With the Longhorns and Roadrunners, sometimes chickens and sometimes feathers

By Coach Venable: Missed tackles and missed blocks are generally the main reasons why a team comes up on the short end of a football game. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the exact reason for the number of missed opportunities. Sometimes it’s a lack of focus. Sometimes it’s overzealous want-to. When one watches the UTSA game again it’s extremely difficult to determine the difference between the two. I found very few instances where the blame should be laid on the lack of hustle. I found too many plays where we were stuck between too cautious and poor execution of assignments. Our dependable players carried us to victory—our not so fast players were once again not very dependable. Another great crowd for sure.

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It’s tough to give too much credit to an opponent because that usually serves up our guys but in the case of Frank Harris (QB) it evidently rang true. We had him dead to rites several times and barely laid a glove on him. He seldom missed a target. He threw strikes with us hot on his trail. He made plays when there was none to be made. He overthrew one and it cost them seven points—we didn’t force that bad throw. We had our chances to disturb drives—we just couldn’t finish for three quarters of the game. Lack of preparedness? Taking plays off? I think not on either case.

It only takes one missed block to blow up an otherwise well schemed play. Sometimes the back will make the unblocked defender miss his opportunity for a big play. Sometimes that’s just enough to get the ball back to the LOS or for a short gain. Our two RB’s (5 and 2) seem to do this for a living. If we could just get a hat on a hat till the ball passes that contact our guys could double their production. But them dirty critters across the LOS move around enough that we sometimes hit air instead of contact and force our backs to dodge the world getting us back to reasonable.

The best thing the defense did was score a TD. Thank you Barron (23). The DT’s made a habit of pushing the pocket backward. They played much better (and more effective) on the move (looping/slanting). The DE’s/OLB’s had chances to make plays but just never quite got there. The ILB’s had mixed reviews on pass coverage but finding the football/gap was not a reliable trait. The corners were very average against the short passing game of UTSA and poor when covering deep. The safeties were once again decent tacklers but still need better reactions against the pass.

The best thing the offense did was to keep giving the ball to Bijan Robinson (5) and Roschon Johnson (2). Card (QB-1) drove the bus and had a terrific scramble to set up a score. The WR’s had a very mixed game blocking for each other. They either whiffed or blocked their butts off. The TE’s were a mixed brand also. JT Sanders (0) had a great night as a counter puller and a space lead. Karic (92) had a mixed effectiveness. The OLine went 3 for 5. Both OT’s and our OC had very good games. Both OG’s had too many problems with decision making. I think both RB’s did enough to keep their jobs.

Here are a few here or there’s about individuals:

JT Sanders (0) had his best game to date with very few opportunities to help in the passing game.

Hayden Connor (76) and Cole Hutson (54) had their worst games from a correct assignment standpoint. UTSA played games very well.

Worthy (8) was a one foot away from two TD grabs but still was our biggest threat not named Bijan.

Jake Majors (65) had a very solid game—several very good swap blocks.

Hudson Card (1) delivered a terrific sprint up the gut and had a decent night throwing the ball. If he ever finds the range on the deep ball still believe his confidence will soar off the charts. Shouda/Coulda/Woulda had two TD’s with just an ounce of fade to Worthy (8).

Coburn (99) is a disruptor this season. Finishing plays needs to follow suit.

Broughton (45) is one weight room camp away from being a monster at a three technique.

Collins (95) was terrific last night. Just makes one wonder what might have been if he applied himself year round.

Sweat (93) is having his best year.

Murphy (90). Can’t belief I’m mentioning him fifth. Wow–just wow.

Ojomo (98) gives us quality at DT and DE. He’s starting to make plays in addition to winning battles. Really like this guy.

The following still need work on the art of tackling. They seem to forget that any open field tackle is a good tackle—wrapping up is your best friend next to the sideline boundary, defensive play 101, of course.

Ford (41) shows a few signs but is a long way from being a bang-up good ILB. Gets lost at times.

DTD (3) had a lost in space and the trenches night. He couldn’t find the ball too often and was very late when he did.

Dorbah (32) had a chance to impress but found a way to stay home way too long.

Bush (43) is always active but lacks tracking talent. He does make a few plays though.

Blackwell (37) or Tapp (17) made a good kickoff tackle.

Cook (11) played well.

Jamison (5) had an ouch on a deep ball.

Watts (6) had two deep misses.

Thompson (28) had a nice game but still needs work on tackling.

Johnson (31) had two nice plays in relief.

Lubbock—you’re up sport. Crazy things occur in Buddy Holly country. It should interesting to see who is QB1. Will we suffer a hangover? If we could just cut the vital mistakes in half we might scare some people into believing we ain’t half bad. Nothing happened against UTSA that can’t be fixed but it’s up to us to focus better. We could start with the on-side kicks. Can’t believe two of our guys on the front line started backwards. That’s just Waylon Jennings “Wrong”.

Have a good week.