Hook’em Headlines Texas Longhorns Football Report Card: Wyoming Cowboys
After each football game, Hook’em headlines will grade the Texas Longhorns at each position on the field on our weekly report card.
Quarterbacks: David Ash threw for 156 yards and 1 touchdown. That was decent but what was good about his performance is he completed 74% of his passes. If you want to nit pick, you could say he needs work on his timing on deep throws. But considering how bad at times the quarterbacks were last year, major progress was made in this game.
Grade: B-
Running Backs: Joe Bergeron and Malcolm Brown both reeled off some big runs. Both finished with over 100 yards rushing and the team finished with 280 yards rushing. DJ Monroe also contributed as well. This unit carried the team to victory on Saturday.
Grade: A
Wide Receivers: Mike Davis and Jaxon Shipley were the only noticeable receivers out there on the field for the Longhorns. Marquis Goodwin had a tough time getting going and only Bryant Jackson and DJ Monroe got over 10 yards receiving as wide receivers besides Shipley and Davis. Texas needs more production out of the wide receiver position.
Grade: C+
Tight Ends:
1 catch for 4 yards. That’s all the tight ends produced in this game. Blocking was okay but for this type of offense to be effective, you need better production from that position. I didn’t even realize that the tight ends were on the field.
Grade: F
Offensive Line: The offensive line had some great moments and not so great moments. I think in I formation runs, the offensive line didn’t block as well leading to very short gains, but for the most part the line was above average and protected Ash well in passing downs.
Grade: B-
Defensive line:
The defensive line was solid. The strength is on the outside and that was evident but Jeffcoat and Okafor were in the backfield all night even if they only had one sack combined. But runs up the middle were not there for the Cowboys and credit the interior linemen for that. Very good effort from the defensive line.
Grade: B+
Linebackers:
The good news is they help stop the run up the middle, the bad news is Wyoming was able to pick apart the middle of the field during passing plays. That’s the linebackers and safeties’ job to take away the middle of the field. Above average performance for the linebackers.
Grade: C+
Secondary:
The secondary gave up some big passing plays early on in the game but then settled down after the first quarter. Once they worked out all the cobwebs, they were very good but you can’t excuse the beginning of the game. If they have a first quarter like they had against Wyoming against OU or West Virginia, they will get into a big hole that they might not be able to get out of in those games.
Grade: B-
Special Teams:
Kickoff coverage was very good and was really impressed by the play of Dalton Santos. Punting by Alex King was very good. Nick Jordan as the placekicker? Not very good. Granted he is a true freshmen and should be redshirting. But he didn’t look confident at all. Anthony Fera needs to get back as soon as possible.
Grade: B-
Coaching:
On offense, it was a spectacular game plan. To give Ash easy throws to make will just build up his confidence even more. And they didn’t stray away from the running game when at some points it seemed ineffective especially up the middle.
Defensively they had to adjust and they did it perfectly. After the first quarter, the Cowboys had no answers for what Manny Diaz was throwing at them. Overall I think it was a decently coached game.
Grade: B+
Overall:
In my game prediction this past week, I said that Wyoming would be the toughest non-conference opponent the Longhorns would play. Wyoming didn’t disappoint. They are a very good team and should compete for a Mountain West Title. Even with the slow start, Texas looked in control and handled their business. It’s wasn’t a huge blowout, but it was a solid victory.
Grade: B
Tell us what you think in the comments below. You can reach Chris Flanagan at hookemheadlines@gmail.com