TEXAS VS WASHINGTON- GAME THREAD

[cnb]

FWIW, I tend not to believe this. True, his accuracy on the long ball has been a bit suspect, but it has been getting better. The “inaccuracy” has more to do with either miscommunication, or the inability of receivers like Worthy to track the ball, and adjust. (That happened again Monday night.) If you go back over the last year or so, even back to the Alamo Bowl, there was an obvious issue in this regard.

Sark has repeatedly said that Ewers has the ability to make every throw. I have seen no reason not to believe it. And again, while the long ball accuracy may seem suspect, it may have to do as much with the receivers as it does with QE. I guarantee you that Odunze can adjust to the ball in flight. BTW, so can Mitchell. (See TCU.)

Watch. QE will be even better in 24. Probably lethal.

I don't know where the noise about QE not being able to throw "hard" came from but several posters here have run with it.
Fact is nfl scouts have already said he has " all" the throws.

 

[mchammer]

Ok understand that I am very much a Sark fan. I will always be grateful for what he accomplished this year and I am also a positive supporter of Ewers. My issue is how in the heck could a team as potent offensively as ours not score from inside the 15 with four tries? Imho that is just inexcusable and until I get back home and watch it again I’m on the coaches are accountant wagon. Of course the dang tv cameras zoom in so much you cannot normally see the pass routes run but maybe you can see something . I just do not get it. But heck, baring something unforeseen I’ll be back in my seats next year. Hookem

Because the field of action was limited due to no timeouts. Washington had 8 folks in the EZ.

 

[txhorn_et]

Because the field of action was limited due to no timeouts. Washington had 8 folks in the EZ.

…and on the 4th down with 1 second on the clock, ewers was under intense pressure after the right tackle missed his block. Quinn wasn’t able to follow through on his release.

 

[Pomspoms]

He had Shipley who was better than any of our current WRs - except for Mitchell at his best. But we got Mitchell at his best about 3-4 catches total.

We underutilized Mitchell on the whole season for the most part. Even before the season started I was calling for him to be targeted a lot.
BTW
When I think of a healthy Ewers at the healm I am feeling really good and we can beat anybody.
If Manning were at the healm I would be very nervous because of his lack of experience obviously. I hope Manning gets quality playing time next season even with a healthy Ewers.

 

[Creek]

I used to be down on Ewers…Ewers is now a great QB. He gets better as the game goes on. I think he has the highest rating in the 4th quarter of any QB in the NCAA.
Penix was outstanding but Ewers is right there. Ewers is better than Milroe and JJ.
He easily can win us a ring next year.

Fact is we need Ewers more than he needs us.

 

[dukesteer]

I used to be down on Ewers…Ewers is now a great QB. He gets better as the game goes on. I think he has the highest rating in the 4th quarter of any QB in the NCAA.
Penix was outstanding but Ewers is right there. Ewers is better than Milroe and JJ.
He easily can win us a ring next year.

Fact is we need Ewers more than he needs us.

Let me add that, given the protection WA provided for Penik, imagine how much more effective (an already effective) QE would have been? I have little doubt that QE’s numbers would have rivaled those of the WA QB, had Sark chosen to throw that much. Keep in mind though that we were gashing them with the run game all night. The only problem was that we couldn’t hang onto the ball.

 

[longhornlegend]

…and on the 4th down with 1 second on the clock, ewers was under intense pressure after the right tackle missed his block. Quinn wasn’t able to follow through on his release.

Our rt missed blocks a lot this year and/or was holding.

 

[dukesteer]

Our rt missed blocks a lot this year and/or was holding.

I think the world of Christian Jones, but he missed more than a few assignments and was responsible for more than a few untimely penalties. I’m thinking that Cam Williams (or perhaps someone else) will be an upgrade.

