Texas’ Brown still looking for
first title
BIG 12
By
Jim Vertuno
Associated Press
August 24, 2003
AUSTIN — The annual Texas title
hunt begins again with a team loaded with talent, a new quarterback
and a familiar question hanging over coach Mack Brown: Can the
Longhorns beat the Oklahoma Sooners?
Entering his 20th season as a head coach, Brown has yet to
win a conference title, despite perennially getting close. The
Longhorns were 11-2 the last two seasons. Just one more win likely
would’ve given Texas its first Big 12 title since 1996 and
a shot at the national championship.
This season, the Longhorns are pushing a theme of “Finish
It.” In other words, if they finish plays, finish games and
finish the season undefeated, the championship drought will end.
“The last two years, we’ve lost two games in the fourth
quarter,” Brown said. “Just finish the other two games
and we’ll have a chance to play for all of it.”
Brown spent the off-season mixing and matching his coaching
staff to get the most out of a stockpile of talented players.
He fired offensive line coach Tim Nunez, hired a new running backs
coach and shuffled other assignments.
He also ordered his players to get leaner, stronger and tougher.
The Longhorns return 17 starters, including offensive stars
in senior receiver Roy Williams and junior running back Cedric
Benson. The defense is anchored by junior linebacker Derrick Johnson
and senior cornerback Nathan Vasher.
Williams’ return was a mild surprise. Many thought the
6-foot-4, 215-pounder would turn pro after catching 64 passes
for 1,142 yards and 12 touchdowns while playing much of last season
with a strained hamstring.
“I think I’m not quite ready for the NFL,” Williams
said. “And right now, I just want to try to be the best player
in college football.”
Williams was unstoppable when healthy. Texas was predictable
when he was hurt. Him staying injury-free in 2003 could make the
difference between a national title or playing in the Cotton Bowl
again.
The question is, who will throw him the ball? Texas’ inexperience
at quarterback was among the reason he was expected to leave.
Junior Chance Mock is the designated starter for the Aug. 31
season opener against New Mexico State.
A top-rated high school quarterback when he signed with the
Longhorns in 2000, Mock watched the Major Applewhite-Chris Simms
saga swirl while waiting for his chance to start.
He’s played 10 games, going 6-of-9 for 65 yards and a
touchdown.
Yet now that it’s his turn, he’s having to fight
off redshirt freshman Vince Young.
Like Simms, Young comes in shouldering great expectations.
He was declared the national player of the year as a senior in
high school by some publications, then spent last season learning
the college game.
While some coaches would consider it a nice dilemma, Brown
was burned by the criticism over how he handled Simms and Applewhite.
He knows any misstep by Mock is likely to send Young’s popularity
zooming.
“I misjudged how many people coach quarterbacks in this
state,” Brown said. “There are 20 million coaches.”
Brown’s goal is to get some playing time for Young without
making Mock feel like he’s getting benched.
“He (Mock) waited his turn. He knows the offense,”
Brown said. “He’s learned from Major and Chris. He’s
watched the media. He’s watched the fans. He understands
the pressure of this position at this school.”
The Longhorns will have five games to get ready for the annual
matchup with Oklahoma in Dallas on the second Saturday of October.
The Sooners have won the last three.
Early season home games against Arkansas and Big 12 contender
Kansas State will determine whether a win over the Sooners could
catapult Texas into the national title race or leave them playing
for second place again.
“It’s hard to get out of our division,” Brown
said, “much less our league.”
SCHEDULE
Aug. 31 New Mexico State
Sept. 13 Arkansas
Sept. 20 at Rice
Sept. 27 Tulane
Oct. 4 Kansas State*
Oct. 11 vs. Oklahoma, at Dallas*
Oct. 18 at Iowa State*
Oct. 25 at Baylor*
Nov. 1 Nebraska*
Nov. 8 at Oklahoma State*
Nov. 15 Texas Tech*
Nov. 28 at Texas A&M*
*Denotes Big 12 Game
Texas Longhorns
- SCHOOL COLORS: Burnt orange and white
- FOUNDED: 1883
- ENROLLMENT: 49,392
- LOCATED: Austin
- COACH: Mack Brown, sixth season at Texas (49-15) and 20th
overall (135-89-1)
- 2002 RECORD: 11-2 (6-2 Big 12, 2nd in South)
- LAST BOWL: 2003 Cotton Bowl, beat LSU 35-20
- STADIUM: Darrell K. Royal/Memorial Stadium (80,082)
- RETURNING STARTERS: 8 offense, 8 defense
- KEY PLAYERS: WR Roy Williams, Sr.; WR B.J. Johnson, Sr.;
RB Cedric Benson, Jr.; QB Chance Mock, Jr.; LB Derrick Johnson,
Jr.; CB Nathan Vasher, Sr.; DL Marcus Tubbs, Jr..
- KEY RECRUITS: OL Brett Valdez, Brownwood HS; DB Tarell Brown,
Mesquite (TX) North Mesquite HS; OL Dallas Griffin, Katy (TX)
Taylor HS; RB Erik Hardeman, Pflugerville (TX) HS.
- KEY DEPARTURES: QB Chris Simms; OL Robbie Doane; DE Cory
Redding; CB Rod Babers.
- COACHSPEAK: “There are some husbands, they don’t
speak to their wives before they evaluate the quarterback situation
at Texas in the morning. They’ve been doing that here for
years.”
|
