Connect with your Facebook Account

• Contact

Football Articles

21

Grading the Defense: UTEP Miners @ Texas Longhorns

Posted by HenryJames on September 27th, 2009 under Football

Wasn’t that fun to watch? By far the most dominant defensive performance of the Mack Brown era, and one in which you would have to be a miserable prick ransomstoddard to find anything to criticize. Total domination from start to finish. First team? Check. Second team? Check. Third team? Seriously? Check.

Let’s look at the stats. The defense’s second shutout of the year that won’t be recorded as such (thanks offense and punt team). Fifty three total yards. Four interceptions. Four sacks. Eleven TFLs. Two forced fumbles, and UTEP was 1-12 on third downs.

Rewatching the defense last night literally took about 15 minutes. Tackle, incompletion, incompletion, punt. Incompletion, tackle, tackle, punt. There were no ‘Who’s man was that?’ or ‘Who should have been there?’ Instead it was a lot of ‘There were three guys there. Who got there first?’

Texas was able to get pressure without much blitzing, and the passes that UTEP was able to complete were mostly hot reads. They tried at least half a dozen screens to make us pay for the pressure, but we have become a team that you cannot effectively screen. Lamarr Houston in particular is fantastic at reading the slip screen.

Will Muschamp has set a standard of performance. You will play hard, or you will not play at all. Irrespective of the score. If you make a mistake, you make it full speed. And Muschamp never stops teaching. Watch the replay after Malcolm Williams decleats the UTEP punter. Great shot of Muschamp and Nolan Brewster talking on the sidelines, not paying attention at all to the celebration going on around them. Coaching irrespective of score.

I can’t pinpoint the exact date, but our linebackers have become linebackers. This shouldn’t be new to Texas fans, but it is something that most of us have forgotten. They’re reading plays and making tackles for loss. They’re covering receivers and making tackles in space. The position has gone from perennial weakness to a team strength.

Was this the game where our secondary finally started hanging on to the balls that hit them in the hands? Maybe. Trevor Vittatoe threw only nine picks in 418 attempts last year. He threw 46 passes against Texas last year without an interception. Texas picked him off four times in only 21 attempts on Saturday. And, yes, it was great to see Blake Gideon make his first career interception.

So who stood out? Everyone, mostly. Take for example UTEP’s drive after Texas went up 57-7. They run right, and Earl Thomas makes a tackle for a four yard loss (negated by a Texas penalty). Next play Eddie Jones makes another TFL up the middle. Next play Emmanuel Acho makes yet another TFL on the quarterback to the left. Three consecutive plays, three TFLs, three different players.

But there were two guys who I thought really stood out. Emmanuel Acho is turning into a complete linebacker. The guy can play behind the line, he can tackle in space and he can cover. Five TFLs in the last two weeks. We’re watching the maturation process of a young linebacker.

Earl Thomas is a witch. He had two great interceptions and a TFL that was negated by a penalty. His second interception deserves more attention than it has received. The quarterback was pressured so the receivers should have run a different route instead of both going deep. Thomas was more in synch with the quarterback than the receivers were so he actually ran the route that they were supposed to run. It looked like the quarterback made a horrible throw, but Thomas just made a great play.

So now they get a week off to prep for OU heal.

Article Tags:

, , , , ,

More from this Barker


Share This

  • StumbleUpon

21 Responses

  1. nbmisha said:

    September 27th, 2009 at 6:30 am

    D was far and away my greatest pleasure from yesterday. I’m looking forward to more.

  2. travis said:

    September 28th, 2009 at 6:29 am

    The most amazing part about our defense is as long as Coach Boom is in Austin as DC or Head Coach, our defense will ALWAYS play like this… its amazing what he brings to our team with knowledge and just intensity, these kids will jump through fire to make him happy, it’s a great feeling to finally have that kind of coach, you always see it in the SEC and now we have got it with our defense.

  3. srr50 said:

    September 28th, 2009 at 6:57 am

    Alex Okafor got suckered into a wrong inside move on one of the few plays that were positive for UTEP. Mushcamp pulls him, and gives him some personal, intense one-on-one instruction — and then puts him back in.

    Play, learn from your mistakes and play.

  4. TaylorTRoom said:

    September 28th, 2009 at 7:06 am

    Where do you think Muck ranks among LBs in the Brown era? It seems to me the best have been Lewis, DJ, and Harris, but I have to think that DJ is the only one I can see being better, maybe. DJ was a better athlete, but Muck may have a better impact on a team defense performance. What do you think?

