Posted December 27th, 2007 by Brian
Filed under: Bowls, Football, Live

I’ll be posting periodic updates, comments, and vulgarity as the game goes on. It’s kickoff time and I’m as fired up as I’ve been since early on in the season. Let’s see how the Horns respond to a little adversity.

First Quarter
  • 2 seconds in to the game and it’s clear Brent Musberger didn’t do any preparation. Brutally mispronounces [tag]Chris Ogbonnaya[/tag]’s name and then calls [tag]Lamarr Houston[/tag] the name of some random walk on. Houston takes the very short pooch kick off and the Horns start the game off with the ball out at the 50.
  • Looked like a bad read by [tag]Colt McCoy[/tag] on the zone read. Picks up close to 10 yards though and the Horns have a 3rd and 3. Big play as the team really needs to get going early.
  • 3rd and short run that the line did a terrible job blocking on but [tag]Jamaal Charles[/tag] breaks it for a 15 yard game.
  • [tag]Mack Brown[/tag] is right. Charles was hit out of bounds down low and that should have been a penalty.
  • Bad awareness by [tag]Nate Jones[/tag]. He was wide open but let himself drift out of the back of the end zone. Announcers have good comment though about how the design of the end zone in the stadium could be confusing.
  • [tag]Greg Davis[/tag] is a gosh damn genius!!!!!!! WoooOoo! Touchdown [tag]Derek Lokey[/tag] for the touchdown!!! That a boy! Bill Belichick would be proud.
Arizona State 0, Texas 7
  • The team really looks fired up. Let’s hope that results in some inspired play, and no let down once that energy wears off.
  • [tag]Jared Norton[/tag], [tag]Roddrick Muckelroy[/tag], and [tag]Scott Derry[/tag] are the starters at linebacker. That might shut some Internet coaches up (for a few minutes.)
  • And Norton is already hurt. Damnit.
  • Defensive package on 3rd and long includes only 3 down lineman, [tag]Drew Kelson[/tag] and [tag]Deon Beasley[/tag] in there as extra pass defenders. Nice new look.
  • Designed QB draw play. I don’t mind McCoy scrambling (in fact he’s been darn good at it this season) but not sure we should be calling too many first quarter QB runs in the huddle.
  • As Musberger talks about [tag]Chris Hall[/tag] I just noticed that freshman [tag]Kyle Hix[/tag] is getting the start at right tackle and they’ve moved [tag]Adam Ulatoski[/tag] to the left side.
  • [tag]Quan Cosby[/tag] on the reverse pass. Not really anybody open and Cosby does the smart thing and just throws it away. Or maybe it twas just a terrible throw. The play wasn’t blocked well and the receivers were all covered as well.
  • [tag]Sergio Kindle[/tag] in there on this series. Norton back in there as well.
  • Fumble! Maybe. They called it a fumble on the field at least as corner [tag]Brandon Foster[/tag] appears to rip the ball out as the ASU running back falls to the ground. Looks like he had it out before his knee was down and doesn’t look like there’s 100% evidence of the contrary. Replay confirms, Texas ball!
  • Hot damn! Hey there [tag]John Chiles[/tag], I vaguely remember you buddy. The young dual threat QB is in there and on the first play Charles takes the zone read hand off close to 50 yards. On the very Next play Chiles keeps it on the same play off the left end for the touchdown! (Psst… where has this been all year?)
Arizona State 0, Texas 14

