The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
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Kansas
Football plays at Kansas Saturday
09.22.2014 | Football
Longhorns and Jayhawks game set for 3 p.m. Central in Lawrence; Will air on FOX Sports 1
Longhorns Gameweek | Texas-Kansas Game Notes (PDF) | Tickets
The Football team will play its first road game of the season on Saturday when it travels to Kansas to face the Jayhawks in the Big 12 Conference opener for both teams. The game is set for 3 p.m. Central from Memorial Stadium and will air nationally on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). The Jayhawks knocked off Central Michigan, 24-10, at home Saturday. This weekend is Homecoming at Kansas.
Horns Off Last Week: Texas was off last week after suffering a heart-breaking 20-17 loss to No. 12/12 UCLA on Saturday, Sept. 13 in Arlington, Texas. In a matchup neither team led by more than one score, the Bruins put the game-winning touchdown on the board with 3:00 left to go. In his second career start, Tyrone Swoopes went 24 of 34 for 196 yards and two touchdowns including one that put Texas ahead 17-13 late in the fourth quarter. Jerry Neuheisel, who replaced injured starter Brett Hundley in the first quarter, finished 23 of 30 for 178 yards and two TD passes, including the 33-yard game-winner to Jordan Payton.
The Kansas Series: Texas and Kansas will meet for the 14th time in a series that dates back to 1901. The Longhorns lead the series 11-2 with the only losses coming in 1901 and 1938 in Lawrence. The Horns have won all 11 matchups in Big 12 play and have outscored Kansas by an average of 42.8-14.4 points per game in that stretch. Texas holds a 5-2 advantage in Lawrence, though struggled in its last trip. On Oct. 12, 2012, QB Case McCoy, who came off the bench, hit tight end D.J. Grant for the 1-yard game-winning touchdown with 12 seconds left to left the Longhorns to a 21-17 victory.
First-and-Goal:
• During the off-week, Texas announced a pair of personnel updates. QB David Ash has decided to retire from football due to his injury history and DT Desmond Jackson will have surgery on his injured foot and is likely out for the season.
• The Horns rank No. 26 nationally in total defense, surrendering an average of 322.0 yards over the first three games. The passing efficiency defense checks in at No. 16 in the FBS with a 101.33 rating. The Jayhawks are ranked 90th in the FBS in total offense (374.3 ypg), but have the 41st-ranked rushing attack (200.3 ypg).
• The Longhorns have combined for 13 sacks over the first three games and rank sixth in the FBS (4.3 per game). Eleven players have been involved in a sack this season and the defensive tackles are leading the way. Malcom Brown has a team-high 3.5 sacks and Hassan Ridgeway is second (3.0). Brown ranks tied 14th in the FBS (1.33 per game) and Ridgeway is tied for 20th.
• QB Tyrone Swoopes has directed the offense the last two games, completing 44 of 65 passes for 377 yards. His completion percentage (67.7) ranks No. 19 in the nation and he has committed just one turnover in his two starts.
• Jaxon Shipley (20) and John Harris (19) are leading the team in receptions. They rank tied for third and tied for fifth, respectively, in the Big 12 in catches. Johnathan Gray (178) and Malcolm Brown (162) are the top rushers.
Texas in Big 12 Openers: Texas is 15-3 in Big 12 Conference opening games, including wins in 14 of the last 15. The only losses came to Oklahoma State (1997) and Kansas State (1998), both on the road, and to the Wildcats at home in 2007. UT is 6-2 all-time in Big 12 openers on the road.
Coaches To Cure MD Campaign: Members of the the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) from the FBS are wearing Cure MD patches during Sept. 27 games to raise awareness for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research. This is the seventh year of the Coach to Cure MD program. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is the most common fatal genetic disorder among boys worldwide. The program is a partnership between Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy and the AFCA. For more information, visit www.afca.com.
Streaks, Trends and Milestones:
• Jaxon Shipley moved from seventh to fifth on the UT all-time receptions list (179) with a career-high tying nine catches for 65 yards vs. UCLA. He passed Kwame Cavil (174/1997-99) and Mike Adams (177/1992-96).
• Malcolm Brown moved from 16th to 14th on the UT all-time rushing list (2,132) with 69 yards on the ground vs. UCLA. He passed Darron Norris (2,079/1985-88) and Phil Brown (2,102/1990-93).
