The horseshoe that’s been up the Texas Longhorns’ ass lastly fell out Monday night time. Hours after its declare at legitimacy flamed out, with Alabama squandering a seven-point fourth-quarter result in a semi-lethargic Michigan group, UT repeatedly appeared like frauds.
Washington QB Michael Penix torched the Burnt Orange secondary, however an unconscionable name by UW coach Kalen DeBoer gave Quinn Ewers sufficient time to get inside scoring vary. The Huskies survived 4 performs from contained in the 20 to earn a visit to the School Soccer Playoff title recreation, 37-31, and people missed alternatives are going to hang-out of us in Austin for a very long time.
We all know what this Texas program faces because it heads to SEC and that’s a considerably harder schedule, towards faculties they’ll’t overwhelm with assets, in a convention that doesn’t care about its status. As an alternative of asserting its arrival with a possible championship, UT displayed the sort of folly that’s outlined Longhorn soccer for a decade now.
Dropped passes, drive-killing fumbles and a plethora of flags nullified any expertise benefit — actual or perceived — Texas had. If DeBoer wasn’t making an attempt his finest to blow a lead, this recreation would’ve been over halfway by way of the ultimate body.
I’m taking a look at you, run play on third and three from the Texas five-yard line within the third quarter. Heisman finalist cooking, and you’re taking the ball out of his arms to what? Decide up a few yards to kick a area aim anyway?
Sure, there was a little bit of dangerous luck with Dillon Johnson’s harm stopping the clock to provide Texas a final gasp, however one of many greatest blunders of the 2023 school soccer season was Miami’s pointless run play when a kneel down would’ve been ample towards Georgia Tech. Coaches take word: A fumble isn’t the one monumentally dangerous factor that may occur once you tempt hubris. Bonus word to offensive linemen: The subsequent time that occurs, if it’s not rectified this offseason, stretcher the injured participant to the sidelines yourselves.
If a Texas receiver wins one of many many soar balls Ewers tossed up within the remaining 45 seconds, speaking heads spend all day slow-roasting DeBoers for ruining Penix’s unbelievable recreation. Washington’s Rome Odunze was the most effective receiver on the sphere, with Ja’Lynn Polk an in depth second. Between Texas’ turnovers, and UW’s clock administration, it’s a marvel the refs didn’t simply throw a greased pig down on the 50 and see who can wrangle it first.
The Longhorns got here into Monday night time favored by 3.5 and the ultimate rating was as indicative of the expertise distinction because it ought to’ve been. That stated, Washington outplayed and out-executed Texas for 59 minutes.
And nonetheless, UT had 4 goal-to-go probabilities to finish the comeback. I don’t understand how lengthy Steve Sarkisian will lament the ultimate play calls — particularly a few these fades — nevertheless it’s a minimum of a lifetime, not more than three.
Subsequent season, when the Longhorns are asking “When’s the Iowa State game?” after one more SEC knife combat, the 2024 Sugar Bowl, and what might’ve been, goes to really feel like six lifetimes in the past.
