Five plays that affected Saturday’s outcome,
There were 127 offensive snaps taken in Texas’38-3 loss at Notre Dame on Saturday.
Here are five that ended up making a big difference:
1.A brief history of time
Texas fans will argue the play clock had expired on third-and-11 early in the game. The officials disagreed, and Notre Dame’s Will Fuller hauled in a 16-yard touchdown pass to go ahead 7-0.
Not unlike the rest of the night, coverage on the play was poor by the Longhorns. Antwuan Davis, making his first start at cornerback, did little to disrupt Fuller’s slant pattern, and Fuller found a cozy spot in the end zone in front of safety Dylan Haines.
So had the clock reached zero? Tough to say. By the end the game, Texas fans had bigger issues to discuss.
2. Longhorns take a whiff — or two
Another blown third down by the Texas defense. This time, it came after linebacker Malik Jefferson destroyed Josh Adams in the backfield before halftime. It was the sort of thunderous play that could have swung momentum.
Needing another stop to get the ball back, though, Texas faltered badly. Hassan Ridgeway missed Irish quarterback Malik Zaire in the hole. Naashon Hughes whiffed too, and Peter Jinkens was out of position. For good measure, John Bonney also missed a tackle, and Zaire rumbled for 14 yards. Eventually Hughes got up and chased Zaire out of bounds. Just a bad defensive play.
3.Texas misses its chance
Tyrone Swoopes’ best throw was followed by one of his worst. No one can question the junior’s arm strength, which was on display in the third quarter with a beautiful deep ball to freshman John Burt for 48 yards. Like that, the Horns had reached Notre Dame territory for just the second time.
Three plays later, though, the drive stalled when Swoopes threw high for Armanti Foreman on a short drag. It is true that Swoopes was running for his life most of the night, but not on this play. He simply missed his mark.
Nick Rose’s 41-yard field goal was a rather weak consolation prize.
4. Notre Dame’s 66-yard dagger
Against his better judgment, Notre Dame’s Amir Carlisle hesitated and returned Rose’s ensuing kickoff out of the end zone and got to the 10. Irish coach Brian Kelly was displeased.
Rather than capitalize, Texas’ defense shrunk and surrendered runs of 7 (Zaire) and 12 yards (C.J. Prosise) before the Irish delivered the dagger. From the Irish 34, receiver Will Fuller sprinted by Duke Thomas, who apparently was expecting help over the top. The result was an easy touchdown and a 24-3 Irish lead. Play-byplay announcer Dan Hicks said, “All of the momentum Texas thought it had is gone.”
No one asked Longhorns coach Charlie Strong afterward about the blown coverage, not with so many big picture topics to sort through.
5. Gray matters. Right?
Announcers were surprised midway through the third quarter when Johnathan Gray carried for only the fourth time. If Texas could have a do-over, Gray might have gotten a fifth carry immediately after.
Left tackle Connor Williams moved to the other side for an unbalanced front, but the added beef was useless, as Daje Johnson lost 5 yards on a jet sweep.
Gray was incredulous over not getting the ball, motioning to the sideline that he would have preferred they run up the middle. After the game, Gray was diplomatic, but it’s clear the senior team leader was at odds with Shawn Watson, the play-caller.