  • In case you hadn’t noticed, yes I’m about 5 minutes behind live on the DVR. I’ll be caught up after one or two commercial breaks.
  • Wonder what the wind situation is like. [tag]Hunter Lawrence[/tag]’s kickoffs have all been pretty short.
  • Has Roger Clemens hired investigator to “discredit Brian McNamee” or two prove that he didn’t take steroids? Those are two very different things.
  • Not only did senior [tag]Robert Killebrew[/tag] not get the start at linebacker but I haven’t seen him in on defense at all yet tonight. Two series in a row where it’s nothing but the young guys and Derry is off the field as well.
  • [tag]Erick Jackson[/tag] got really burned on a deep pass but gets back just in time because of the underthrown ball (and maybe a little early) and the ball is tipped up and safety [tag]Marcus Griffin[/tag] has the ball come right to him for the interception.
  • I like the fair catch trash talk by the ASU punt returner. “Did you see the way I waved my arm and caught the ball. You can’t handle this!”
  • Killebrew, Derry, and [tag]Rashad Bobino[/tag] in there for this series.
  • Can Musberger get anyone’s name right? It’s Dick Tomey, not Toomey. Dufus.
  • Finally. McCoy scrambles and throws deep on the run and get its to his open receiver Cosby for a huge 55 yard gain. That a boy Colt.
  • And Charles runs tough and right through the Sun Devils’ defense for the 15-yard TD run. Heck of a run and refusal to get tackled by one guy. The Horns are now up 3 scores and it’s still the first quarter. Come on guys keep this up, don’t let an ASU score or anything swing this momentum.
Arizona State 0, Texas 21
  • Veteran linebackers in for second series in a row. [tag]Henry Melton[/tag] getting some early playing time at defensive end.
  • Bobino shaken up. Now both middle linebackers have needed to be helped up by the medical staff but both were able to walk off on their own power.
  • We’re bring multiple linebackers on every play and if we don’t start getting to Carpenter a step quicker we could be in trouble.

Second Quarter
  • That was probably the play that was the least of a pass interference but the first one that officials called.
  • Rudy Carpenter throws an ugly deep ball. High and with the point straight up in the air.
  • Chris Jessee had a rough Holiday BowlWhat a wild play. Did the ball boy touch that? Finally the guys get quick pressure and the Horns get the football. Nope, he didn’t touch it but damn that was close. It was also close if Roy Miller was able to save that before it went out of bounds. He doesn’t try to recover the fumble he intentionally tossed it back into the field. This has been a long replay. I’m scared.
  • Guy looked too old to be a ball boy. Maybe a trainer or graduate assistant?
  • That’s a possibly game changing TERRIBLE call by the replay both. THERE WAS NOT INDISPUTABLE EVIDENCE THAT HE TOUCHED THE BALL. That is an awful call. Why on Earth does the play go back to the previous spot?
  • If I’m that guy I’m vomiting behind the bench. And hiding so none of the coaches kill me. That’s enough air time for that poor SOB.
  • The refs have no clue what the down should be. Everyone is so confused, including me. Arizona State is going for it?
  • Bad call and incredible blunder means at least a 7-point swing for the Horns. The Horns were in great shape too on offense. Need the offense to jump back again with a touchdown.
Arizona State 7, Texas 21
  • Stupid block in the back by Sergio Kindle way away from the return and obviously in the back. That wasn’t even close. Costs the Horns 30+ yards. Ugh. Come on guys get it back on track.
  • Don’t get conservative now Davis. Come on keep playing to win damnit. A busted play and then two screen calls. Crap.
  • And now a short punt. Crikeys, we’re up 14 and ALL the momentim seems to be the other way.
  • Mack Brown’s step son? Are you kidding me? That makes it even funnier. Ha.
  • Erick Jackson beat again on a huge fourth down but Carpenter overthrows his tight end and the Horns take over on downs. Whew.
  • Dear Brent Musberger, the zone read and option look nothing alike. Please suck less. Signed, Everyone.
  • Like that we put Chiles in there but on 3rd and 4 I wish we’d have gone back to McCoy. Chiles almost converts on the option play.
  • Some trickeration for the Horns. Direct snap to Bobino and he takes it up the middle for the 2 yard gain and a first down. That a boy Mack.
  • Jesus Colt. That didn’t look intentional. He just launched that out route about 12 yards out of bounds. Third and long.
  • Horns are bailed out by a dead ball personal foul on ASU. Would have been a 4th and 3 and a big decision to make but the penalty gives Texas a first and goal.
  • Not as pretty as when Chiles does it but McCoy makes a good decision on the zone read and “scoots” ten yards for the score. The defensive end was flying after Charles and Colt kept and beat him to the goal line.
Arizona State 7, Texas 28
  • Horns have the momentum again and are back up 21. Great drive and a really important one in the outcome of this game.
  • Not a deep kick by Lawrence going this way either.
  • Big stop on 3rd and two by the defense. Think they’ll go for it again?
  • Colt doesn’t run the option very well. Maybe none of our QBs do. They keep the ball way too much.
  • Even on the touchdown drive the offense has looked out of sync this entire quarter. Come on Colt get your guys on the same page. No screen here on 3rd and long Greg Davis.
  • Geez, I’m starting to think all these sacks are Carpenter’s fault. Two plays in a row the Horns get to him but he had enough time and knew the blitz was coming, he just froze and holds on to the ball too long.
  • Holy cow Colt. If there was one thing you can’t do that was it. Wow.
  • Wow Musberger really is a dolt. Two minutes left and you’re at midfeild and he thinks that’s a “gamble”? Why don’t the Horns never pass again, it’s too risky.
Arizona State 10, Texas 28
Halftime Thoughts

