In last night’s Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl, the outcome was in little doubt. On the back of a solid performance by true freshman quarterback David Ash, and a dominating performance by Manny Diaz’s defensive unit, the No. 24 Texas Longhorns handled the Cal Golden Bears 21-10.
Throughout the early-going, the 2011 version of the Holiday Bowl was a defensive struggle between two teams that appeared to be very evenly matched. As the game progressed, however, it became apparent that Texas was the better conditioned, and deeper of the two teams.
Although the Longhorns managed to tally only 255 yards of total offense, there were several trick plays and smart decisions by David Ash which led to scores. Ash finished 14-23, throwing for 142 yards and a touchdown, while also receiving a touchdown pass from true freshman wideout Jaxon Shipley on a well-designed redzone trick play in the second quarter.
Ash, as a whole, looked confident in the pocket, making big play throws to Marquise Goodwin for a touchdown and to Blaine Irby to keep an important drive alive in the early minutes of the second half.
These big plays– along with the success of the Texas defense– were even more essential given that the running game was stagnant, picking up only 135 yards on the evening.
Cal quarterback Zack Maynard never had an opportunity to make plays with his feet or consistently throw downfield on Wednesday evening. Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz dialed up some serious pressure on the Cal offensive line, sending full house blitzes on several occasions, leading to five sacks.
The Cal offense also struggled to control the ball when momentum did start to build at times. Texas forced four fumbles and an interception– on an outstanding play by Big 12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year Quandre Diggs– and was generally dominant throughout the evening.
Going into spring practice, as always, many questions loom.
It could still be argued that Texas doesn’t have an established leader at quarterback for next season. Both David Ash and Case McCoy showed flashes of brilliance at different times during the season, but neither consistently commanded the type of respect from both teammates and opponents alike that would suggest that there won’t be another QB competition during the course of 2012.
With the arrival of highly-touted true freshman Connor Brewer and dual-threat athlete Jalen Overstreet, Ash and McCoy will have competition to deal with– there is little doubt about that.
The Texas running game should be a major strength in 2012. If Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron can manage to stay healthy, and newcomer Jon Gray lives up to his billing as one of the 2012 recruiting class’ best, the Horns should chew up yardage on the ground.
A more experienced offensive line– bolstered by JUCO recruit Donald Hawkins– should give these running backs, and whichever QB happens to emerge from the pack the time necessary to execute Bryan Harsin’s complex schemes in their second year of implementation.
Texas returns seven defensive starters in 2012, and shouldn’t skip a beat, especially with one of the nation’s top defensive recruiting classes coming in to add depth.
As the saying goes, there are two sports in Texas: football and spring football.
As the Texas coaches hit the recruiting trail next week to begin working on the 2013 class, spring practice is just around the corner.
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