40 Acres Sports

Last week’s keys didn’t work out so well. We barely won, Brian Orakpo got hurt, and John Chiles could barely even see the field from where he was sitting on the bench. Let’s hope the Horns come out firing against [tag]TCU[/tag] and turn things around for the rest of the season.

1. Get Jamaal Charles running north/south.

There was some minor controversy this week over a [tag]Jamaal Charles[/tag] quote on Scout that the Longhorns’ sideways running style had made him more hesitant. I’m not sure he should have said it, but I agree with him. I don’t know if it’s Charles or the system (or both) but if your running back is spending half his time running lateraly you’re not going to be successful consistently. If we’re not running the zone read with an athletic QB then we should take a cue from teams like the Indianapolis Colts, which Greg Davis spent time with this offseason. If we can’t run more consistently from the shotgun then we have to put Colt McCoy under center more.

2. Don’t give receivers a ten-yard cushion.

It doesn’t matter who our cornerbacks are if we continue to give wide receivers a 10+ yard cushion. Playing that far off you’re not going to get burned deep but you’re also going to let the opposing QB eat you alive ten yards at a time. If you let a quarterback get comfortable he’s making the easy passes. This week [tag]Duane Akina[/tag] has give Brandon Foster, Ryan Palmer, and/or Deon Beasley a better chance to succeed (or fail).

3. Convert short yardage opportunities.

Not being able to get one yard costs us two games last season and almost costs us against Arkansas State. If it’s first and goal from the two or third and one, the linemen have to be willing and able to whoop somebody’s a**. The offensive line didn’t have a terrible game against ASU but couldn’t get it done when it mattered. Texas should be a team that can maul and get 2 – 3 yards even if everyone in the stadium knows it’s coming, but we haven’t been able to do that since Cedric Benson left.

Sean Adams gives a different perspective on Arkansas State. Thoughts on the game from ex-college football players.

Congrats to Derek Lokey for marrying out of his league. Love the orange and white color scheme at the wedding.

USC kicker Mario Danelo fell to his death this winter. To honor their teammate they intentionally took a delay of game penalty with no kicker on the field after their first touchdown against Idaho. Watch the video below:

Watching the video gave me chills. It reminded me of the 2001 North Carolina game when Major Applewhite took a knee to keep the score at 44 to honor [tag]Cole Pittman[/tag]. It was an incredibly touching moment and I felt honored just to be a part of it.

RIP Mario and Cole.

(via the FanHouse)

Big 12 Conference named Dan Beebe as its new commissioner Wednesday. Beebe replaces Kevin Weiberg who left to for the BTN.

Colt McCoy’s mistakes against ASU weren’t freshman mistakes. He’s got to be smart and know when to take risks.

According to Orangebloods and the AAS, [tag]Brian Orakpo[/tag]’s knee injury will not end his season. The description of the injury on the radio and by those who were watching on PPV was pretty gruesome, so if Orakpo can return to the field this season that’s definitely good news for him and the Texas defense. The Texas coaches were livid that no penalty was called for the illegal chop block that took Orakpo out.

No official word or rumors on how Orakpo will be out, we should know a little more later this week. Eddie Jones, who played well after Orakpo went down against Arkansas State, will start at the quick defensive end spot against TCU.

Tarell Brown rewarded for strong camp with Niners with Thomas Herrion Award. Incredibly positive training camp for Tarell.

Mark Mangino almost eats kick returner. Player was saved when assistant coach distracts him with a Twinkie.

I love the interweb. Video of Appalachian State pulling the biggest upset in college football history as they toppled #5 ranked Michigan in Ann Arbor this afternoon is already up on YouTube. Check out the last 1:47 of the game:

Wow. This is why college football is a thousand times better than the NFL. What an incredible experience for those Appalachian State kids.

I’m sure Mack Brown is bringing this game up in the Texas locker room right about now.