  • [tag]Chris Jessee[/tag] didn’t touch that football. And it certainly shouldn’t have been overturned by replay.
  • Nine carries for Jamaal Charles is way too few. He’s gotten most of his yardage on two or three big carries but he’s still average nearly 10 yards per carry.
  • We’ve got the lead but that doesn’t mean it’s time to get conservative. Don’t be stupid but spread the ball around, get players free in open space, and let John Chiles get on the field a few more times.
  • The defense is getting good, but not great pressure on the quarterback but they’re having to bring six or seven players to do it. We need the blitzers to get there quicker or we need to get there with just four rushers.
  • Long halftime. Texas needs to come back and play good defense and then get a quick score to start the half to take back the momentum.
  • Don’t want to jinx anything but man is Carpenter inconsistent if you get just a little pressure on him. Texas just needs to geth
Third Quarter
  • After the youngsters played linebacker the first two series we’ve had a good mix of all six guys since then. This is what we should have been doing all year long. Muck, Norton, and Killebrew to start the half.
  • Third and long converted by Arizona St. because Carpenter has all day to throw.
  • No pressure and ASU is moving easily down the field.
  • Don’t want to jinx us but Carpenter is not good when you get just a little bit of pressure on him. If the Horns’ pass rush can get there just a split second quicker than their offense is not going to be consistent enough to come back in this game.
Arizona State 13, Texas 28
  • Time for the offense and Greg Davis to prove that first quarter wasn’t a fluke. Need to execute and open things up a little here.
  • Colt has put the ball on the grass 3 or 4 times in the last 3 series. Having trouble with snaps for Pete’s sake.
  • 4th and 28. Yikes. Can’t blame that on Davis, that series is all on Colt. ASU starts with incredible field position now, only 40 yards from the end zone.
  • Despite the lead, Texas is almost desperate for a 3 and out or a turnover right here from the defense.
  • And just what the doctor ordered. On the first play Brandon Foster gets a hand in there and then Marcus Griffin is able to snare it off his shoe tops and grab the interception. Offense needs to at least get 2 or 3 first downs and turn this field position around.
  • And Charles nearly turns the ball over. Recovered his own fumble. Third and long again for the Horns.
  • F***ing delay of game. Is Colt’s head on straight? He’s looked a little woozy a couple of times tonight.
  • Just as I say that great throw by Colt and even nicer catch by [tag]Nate Jones[/tag].
  • Offensive line is getting beat right now. The big runs have come because Charles is able to hang just long enough or break a tackle to squirt through for big gains.
  • Some national love for Mack and the [tag]Matt Nader[/tag] story. I had no idea there was any thought whatsoever about him making a comeback.
  • Meanwhile Colt scrambles for the second conversion of a 3rd and long of the drive. Was awful close to a late hit as well.
  • No points but Horns move the ball enough and have changed the field position back in their favor.
  • Muff! The ASU punt returned muffs the fair catch for the second time tonight and this time Texas is able to fall on the football. Is the wind crazy?
  • After a great and crazy scramble by McCoy that ends with a fumble into the end zone. Either Nate Jones or [tag]Jermichael Finley[/tag] (first time I’ve mentioned him tonight) end up with the football after the scrum. Touchdown Horns! McCoy bailed out big time.
  • I love whichever player (or coach or fan) it was who the mic picks up saying, “Throw you hands up, ref. Throw your hands up!” Has a nice beat to it.
Arizona State 13, Texas 35
  • Is anyone really still using dial up? PeoplePC?? Seriously? What year is this, 1996?
  • Horns are up by three TDs again but this game is far from over. Can’t relax yet guys, just one more quarter. Finish strong.
  • [tag]Lamarr Houston[/tag] clearly gets held but the Horns still get pressure on Carpenter. He throws it up and Jackson makes a bad adjustment on the ball and the big ASU receiver is able to pull the ball in for six. Now just a two score game.
Arizona State 20, Texas 35
  • What the heck else is Dennis Erickson’s mom going to do? Why wouldn’t she go to all the bowl games? This really has been a family affair tonight. Erickson’s mom, Mack’s step son, and the third string ASU deep snapper’s dad (Bob Davie) are all here tonight. I can’t wait for the interview with Colt McCoy’s cousin’s high school teacher.
