Tag: horns

Texas Longhorn Pro Athlete of the Decade: Kevin Durant

Arguably the best player in the NBA this decade, Kevin Durant was a monster throughout the 2010s. Here is your UT pro athlete of the decade.

Arguably the best player in the NBA this decade, Kevin Durant was a monster throughout the 2010s, playing with great players like Russell Westbrook, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. Currently on his third team of the decade, Durant’s latest stop is in Brooklyn after also playing for Seattle/Oklahoma City and Golden State.

Playing in a two-person tandem with Westbrook, Durant took the Thunder as far as the NBA Finals in 2012 but lost to LeBron James and the Miami Heat. He never reached that stage with Oklahoma City again, making it as far as the Western Conference Finals. After blowing a 3-1 series lead in the 2016 Conference Finals to the Warriors, Durant decided that was as far he was going to make it with the Thunder, so he made a switch out West.

His move from Oklahoma City to Golden State was a controversial one, but Durant backed it up by winning. In his three seasons by the Bay, he won two championships, winning Finals MVP in both of them. His 2019 playoffs came to an end early, as he tore his Achilles in the NBA Finals. It was the only season the Warriors did not win a championship with Durant on the roster.

Winning was the only thing in Durant’s vocabulary, constantly finding himself deep in the playoffs with both the Thunder and Warriors. An All-Star in every year this decade, his dominate performances have been consistent for nearly over 10 years.

Here is your pro athlete of the decade:

Teams: Oklahoma City Thunder (2010-2016), Golden State Warriors (2016-2019), Brooklyn Nets (2019-)

Stats: 27.7 PPG, 4.7 APG, 7.4 RPG

Team achievements: NBA Champions x2 (2017, 2018)

Individual achievements: 10x NBA All-Star (2010-2019), 2x NBA Finals MVP (2017, 2018), 2x NBA All-Star Game MVP (2012, 2019), 6x All-NBA First Team (2010-2014, 2018), 3x All-NBA Second Team (2015-2017), 4x NBA Scoring Champion (2010-2012, 2014)

Best moment: Dagger three-pointers in Game 3 of the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals

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Texas’ series history against Utah

For only the second time ever, Texas will be playing against Utah in the Alamo Bowl. Here is the Longhorns series history with the Utes.

For only the second time ever, Texas will be playing against Utah when the two meet in the Valero Alamo Bowl on New Year’s Eve. When they first met in 1982, Texas was a member of the Southwestern Conference, while Utah was apart of the Western Athletic Conference.

Currently with the Big 12 and the Pac 12, the Alamo Bowl is the best bowl game members from the two conferences can play in that are not New Year’s Six bowl games. With a record of 10-2, Utah if favored over the 7-5 Longhorns. Meeting in the regular season last time, this will be the most important matchup between the two schools.

Here is the Longhorns series history with the Utes:

All-time series history: Texas leads 1-0-0

Largest wins: Texas 21-12 in 1982

Latest Texas win: Sept. 18, 1982

The Longhorns began their 1982 season with a home game against Utah. Ranked No. 18 at the time, Head Coach Fred Akers was beginning his sixth season in charge of Texas. In a low scoring affair, both teams dominated running the ball, going for a combined 536 yards on the ground. Neither team threw the ball effectively, with the Longhorns having 28 yards and the Utes having 82.

Darryl Clark gained most of the yards on the ground for Texas, rushing for 162 yards on 20 attempts. He did not find the endzone though, as Terry Orr scored two of the three touchdowns on the ground. Orr added 61 yards and was the second-leading rusher for the Longhorns. Carl Robinson punched in the other score on one of his three rushing attempts.

Utah struggled to find the end zone all game, not scoring until nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. Two Longhorn touchdowns sandwiched two Ute field goals to make it 14-6. Utah finally broke into the endzone but failed to convert the two-point conversion, making it 14-12. Texas put the game on ice late in the fourth quarter with Robinson’s touchdown, winning 21-12.

Latest Utah win: No wins in the series

The Longhorns will play Utah on New Year’s Eve at 6:30 p.m. CST on ESPN.

