 South, his teammates weren't about to let him shoulder the blame.
Robinson threw a career-high four interceptions in a 41-14 loss to Texas on Saturday that greatly diminishes Oklahoma State's chances at playing in the conference title game for the first time. Two of the picks were returned for touchdowns.
"It's not all his fault, even though it may seem that way just because he is the quarterback," receiver Justin Blackmon said Monday. "But you've got to keep your head up, and that's what we told him after the game."
Robinson had thrown only three interceptions before that this season and had never thrown more than two in a game. He admitted after the game that he probably should have scrambled instead of forcing himself to pass to covered receivers.
"Zac will be fine. Zac pressed. I've been there. I've done that myself, and so I have a pretty good feel for what he did," coach Mike Gundy said. "We have complete confidence in his ability, and when you're a good player at any level and you don't play well, there will always be a question come up.
"He's been a proven player for us, and Zac's very stable mentally. We expect him to practice well and go compete. He just pressed. He tried to do a little bit too much and it cost him at times."
Robinson needs only 75 yards to break Gundy's school record for passing yards this Saturday at Iowa State (5-4, 2-3). It would take the least productive passing game since he became the starter for Robinson to remain in second.
"I think any time you have a chance to do something like that it's pretty special, especially if it's the guy who's not only coaching you but the head coach and you're still here at the same time," offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer said. "It's pretty unique."
The Cyclones will counter with the return of starting quarterback Austen Arnaud after a two-game absence due to a bruised hand. Iowa State went 1-1 while he was out, forcing eight turnovers in a 9-7 win at Nebraska two weeks ago.
Quarterback has been one of the few areas where Oklahoma State hasn't had injury issues. The Cowboys have been without tailback Kendall Hunter, receiver Josh Cooper, defensive end Jermiah Price, linebacker Orie Lemon and others at times. Meanwhile, Robinson has helped keep the team together, even without Bryant, who has been ruled ineligible for the season for lying to an NCAA investigator.
"All these spread offenses in this league are better served with a quarterback that's dangerous with his feet as well as with his arm, and Zac is that," Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads said.
Brewer said different players shared the blame for each of the interceptions and he didn't think he would need to reassure Robinson, who will be making his 33rd career start, after the poor performance.
"I would say that if Zac was a freshman and this was early in his career, without the maturity factor, that that could be a concern," Brewer said. "But where he is, obviously you go in and correct the mistakes and you see what they did secondarily — what they did and then what we can do to correct it."
Texas cornerback Curtis Brown outmuscled transfer Dameron Fooks and beat him to the ball for Robinson's first interception, then returned it up the sideline 77 yards for a touchdown. Safety Earl Thomas had the second pick, zipping in front of Hubert Anyiam and going untouched on a 31-yard return for another score.
Blake Gideon had the third pick while playing deep down the middle, and Chykie Brown made the fourth interception on a fourth-down jump ball at the 2-yard line.
"I'm not going to point fingers at anybody," offensive tackle Brady Bond. "I know as an offensive lineman that we made some mistakes that probably forced his hand and made him rush some passes there. Later in the game, I don't know what was going on. Maybe he was trying to get some points on the board.
"Either way, we win as a team and lose as a team. There's no one individual that cost us that game."
-- Jeff Latzke
KU’s Mangino defends QB Todd Reesing
DES MOINES, Iowa — Kansas coach Mark Mangino believes the struggles of the Jayhawks offense go far beyond the play of quarterback Todd Reesing.
Reesing was pulled late in Kansas’ 42-21 loss at Texas Tech on Saturday, but Mangino says he’ll start this week at Kansas State.
Mangino says Reesing wasn’t getting great protection and he didn’t want his quarterback take any more big hits. Mangino also says the entire offense was out of sync.
Mangino says the Jayhawks aren’t running the ball well or protecting the quarterback, and that the receivers are dropping too many balls — all issues that have little to do with Reesing.
Neb.’s Pelini expects Robinson back at practice
LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska coach Bo Pelini says freshman running back Dontrayevous Robinson is expected to be back at practice early in the week after leaving Saturday’s game with an undisclosed injury.
Robinson ran 13 times for 61 yards and a touchdown in the 20-10 win against Baylor. He walked slowly off the field after a 9-yard run in the third quarter and didn’t return.
Pelini said during a Big 12 Conference coaches call on Monday that he’s not satisfied with the running game as the Cornhuskers enter this week’s home game against 20th-ranked Oklahoma.
The Huskers rushed for 145 yards against a Baylor defense that ranks last in the Big 12 against the run.
Linebacker to undergo season-ending surgery
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri middle linebacker Luke Lambert will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.
The junior was hurt on the first play against Texas on Oct. 24 and an MRI exam last week revealed a torn labrum. The operation has been scheduled for Friday.
Coach Gary Pinkel said Lambert, who had 20 tackles, should be ready for spring practice. Sophomore Will Ebner has taken Lambert’s spot and has 11 tackles the last two games.
ISU QB Arnaud to start against Oklahoma State
AMES, Iowa — Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud says he’ll be back in the lineup Saturday when the Cyclones face 18th-ranked Oklahoma State.
Arnaud has missed the last two games with a bruised throwing hand. But Arnaud says he’s able to grip the ball better now and get the velocity he needs on his passes.
Iowa State split the two games Arnaud missed, winning at Nebraska and losing at Texas A&M.
Center Reggie Stephens also is expected back after missing the Texas A&M game following an appendectomy.
Coach Paul Rhoads says running back Alexander Robinson, who has been slowed by a groin injury, is the healthiest he’s been since September.
Big 12 hoping for more lenient bowl requirements
INDIANAPOLIS — Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe wants the NCAA to treat teams with 6-6 records the same as teams with winning records when it comes to bowl games.
Under current rules, teams with .500 records can receive a bowl bid only if the school’s conference already has a deal with a bowl and all other teams with winning records have been invited to postseason games.
Beebe’s proposal would eliminate those exceptions and permit 6-6 teams to be accepted immediately.
Consideration of the Big 12’s proposal could lead to a broader discussion about the bowl system.
The Big 12’s proposal is expected to be discussed during the NCAA convention in January.