  • Two big runs for McCoy in a run. Hold onto the football big boy. McCoy’s scrambling has seemed like the only offense this quarter.
Fourth Quarter
  • Based on ghosts of Holiday Bowls past, I’m almost more nervous because the team is up by two scores right now.
  • Solid drive all around for the offense. Good play calling, good execution by McCoy and they put points on the scoreboard. It’s now a three score game.
Arizona State 20, Texas 38
  • Good pressure on the quarterback and another lateral/fumble by Carpenter. This time none of Mack Brown’s family is there to touch the ball and it turns out to be a 16 yard loss.
  • And on the very next play Carpenter does almost the exact same thing again. That one was ruled an incompletion but it was awfully close to being a fumble again.
  • Shanked punt and the Horns are 40 yards away from possibly putting this game away. A touchdown here might be enough to just start running JC every play.
  • WTF is the entire second team offense doing in there? This game is not over yet. I’ve got no problem mixing it up with Chiles but why is the second team line in there as well?
  • Like I said, great decision to have the second teamers in there… Great option from Chiles to [tag]Vondrell McGee[/tag] and he burns for the 28-yard score. McGee looked super quick there. Finally a nice option decision by our QB and it results in a great looking play. That may be the nail in the coffin.
Arizona State 20, Texas 45
  • If Rudy Carpenter isn’t hurt then this is a bad move by ASU to replace him. Texas is up big but if they score quick on this drive this is still very much a football game.
  • Ahhh! Brandon Foster just whiffed on the blitz… could have been a big loss and is instead a 7-yard gain for the Sun Devils. Defense better wake the heck up here.
  • Just what the Texas defense couldn’t let happen. ASU flies down the field for a score and makes this a two score game again with still nine minutes left.
Arizona State 27, Texas 45
  • Correction. I was a business major not a math major. The lead is still 18 which is of course a three score margin.
  • I think Jamaal Charles is probably an early second rounder in the NFL Draft. If he runs a lightning quick 40 time he could easily creep into the first. But if he comes back and shows he can hold onto the football, carry 20+ times per game, and get a little move involved in the passing game he could be one of the top couple backs in the 2009 draft.
  • Dennis Erickson is the Larry Brown of college football because he cheats everywhere he goes and its harder to get caught if you keep moving.
  • Jermichael Finley was the other guy that was rumored to be headed to the NFL early. Not very involved tonight, not sure if it was the game plan or what.
  • Fourth down for Arizona St. and they have to go for it. If Texas gets the stop, now they can go to the backups.
  • But they don’t get the stop. Nice play by [tag]Deon Beasley[/tag] but the ASU WR made a better catch and then fought for just enough yards to get the first.
  • Another bad pass interference call. Called it on Beasley but that looked uncatchable. The two they’ve called tonight on Texas were the two that shouldn’t have been called of all the close ones.
  • If that’s not a holding penalty then no player has ever held in a football game in the history of man. Wow. Muck is grabbed, molested, tackled, touched, and finally held on the play right in the open in front of the ref and he doesn’t make the call. If you’re going to continue to call ticky tacky interference calls then you have too call that. BS.
  • Not good tackling/effort on these last few plays by the defense. If you’re tired raise your hand and get your butt on the sideline. With our depth there’s no reason someone not giving 100% should ever be out there.
Arizona State 34, Texas 45
  • Only an 11-point game with four minutes left and a possibly recovered onside kick by Arizona State and f***ing Musberger and Kirk Herbstreit barely f***ing notice. ASU gets that ball and suddenly this damn game is in serious doubt again. Truly subpar work by the announcers and ESPN in general tonight. If they’d rather be doing something else, get somebody else in the booth.
  • Okay, maybe that’s the real nail in the coffin. Charles breaks through on an ASU defense that looks like it has given up for a 32-yard touchdown run. He was barely touched.
Final score: Arizona State 34, Texas 51
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16 Comments