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Big 12 Bowl Game Schedule

Bowl season is here and the Big 12 has sent six different teams bowling this year. Here is the bowl schedule for the rest of the Big 12.

Bowl season is finally upon us and the Big 12 has sent six different teams bowling this year. Going 4-3 last season, the conference will look to improve on that record. Playing in the New Year’s Six bowl games, the Big 12 went 1-1, with Texas winning the Sugar Bowl against Georgia and Oklahoma and losing in the Orange Bowl to Alabama.

Oklahoma State, TCU, and Baylor were the other three teams to take care of business last season. This season, TCU and West Virginia do not get back to a bowl game, while Kansas State joins in for the first time since 2017. Baylor will be in the Sugar Bowl, while Oklahoma once again represents the conference in the College Football Playoff.

Here is the bowl schedule for the rest of the Big 12:

Oklahoma State vs Texas A&M

Texas Bowl

Friday, Dec. 27 at 5:45 p.m. CST

Houston, TX

ESPN

Iowa State vs Notre Dame

Camping World Bowl

Saturday, Dec. 28 at 11:00 a.m. CST

Orlando, FL

ABC

Oklahoma vs LSU

Peach Bowl

Saturday, Dec. 28 at 3:00 p.m. CST

Atlanta, GA

ESPN

Kansas State vs Navy

Liberty Bowl

Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 2:45 p.m. CST

Memphis, TN

ESPN

Baylor vs Georgia

Sugar Bowl

Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 7:45 p.m. CST

New Orleans, LA

ESPN

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Mike Yurcich expected to be named offensive coordinator next week

Ohio State PGC Mike Yurcich was the top candidate for the Longhorns’ OC position and now he will be named to the position next week.

After reporting that Ohio State passing game coordinator Mike Yurcich was the top candidate for the Longhorns’ offensive coordinator position, Brett McMurphy is now reporting that he will be named to the position next week. Currently at the Fiesta Bowl for the College Football Playoff with Ohio State, Yurcich would not comment on the position and said his focus is “100% on Clemson.”

Demoting Tim Beck at the end of the season, Texas will be without an offensive coordinator during their bowl game against Utah. If the Buckeyes beat Clemson, it is not known if Yurcich will stay with the team during preparation for the national championship.

Ohio State’s passing game has been one of the best in the country this season, with quarterback Justin Fields traveling to New York City for the Heisman ceremony. Currently at 2,953 passing yards, Fields is a dual-threat quarterback as he also has 471 rushing yards. A total of 50 touchdowns, Yurcich will be dealing with another dual-threat quarterback in Sam Ehlinger.

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Top Five Football Moments Of The Decade

While it may have been a rough decade for the Longhorns, there still was some good moments. Here are the top five moments of the decade.

While it may have been a rough decade for the Longhorns as far as the win column goes, there still was some good moments for Texas. Picking up wins against Oklahoma, top 10 opponents, in some bowl games, and ending a rivalry on a high note, even during the lowest time of the program’s history, they have produced some magic.

Having three coaches since 2010, Mack Brown, Charlie Strong, and Tom Herman have each been in charge for at least three years. Brown was fired after the 2013 season, marking the end of a 15 year period for Texas. Strong got three years from 2014-2016, but all three seasons ended in seven losses. Tom Herman has returned Texas to a bowl game in all three years in charge, but still has some work to do.

Texas has had a mix of success and failure throughout the 2010s, but the moments have no doubt made fans believe they can return to the level they should be at. Here are the top five moments of the decade for the Longhorns:

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Texas Longhorns Team of the Decade: Special Teams

Texas has been excellent on special teams the past few years. In both facets of the kicking game, the Longhorns have had reliable players.

All three phases of the game are important and in the past few years, Texas has been excellent on special teams. In both facets of the kicking game, the Longhorns have had reliable players who will step up when they are needed. Placekicker Cameron Dicker has been clutch in his two seasons in Austin and punter Michael Dickson was one of the best in the country.

