Photo Courtesy: Dominic Ceraldi
Usually the 20 minute intermission, better known as halftime to the sporting world, is used to make strategic adjustments if needed by the coaches to their players. It’s been that way since its inception many, many decades ago. Looks like the new use for this idle period of the game is now for those involved to update their social media statuses in lieu of finding a way to stop an opponent from laying 30 points on you in the first quarter.
Texas freshman cornerback Kris Boyd saw the necessity, while down 37-0 to the #3 ranked TCU Horned Frogs, to take to his Twitter account and reply to a follower about the prospect of transferring from Texas and “taking his talents” to College Station. Sad and embarrassing acts such as that seemed to have been what the day was all about for the Longhorn this past Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
TCU took their second drive of the first quarter 45 yards for a touchdown after forcing a Texas fumble at their own 45 yard line. Quarterback Trevone Boykin found freshman receiver KaVontae Turpin in the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown reception. Texas followed that possession with another mistake. After a quick three and out, they misplayed the punt snap and the ball went out the back of the end zone for a safety. The rout was then on.
Up 30-0 at the end end of the first quarter and having a 220 to 20 yards of total offense advantage, it was very obvious that the Horns weren’t up for the fight or at least didn’t have to the tools to even be in the ring with the Frogs. This game looked like a scrimmage between a very good varsity team against a very bad junior varsity squad. The tide has definitely turned within the state. Wasn’t too long ago that the results of this game would have been reversed. The little brother took a tire iron to the big brother on Saturday.
Boykin had yet another stellar game, keeping him in Heisman contention with 332 yards on 20 of 35 attempts with five touchdowns. Receiver Josh Doctson had what can be consider an “off day” in comparison to his performance last game against Texas Tech with ONLY a seven catch, 129 yards and two touchdowns afternoon. Turpin was the MVP though, hauling in four receptions for 138 yards and four touchdowns. He took a quick slant route from Boykin at the 50, split two Texas defenders and turned on the burners.
Texas couldn’t muster up much offensively. The experiment of handing over the keys to redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard didn’t look promising. Before leaving the game early in the fourth quarter, he completed 8-20 for a mere 48 yards. His designed runs were even less effective, only producing 23 total yards on the ground. The TCU defense appears to be finding itself, getting the young guys valuable time and experience in the defensive scheme. Either it was that or Texas’ offense and team is in a very bad way right now.
When the clock hit all zeros at the end of the fourth quarter, the scoreboard read TCU 50 and Texas 7. Didn’t seem that close though. To the watchful eyes of the selection committee, this lopsided victory will carry a lot of weight for the Frogs. Although this is not the Texas Longhorns as we have grown to know them, just seeing a manhandling of this proportion to what is viewed as the top program in the state and perhaps in the country as well, will help in their chase for a chance at the national championship.
THREE POSTGAME TIDBITS
1. How has Texas managed to not recruit an elite quarterback to its campus the last eight years is puzzling. Neither Jerrod Heard nor Tyrone Swoopes is the answer for the Longhorns. With the riches the state produces and the status to go into any other state and scoop up their best at that position, they have managed to not bring a single quality quarterback to campus.
2. KaVontae Turpin will be a matchup nightmare for upcoming opponents. His elusiveness and foot speed in this version of the Spread Offense will make the offense virtually unstoppable. Along with his physical gifts, he brings a toughness to the table as well, even with standing only 5’9″ and weighing only about 155 pounds.
3. Texas running back Jonathan Gray, an Aledo native, went to Austin after one of the greatest high school careers ever by a running back. Since stepping on the field as a true freshman in the 2012 season, he has had a very average to below average run at Texas. Entering Saturday’s game, he had only rushed for 159 yards on 38 carries the first three games of the season. He only had 55 yards on 15 touches against the Frogs. For what was suppose to be an elite back, he looked to have missed a few opportunities at bigger gains. A lot more has been expected of him by the Longhorn faithful.
