Hayden Conner: "We've got plenty more games to win"
The Texas Longhorns offensive line helped ice a 34-24 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, and it wasn’t solely because of quality blocking.
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Facing a 4th-and-3 with just a few minutes left, the Horns needed a handful of yards to seal the upset win. Alabama prepared to do everything possible to bust the play, and tried to assume Quinn Ewers‘ cadence.
Ewers clapped as part of the snap count. Hayden Conner, the Longhorns’ left guard, clinched his right hand. The combination of those actions drew Trezmen Marshall into the neutral zone, and Conner made contact to elicit a flag and solidify the win.
Conner was coy on Monday about the tactic, not wanting to give away too much of his methodology. It was also due to where his focus was by that point almost 48 hours after the fact.
“It was a great team win, but we’ve got to move forward,” Conner said. “We’ve got plenty more games to win.”
Even so, the way the game ended was a confidence booster for the offensive line. Texas took over possession with 7:14 left on the clock, and didn’t have to give it back to Jalen Milroe and the Alabama offense.
It wasn’t easy considering the Crimson Tide defense, loaded with some of the most talented players in college football, knew Texas was going to run, run, and run some more. But Conner and his cohorts had prepared for that type of situation in camp and in the leadup to the game.
“We saw there were eight minutes left, and we’re like ‘this is going to be an awesome drive and we can do it,'” Conner said. “It’s exactly how we practice. We do a team run period, and it’s all running. They know what we’re going to do, so we’re ready for it.”
That confidence wasn’t gained over the course of the game. Rather, Texas entered Bryant-Denny Stadium with that mentality.
“Right after we ran out of the tunnel,” Conner said about when he had a feeling Texas was going to win. “I got to the sideline and told my guys ‘hey, we’re going to do this because we’ve worked for it. We’re going to be the tougher team tonight.’ And it showed.”
The next step for Texas is this Saturday when the Wyoming Cowboys come to town. The Cowboys’ week one win over Texas Tech has the Longhorns’ attention, but so does every opponent on the schedule.
“It definitely carries a little weight but we treat every week the same,” Conner said. “They’re just the next opponent and we’re going to prepare just like every week.”
As far as what the Wyoming defense brings?
“From what I’ve seen so far, they’re pretty similar to Rice,” Conner said. “They’re super experienced up front. They’re going to be in the right spot. Lot of high motor guys. It’ll be good.”