Hitting two game-winning field goals this season alone, Dicker has been a key clutch player for Tom Herman’s squad. This season, he did it against Kansas and Kansas State, stealing two wins for the Longhorns. Dicker has been automatic from the point after, making all but two career attempts. Making above 70% of his career field goals, if Dicker is trotting out, you are more than likely going to end up with three points.

When the offense stalled and required a punt, Texas had one of the best punters in the country. Michael Dickson won the Ray Guy Award in 2017, given to the nation’s best punter. After his three years in Austin, Dickson was the first special teams player taken in the NFL Draft, selected in the fifth round. Averaging just over 45 yards per punt, Dickson constantly switched the field for the Longhorns.

Then there is Justin Tucker, who both punted and was the placekicker to the Longhorns in 2010 and 2011. Now one of the best kickers in NFL history, Tucker was amazing for Texas during his time in Austin. Never missing a point after attempt, he was just as automatic when kicking field goals too. When it was time to punt, he was able to bomb the ball 40 yards downfield.

Here are your Longhorns special teams players of the decade:

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Arkansas making a push for 2021 Texas quarterback commit Milroe

Arkansas recently met with 2021 QB Jalen Milroe. Meeting with CB coach Sam Carter, Milroe was “impressed” with Arkansas after speaking.

According to Richard Davenport of WholeHogSports.com, Arkansas recently met with long-time Texas commit and 2021 four-star quarterback Jalen Milroe. Meeting with Hog’s cornerback coach Sam Carter, Milroe was “impressed” with Arkansas after speaking with him.

He was also informed that the Razorbacks would be offering him a scholarship, extending his list of offers. Recently hiring former Georgia offensive line coach Sam Pittman, the rebuild of Arkansas has already begun.

You can read the full story from the Arkansas perspective, here.

Milore had an incredible junior season at Thompson High School in Katy, TX, winning the District 19-6A MVP. Listed as a dual-threat quarterback on 247Sports, Milroe threw for 2,689 yards with 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions, while also rushing for 378 yards and eight touchdowns. Add in his 4.6 speed and he will be something special if he stays committed to the Longhorns.

Having offers from other big time schools like Alabama, Florida, Nebraska, and Oregon, Milroe is a wanted man. He has been a huge foundation piece for the Longhorns in building the 2021 class. Losing Milroe would be a huge loss for Texas and they must keep him committed.

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Three Gifts Texas Needs On Christmas

Merry Christmas from everyone here at Longhorns Wire! Here are three gifts that could benefit the Longhorns football and basketball team.

Merry Christmas from everyone here at Longhorns Wire!

Texas has had a shaky football season, but still has some work to do. Getting a win against the Utes should be the priority, but the coaching staff still needs to be filled. Fulfilling both of those as soon as possible would be nice, as the Longhorns can get focused on the 2020 season as soon as possible.

Once football season ends, it is officially basketball season. Texas has been doing a decent job so far, but still has some work to do. With conference play beginning at the beginning of January, the Longhorns need to get off to a fast start to keep their NCAA tournament hopes where they are at.

Here are three gifts Texas need this Christmas:

A bowl win against Utah

First and foremost, Texas needs to find a way to get a win against a really good Utah team. Much like the Sugar Bowl last season, the Utes are just off a conference championship loss that would have put them in the College Football Playoff. Not only did they lose to Oregon, but they got dominated. Utah may be excited to be playing in the Alamo Bowl, but it is not where they wanted to be.

Texas is also in a similar position as they were last year as they are in a better bowl game than they deserve. They are also underdogs for the second year in a row, coming in as a touchdown underdog. Off a disappointing 7-5 season, winning on New Year’s Day would be a huge momentum builder going into the 2020 season.

A win against Utah could do what everyone thought the Sugar Bowl win against Georgia was going to do this season. While it may not have Sam Ehlinger saying “We’re back,” it would prove that the Longhorns can still compete with top-quality teams.

An offensive coordinator

The moment Texas took away the offensive coordinator title from Tim Beck, there were some big names connected to the position. Graham Harrell from USC was mentioned, but he has recently signed an extension with the Trojans. Passing game coordinator Joe Brady from LSU was the biggest name connected with the job, but the Tigers have made it clear they want to keep him.