 

[aUTfan]

These comparisons by you guys are silly. Ewers isn't Colt and he damn sure isn't Vince. He is what he is. If you want to claim he's a statistical superstar, go ahead. Since I don't see nfl scouts begging him to jump, that confirms my opinion for the moment on that front, but I know for a fact he was the 2nd best qb on the field Monday night. Don't agree? Argue away

For one, Vince and Colt both had better defenses. Folks are comparing the three, VY, Colt, and QE, using statistics because its the only way to put it in perspective. No one is saying QE is a better QB than those two.......but QE isn't done yet, brother.

I got another, more modern, statistic and comparison for you. QE is 15th in total passing yards for the season (per ESPN, 1/3/2023), out of those top 15 QB's, the only QB's ahead of him in QB rating are all Juniors and Seniors. QE is the highest rated sophomore QB in the top 15 on that list.

See for yourself......

College Football Offense Passing All Conferences Stat Leaders, 2023 Season - ESPN

 

[Horn2RunAgain]

For one, Vince and Colt both had better defenses. Folks are comparing the three, VY, Colt, and QE, using statistics because its the only way to put it in perspective. No one is saying QE is a better QB than those two.......but QE isn't done yet, brother.

I got another, more modern, statistic and comparison for you. QE is 15th in total passing yards for the season (per ESPN, 1/3/2023), out of those top 15 QB's, the only QB's ahead of him in QB rating are all Juniors and Seniors. QE is the highest rated sophomore QB in the top 15 on that list.

See for yourself......

College Football Offense Passing All Conferences Stat Leaders, 2023 Season - ESPN

Oh boy, more statistics. Queue my man Disraeli for perspective.....

 

[aUTfan]

Oh boy, more statistics. Queue my man Disraeli for perspective.....

Well since you said that and since some people seem to hold how far a QB should carry the team like VY and Colt, i have a few more, for perspective.......

1) There are only two QB's in the nation left playing that could "carry" their team farther than QE and considered better than QE this season, Penix and JJ.
2) VY could only carry his team as high as 5th his sophmore year.
3) Colt could only carry his team as high as 10th his sophmore year.

QE will have carried his team with what everyone would agree is a weaker defense than 2004 and 2007 to 3rd in the nation.

I wonder what would have happened had we switched QB's in 2005 and 2008 since those guys couldn't carry the team into the national championship their sophmore season?

 

[Horns365]

This seems to evolved into the QE thread. I’d like to re-center for a second. Four chances at the win from 12 yds with this talent - against the 100th ranked pass defense - sounds automatic. I’m so surprised and unhappy with the way the four plays went down. Given all that, I can’t really accept the outcome. Seems like the desperation under the circumstances wasn’t there. I’d have even be ok with a blatant offensive PI from say JT or JWhitt trying to box out a db, or an offensive PI from a rub route. But none of that even happened. It’s like we didn’t even try.

 

[Horn2RunAgain]

Well since you said that and since some people seem to hold how far a QB should carry the team like VY and Colt, i have a few more, for perspective.......

1) There are only two QB's in the nation left playing that could "carry" their team farther than QE and considered better than QE this season, Penix and JJ.
2) VY could only carry his team as high as 5th his sophmore year.
3) Colt could only carry his team as high as 10th his sophmore year.

QE will have carried his team with what everyone would agree is a weaker defense than 2004 and 2007 to 3rd in the nation.

I wonder what would have happened had we switched QB's in 2005 and 2008 since those guys couldn't carry the team into the national championship their sophmore season?

As stated before, in VYs soph year we lost one game. (How many did we lose this year again?). Greg Davis put the offense in turtle mode, we lost to ou. He ended the year as rose bowl mvp with jackson and fouts in awe. Did Mcdonough or McElroy make similar comments about ewers? No they didn't .

I'll leave it there and see more nonsense from you guys trying to compare the two. Me, I'm done with it but I'm not overly optimistic on ewers improving going forward given his inability to challenge safeties deep in the middle of the field because of a lack of zip on the ball.