  5. HenryJames said:

    September 28th, 2009 at 7:58 am

    I’d say senior DJ is the gold standard. His one year in the program with actual linebacker coaching. I’d have to put Muckelroy second though because Harris really only had one good season under Robinson, and Lewis was pretty much Reese’s battering ram.

  6. BatesHorn said:

    September 28th, 2009 at 8:03 am

    I’m just restating prior points, but again, struck by how intense the instruction was Saturday. The defense, both players and coachs, seemed very focused in on instruction and in game corrections, despite the fact that they were rolling. There was never a side line shot of defense players yucking it up and playing grab ass on the sidelines. Even with the scrubs in, class was never out of session.

    And again, the violence with which Texas defenders arrive to the ball is just unprecedented in the Mack Brown era.

  7. randywatson said:

    September 28th, 2009 at 8:37 am

    Best linebackers under Brown;

    DJ
    Muckelroy
    Emmanuel Acho
    Aaron Harris (2004 until he got hurt halfway through 2005)
    Garnet Smith (for 1.5 quarters — just kidding)

  8. nordberg said:

    September 28th, 2009 at 9:41 am

    1. Reed Boyd
    2. Eric Hall
    3. Robert Killebrew
    4. Scott Derry

    Others worth mentioning: Derrick Johnson, Aaron Harris, Rod Muckelroy, Jared Norton.

  9. Fake Ken Tremendous said:

    September 28th, 2009 at 9:49 am

    We’re watching the maturation process of a young linebacker.

    Hi, Bill!

  10. Scipio Tex said:

    September 28th, 2009 at 10:10 am

    If you haven’t done it, watch Sergio Kindle’s 1st quarter. Just a ridiculous level of effort and energy.

  11. ransomstoddard said:

    September 28th, 2009 at 11:53 am

    Ouch. Thank you sir, may I have another?

    Actually, I said I thought the D was good. My problems are with the offense.

  12. scagnetti said:

    September 28th, 2009 at 12:04 pm

    as seen on here and other boards, the defense is rightfully getting just praise. and not to be a negative nicky, but i am still unconvinced that this is the best Longhorns Defense under Mack UNTIL we face and destroy a team with superior athletes.

    plain and simple, show me this kind of performance against OU, and we have no problem in Pasadena, either.

    Hook ‘Em!

  13. TaylorTRoom said:

    September 28th, 2009 at 1:51 pm

    I think we’re wearing throwback uniforms at the TAMU game. That would be a great time to put a “60″ on Muckelroy.

  14. gohornsgo90 said:

    September 28th, 2009 at 3:24 pm

    Or Acho, for that matter…

  15. nordberg said:

    September 28th, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    Does it matter if the #60 is officially retired now?

  16. magnusbleuveigner said:

    September 28th, 2009 at 3:46 pm

    Nordberg, that list of future CFB HOFers has me enjoying our current crop all the more. Scott Derry!!! Reed Boyd!!! I can’t believe these guys played as much as they did. Do you think Muschamp sees old footage and just sits there and chuckles?

    Also, when we play the Agriculturalists I’d like to see Earl Thomas do a throwback Westbrook hit on someone, anyone, out in the flat. That would please me greatly.

  17. dedfischer said:

    September 29th, 2009 at 5:19 am

    That wasn’t fun to watch. It was just brutal. I think I’m going to appreciate this Tech team more as the season wears on and I see how bad Texas and Houston are killing people. I just hope they realize they’re not done yet and 1 conference loss doesn’t take you out of anything yet.

  18. travis said:

    September 29th, 2009 at 7:16 am

    I really thought tech was going to win that game dedfischer , its easy to question that call on 4th and 1, but hell its leach thats what he does… if they get it, he’s a genius pirate. i just hope you all can get it together now, and not let the wheels fall off, with the tweets and face books .. cause I was very impressed with the way you all played against us , and the better you all look the better our win over you looks, so good luck this year.

  19. dedfischer said:

    September 29th, 2009 at 9:11 am

    Leach has recruited good enough talent on the OL, RB and on defense where he doesn’t have to get cute anymore to beat a team like Houston. It’s the safest play to win a game versus trying to make it a my QB versus your QB matchup. And, his pride won’t let him do it.

  20. NateHeupel said:

    September 29th, 2009 at 3:08 pm

    I’ll go ahead and sub in for ransom as the miserable prick.

