Tag: texas news

ESPN lists best teams to not win national championship, Texas included

ESPN recently listed Texas as one of the best squads to compete since 1935 that did not win a national title that season.

There have been many dominant teams over the years who just couldn’t seem to close out the season on a high note.

ESPN recently released a list of the top 25 teams since 1935 who failed to win a national title that season. Unfortunately, Texas made the list at No. 13.

It’s a year that’s tough to stomach around Austin, but one that was too impressive to ignore. The Longhorns went 12-1 in 2008, defeating Oklahoma and Oklahoma State while dominating other opponents.

However, a brutal last-second loss to Texas Tech forced Texas out of national title contention. ESPN’s Bill Connelly even went as far as stating that this team was better than the team that Texas fielded in the 2010 national championship.

“The 2008 season produced one of the most perfectly framed arguments of the BCS era. Texas beat Oklahoma 45-35, defeated an excellent Oklahoma State team and won nine other games by an average of 47-14. But the Longhorns lost an all-time thriller to Mike Leach and Texas Tech, and when OU obliterated that Tech team a few weeks later, it gave the Sooners the smallest of BCS formula edges. The two teams were almost perfect equals that year — a best-of-seven series between them would seemingly go the distance every time — but only one could advance, and it wasn’t the Horns.

So be it. But this team was dynamite. Colt McCoy completed 77% of his passes, Quan Cosby and Jordan Shipley combined for 2,183 receiving yards and Brian Orakpo spearheaded an opportunistic defense. The Horns would make the national title game the next year, but this was the better team.”

Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree provided Texas with one of the most painful college football moments in history. If the Longhorns were to squeak by the Red Raiders, there’s not doubt we would have all benefited from witnessing a Colt McCoy vs. Tim Tebow national championship matchup.

What could have been.

Another Longhorn stepping forward to help those in need

Texas Longhorns safety Caden Sterns is stepping up to raise money for the San Antonio Food Back during this pandemic.

Texas Longhorns’ quarterback Sam Ehlinger isn’t the only player that is trying to raise money to help those in need. Current safety Caden Sterns along with Derek Kerstetter and former running back Malcolm Brown are joining forces to raise money for the San Antonio Food Bank. Sterns grew up in Cibolo, Texas just on the outskirts of San Antonio and he is asking for your help. Using the link above you can make a donation and help those in the Alamo City.

Hello everyone, hope y’all are staying safe during these times. A couple athletes and I wanted to come together and make a difference in the community we value and love so much. It came to our attention that there was a huge need of money providing food for families due to the inconveniences of COVID-19. Coming together and becoming a team as a community hasn’t been more important, so please donate, share, and repost so we can provide meals for those in need. Anything helps and all donations are greatly appreciated. God bless and stay safe! – Caden Sterns via the San Antonio Food Bank fundraising page

Let’s join forces and help tackle COVID-19.

WATCH: Every touchdown by Texas QB Sam Ehlinger from the 2019 season

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger accounted for 39 total touchdowns last season.

What better way to pass the time than to relive every touchdown featuring Sam Ehlinger from the 2019 season? Continue reading “WATCH: Every touchdown by Texas QB Sam Ehlinger from the 2019 season”

Texas offers four-star prospect, top defensive end in Pennsyvlania

The Longhorns are now targeting the highest-rated prospect from the state of Pennsylvania in the 2022 recruiting class.

Texas is now targeting the highest-rated prospect in the state of Pennsylvania. Continue reading “Texas offers four-star prospect, top defensive end in Pennsyvlania”

Texas Football: Two games that could shape the CFB Playoffs

CBS Sports’ Barrett Sallee recently released the 10 games that could define the playoffs and two games involve the Texas Longhorns.

With the upcoming college football season, every team has aspirations of competing in the four team playoff. The hope is to become the National Champions. Last season the LSU Tigers went on an improbable run as they ran the table en route to the championship. Barrett Sallee of CBS Sports recently broke down 10 games that could be the most impactful for the playoff. Two of the team games involves the Texas Longhorns.

10. Texas at LSU Sept 12

No, this isn’t a paragraph about Texas being back. Nobody should fall into that trap until Texas proves that it is, indeed, back. For LSU, though, it’s a wildly-intriguing game. The Tigers have had massive roster turnover, a shakeup in the coaching staff and the elimination of spring practice because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now they’re going to go into a massive game with a Longhorns team that will have revenge on their minds in Week 2? Sign me up.

Tim Warner/Getty Images

This game without question is going to be one of the biggest non conference games to kick off the college football season. The Longhorns have been consistently touted through various media outlets preseason Top 15 teams. The LSU Tigers are the defending champions and will be a top team as well. Not only a big test for the Longhorns in terms of who they are playing but a win in Baton Rouge would do wonders for the psyche of the team and confidence in themselves and the new staff. Circle this game on your calendars.

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Texas QB Sam Ehlinger creates GoFundMe for those impacted by COVID-19

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger was given approval to create a GoFundMe page to assist those impacted by COVID-19.

