The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
11.08.2014 | Football
Texas 33, No. 24/25 West Virginia 16
Postgame Notes
Nov. 8, 2014
Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
TEAM NOTES
• Series: Texas and West Virginia met for the just the fourth time and series is now even. WVU won 7-6 in 1956 and 48-45 in 2012, the teams first-ever meeting as conference foes. Texas made its first trip to Morgantown last year and came away with a 47-40 overtime win, just the second extra-session contest in school history. The 2012 game featured 93 points, which is tied for the ninth-most combined points of any contest in UT history.
• Top-25 Victory: The Longhorns recorded their first victory over a top-25 team this season. They were 0-4 so far this year, with the last win over a ranked team coming last year against No. 12/10 Oklahoma.
• Third-Down Conversions: West Virginia entered the game ranked No. 18 nationally in third-down conversions (47.2 percent), but was held to only 3 of 17 (17.6 percent). The Longhorns were 46th nationally in third-down conversion defense (37.3 percent) entering today.
• Safety Net: The Longhorns recorded their first safety in more than three years (43-game span) with Cedric Reed's sack of Clint Trickett in the end zone during the fourth quarter. The last UT safety occurred on Oct. 15, 2011 with Alex Okafor sacked Oklahoma State's Brandon Weedon in the end zone.
• Rushing Attack: The Longhorns have racked up their two best rushing games of the season the last two weeks. One week after a season-high 241 rushing yards vs. Texas Tech (the most since rolling up 281 vs. Texas Tech last season), the Texas offense produced 227 yards on the ground. After averaging 120.5 rushing yards over the first four games, Texas has posted 181.2 over the last six. The Longhorns tallied more rushing yards in the first half (178) than they did in six games this season.
• Goal-Line Stands: Texas entered the game ranked tied for 20th nationally in red zone defense (75 percent) and once an opponent has penetrated the 10-yard line, the defense has been able to hold them to a field goal or less on 11 occasions, including twice in today's game. On its second possession of the game, West Virginia had first-and-goal from the 3 and settled for a field goal. The Mountaineers also had a second-and-9 from the UT 10 in the third quarter, but Jordan Hicks came up with tackles on third and fourth down to stop a drive.
• 100-Yard Rushing Game: The Longhorns recorded their second individual 100-yard rushing game of the season. Malcolm Brown had 116 yards on 22 carries last week vs. Texas Tech and Johnathan Gray tallied 101 yard on 10 carries today.
• Explosive Plays: Big plays have been key for the Longhorns offense this season. Texas recorded nine explosive plays (12-plus yard rushes/16-plus yard catches), including a season-best seven on the ground. Two of the Longhorns' longest runs of the season occurred vs. West Virginia. Johnathan Gray had a 39-yard touchdown run and a 40-yard rush to set up his own 2-yard score.
• Sack Attack: The Longhorns combined for 27 sacks over the first nine games and ranked tied for 18th in the FBS (3.0 per game) entering today. Twelve players have been involved in a sack this season, including six with 2.0 or more. Cedric Reed recorded all three of the UT sacks, the most by a Longhorn since Jackson Jeffcoat posted 3.0 vs. Texas Tech last season.
• Forcing Turnovers: The Longhorns won the turnover battle today, forcing a pair by West Virginia and tossing one interception. Texas improved to 5-2 on the year when forcing a turnover and are now 4-0 when holding the edge in turnovers.
• Starting Lineups: The Longhorns used a new offensive starting lineup with freshman Andrew Beck making his first career start as they opened the game with two tight ends. The defense had the same starting lineup as it did for the Oklahoma and K-State games.
• Injury Report: OL Darius James (knee) and CB Antwuan Davis (ankle) did not play.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Andrew Beck, TE
• Made his first career start.
Malcolm Brown, RB
• Rushed 20 times for 90 yards and now has 2,593 in his career. He passed Jim Bertelsen (2,510/1969-71) to move from 12th to 11th on the UT all-time rushing list. Over the last five games, he has rushed for 377 yards after posting 246 in the first five.
Michael Davidson, P
• Entered the game with just one career punt (two weeks ago vs. K-State), but had six attempts for 262 yards (43.7 average) in the game. Two of his punts were downed inside the 5-yard line.
Quandre Diggs, CB
• Credited with five tackles and his third interception of the season. His second-quarter pick of Clint Trickett set up a Nick Rose 39-yard field goal. With 11 career picks, he now ranks tied for ninth on the UT all-time list with Mossy Cade (1981-83) and William Graham (1979-81).
• Recorded his 36th career pass breakup to move into a tie for 10th on the UT all-time list with Stephen Braggs (1983-86).
Johnathan Gray, RB
• Rushed 10 times for a season-high 101 yards and a career-high three rushing TDs. It marked his fifth career 100-yard rushing game and he moved from 18th to 17th on the UT all-time rushing list, passing Marty Akins (2,020/1973-75).
Dylan Haines, S
• Credited with a career-high 14 tackles.
Cedric Reed, DE
• Credited with a season-high 13 tackles, including a career-best 3.0 sacks. He now has 17 career sacks.
Jaxon Shipley, WR
• Posted three receptions for 38 receiving yards. He now has 213 career catches and moved from fourth to third on the UT all-time list, passing Quan Cosby (212/2005-08).
• Has caught at least one pass in 44 of his 45 career games. He has three or more catches in 37 games.
Geoff Swaim, TE
• Scored his first career touchdown, catching a 2-yard pass from Tyrone Swoopes on the game's opening possession.
By The Numbers
1…The Longhorns have allowed just one offensive touchdown in the opening quarter this season (vs. Iowa State).
5…The Longhorns are now 5-0 when Johnathan Gray rushes for 100 or more yards in a game.
16…West Virginia was held to its lowest point total of the season. The previous low was 23 points in the season opener vs. Alabama.
