Coach V: Texas' O-line carries the Longhorns through a Jekyll and Hyde performance

Written by Mike Venable, a former Texas high school football coach and longtime contributor to Inside Texas

Some might see this Longhorn game as a Jekyll and Hyde type of performance. I could certainly see why we looked like SEC champions at times. We also spent some time offering up a few uglies without really trying to balance the spreadsheet. The most impressive positive was the total team effort of busting butt for sixty minutes. I never saw a single “lazy” step by any Longhorn.

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

One seldom sees a total commitment in a team sport but yesterday the burnt orange jerseys provided a prime example of “want-to” effort wise. The bad news is we had our share of yuks and brain cramps mixed with thank you sir’s. The sweet news is we won without our “A” game.

Among the superlatives were the most athletic play of this year by Jelani McDonald (25) on his interception, the slashing runs by Tre Wisner (26), and the outstanding manhandling of their defense by our offensive line. McDonald’s diving oskie included a coordinated body controlled athletic move finalized by total hand reaction while falling to the turf. Wisner drew double duty rep wise due to fumble prone backups as he went over 150 yards by himself. Our offensive line is actually eight war hogs that had their best game this year. The beauty of the O-Line playing lights out was it was against arguably the best front six in the conference.

The bad news of the day was mental more than physical. Three of our celebrated secondary went to sleep on one individual play each and gave up a big play. We are having execution problems at the LB opposite Anthony Hill (0). The problem is equally divided between reading the correct gap to fill and actually making the tackle. Michael Taaffe (16) had three license plate number tackles as in “did anybody get the plate number of that truck”?

Here, there, and everywhere else:

Offensive line is the player of the week. Kelvin Banks (78), Hayden Conner (76), Jake Majors (65), DJ Campbell (52), Cameron Williams (56) are joined by Cole Hutson (54), Gunnar Helm (85), and Juan Davis (81) this week. They completely demoralized a very good front and with excellent movement blocks they mowed down defenders in open field as well. Sweeps and screens are dangerous weapons thanks to big athletes showing great feet on the run.

Most weeks Wisner’s (26) effort would put away the offensive player of the week’s award but he came up a razor thin second place to the offensive line.

Quinn Ewers (3) appeared injured most of three quarters and it definitely affected his passing accuracy.

Matthew Golden (2) had a terrific first quarter.

Silas Bolden (11) finally muffed a punt but recovered to maintain possession.

Jaydon Blue (23) had several nice runs but along with Jerrick Gibson (9) fumbled away their chances to get more opportunities.

Helm (85) had another great game with two touchdown receptions and his best blocking game to date.

Davis (81) had two super blocks to spring Wisner into the secondary.

Hill (0) is currently the only LB that is playing really well. He is a weapon on stunts. He is a sack artist in the open field. He is the big hitter capping the line.

Jaylon Gilbeau (3) had some good plays paired with a few not so good. Did not have a good game in coverage.

Andrew Mukuba (4) had the last interception but had a great game being in the right spot and tackled well.

Jahdae Barron (7) had one poor coverage and a couple of tackles.

Trey Moore (8) had a good sack and several hustle plays.

Colin Simmons (11) is a threat off the edge. He had two sacks and TFLs. Great anticipation on snap count. He may be the next big award winner in the future.

Bill Norton (15) had nice action as he had more snaps than usual.

Taaffe (16) seems to always be in the right spot. He tackled well but some of them are better than others but, as they say, any tackle in the open field is a good tackle.

Liona Lefau (18) isn’t having any good luck reading or reacting nor is he tackling well.

McDonald (25) had the play of the day with his diving, twisting, lay-out interception plus a few quality tackles.

Morice Blackwell (37) came back from injury and did not fare well. He missed tackles and had one very poor read in limited action.

Vernon Broughton (45) had two good plays in limited action.

Barryn Sorrell (88) was once again solid and productive. He had three really good plays and stayed fundamentally sound against a tough assignment.

Sydir Mitchell (90) actually made a LOS tackle with a stout move on the center.

Ethan Burke (91) was good but missed one tackle.

Alfred Collins (95) had two big plays along with several wrecks. Really good player having a huge year.

Jermayne Lole (99) had one huge play and several hustle efforts. Took one bad angle on pass rush and lost contain.

Well, we are 10-1 and have them we turned down to play this weekend. The worst part of that is we have to go to that ugly patch of land in order to kick their butts but thems the rules. Get your game face frozen and your ankles taped as we finish off Thanksgiving with a resounding thumping of the bad guys. Take no prisoners week.