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger is a true leader both on and off the field. Continue reading “Texas QB Sam Ehlinger creates GoFundMe for those impacted by COVID-19”

LOOK: Updated images of Texas football’s South End Zone project

Updated images of the South End Zone project show luxury suites with balconies on each side of the jumbotron.

The University of Texas began a $175 million project on the new South End Zone facility at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium last May. It is expected to be completed prior to the 2021 football season.

While this will enclose the stadium and enhance the gameday atmosphere for the fans, head coach Tom Herman explains the importance of the project for the players.

“When you come to The University of Texas, you deserve to train in the finest facilities in the country. We’re close right now with the renovations that we did when we first got here with our locker room and weight room, and this new project will certainly put us in the upper echelon of training facilities nationwide.”

Amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak that has cancelled many sporting events around the world, Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman gave Longhorns fans some excitement to look forward to.

These updated images show an incredible upgrade to the South End Zone, including more permanent seating and luxury suites with balconies on each side of the jumbotron.

Although the stadium has been home to the Longhorns football team since 1924, it has been expanded several times since its original opening.

 

Texas baseball, softball seasons end; year of eligibility added

There is now no chance for the Texas baseball and softball programs to continue play at a later date this season.

Rather than cancelling the season entirely, many were hopeful that the Big 12 Conference would leave the door open to continue play in a few weeks for the baseball and softball programs.

Unfortunately, that’s not the case. According to Kendall Rogers of D1Baseball.com, the Big 12 officially announced that there would be no games played for the remainder of the season.

Both programs were off to an impressive start to the 2020 season. Texas baseball ended with an overall 14-3 record and was one week away from starting conference play. The Longhorns were scheduled to travel to Norman on March 20 to face the Oklahoma Sooners.

Several baseball teams within the Big 12 looked stout throughout the early part of the season. There was a legitimate chance for six teams to represent the Big 12 in the postseason. Texas Tech, Texas, Oklahoma and TCU finished atop the final conference rankings, with Oklahoma State and West Virginia close behind.

Arguably the most dominant team in all of Texas athletics this season, softball ended the year with an impressive 24-3 overall record. In her final appearance on the mound last week, senior Miranda Elish pitched a perfect game. Texas defeated the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams in the nation on back-to-back nights, which propelled the Longhorns to the No. 1 team in the nation according to Softball America.

Not only was Texas softball in a great position to take home the Big 12 conference title, they were a favorite to win the College World Series.

The NCAA officially announced the intent to add an extra year of eligibility to seniors who were not able to finish out the season. The details remain in the works, but having a chance to finish their collegiate careers on their own terms is a great place to start.

The public health and safety is top priority amid the Coronavirus outbreak, but it’s understandably an emotional period for college athletes who have dedicated countless hours into this season.

Mock Draft Roundup: Draft Wire Projects Brandon Jones To Philadelphia

USA Today Sports’ Draft Wire is mocking Brandon Jones to Philadelphia, given their season the move would make sense.

In this weeks mock draft roundup, only one Texas Longhorns player is showing up in the top three rounds of the NFL Draft. If this were to hold true then Collin Johnson and Devin Duvernay and company would have to wait until day three of the NFL Draft festivities to find out where they will be continuing their football careers

Luke Easterling has mocked the Longhorns safety to join the NFC East and the Philadelphia Eagles with the 85th pick.

Tim Warner/Getty Images

Brandon Jones heading to Philadelphia makes a ton of sense, their secondary struggled throughout the year due to injuries and lack of quality depth. In their playoff matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, the Eagles saw D.K. Metcalf and Russell Wilson pick them apart.

With the future of Malcolm Jenkins remaining a huge question mark, the Jones selection fits here for the Eagles. Jenkins who just turned 32 is going into his 10th year in the league. Jones can come in provide depth and play special teams to be an immediate contributor.

Devin Duvernay continues to be overlooked but once the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine roll around, expect a lot more attention thrown his way.

 

2020 Texas Longhorns Outlook: The Running Back Conundrum

The Texas Longhorns have a loaded backfield heading into the spring, what does the team do with all these weapons?

One big question that will need to be addressed as the Texas Longhorns head into spring practice this year surrounds sophomore Jordan Whittington. The Longhorns will have a crowded backfield with Keaontay Ingram, Whittington, Roschon Johnson and incoming freshman Bijan Robinson.

Robinson is one of the quartet that won’t be in spring practice since he isn’t enrolling early at Texas. One possible scenario could involve Johnson moving back to quarterback with Whittington coming off of injury and Robinson joining in the fall.

The other possible scenario could be moving Whittington over to wide receiver. The Longhorns are losing two receiver who rank in the top ten in terms of yards in Texas history in Collin Johnson and Devin Duvernay. The five-star recruit is a possible option. In high school, Whittington ran for over 1,400 yards and added another 3,202 through the air.

His athleticism makes him a good fit as he can create space for the quarterback to get him the ball and his elusiveness creates big plays when the ball is in his hands. He was also used as a punt returner and kick returner that scored 69 total touchdowns in three season. He is so dynamic as a playmaker that he can really contribute from a multitude of areas on the field.

The situation the Longhorns find themselves in is a pleasant one, what do they do with a loaded backfield and the spring should give some insight as to how they will deploy these weapons.