INSIDE SLANT
A rare nonconference game in November included a rare strategy to beat Texas.
Central Florida dared the Longhorns to throw long by stacking its linebackers in a tight zone and also using them to blitz Colt McCoy.
The senior quarterback read the scheme perfectly and had a field day, throwing for a career-best 470 yards -- the top regular-season performance by a Longhorn and just three yards short of the Texas record set by Major Applewhite in the 2001 Holiday Bowl.
The only flaw was it took McCoy a while to get warm and complete 33 of 42 passes. The teams played to a scoreless first quarter, and the Longhorns even trailed by a field goal before rolling to a 35-3 win.
McCoy's roommate, Jordan Shipley, was the most dangerous target. The sixth-year senior set a Texas record with 273 yards receiving. Central Florida took its chances, but showed that its defensive scheme is not the way to beat Texas (9-0).
Then again, no one seems capable of coming up with such a plan, at least not yet. In addition to generating a record-setting day through the air, the Longhorns again proved mighty on defense, limiting Central Florida to 151 yards while recording six sacks.
It seemed the perfect tune-up for the close of the conference schedule. However, the Longhorns dropped back to third in the Bowl Championship Series standings, trading spots again with Alabama.
The remainder of the schedule might not help Texas move up. The Longhorns go to Baylor, then host Kansas, then finish the regular season at Texas A&M. They can afford to stumble in one of those games and still represent the South Division in the Big 12 championship game, but Texas definitely has its sights set on a bigger prize, the national title.
"To be a part of an undefeated team, that's what I came back for," said Shipley.
NOTES, QUOTES--Leave it to defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to find a blemish on the stat sheet. He noticed the Longhorns had just 20 sacks going into the game against Central Florida and challenged his defense to pad that total. Sufficiently inspired, the Longhorns totaled six sacks, all by different players. "He said we led the country last year (with 47 sacks) and were way behind on that number," said DT Lamarr Houston, who had three tackles for loss.
--A 44-yard field goal is hardly automatic, but it was still surprising to see PK Hunter Lawrence miss against Central Florida. He had missed just two attempts all season, one from 50-plus yards and another that was blocked.
--The flags of Big 12 schools that normally fly atop Royal-Memorial Stadium were replaced with American flags flown at half-staff in observance of the service men killed in the tragedy at Fort Hood earlier in the week.
GAME BALL GOES TO: WR Jordan Shipley -- He spotted the openings that Central Florida provided on deep routes and exploited them by grabbing 11 receptions for a Texas-record 273 yards, including an 88-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. The long ball, featuring strikes to Shipley from QB Colt McCoy, figured into touchdown drives of 80, 72, 87 and 99 yards.
KEEP AN EYE ON: LB Sergio Kindle -- Considering eight Longhorns contributed to 13 tackles for loss against Central Florida, it's tough to single out one key defender. Kindle, however, led Texas with nine tackles, including a sack among his three tackles for loss. The pass-rush terror also was credited with a quarterback hurry.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Colt (McCoy) has played well the last three weeks. He's playing to me, like he did all last year. This is the guy we expected to see." -- Texas coach Mack Brown.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNELLOOKING GOOD: Everyone who wanted QB Colt McCoy to prove he's worthy of Heisman Trophy discussion should consider the evidence he provided by completing 33 of 42 passes for 470 yards and two touchdowns against Central Florida. OK, the game was a mismatch and the Knights practically dared McCoy to throw deep. So what? He connected, especially with WR Jordan Shipley. The combination is deadly enough to help point Texas toward the national title game, which should earn McCoy considerable love in the Heisman balloting.
STILL NEEDS WORK: Slow starts have been a nagging concern for Texas in many of its games and the problem resurfaced against Central Florida. The Longhorns were blanked in the first quarter and trailed 3-0 before finally getting their passing game to trigger an easy romp. There's no sense complaining too much. The Texas defense is good enough to keep games manageable while the offense struggles, but it is a concern the Longhorns would rather not bog them down in the postseason.
ROSTER REPORT:
--CB Aaron Williams missed the Central Florida game with a shoulder injury suffered a week earlier at Oklahoma State. Williams probably could have played, but the Texas coaches preferred to let the injury heal. CB Deon Beasley played in Williams' absence.
--RB Antwan Cobb has been limited by injuries most of the season but contributed on special teams with two tackles against Central Florida.
--RB Fozzy Whittaker started in the backfield for Texas, but managed just 3 yards on five carries as the Longhorns again employed a committee of backs. RB Cody Johnson was the team rushing leader with 44 yards and two touchdowns.
Previous Report: 11/03/2009
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