Yeeesh! It’s Tuesday and I think I’ve finally been able to process Saturday. A blowout-shutout 52 – 0 win for the Longhorns.
I said in my last post that I’d hoped CSU would score less than the 14pts I’d predicted. Maybe someone read this blog and took it to heart?.. An emphatic victory, not without it’s flaws, but pretty fucking impressive.
Bad news first — Arch Manning fans aren’t likely to see him playing that amount of game time next week. Through no fault of his own.
Arch lit it up for the nearly two-full quarters he was on the field. A touchdown shovel pass to Silas Bolden after breaking the pocket effectively, apparently breaking people’s decibel meters. He subsequently added a QB sneak TD of his own. Steve Sarkisian knew what he was doing with the rush play call. This fan-base wanted to see it.
Arch had a great game. He showed creativity and composure. But, Quinn Ewers showed what he was made of.
After the interception Quinn threw at the end of the first I shook my head. Indecisiveness costing him again. Something I think plagued him last year. I feared this version of Quinn had returned.
Fair play to the kid. He stepped up after that. Quinn threw 20-27 for 260 yards. Impressive stuff.
Minds are still in disbelief from the no-look pass he threw to Matthew Golden. It was as slick as shit the morning after a night on the beers, I’ll give you that. But it was the other TD pass to Golden that really caught my eye.
The composure to throw the ball into that space which he had no guarantee was going to stay there is impressive. Golden makes a great grab in separation, but the throw was perfect. Just beautiful. Quinn impressed me, hitting what felt like every man on the team with a reception. He’s learnt his team. He’s comfortable with the receiving corps. Very impressive. And that’s why I don’t think we’ll see too much of Arch next week — it was an exhibition at the point he came on the field. We’re not going to blow out Michigan, and we’ll need Quinn to show up like he did at DKR on Saturday.
Time for some more good. Defense. At no point were we properly threatened by the “arial assault” that many predicted would rain on us.
The defensive line did a fantastic job on shutting down the rushing offense that was called upon more than CSU may have liked. Third-down conversion rate was a huge problem for Colorado and we were the reason. In particular, a smothering series mid-way through the second quarter where David Gbenda had a share of all three tackles, culminating in a delightful demolition of Justin Marshall. I’d not be surprised if Justin’s kids feel this one when, and if they’re even able to, arrive.
I thought this defensive stand in particular was fantastic. At this point I felt the momentum shifting with the Rams, a little fire in their bellies. This drive all but extinguished it. Nothing going for them after this.
It wasn’t just all work up front, though. The secondary had a day, too. Notable interceptions from Jahdae Barron showing great situational awareness, and maybe the best grab of the day in any position from Wardell Mack to secure the shut out.
With heavy rotation of the roster in the later stages of the game I think this really proved how deep Texas are. It’s encouraging for us to make the long-run the fanbase and I are anticipating.
It’s positive vibes this week in Casa Herrera-McCurdy. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do in Ann Arbor with the Wolverines promising a stiffer test than the Rams.
It’s a good time to be a Texas Longhorn.
Hook ’em.
Hooked: UT Football through a UK lens. 
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