Uw has the book on us. Sec defenses aren't houston or Iowa state. We're going to see the best athletes and coaches in cfb. I'm looking forward to 2024, hoping for the best

 

[hornde68]

This seems to evolved into the QE thread. I’d like to re-center for a second. Four chances at the win from 12 yds with this talent - against the 100th ranked pass defense - sounds automatic. I’m so surprised and unhappy with the way the four plays went down. Given all that, I can’t really accept the outcome. Seems like the desperation under the circumstances wasn’t there. I’d have even be ok with a blatant offensive PI from say JT or JWhitt trying to box out a db, or an offensive PI from a rub route. But none of that even happened. It’s like we didn’t even try.

Everybody seems to want to dis the wheel route to Blue. At the same instant, everybody seems to ‘know’ that 4 fades were coming. It didn’t work. If the corner on that said play sold out on a slant/fade, Blue would have cruised in and Sark would now be a genius. It didn’t work, but it could have been heroic. Stop all the second guessing. If you haven’t done this in real time, you look like an *** coaching in the mirror. Back shoulder bullet, sure it makes solid sense. That fade/back shoulder was a 50/50 sort of call. We got there, we played with large balls, and we came up a little short. Celebrate the successes, congratulate our team, and get into coaching. Or,, be a spectator. But don’t, don’t demean the success of these true Longhorns.

 

[mchammer]

Everybody seems to want to dis the wheel route to Blue. At the same instant, everybody seems to ‘know’ that 4 fades were coming. It didn’t work. If the corner on that said play sold out on a slant/fade, Blue would have cruised in and Sark would now be a genius. It didn’t work, but it could have been heroic. Stop all the second guessing. If you haven’t done this in real time, you look like an *** coaching in the mirror. Back shoulder bullet, sure it makes solid sense. That fade/back shoulder was a 50/50 sort of call. We got there, we played with large balls, and we came up a little short. Celebrate the successes, congratulate our team, and get into coaching. Or,, be a spectator. But don’t, don’t demean the success of these true Longhorns.

I don’t disagree. However, if you wanted to gamble, throw it in the middle of field to get to the 5 yard line, spike the ball on 2nd down, and then have one play left to score from the 5 yard line. This was NOT considered since it was too risky but I think all things considered probably had the best chance of succeeding.

 

[Horns365]

Everybody seems to want to dis the wheel route to Blue. At the same instant, everybody seems to ‘know’ that 4 fades were coming. It didn’t work. If the corner on that said play sold out on a slant/fade, Blue would have cruised in and Sark would now be a genius. It didn’t work, but it could have been heroic. Stop all the second guessing. If you haven’t done this in real time, you look like an *** coaching in the mirror. Back shoulder bullet, sure it makes solid sense. That fade/back shoulder was a 50/50 sort of call. We got there, we played with large balls, and we came up a little short. Celebrate the successes, congratulate our team, and get into coaching. Or,, be a spectator. But don’t, don’t demean the success of these true Longhorns.

I didn’t demean anyone, so you can go jump for that. What I said was I’d rather see some desperation from the team rather than what we got in the final four plays. I’m not the only person who thought that either.

 

[Orangeyman]

The definitive reason we lost- no call on last play!

 

[longhornlegend]

I really dont understand trying to compare QE to VY or Colt or anyone else. He had a very good year. Everyone can always improve and he will. We just hit a qb in penix that was lights out just like last year in the bowl game. He feasts on pks pass defense (just like ou did) but we feasted on their run defense. Just be glad we had the awesome year we did and hope the train keeps rolling.

 

[Vol Horn 4 Life]

I don’t disagree. However, if you wanted to gamble, throw it in the middle of field to get to the 5 yard line, spike the ball on 2nd down, and then have one play left to score from the 5 yard line. This was NOT considered since it was too risky but I think all things considered probably had the best chance of succeeding.

This is sort of what I kept saying in the moment, not looking in the mirror after the game. You know how many touchdown passes I've seen over the years from the 10-15 yard line that were line drive throws to the 3 or 5 yard line? I can't count that high. Even if it's down inside the 5 there's plenty of time for a spike. That would be the first play and after that you have the fade route option, but a swing pass to the sidelines? BS.