  1. reply to  #1

    Chris

    WHO IS THE IDIOT ON THE SIDELINE WHO TOUCHED THAT BALL? WTF IS CLEVE BRYANT DOING ON THE DAMN FIELD AS WELL?

  2. reply to  #2

    Brian

    No excuse but they probably thought it was an incomplete pass and dead ball. Plus it didn’t look like he actually did touch the ball. Still…

  3. reply to  #3

    Brian

    Ha, he’s Mack’s step son. That’s kind of funny.

  4. reply to  #4

    Buck

    I wonder if Southwest Airlines has yet signed up the young man who (didn’t) touch the sideline ball – to do a commercial for them. The photo shots of this embarrassing moment are just begging for a “wanna get away” commercial.
    Our best to this poor guy, and the teams. The bigger concern for Mack is that there were several non-players were WAY into the field of play.

  5. reply to  #5

    psufan1

    the freakn’ ball boy never touched the ball.. u know it i know it we all know it…i agree terrible call

  6. reply to  #6

    M P

    Whether or not Chris touched the ball or not is indifferent. I want to know why Texas was not flagged for having players on the field as well as coaches and/or assistants including Chris Jessie, the ball boy in question.

    And the refs should not be reamed for having to decide what down it is… I’d bet none of us have seen a call like that before and the refs in the booth may not have either… the checked the rules and had to be sure. They should be praised for trying to do their job the best they can.

    And big surprise that Mac Brown and his Staff want to whine about the call… Texas is a team that commits all kinds of fouls, and a large majority of those fouls are unsportsmanlike like conduct flags. Texas is a bunch of power hungry assholes who think that their crap doesn’t smell. They think they are the only team that ever deserves to go the National Championship every year because they thing they are the best. Wrong! All they ever do is whine and blame someone else when things don’t go their way… “But, but, but, we’re Texas?”

  7. reply to  #7

    Brian

    Um, MP that was a completely sad and slightly insane comment. And incorrect. Texas doesn’t commit “all kinds of fouls” and didn’t have a ton of unsportsmanlike calls either. Seriously dude what team do you root for?

    And since when is too many men on the field a reviewable call? If you can review that then you should be able to review offsides, face masks, and EVERY OTHER PLAY.

  8. reply to  #8

    Josh

    OH MY GOD! what are they trying to do, asu cannot do a thing and TEXAS is trying to let them back in the game! instead of at the worst 28-7 it is 28-10. i cannot believe colt did that. they just need to kneel down and get in the lockeroom.

  9. reply to  #9

    Brian

    Sorry Josh but you’re wrong. They were at midfield with nearly two minutes left, you can’t just sit on the football for the next 30 minutes of football. Bad play by Colt but that wasn’t bad play calling.

  10. reply to  #10

    Hook'Em Horns

    Mp, you are retarded, Robert Killebrew is the main one that ever gets flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. I am sure you are for asu. By the way the game is going, they look like they suck. Hook’em Horns!

  11. reply to  #11

    CoHornsFan

    Does it look like Texas is playing more aggressive when it comes to trying to strip the ball? I am liking the somewhat more agressive Texas Team (not too crazy aggressive, but better than the previous 12 games).
    I don’t think the “step-son” touched the ball either. Better play calling too this game (at least in the 1st half).

    Go Horns!!

  12. reply to  #12

    bob

    i feel bad 4 chris!

  13. reply to  #13

    Josh

    brian i meant kneel on the ball after asu scored the field goal. are you kidding me, i wanted texas to make the score 35-7 going into halftime. at midfield with almost 3 minutes left, greg davis should have gone for the kill right then and there, but somehow, it looked like colt was trying to run around back there and run clock out when he fumbled, i am not real sure what happened, but it really should of been 42-0 going into halftime. greg davis is just to conservative.

  14. reply to  #14

    Kevin

    Guys like MP out there make wins like this soooo much more enjoyable.

  15. reply to  #15

    Brian

    Okay that makes more sense Josh. Yeah, after the ASU field goal I thought we should kneel it as well.

    As for the series before that, no way was that Davis’ fault. He was trying to go for the throat. Colt was trying to scramble outside to throw (like he had been doing all night) but got turned around and took the big sack and even worse didn’t protect the football.

  16. reply to  #16

    samantha riojas

    UT CAN SMACH ON ANY TEAM

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