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5 Takeaways From Texas Football Loss to West Virginia

By Tyler Brett

Nov 12, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong reacts during warm-ups prior to kickoff against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong reacts during warm-ups prior to kickoff against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; The Texas Longhorns enter the stadium before kickoff against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Mountaineers won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; The Texas Longhorns enter the stadium before kickoff against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Mountaineers won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /

Special teams was once again an issue for Texas. While the Horns have been burned this season by blocked PATs, this game was turned by a blocked field goal that completely changed the complexion of the game.

In the third quarter, Trent Domingue lined up for a 37-yard field goal with Texas trailing 17-13. He nailed two kicks in the first half so there was no hesitation to go to the kicker in this situation. However, the kick came out low and was blocked. Texas got turned away without points and it would change their approach in the fourth quarter drastically.

After exchanging touchdowns in the third quarter, Texas entered the fourth down 24-20. They needed a touchdown to take control of this game and were aggressive looking for it. With 2:26 to play, Texas faced 4th and 5 in West Virginia territory. They turned the ball over on downs when they gained just four yards. Then as time expired, Texas heaved a pass into the end zone from the West Virginia 27. It fell incomplete and the game ended.

If Texas had been within one point, their approach late in the game might have been different. They could have taken the field goal and gone up by two points rather than needing to press for a touchdown. In a game that was this close, losing those three points was huge and it was another miscue on the special teams unit.

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