Kudos to the program for getting into the playoffs and achieving what we've been hoping for since 2009. Hopefully they keep learning, improving and moving forward.

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

Me, I'm done with it but I'm not overly optimistic on ewers improving going forward given his inability to challenge safeties deep in the middle of the field because of a lack of zip on the ball.

Of course, you're also on record having not been overly optimistic that Sark could ever do much better than 8 wins in a season. And you had the stats to back you up, at least until they didn't.

I think where you and I tend to differ is precisely in this outlook. You have a habit of assessing players and coaches on a current body of work, but rarely allowing for improvement in projecting forward.

I almost always allow for improvement, and in fact, tend to expect it. Sometimes that bites me on the ***, but not all that often.

 

[Horn2RunAgain]

Of course, you're also on record having not been overly optimistic that Sark could ever do much better than 8 wins in a season. And you had the stats to back you up, at least until they didn't.

I think where you and I tend to differ is precisely in this outlook. You have a habit of assessing players and coaches on a current body of work, but rarely allowing for improvement in projecting forward.

I almost always allow for improvement, and in fact, tend to expect it. Sometimes that bites me on the ***, but not all that often.

Excellent points, all . But I did think we were set after 1990. Turns out we weren't

 

[Horn hubby]

Ok understand that I am very much a Sark fan. I will always be grateful for what he accomplished this year and I am also a positive supporter of Ewers. My issue is how in the heck could a team as potent offensively as ours not score from inside the 15 with four tries? Imho that is just inexcusable and until I get back home and watch it again I’m on the coaches are accountant wagon. Of course the dang tv cameras zoom in so much you cannot normally see the pass routes run but maybe you can see something . I just do not get it. But heck, baring something unforeseen I’ll be back in my seats next year. Hookem

Same issue with the ou game but from the 1.

 

[BornOrange0855]

Same issue with the ou game but from the 1.

This was the OU game all over again. A DL that put little pressure on the QB and DBs who failed to make any plays of value. And we faced a team that began the game with more intensity than we did.

It's Friday and I'm almost over the loss. I'm trying to be grateful for the year we had. But from the 12 with 15 seconds it was right there in front of us for a miracle victory. I know it's easy to armchair QB but for the life of me I don't understand the 4 plays we ran from there. I suppose I should give UW credit for their last stand. But I'm just not there yet.

 

[nashhorn]

Agree BO. Best db play imo was the deliberate pi to prevent a TD.

 

[ViperHorn]

This was the OU game all over again. A DL that put little pressure on the QB and DBs who failed to make any plays of value. And we faced a team that began the game with more intensity than we did.

It's Friday and I'm almost over the loss. I'm trying to be grateful for the year we had. But from the 12 with 15 seconds it was right there in front of us for a miracle victory. I know it's easy to armchair QB but for the life of me I don't understand the 4 plays we ran from there. I suppose I should give UW credit for their last stand. But I'm just not there yet.

We all share this pain, and yes this was basically the ou game all over again. However, you have to put the last 12 yards in perspective. It had to be four passes as any run that did not end in the endzone would have ended the game. The choice was a quick pass over the middle hoping someone could get open or boundary passes into a crowded 53 by 10 yard rectangle full of 22 moving bodies. Even the 110th-ranked defense can defend that.

Hopefully, lessons were learned.

 

[Horn6721]

Vipe
I needed that. It was/ is so easy to feel Texas was a failure

 

[ViperHorn]

67, Texas just started clicking 30 seconds too late.

 

[Horn6721]

At the time it was like all the air came out at once and it came crashing down.
You pointing out reality makes it easier to look to the future

 

[BornOrange0855]

Viper, I completely agree that scoring from the 12 with 15 seconds left was anything but a slam dunk. And it's not like UW was going to sit back and let it happen. And, yes, it's easy for me to say after the fact that I would have called different plays. And I agree that my plays might not have worked either.
This is me trying to get over this loss, catharsis, if you will. Grieving publicly with my community is the quickest way to get over the pain. I'll let you know in a few days if it's working. LOL