The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Texas Defeats Horns In 2016 Orange-White Spring Game, 21-7
04.16.2016 | Football
Game is called at halftime due to impending weather
Box Score | Video: Post game press conference | Quotes | Photo Gallery | Video: Highlights
AUSTIN, Texas – The 2016 Orange and White Spring Game presented by Weber Grills was cut short due to weather on Saturday afternoon after just one half, as Team Texas defeated Team Horns 21-7 inside of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
Both quarterbacks – senior Tyrone Swoopes and freshman Shane Buechele – saw action in the game, as each took reps with the first and second team offenses. The first team offense was 'Texas' on the scoreboard, while the second team offense was 'Horns.'
Showing off a new, up-tempo offense under first-year offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert, the Longhorns ran 110 plays for 611 yards and four touchdowns in just 30 minutes of action. The defense also made several big plays in Saturday's game, registering two interceptions and a forced fumble.
After a punt and two stops on fourth down to start the game, Antwuan Davis made an impressive one-handed interception in the end zone to stuff the offense's fourth drive.
The offense would respond on the very next drive, as Buechele found Armanti Foreman in the corner of the end zone for a 27-yard score. The key play of the drive came when Buechele found Lorenzo Joe down the seem for an 11-yard completion to convert a critical third down.
Playing with Team Horns on the very next drive, Chris Warren burst up the middle of the defense for a 51-yard touchdown to even the score at 7-7 midway through the first quarter.
The defense would step up after that, causing five straight empty possessions by the offense – four of them on punts—before Swoopes would lead the offense down the field, capped by a four-yard rushing touchdown by D'Onta Foreman.
Again, after the offense made the score 14-7 in favor of Team Texas, the defense would hold strong to force four straight stops.
After four straight empty possessions, the offense showed its quick-strike ability as Buechele found sophomore John Burt down the sideline for a 65-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage.
That score would prove to be the final one of the day, as the defense forced turnovers on each of the next two possessions. The first turnover, an interception by Bonney, came on a tipped ball before the sophomore cornerback returned it 26 yards. The next turnover came on a jarring hit by safety DeShon Elliott, as he forced a fumble that was recovered by Quincy Vasser.
Upon the end of the first half, head coach Charlie Strong made the decision to end the spring game with rain falling and conditions worsening to avoid injury. The Longhorns, just 141 days from opening kickoff of the season, begin the 2016 season on Sunday, Sept. 4 when they host Notre Dame at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.
The following players did not participate in today's game:
Bryce Cottrell (Lower Back)
Dylan Haines (Leg)
Jason Hall (Foot)
Jerrod Heard (Shoulder)
Kirk Johnson (Knee)
Matthew Merrick (Back)
Derick Roberson (Head)
Dalton Santos (Toe)
Jordan Strickland (Medical)
Ty Templin (Knee)
Michael Welsh (Knee)
Blake Whiteley (Knee)
