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Coach V: The Longhorns dodge a bullet in their Peach Bowl win

Joe Cookby:Joe Cook•01/02/25•

josephcook89

Texas defense
Texas defense (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

By – Coach Venable: I’m glad I doubled up on the rewatches because that enabled me to see several really good things that I might have missed on the first view. We have some really talented players playing lights out. We are generally playing with passion and solid technique. We didn’t tackle particular well but neither has anyone else against those two desert rats. WE did not play as well as we wanted for a playoff game. I seriously doubt we can win another game without definite improvement at most of the 22 positions.

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Our blocking lacked dedication and sprizarectum. We definitely lost the LOS and our outside zone was whizzin against the wind. Our play-calling was predictable for too long a stretch. We lose attack mode and start hunting and pecking without a solid identity to rely upon. I suspect defenses have used our constant motions to scheme against us. I think we have some dead give-a-ways that turn our advantages into automatic audibles for the defense.

One question I keep wondering about is why we have about a dozen different screens but only one single draw and that’s a QB draw. Maybe I’m Stevie Wonder blind but it looks to me like Quinn Ewers couldn’t win a spot on a fat man relay and Arch Manning has to buy a ticket to get inside the white lines so there’s that. Draws and front door scrambles kill normal coverages and blister out of control stunts. We don’t get any mileage out of football’s nastiest “get even off balance” that renders power rushes lukewarm results.

My second question should be why aren’t we using a Ryan Wingo reverse to slow pursuit down at least once a game/half? It’s a crying shame Juan Davis gets the same number of touches that Wingo had yesterday. The Wingo reverse has never failed to get a first down, by the way.

Did I mention I love Ryan Niblett and what he offers the team. Who got the key block on the punt return for six? (21). Who made the flying tackle on the fake punt turned pass? (21). Kickoff tackle (21). Pattern?

Ethan Burke had two big plays including a blocked field goal.

Andrew Mukuba had at least half a dozen big plays including the game winning interception.

Quinn Ewers played very well within his own self.

Matthew Golden had his finest effort as a Longhorn.

Jelani McDonald was very impressive period.

Colin Simmons had a good sack and pressures along with open field tackles.

Anthony Hill was a tackling machine until he tired.

Liona Lefau gets a ton of assists because he reads well and separates well—just needs more punch.

David Gbenda had one terrific stab on the GL.

Trey Moore had two big plays.

Alfred Collins won the LOS with one GL tackle.

Vernon Broughton won most of the LOS’s and added a huge GL tackle on fourth down.

Jermayne Lole had another good game with disruptions.

Jahdae Barron is our best defender and he played like it.

Michael Taaffe will play much better next week against Ohio State.

Manny Muhammad will play with more energy next week.

Silas Bolden provided the spark—he’s a winner.

Gunnar Helm was a late arrival but wasn’t DOA.

Jake Majors actually played good but our ground game was MIA.

Hayden Conner wasn’t near as aggressive as he has been most of this season.

DJ Campbell didn’t win many LOS this week.

Trevor Goosby was very average .

Kelvin Banks had a very average game limping around too often.

Cole Hutson had two false starts in a very unCole like game.

All six OL weren’t sharp nor were they aggressive enough to get the job done.

Ohio State is really playing well. We need to show up sharp and bring our A game.

The cupcakes are gone from here on out.

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Bring that bacon home.

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