• John Harris has one touchdown reception in each of the first three games. He is one of just three players in UT history to accomplish that feat (Mike Davis, 2013; Jordan Shipley, 2008).
• Malcom Brown recorded a career-high 2.5 sacks vs. BYU and is among some rare company. Since the 1998 season, Brown is just the 10th Texas player (second defensive tackle) to post 2.5 or more sacks in the game. Cedric Woodard had 3.0 vs. Texas A&M, 1998.
• Texas has five interceptions already this season after posting 10 all of 2013. The Horns rank tied No. 32 nationally in turnovers gained (7) and tied for 48th in turnover margin (+0.33 per game). The Jayhawks have just three turnovers (all interceptions) and rank tied for 20th nationally in turnover margin (+1.0 ppg).
• Dominic Espinosa, who fractured an ankle in the season opener vs. North Texas, had his team-best 40 consecutive-game starting streak snapped vs. BYU. DE Cedric Reed, who has started 22 straight games, now has the team lead. TE Geoff Swaim has the most consecutive starts on offense with eight.
• For just the 14th time on UT record, the Longhorns held an opponent to under 100 yards of total offense when they limited North Texas to just 94 (79 rushing, 15 passing). The 94 yards yielded rank No. 13 on the UT single-game list and it marked the first time since Oct. 29, 2011 that the Longhorns held an opponent under 100 yards. Texas was one of just three schools in the FBS to allow that few yards in week one (also Pittsburgh, 57, and Louisiana-Monroe, 94). The 15 passing yards surrendered to UNT rank No. 9 on the UT single-game list.
• The Texas defense forced North Texas into four interceptions, the most since the 2009 Oklahoma State game (Oct. 31). Dylan Haines, Jordan Hicks, Adrian Colbert and Demarco Cobbs each recorded his first career interception. Cobbs returned his pick it 28 yards for a touchdown. DT Chris Whaley had UT's last interception return for a score (31 yards) in the 2013 Oklahoma game.
Ash Retires from Football: David Ash entered 2014 with high hopes as the team's starting quarterback, but the fourth-year player was forced to retire from football last week after playing in just one game this year. He was looking to replicate a 2012 season which saw him start in 12 of 13 games and finish 15th in the FBS in completion percentage (67.3). Ash played in just three games last year, missing the final 10 to a head injury and earning a medical redshirt. He was one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the Big 12 having played in 29 games with 22 starts. However, head coach Charlie Strong announced Wednesday that Ash was giving up football, though he will remain involved as a student assistant coach. He ends his career eighth on the UT all-time passing yards list (4,728), 10th in total offense (5,125) and seventh in touchdown passes (31).
Directing the Offense: Sophomore Tyrone Swoopes is now the team's starting quarterback. The sophomore started the last two games in place of David Ash who suffered a head injury in the season opener vs. North Texas and subsequently retired from football. Swoopes, who played in six games as a reserve in 2013, has capably directed the offense in the first two starts of his career, completing 44 of 65 passes (67.7 percent) for 372 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
• In his starting debut vs. BYU, Swoopes was solid, completing 20-of-31 passes for 176 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He completed his first eight attempts of the game, and although he was unable to lead his first scoring drive as a starter until the third quarter, he showed promise. On the TD drive, Swoopes led a 13-play, 75-yard drive in which he went 6-of-6 for 53 yards, including a 13-yard TD to John Harris.
• In his second start, Swoopes went 24 of 34 for 196 yards and two TDs vs. UCLA. He again got off to a hot start, completing his first 11 passes, and was 11 of 13 for 104 yards and two TDs on Texas two touchdown drives.
Revamped Offensive Line: With three starters lost from last year, the Longhorns were going to have a somewhat different look to the offensive line this year. Dominic Espinosa entered the season having started the last 39 games at center, but after suffering a fractured ankle vs. North Texas the senior is out indefinitely and the Longhorns are now minus their most experienced lineman. Junior Kennedy Estelle made eight starts a year ago and opened the UNT game at left tackle, but did not play vs. BYU and UCLA due to suspension and was subsequently dismissed from the program. Potential starting tackle Desmond Harrison missed the first three games due to suspension. That left Texas with a group that entered the BYU game with a combined five starts: sophomore right tackle Kent Perkins had two, junior left guard Sedrick Flowers had two and junior left tackle Marcus Hutchins had one. Hutchins moved over from the defensive line during preseason camp. Meanwhile, right guard Taylor Doyle and center Jake Raulerson were making their first career starts vs. BYU. That group started again vs. UCLA.
