Coach V: Texas gets out of Nashville singing a winning tune

By – Coach Venable: We won a spirited victory over Vanderbilt yesterday. We were absolutely brilliant at times. We were asleep at the wheel at times. We find a way to keep the outcome a bit of a lottery with our undisciplined play too damn often. However, like the song says there are 13 hundred and fifty-two guitar pickers in Nashville and some of them were aligned on defense for the Commodores, especially in the open field and pass coverage.

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The difference in athletes was illustrated several times but the speed aspect jumped off the charts. We more than made up for the talent advantage with a laundry list of foot shooting penalties wiping out big plays and stalling drives. It was the best way to keep the home team in upset mode till the end of regulation.

Why is it that films never give you an honest evaluation of a player’s speed by watching enough film study each week? Old boot-scooting Pavia outraced our angles on a third and long for a 18 yard touchdown in the first quarter. We had three defenders come up short on the play. I think it’s obvious that Pavia gets the most out of his talent level—those sprint-out throws against the grain are extremely difficult to throw period—much less accurately. Our guy only hit 17 in a row so we weren’t all that bad our own selves.

We won the turnover uh-ohs with some salty defense. I wish to admit up front that McDonald (25) and Lefau (18) are improving at such a rapid rate that both could be making a name for themselves quickly. Lole (99) was our best DL yesterday and he was very good. Hill Jr. is three hours of bad hombre every Saturday while Barron (7) and Taaffe (16) just keep making plays. Ewers (3) had a winning performance—tipped balls at the LOS are going to happen when you play well coached teams. Moore (0), Helm (85), and Bolden (11) led the receiving outfits. Both Blue (23) and Wisner (26) had good gains on the ground and via air mail. Campbell (52) and Majors (65) had good outings.

Bolden (11) was outstanding on punt returns but Roberson (24) had his third holding in two games. We did kill a punt on the one yard line but our punting has been sub par too long despite the personnel change.

Hill Jr. (0) hit hard, dropped a cinch interception, and bolo punched a fumble out of bounds. He’s fun to watch.

Moore (0) makes big plays, blocks for his pals, and is having a terrific year as a leader.

Golden (2) had a one-handed TD catch among his good plays.

Ewers (3) needs to finish his fakes and should have attempted to knock down his second tipped pass—be a complete player Quinn.

Guilbeau (3) shows big each week. We are a better defense with him at star.

Muhammad (5) had a penalty that he played well—he’s a cover corner deluxe.

Black (6) had a huge TD interception wiped out by penalty—good young player with a pick and a strong PBU.

Barron (7) once again had a strong game.

Moore (8) is about as active as we’ve had here in a long while—hustle fumble recovery.

Niblack (8) had two catches and two good blocks but had a hold to kill a drive.

Gibson (9) had a good blitz pick-up.

Bolden (11) is a playmaker period. He must be hard to get a square shot on because he squirts through danger with ease.

Simmons (11) is another active edge that loves the game. No big plays this week but winning performance.

Norton (15) gave us several good snaps as our nose on early downs.

Taaffe (16) had a terrific tipped interception and a few open field tackles.

Lefau (18) makes good decisions—he’s a smart player—interception.

Blue (23) had a good outing. strong moves and extra effort.

McDonald (25) is becoming a super football player. Fun to watch.

Wisner (26) remains reliable but has trouble breaking tackles cleanly. Good player.

Gbenda (33) had one good tackle and missed a run fit in limited action.

Broughton (45) had his least effective game and had one roughing that targeted.

Campbell (52) had a very solid game—good pulls and pass pro.

Hutson (54) missed one block and was not as solid as usual.

Williams (56) beat on inside rush—two penalties—not playing like a first rounder.

Majors (65) had another good game—snaps excellent and pass pro solid.

Conner (76) missed one blitz bad but overall had a good night—one penalty.

Banks (78) was average for him—penalty.

Davis (81) had a decent night blocking.

Helm (85) another good night receiving and blocking—penalty.

Sorrell (88) was his usual solid self—our most consistent DL that always holds us together.

Burke (91) was very effective in a limited role. We are stacked at his position with more good ones on the way.

Collins (95) played well at all three alignments.

Lole (99) won the LOS period. Good player playing well making plays. Great addition to our team for sure.

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Well, another off week to heal and correct errors and mistakes.