The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Arkansas (presented by AT&T)
Longhorns rout Razorbacks, 52-10
09.27.2008 | Football
Sept. 27, 2008
Longhorns gameweek
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AUSTIN, Texas -- No. 7 Texas registered 200 yards both rushing and passing for the third time in four games and held Arkansas to just 191 yards of offense in a 52-10 win over its longtime SWC foe.
It was the Longhorns largest margin of victory in the 92 years of the 77-game series with the Hogs, dating back to a 52-0 win in 1916. Texas opened the year with a 4-0 record for the sixth time in the last eight years.
Offensively, Texas scored on seven (six TDs) of its first eight possessions en route to 421 total yards (208 rushing/213 passing). Five of the Horns TD drives covered at least 60 yards. Texas completed a school-record 21-of-23 passes (91.3%), eclipsing the mark of 90.9% (10-of-11) set against Rice in 2006. The Horns offense efficiently converted 7-of-12 third down attempts (58.3%) and scored on all six of its red zone chances. UT, which tallied 241 yards (141 rushing/100 passing) en route to a 31-3 first half lead, tallied 14 plays of 10 or more yards in mounting a 45-3 lead before cruising to victory.
Colt McCoy completed 17-of-19 passes for 185 yards and three TDS (no interceptions) and led the team in rushing with 84 yards and two scores. All totaled, he recorded 269 yards and was responsible for five TDs. Jordan Shipley hauled in eight catches for 83 yards and two TDs, his fourth straight game with a TD reception. Quan Cosby added five catches for 67 yards and a score. RBs Vondrell McGee (16-48) and Cody Johnson (9-43-1) combined for 91 yards and a score on 25 carries and John Chiles completed all four of his passes for 28 yards.
Defensively, the Longhorns held the Hogs to 11 yards rushing (on 26 carries), Arkansas' lowest output since 1997. The Razorbacks 191 yards of total offense were the fewest for UA since 2002. Texas, which had seven sacks, 11 TFL and 11 pressures on the game, held Arkansas to just 57 yards on its final 29 plays (2.0 ypp) of the game. The Horns also held Arkansas to just 2-of-13 (15.4%) on third down. Arkansas' only penetration into the red zone resulted in a field goal, thanks to an Orakpo sack and QB pressure on back to back plays.
Orakpo led the defense with two sacks, his third straight multi-sack game, three TFL and a forced fumble. Sergio Kindle chipped in five stops, including a sack, and Chykie Brown added four tackles with a sack. Henry Melton forced a fumble (recovered by Ben Alexander) that resulted in a Longhorn TD drive and Aaron Williams returned an interception 81 yards for a score. Texas' special teams were solid as well.
John Gold* averaged 47.0 yards per punt with a long of 54 yards and Trevor Gerland added a 51-yarder. The Horns did not allow the Razorbacks to return a punt, registering a 48.0 yard net punting average. Hunter Lawrence hit the Horns only field goal attempt (34 yards) and was good on his six extra-point attempts. Ryan Baily also made one PAT. Of Justin Tucker's nine kickoffs, three resulted in touchbacks. Curtis Brown led the way with three special teams tackles.