Catching On: With the departure of Mike Davis, who ended his career fourth in UT history in both receptions (200) and receiving yards (2,753), Texas did not have much returning production beyond senior Jaxon Shipley and junior Marcus Johnson. Shipley has posted 179 receptions (fifth on the UT career list) in his career after catching 20 for 144 yards in the first three games. Behind Shipley, Johnson is the leading returning receiver in terms of yardage, having caught 22 passes for 350 yards (15.9 ypc) last year.
• Senior John Harris has been the breakout wide receiver, posting 19 catches for a team-high 247 yards. His 83.7 yards per game rank seventh in the Big 12. Harris had seven catches for a career-best 110 yards and a TD in the opener, and followed it up with a career-high eight catches for 77 yards and a touchdown in week two vs. BYU. He became just the third player in school history to catch a TD pass in each of the first three games of a season (also Jordan Shipley, 2008; Mike David, 2013) when he finished the UCLA game with four catches for 60 yards and a TD.
• Beyond Shipley, Harris and Johnson, Jacorey Warrick has seen time, making his first career catches (two for 30 yards) vs. UNT. Junior Daje Johnson figured to be a factor after posting 24 receptions for 178 yards last season. He has big-play ability with five career plays of 45 or more yards, but missed the first three games due to suspension. True freshmen Armanti Foreman and Lorenzo Joe have also seen action.
One-Two Punch in the Backfield: Senior Malcolm Brown and junior Johnathan Gray form one of the most formidable running back duos in the country. Brown and Gray are one of just six twosomes in the nation to return after each rushing for more than 750 yards last season. Brown rushed for 904 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 105.1 rushing yards over the last eight games. Gray is fully recovered from a torn Achilles that caused him to miss the final four games last season. Gray averaged 4.9 yards per carry on 159 attempts, finishing the season with 780 yards on the ground. Both are threats to catch the ball out of the backfield: Brown had 17 catches for 195 yards and Gray had 15 receptions for 61 yards. They have split the work load evenly this year, with Gray rushing 37 times for 178 yards (4.8 ypc) and Brown carrying it 41 times for 162 yards (4.0 ypc). Behind Brown and Gray, the Longhorns are youthful with just two scholarship running backs on the roster: true freshmen Donald Catalon and D'Onta Foreman. Seeing his first collegiate action vs. UNT, Foreman rushed twice for 37 yards including a long of 34.
Looking for an Increased Role: Texas has three tight ends on the roster with extended playing time. Seniors Greg Daniels and Geoff Swaim were the starters last season, including five games together. While Daniels and Swaim were a key in the running game last season, the duo combined for just six catches. M.J. McFarland, the No. 3 tight end, did not have a reception in his 11 games. Last season at Louisville, Charlie Strong's offense had two tight ends - Gerald Christian (28) and Ryan Hubbell (14) - combine for 42 catches. During 2012, Hubbell (14) and Nate Nord (13) combined for 27 receptions. That same season, McFarland (8) and Daniels (5) were more involved in the UT passing game, combining for 13 catches. Daniels is out of action with a knee injury so freshman Andrew Beck was moved to tight end in the preseason and has played in the first three games. McFarland has posted three catches so far, including a 2-yard TD catch vs. UCLA, while Swaim has two catches for 14 yards.
In the Trenches: The Longhorns are relying on a stout and experienced defensive line. Senior Cedric Reed and junior Shiro Davis are the starting ends while senior Desmond Jackson and junior Malcom Brown have occupied the tackle positions. The quartet made their presence known from the onset of the opener vs. UNT, setting the tone and helping Texas allow just 40 yards of total offense in the first three quarters. The Longhorns have depth on the line as evidenced by reserves DT Hassan Ridgeway making two sacks and DT Alex Norman making one. In addition to those two, DE Caleb Bluiett, DE Bryce Cottrell and DT Paul Boyette Jr. have seen action.
• After recording four sacks vs. UNT, the Longhorns had six vs. BYU and three vs. UCLA, and their 13 this season are sixth in the FBS. Against the Cougars, Brown had a career-high 2.5 sacks, matched his career best with 10 tackles and forced a fumble. Davis posted 1.5 sacks, while Reed and Bluiett each assisted on one. Brown and Ridgeway each tallied one sack against the Bruins.
