Coach V: Texas holds court in the State Fair

By Coach Venable: In some ways this was another brawl with the State Fair as a familiar background for the combatants. I love the hard hitting intensity displaced by two rivals that really do hate each other with a passion. After going toe to toe for sixty minutes one would think respect should be earned but the fact is they still hate the hell out of each other regardless of the final score. Best damn entertainment known to man is all this is. Period.

[Join Inside Texas TODAY with code HOOKEM and get 50% off annual memberships!]

We played very well on defense from the get-go. There were several licks for justice struck. We did struggle with the familiar missed tackles but we were flying around swarming full boom three deep. We keep hearing it’s a deep roster all the time and today it was evident on defense but not so much on offense. It’s a genuine pleasure watching bodies being hurled with aggression at everything colored red in this setting. The beauty of the action was the direct hits scored especially on defense. RB’s, WR’s, TE’s and Hutson (54) were the only offensive roster moves used today.

Our offense took a few series to jump start but we did hang three quick sixes on them before the half. Our trigger man was a little wild and definitely antsy in the pocket till he figured out we would protect him so he could eliminate the jittery and get back to throwing darts to moving blurs once again. It didn’t exactly help that them land grabbers knew some of our playbook and stunted right into the teeth of our attack several key downs to stall our drive attempts. We immediately switched to big plays and cashed in big time while they staggered around from the haymakers effect.

I really appreciate our defensive approach. I strongly believe a new voice at LB has helped the returners grasp the concepts and the results have been gangbuster positive. I’m not positive but I strongly suspect our current DC and the new voice at LB are working together on game plan concepts and it’s definitely showing improvement across the three levels. I think the versatility of the entire group of defenders has allowed our brain trust to switch entire front alignments without making a substitution. This is invaluable and extremely confusing to our opponents offensive attack. The ability to counter such weapons as motion or reduced formations with our strongest personnel and trusted communication makes for a happy day.

Hits and misses from the film:

Hill (0) had his best game among several other dandies. I think it’s fair to say it’s fun watching Hill play the game—especially since he plays for us.

Lefau (18) is a star in the making. I love watching him square the LOS. He’s well schooled in turning shoulders and his timing on scraping is extremely knowledgeable. Big hitter who didn’t make many mistakes.

Williams (2) was having a great game before being injured in the third quarter. He had five brilliant plays including a fumble causing big hit. He’s coming on strong—shame if he misses any more time.

Guilbeau (3) had one big hit tackle. Steady and sound.

Mukuba (4) had a quiet game but did have one alley tackle that was sweet.

Muhammad (5) played well. Barron (7) played well. We have two really good corners and Holmes (9) isn’t far behind.

Moore (8) had an okay game. He missed tackles and assignments but hustled well—just needs a breakout game to relieve pressure (opinion).

Simmons (11) was Simmons. Terrific.

Taaffe (16) is the quarterback and sometimes enforcer for level three. One perfectly timed blitz garnered a 15 yard sack. Big time player.

McDonald (25) is fun to watch. Big, fast, and heavy hitter with a terrific attitude, makes for a future stud.

Smith (26) is off the training wheels and no longer shooting blanks. We have three outstanding young LB’s with more on the way—-Hill is still only a sophomore half baked.

Gbenda (33) is still a valuable piece. Bad roughing passer penalty hurt.

Blackwell (37) had one good pursuit tackle from the edge. Features experience at all backer spots.

Broughton (45) had another great game. He’s worth watching from start to finish. He supplies pressure from inside and a four technique, hits and slides with suddenness, and hustles till the whistle every down. I think he’s been our most consistent defender for the season.

Sorrell (88) would be MVP many weeks but he must settle for very good again this week. Great sack (Broughton pressure) and played the option well.

Burke (91) and Vasek (92) are future studs. Both had sacks, both played with great technique, and both provided outstanding snaps and good pass rush.

Collins (95) is a consistent performer who always has a couple of wow plays mixed in with a big play attitude.

Lole (99) and Norton (15) both make the most of their reps every week. Lole is very active and a big play waiting to happen.

Bolden (11) had the biggest play of the game. He’s fun to watch in a heart-attack kind of way.

Wisner (26) had his banner day period. You gotta love his desire to excel and his attitude toward the game is stronger than rent.

Wingo (5) is already a great player. No stage is too big for him. I know I’m old fashioned and a hard ass but not getting Ryan 10 touches a game is a criminal offense in my courtroom. Come on Sark—make it happen for the bleacher bums—anybody else happen to see the block he got on Wisner’s TD run?

Helm (85) had another breakout game. Blocking is good, catching is really good, and yards after catch is simply terrific. Sanders who?

Ewers (3) wasn’t as sharp as we expect every week—but he delivered at the right time.

Moore (0) had another good game. He helps in so many ways he’s very valuable.

Bond (7) hurt early.

Manning (16) looked ready to play or celebrate—whichever came first.

Niblett (21)—obviously a terrific teammate—finding snaps at a foreign position is superb.

Blue (23) had a decent game but lacked star power results.

Campbell (52) had good game—lost one bull rush bad—good pull block—good GL block.

Hutson (54) gets a few reps in both halves at RG but hasn’t been seen at LG or OC yet.

Williams (56) is making the game look easier—love he came to Quinn’s rescue (all did) but he got the penalty.

Majors (65) is the calming influence each week. Good snaps are taken for granted—he’s a terrific center.

Conner (76) had another good game but still lacks punch in short yardage.

Banks (78) is steadily moving up the charts—he’s definitely the man.

Davis (81) had one reception and a few good blocks.

Georgia for all the marbles. We are good enough to win this game period.

[Subscribe to the Inside Texas YouTube channel!]

Just for fun—Over/under on how many times I see Bevo chase that little dawg this week?