40 Acres Sports

Other than his play against play action he’s been solid.

Great article from the AAS (BugMeNot) on where walk-on kicker/hero [tag]Ryan Bailey[/tag]’s parents were when there son was knocking the game winning kick through the uprights on Saturday. His mom was in New York City on a trip with some friends and his dad was back home in Austin, both were shocked when they saw their own son out on the field with less than 30 seconds to go in the game.

Millions of Americans stared at their televisions. Who’s Ryan?

Nearly no one watching Texas and Nebraska play football Saturday recognized Ryan Bailey, jogging into swift and surprising fame through a swirl of Midwestern snow. But his parents knew their son, and when they witnessed Longhorns head coach Mack Brown pat Ryan’s helmet on the sidelines, they began to accept the sudden and thrilling and agonizing truth.

Soon, everyone would remember Ryan.

The whole article is a good read. It’s great that his parents were watching the game when their son got the call. I doubt the families of every walk-on are glued to their TV’s throughout every single game. I’m sure his parents are big time celebrities at their jobs this week.

Who knows if the kid will ever kick in another game for the Longhorns, but for at least one week he’s every fan’s favorite player.

I don’t want to see the I-formation, but it was good to see the Texas offense under center more Saturday.

Both players have been huge stepping in for injured teammates

Should Nebraska have run the football on 3rd down?

Nice honor for a kid I’d never heard of 3 days ago.

Big game this morning for the Texas Longhorns in some frigid weather up in Lincoln. The result of this game against [tag]Nebraska[/tag] won’t have much impact on Texas’ goal of a Big 12 title but it certainly has national implications. One of Texas’ toughest remaining games and the Longhorns need as many quality wins as they can get to get some BCS computer love and rise in the rankings. Hook ’em!

• Sweet, the game is in HD. I didn’t think it was going to be. ABC has been much better this year.
• What are Musberger and Davie standing in front of? Is that just a green screen with footage from the crowd behind them? It sure was weird looking.

First Quarter

• YES!! Big return by Quan Cosby on the game’s opening kickoff takes it back close to 80 yards. It was a short and low kickoff. The guys on both sides are bundled up and it makes them look pretty slow out there.
• Some sort of end around to Jordan Shipley didn’t work at all. No need for that down on the damn five yard line at all. Crap.
• Tough looking angle for the field goal but Greg Johnson knocks in the short field goal. Horns get points but that’s a missed opportunity.

Texas 3, Nebraska 0

• Let’s see if the Horns can do a better job on the kickoff. Hunter Lawrence did a good job last week putting them in the end zone. And he kicks it out of bounds and gives Nebraska good field position. Come on freshman!
• The Shipley play actually had an opening other than the one linebacker who spotted him hiding behind the line early. Just doesn’t seem like a smart play call to pick up short yards. Have confidence in your guys to get 5 yards.
• Aaron Lewis in the game early instead of Brian Robison. Rumors had Robison in a boot this morning around the hotel. Hopefully we’ll see him later.
• Picture of Limas Sweed instead of Marlon Lucky.
• Scott Derry makes a good play on 3rd and short but can’t keep the running back short of the first down.
• There’s Robison in there on a long 3rd down. Might not be 100% and might only be available for passing situations. Tim Crowder gets in there and gets a big sack. Big play by the defense early to get the offense the ball back.
• I think it’s weird that Dr. Pepper is using a song about masturbation for their commercials.
• Vince Young at the game after all. Heard he wasn’t going to be there.
• Longhorns open the game with 4 runs before the first pass. Colt McCoy has a guy open on a deep out but overthrew the pass.
• Terrible job by McCoy. Set up the quick screen to Cosby and McCoy tries to throw it sidearm while backpedaling and doesn’t get the ball to his receiver.
• Derek Lokey just blows up his man and gets in the backfield as the RB takes the hand off.
• Bad job on the ball and even worse tackling by Deon Beasley. Then Michael Griffin knocks him off the tackle and the NU receiver runs 63 yards for the TD.

Texas 3, Nebraska 7

• Offense is not looking good so far. Starting out about the same as we did last week. Just antsy out there or something.
• Selvin Young can’t hesitate when he’s block on the QB draw. McCoy doesn’t have the speed to hesitate and still make plays. Just go block someone.
• I don’t think the football players live in Jester anymore. I know my senior year at least some of them had moved into the new San Jacinto Hall.
• Seems like all Greg Davis thinks McCoy can do is throw to heavily covered WR screens.
• Damn the wind must be blowing. Johnson looked like he got off a good punt but it went absolutely nowhere.
• Robert Killebrew is down and they’re looking at his knee or ankle. Sergio Kindle in the game for him.
• Lewis is looking like a player for us for the long term. He could end up at either defensive end or tackle but he looks solid.
• The Horns punt return team backs up the offense big time.

(more …)

Be ready for play action, protect the QB, and stay warm.

Nice to see him making the most of his bye week.

Stewart Mandel thinks Texas has championship caliber defense.