    UT’s defense can take absolutely nothing positive from this performance in terms of determining team strengths, nor can they take anything negative from it. When you’re playing a team with no appreciable strength/skill on offense, the only thing you can learn is your weaknesses. I saw no weaknesses, glaring or otherwise. This is what should happen when you’re playing a team ranking in the bottom 15 nationally in every major offensive category that got held to 17 points by Buffalo. Texas’ complete emasculation of UTEP’s offense is nothing to brag about. Your defense doesn’t suck, and you don’t have any weak points. So what? You’re fucking Texas, and you’re coached by one of the top DC’s (if not the best) in college football.

    UTEP’s offense is an abomination in Tebow’s eyes, and He will smite them to hell. Or lobby for the U.S. to move the Mexican border a few miles further north in west Texas. Same difference.

  21. Tdiddle said:

    September 30th, 2009 at 3:44 pm

    miserable prick

Leave a Reply

Follow Us

Related Articles

Hot Forum Topics

Activity

  • srr50 wrote a new blog post: March Madness Open Thread Part Deaux   9 minutes ago

    So far on Day Two, no buzzer beaters, but there was the obligatory #12 over #5 with Cornell thumping Temple 78-65, but the Ivy League school was everyone’s “inside” pick for an upset. Still the day hasn’t come close to generating the action that Thursday had.

    Today
    #5 Texas A&M 69 #12

  • Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Barnes worst team   34 minutes ago

    I wasn’t trying to say they quit. They just didn’t play hard a lot of the time. Lazy = lack of effort. Example, our transition defense was about 75% effort and 25% stupidity. We loafed down court a lot. The kids didn’t like to lose so they would fight back,

  • Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Barnes worst team   2 hours, 7 minutes ago

    This the most disappointing team because our talent level is higher than those others.

    The DGib/Buckman team was the least talented, barely, after the injury to LaMarcus and Tucker’s suspension.

    Last year’s team was the hardest to watch. Just watching AJ Abrams, who I don’t hate as much as most, run around like a

  • uthookem commented on the blog post Barnes worst team   2 hours, 13 minutes ago

    Agreed on Damo being my favorite Longhorn basketball player, I wish him all the best.

    This was definitely the worst, by far.

  • Trips Right commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   3 hours, 26 minutes ago

    Don’t have time to address each and every comment now, but I wanted to say thanks to everyone for contributing to the site this season. It’s made it a lot of fun to follow a team that’s tough to watch at times.

    Also, I wanted to thank you for the kind words as

  • Hiphopopotamus commented on the blog post Big Dance: Day Two   3 hours, 27 minutes ago

    And that’s all she wrote…relatively boring day so far. A&M out to a nice early lead.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Art Vandelay commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   3 hours, 30 minutes ago

    Trips,

    Great work all year long. Love the passion. The fact that you kept writing these (even around the birth of a child), is fantastic, shows your commitment, and is a little freaky. :-)

    I think you showed great restraint in this post. It would have been easier to “go off” on Barnes.

  • ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post Barnes worst team   3 hours, 31 minutes ago

    Second awesomest thing — Magnus gets his woman to go to Hooters with him.

  • Hiphopopotamus commented on the blog post Big Dance: Day Two   3 hours, 38 minutes ago

    Missouri going to hang on…

    Sconsin clinging to a 2 point cushion

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • BrickHorn commented on the blog post Barnes worst team   3 hours, 51 minutes ago

    Are there any women who are not skanks at any place on 1960?

  • Hiphopopotamus commented on the blog post Big Dance: Day Two   3 hours, 52 minutes ago

    Make that a 1 point Wofford lead with 4+ to play…

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Hiphopopotamus commented on the blog post Big Dance: Day Two   3 hours, 58 minutes ago

    Pitt rolling Oakland.

    Purdue holds on against Siena…I missed it in my bracket, but I’m actually happy for them.

    Missouri pulling away from Clemson (68-60) with 7 to play…knew I should have never bet on Oliver Purnell, even if it was against this Missouri team.

    Amazingly, game of the day so far might be Wisco/Wofford – 2

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post Barnes worst team   4 hours, 2 minutes ago

    I ain’t talking about the girls Brick.

  • BrickHorn commented on the blog post Barnes worst team   4 hours, 4 minutes ago

    The girls don’t wear jorts at Hooters. They dress like Richard Simmons.

  • ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post Barnes worst team   4 hours, 7 minutes ago

    That, by the way, was the best thing that’s come out of this basketball season. Knowledge of Magnus’ intimate familiarity with the service and cut-off threshold at Hooter’s as compared to BWW3. Hooter’s — worse food at a higher price than a titty bar, served with jean shorts, cheaper beer, and more stretch

  • Blake Stansbery commented on the blog post Arkansas Razorback Football Spring Practice Preview: Running Backs   4 hours, 32 minutes ago

    Who thinks that one back could step up and be the go to this year?

    I still think it is going to be a by committee approach, but someone could separate themselves this spring. You just never know.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Nickel Rover wrote a new blog post: Barnes worst team   5 hours, 27 minutes ago

    Basketball:

    Texas lost to Wake Forest in the first round last night. Trips Right somehow found the inner strength to do a final post-mortem where he also prescribes a month of defensive drills for baby 2010-11 Texas basketball in order to foster its development into a team that can at least dribble towards the basket.

    PeterBean was

  • Trips Right commented on the blog post Weekly Whispers 3/17/2010: Duke and Kentucky Do the Chomping   5 hours, 34 minutes ago

    BigAaron, it’s what Ballerjunkie has been hearing in his circles. The information is certainly not an opinion, but what is out there at this time.

    We’ll have more on a weekly basis.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   5 hours, 49 minutes ago

    BiH,

    I actually agree with you. I think the charge and missing the two FTs earlier got in his head a bit. Also, he passed to Mason on the possession earlier which I didn’t think made sense. Mason had his pass knocked out of bounds, thankfully, but it seemed strange to me when

  • P.Drez commented on the blog post Champions League Draw   5 hours, 51 minutes ago

    Inter got the team everyone wanted, which will more than likely set up a great semifinal against Barcelona. I believe Mourinho will be putting everything into the Champs League now, even if it means sacrificing Serie A.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post Lucky   5 hours, 56 minutes ago

    Great stuff, Ted.

    Interesting discussion this has sparked about Calahan.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • gingerballs commented on the blog post Big Dance: Day Two   6 hours, 13 minutes ago

    Hearing Murray Hewitt’s voice never gets old…even if the commercials could use his comedic talent much better.

    Cornell is impressive, Temple got fucked with them as a 12.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • D W commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   6 hours, 13 minutes ago

    Turn off the sound and watch the replay of Johnson’s setup and motion shooting the free throws. They never had a chance of going in. After the first one, he sighs heavily, looks up at the ceiling (?), moves his feet nervously and generally gives off the body language of wishing the earth

  • Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post Baylor v. Sam Houston State Preview   6 hours, 32 minutes ago

    Memes by definition are to be shared.

    Congrats. Udoh is a beast. Rooting for you guys, strangely.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • D W commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   7 hours, 9 minutes ago

    Trips, thanks for all your posts this season. I don’t always agree with you but that is sort of the point of a blog isn’t it? Your assesments are usually well-written, informative and fair and where else can you find those qualities?

    As for the team, I watched a loose, confident and

  • texasengr commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   7 hours, 25 minutes ago

    Why didn’t we call a time out after Wake hit the go ahead jumper?

    The clock would have been reset to ~1.5 seconds. Wouldn’t the ball have been advanced to half-court? Or was that rule changed?

  • Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   7 hours, 30 minutes ago

    If AB can get inside the top 15 or so, he should go. If he can’t, then he should come back. He’s got a lot of warts on his game, but a lot to build on as well…..

  • Blake Stansbery wrote a new blog post: Arkansas Razorback Football Spring Practice Preview: Running Backs   7 hours, 32 minutes ago

    The Arkansas Razorbacks spring practices are creeping up and are officially set to begin Tuesday March 30th. This is a first part in a series of articles over the following days leading up to March 30th highlighting position battles to watch in the spring.

    It is by now well known that the Razorbacks will be without

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest: Post Mortem   7 hours, 35 minutes ago

    Trips, thanks for all of the post-mortems this year. It’s one thing when you’re 17 – 0, and it’s something else entirely when your year ends like our has. There is only one thing in this one will which I take issue. You said:

    “In the plus column, I was happy with the

  • Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest Open thread   7 hours, 40 minutes ago

    Nordie,

    Is that you being glib derived out of frustration (lord knows, I can empathize) or do you have actually have some source or evidence beyond the general media sources? Is that just conjecture that you’ve heard or do you know anything credible? Love to hear it if you do…..