• Brown is one of just four Longhorns to record 3.5 sacks or more in the first three games of a season since 2001 (also Eddie Jones, 4, in 2010; Brian Orakpo, 4, in 2008; and Maurice Gordon, 3.5, in 2001).
• A first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2013, Reed is a disruptive force who has started in 22 straight games which leads the team. The senior forced five fumbles and recorded 19 tackles for loss and 10 sacks last year. His 79 tackles were third on the team and are tops among returning players. Davis, a junior, made his first career start vs. UNT. He saw action in all 13 games last season and made 15 tackles, four of them for a loss. Jackson and Brown bring plenty of experience to the middle of the line. Combined, the two have played in 70 games and started in 32. Jackson recorded a career-high 39 tackles last year, along with a pair of sacks and five tackles for loss. Brown, meanwhile, finished the season tied for third in PBUs (5), third in tackles for loss (12) and seventh in tackles (68).
Depth at Linebacker: Texas has depth at linebacker, where five players that started in at least one game last season returned. Senior Steve Edmond, an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection last year, anchors the middle, while senior Jordan Hicks and junior Peter Jinkens start at the outside positions. Dalton Santos (seven starts) and Timothy Cole (one) also bring starting experience from last season, while Demarco Cobbs (six) and Tevin Jackson (two) have starting experience from 2012. Edmond, who has made 22 career starts, recorded 73 tackles last year. Hicks has returned from an Achilles injury that caused him to miss the final 10 games a season ago, but so far has returned to the form that saw him make 41 tackles in the first four contests of 2013. Jinkens started in six games last year, playing his best in the final two when he made a combined 21 tackles. Redshirt freshman Naashon Hughes also seen time as a reserve.
• Hicks has played at a high level, recording 40 tackles, including five for a loss, in the first three games. Most recently vs. UCLA, Hicks recorded a career-high 18 tackles, and the senior made his first career interception in the opener vs. North Texas. Edmond is second on the team with 32 stops, including a career-high 14 vs. BYU.
Cobbs returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown vs. North Texas.
Playmakers in the Secondary: With experienced playmakers Quandre Diggs, Duke Thomas and Mykkele Thompson, the Longhorns have a well-equipped secondary and proved that by allowing just 140.7 passing yards per game in the first three contests (15 vs. UNT, 181 vs. BYU, 226 vs. UCLA). Diggs, a three-year starter, and Thomas, a junior who started 10 games a year ago, man the cornerback positions. With 39 career starts under his belt, Diggs is the most experienced player on defense and second-most on the team (Dominic Espinosa – 40 starts). Manning one of the safety positions is Thompson, a senior who has seen action in 41 career games including 21 starts. The last starting spot in the secondary was won by Adrian Colbert in the opener vs. UNT, while freshman Jason Hall and sophomore Dylan Haines also saw time. Haines also started vs. BYU and UCLA, as the Horns opened the game with three safeties. The Longhorns were without Josh Turner for at the first two games due to suspension though he returned to play special teams vs. UCLA. Turner played in 12 games (three starts) last season and posted 37 tackles. Colbert, who had six special teams tackles in 2013, had an interception vs. the Mean Green as did Haines. Diggs made the ninth interception of his career when he picked off Taysom Hill of BYU. Sophomore Bryson Echols as well as redshirt freshman Antwuan Davis have also seen time at cornerback.
Replacing the Kickers: Texas had to replace its punter and place-kicker this season. Anthony Fera served a dual role last year and turned in one of the best performances in school history. Fera was a finalist for the 2013 Lou Groza Award after connecting on 20 of 22 field goals, including a streak of 15 consecutive that matched Phil Dawson's school record (1996-97). His 90.9 percent field-goal accuracy ranks second on the UT all-time single-season list. He also averaged 40.7 yards on 75 punts. Junior Nick Rose took over as the place-kicker after serving as the kickoff specialist each of the last two years and has connected on 2 of 4 field goals so far (missed from 38, made from 34 vs. UNT; missed from 43 vs. BYU; made from 33 vs. UCLA). Senior William Russ took over as the No. 1 punter and is averaging 43.9 yards per punt which ranks 29th nationally. Against UCLA Russ had his best game, averaging 50.5 yards on six punts including career longs of 58 (twice) and then 62 yards, and putting three inside the opponents' 20-yard line.
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