Sixteen years ago, Texas’ national championship season began the exact same way it will this season. A home opener against the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns. Nearly on the exact date as well, Sept. 3, 2005.
Instead of having a new head coach and quarterback, Mack Brown and Vince Young were hoping to take a Rose Bowl victory over Michigan and turn it into a potential national championship push. Texas dominated from start to finish, 60-3.
As for similarities, a young, underclassman running back was ready to take the country by storm. Back in 2005, it was former four-star and true freshman Jamaal Charles. He finished with 135 yards and a touchdown against Louisiana on 14 carries. Charles led the team in rushing over both Selvin and Vince Young.
Texas’ defense came to play as well. After a Louisiana field goal with 5:32 left in the first quarter, the Longhorns kept them out of the endzone for the rest of the night. Texas DB Aaron Ross was able to secure an interception off quarterback Michael Desormeaux.
You can watch Longhorn Network’s Throwback Thursday ode to Charles’ performance below:
THROWBACK THURSDAY:
Back in '05, we were introduced to @jcharles25 against Louisiana. Who will have a breakout game against the Ragin' Cajuns this Saturday?👀 pic.twitter.com/kLk9y7D0Sa— Longhorn Network (@LonghornNetwork) September 2, 2021
If watching the full game highlights is more up to your speed, you can catch it here:
Something tells me Saturday’s Texas-Louisiana matchup will be closer than 2005’s 57 point margin. The No. 23 Ragin Cajuns program has come a long way under Billy Napier and they will enter Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium with the mindset of leaving with a victory.
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