Longhorns are set at QB, but Beavers still unsure
Texas vs. Oregon State: Matchups
Part 2 of a collaboration by the AmericanStatesman and The Oregonian, breaking down position-by-position matchups in advance of the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29.
Today’s matchup: Quarterbacks.
Texas: Longhorns coach Mack Brown announced Monday that sophomore David Ash, who missed the regularseason finale at Kansas State due to a combination of poor performance and injury, will start. Ash completed 67.7 percent of his passes this season for 2,458 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’s had good games and bad games, but his physical abilities allow the Longhorns to do more with their offense than they can with Case McCoy, the backup. Ash is at his best when Texas’ running game is churning, allowing play-action opportunities to find Mike Davis.
Oregon State: Sophomore Sean Mannion (200 of 309 for 2,446 yards, 15 touchdowns, 13 interceptions) hasn’t been the same since early-October knee surgery, but when he was leading Oregon State to a 5-0 start, he looked terrific. Junior Cody Vaz (94-157, 1,286 yards, 11 touchdowns, one interception) was good in Mannion’s absence, save for one very costly fumble in a 27-23 loss to Stanford. Beavers coach Mike Riley admits that it’s strange to go into the 13th game of the season and still be talking about who’ll start, but that’s where the Beavers find themselves. Oregon State might head down to San Antonio on Dec. 23 not knowing who’ll run the huddle on Dec. 29.
Hookem.com’s Dave Behr says: Edge to Texas. But both quarterbacks must take care of the football; whoever turns the ball over more will likely play a huge role in his team’s loss.
The Oregonian’s Lindsay Schnell says: Edge to Texas. Knowing who you’re supposed to rally behind is important
SGet complete Longhorns coverage leading up to the Alamo Bowl, including pregame press conference video, photos and stats, at for a team, and the Longhorns will have almost two weeks to prepare with Ash as their guy.
Friday’s matchup: Texas’ running backs vs. Oregon State’s linebackers.