Now, Ohio State’s passing game coordinator Mike Yurcich is the new favorite to get the job. Currently in the middle of a national championship run with the Buckeyes, if the Longhorns are going to hire it, it may not be until the middle of January. Kirk Ciarrocca is listed as the second favorite, but Texas seems to be all in on Yurcich.

Not hiring an offensive coordinator did not fully hurt the Longhorns on National Signing Day, but they did lose some commits before the big day. The sooner Texas is able to hire someone to run the offense, the better.

The basketball team starts Big 12 play out strong

With football season coming to an end, it is nearly basketball season in Austin. Texas’ current record is 9-2, but have been unimpressive at times. Winning games against teams they should be beating so far this season, that has been a positive. When playing against tournament-caliber teams, the Longhorns have been less than impressive.

A good win against Purdue on the road is the best win so far this season but loses against Georgetown and Providence have been brutal. Hosting High Point before opening up Big 12 play, Texas needs to rattle a few wins off to keep their NCAA tournament chances safe.

Baylor, Oklahoma, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and Kansas are the first five games of conference play. The Bears and Jayhawks are currently ranked in the top five in the AP poll and a win against one of those teams would go a long way. As for the other three, they are the type of games the Longhorns need to win. Quality Big 12 opponents that would be good on the resume. If Texas can start conference play, their NCAA tournament resume will start to come together.

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Texas Longhorns Team of the Decade: Safety

Continuing the tradition of DBU at Texas, we look at the best players at Safety to play for the Longhorns throughout the decade.

Continuing the tradition of DBU at Texas, we look at the best players at Safety to play for the Longhorns throughout the decade. Having a great tradition of producing stars at this position, it takes a lot to be considered a great Longhorn play at Safety. Complimenting the great cornerbacks throughout the decade, both of these players were outstanding at Texas.

Dylan Haines and DeShon Elliot both played for former Head Coach Charlie Strong. Elliot played for one season with Herman, but Strong recruited him to the program. While they have two different paths, the two played together for two years in 2015 and 2016.

Not seeing the field until 2014, Haines came into the program in 2012 as a walkon. Redshirting his freshman year, he was on the scout team in 2013 and was awarded the ‘scout team player of the week’ before the Red River Shootout. Getting a scholarship in 2014, Haines quickly became an impact player. Securing 13 career interceptions, that ranks tied for the fifth-most in program history.

Elliot is one of the top players at the position in the history of Texas. Really becoming a key player in his junior season, he ended the year with 63 total tackles, six interceptions, and nine passes defended. Add in three forced fumbles and all he did was create turnovers. Drafted in the sixth round by the Ravens, Elliot is the best safety Texas has seen this decade.

Here are your Longhorn Safties of the Decade:

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Texas Longhorns Team of the Decade: Cornerbacks

While there has been debate over who DBU is, Texas makes a strong case. Diggs and Boyd are two of the bost CBs to ever come out of Texas.

While there has been a long debate over who ‘Defensive Back University’ or DBU is, the Longhorns make a strong case when bringing up these two names at the cornerback position. Both crucial members on their current NFL teams, Quandre Diggs and Kris Boyd are two of the best cornerbacks to come out of Texas.

While they never played on the same field, what Diggs and Boyd do share in common is that they both had two different head coaches during their time in Austin. Diggs was there for the final years of Mack Brown while playing under Charlie Strong for one season. Boyd got two years of Strong and the first two years of Tom Herman.

On the field, Diggs played amazing in his first two seasons, getting All-Big 12 honors and even being named the Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2011. His best season came in 2011, when he had four interceptions, while also being involved in 13 pass breakups. His 11 career interceptions rank him at No. 10 in career interceptions in a Longhorn uniform.

Coming in the season after Diggs was drafted, Boyd found more success under Tom Herman than he did with Charlie Strong. Even though he was not a huge interception machine, Boyd covered No. 1 receivers really well. His final two seasons saw him receiving All-Big 12 honors and got him drafted in the seventh round by the Minnesota Vikings.

Here are your Longhorn cornerbacks on the decade:

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