Saturday, August 24, 1996

Texas Ready for Big 12

By CHIP BROWN
Associated Press

AUSTIN - The last time the University of Texas went undefeated in conference play and reached a New Year's Day bowl game as a Top 10 team, the Longhorns followed up with a losing season.

That was 1990, when Texas roared to a 10-2 record after a berth in the Cotton Bowl and then fell flat in 1991, going 5-6. The rise and fall defined the inconsistency that has kept Texas from reclaiming the national prominence it had in the 1960s, '70s and early '80s under Darrell Royal and Fred Akers.
But this season's Longhorns are hoping to show that Texas really is back.

With 16 starters returning, including kicker Phil Dawson and punter Mark Schultis, Jr., Texas figures to build on 1995, which was capped by a triumph at Texas A&M and a Sugar Bowl berth.

"We have worked so hard over the past years to get the program back to where it could be at the highest levels," said fifth-year coach John Mackovic, who overcame a shaky start at Texas (6-5 in 1992 and 5-5-1 in 1993). "We think it can be (at the highest levels) in 1996."

Texas players are motivated by a 28-10 Sugar Bowl loss to Virginia Tech. The Longhorns led 10-7 at halftime and then fired blanks against a potent Hokies' blitz in the second half.

"That's the last game we played. That's the only game I think about," said junior quarterback James Brown, the SWC's offensive player of the year in 1995. "It leaves a bitter taste."

After closing out the SWC as the league's final champion, the Longhorns enter the Big 12 Conference as the favorites to claim the South Division title and earn a berth in the Big 12 title game in St. Louis in December.

There are several obstacles to overcome, including a minefield schedule that features Notre Dame and Virginia along with Big 12 opponents Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Texas Tech and Texas A&M.

"If you are going to be one of the top teams in the country, you need to play a schedule like that," said senior receiver Mike Adams.

"That's the reason I came to Texas - to play a schedule like this," Brown said. "My only concern is that we don't play up to our potential. If we do, we'll be all right."

Brown says Texas is ready for the Big 12 and may be able to surprise some teams with its pro-style offense.

"I think the Big 12 is going to have to adjust more to us than we are going to have to adjust to them," Brown said. "Our offense is something I don't think they've seen before."

Seven starters return from an offensive unit that claimed an SWC-leading and UT yardage record (5,199) while becoming just the second team in Longhorn history to post 2,000 yards rushing and passing in a season.

The biggest losses came on the line, where Texas must find two new tackles and a left guard.

"We'll have some on-the-job training on the offensive line," Mackovic said. "But I don't think we will have to hold back on any of our schemes because of the inexperience."

After just two seasons, Brown ranks second in career TD passes (31), fourth in career passing yards (3,494) and is 13-2-1 as a starter.

Brown will get help in the backfield from senior tailback Shon Mitchell and sophomore fullback Ricky Williams, who teammates call "Little Earl," in deference to Texas' only Heisman Trophy winner, Earl Campbell. Priest Holmes, who missed last year with a knee injury, returns to add depth at running back.

Adams, Texas' career leader in receiving yards (2,090), and tight end Pat Fitzgerald, who caught 42 passes for 561 yards and 10 touchdowns in 1995, are Brown's favorite targets.

"We have one of the best offenses in the nation talent-wise," Brown said. "We just have to put it together and perform. Preseason talking doesn't get you anywhere."

On defense, Texas is loaded in the secondary, but must plug holes up front and at linebacker.

With the graduation of tackles Shane Rink and Stonie Clark and the decision by All-American end Tony Brackens to enter the NFL after his junior year, Texas will look to Gray Mosier and Clarence Martin as well as three blockbuster recruits to fill in around All-SWC noseguard Chris Akins.

The secondary is a veteran crew of seniors with Taje Allen and Bryant Westbrook at the corners and Chris Carter and Tre Thomas at the safety positions.

Mackovic said despite the inexperience up front, Texas will continue to move from a read-and-react approach to an attack style defense.

That's good news to Akins.

"It excites me to see the strong safety or cornerback coming in for a blitz," said Akins, who can bench press 540 pounds and regularly attracts double teams. "It gives us a lot of movement and shuffling and confuses the offense. Plus, it gives me a chance to blindside the quarterback."