The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Rice (presented by UnitedHealthcare)
No. 7 Football airs it out, downs Rice 52-10
09.20.2008 | Football
Sept. 20, 2008
Longhorns gameweek
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AUSTIN, Texas -- No. 7 Texas used a balanced offense (341 passing / 259 rushing) and an attacking defense en route to a 52-10 victory over Rice.
The Longhorns used 14 explosive plays to register 600 yards of offense (ninth time in the Mack Brown era), average 14.2 yards per pass play (17.0 per completion), 5.9 yards per rush and 8.8 yards per play in the victory. The defense posted seven sacks (most since the Iowa State game in 2006), 11 tackles for loss and 13 QB pressures. Texas did not punt in the game, marking the first time that has occurred for the Horns since 2003.
After a fumble through the endzone resulted in a touchback and halted a Longhorn five-play, 71-yard drive at the Owls 5-yard line, Texas scored on its next five drives (four TDs/one FG) and eight (seven TDs) of its next nine possessions in a 52-10 win over Rice. Six of the eight scoring drives covered at least 60 yards, including a 99-yarder late in the first quarter that put the Horns up, 14-3.
Facing a Rice offense that was averaging 434.3 yards (142.7 rushing) and 39.7 points per game, UT held the Owls to 318 yards and 10 points. Rice managed just three drives of 50 or more yards and was held to 12 yards or less on four of its 10 possessions. The Owls recorded just 17 yards rushing on 24 carries (0.7 ypc). Rice entered the game ranked eighth nationally (23-of-42/54.8%) in third-down efficiency but UT's defense held the Owls to 2-of-14 (14.3%) on third down.
However, it was Texas' determined goal-line stand midway through the second quarter that set the tone for the defense. After facing a first-and-goal at the two yard-line, the Longhorns stopped the Owls on 11 consecutive snaps (10 of which came from inside the five-yard line) and ended up holding Rice to minus-one yard in the exchange. It ended when DE Brian Orakpo's pressure forced a Rice failed fourth-down pass attempt.
Overall, Orakpo tallied five tackles, two sacks, two pressures, a forced fumble and batted down two passes on the day. Ryan Palmer led the team with eight tackles, Roddrick Muckelroy posted seven stops and Chykie Brown added five tackles, a TFL and two PBU.
Texas' offense was efficient, converting on 7-of-12 (58.3%) of its third down attempts, all three of its fourth down attempts and scoring all three times it reached the red zone. Colt McCoy completed 19-of-23 (82.6%) passes for 329 yards and four TDs (no INTs) and rushed for another 83 yards and a score on eight carries. He registered a passer rating of 260.2 for the game. McCoy's 412 yards of offense were a career high and the fourth-most in UT history. He also passed Major Applewhite (1998-2001) for first place on the UT all-time TD passes list with 62. He Completed 13 straight passes at one point, tying his own single-game record, and three of his four TD passes went for at least 30 yards. He tossed six passes of 30 or more yards and had a pair of 24 yard runs and a 15-yard dash.
Jordan Shipley caught five passes for a career-high 155 yards and two TDs. He had four receptions of at least 30 yards, including a 60-yard TD catch. Quan Cosby added seven catches for 90 yards and a TD while RB Chris Ogbonnaya scored on a 46-yard reception. QB John Chiles ran for 72 yards on 10 carries.
