Poooor Aggies

Order was restored to the state of Texas as big brother was ready for little brother this year...

Colt McCoy exorcised all of his Aggy demons and put on a show going 23-28 for 311 yds and 2 TDS through the air along with 49 yds rushing and 2 TD's on the ground. If that's not a great way to cap off a Heisman campaign I don't know what is. All eyes now turn to Stillwater where Bedlam will happen tomorrow.

SI.Com's story tells of the Horns win and if it will be enough to keep hold on the BCS #2 spot, while Stuart Mandel discusses the Heisman possibilities.

The Big Cat himself was at the game yesterday and here are some of my observations and stories.


45-35 Campaign

The grassroots movement for BCS awareness that started by members of Orangebloods and then generated into a seperate movement with the start of 45-35.com, was everywhere at DKR-TMS last night.

Fans boasted every type of creative sign they could to remind the whole nation we've already played Oklahoma and how it ended. Signs and fliers were handed out before the game and The Daily Texan pictured a centerfold with the score. Everywhere you looked Thursday night you saw some kind of sign posting the score.


Players of the game

Here is an effort to list a "Hot 11" of the top 11 players from this game for both teams.

1. Colt McCoy - QB - Texas

While throwing 23-28, 311 yds, and 2 TD's through the air, McCoy also mixed in nearly 50 yards rushing and 2 additional TD's on the ground including a spinning out of control jump into the end zone. McCoy has been the top player for the Longhorns all year and maybe the top player in the nation.

2. Cody Johnson - RB - Texas

Sure the big fellow got most of his yards in garbage time, but he was the first Longhorn runner to post a 100 yard rushing game this year other than Colt McCoy. Johnson scored earlier in the game on a run down the sideline, but the banner play of the night came when the Horns had the second team in and tried to run the clock out. Johnson sprinted 62 yards down the left sideline and punished the Aggie tacklers who tried to bring him down at the end. The Big Guy finished with 102 yards and 2 TD's.

3. Sergio Kindle - LB/DE - Texas

The kid from Woodrow Wilson who was ranked as a 5 star difference maker has really come on this year under the tutelage of Will Muschamp. Kindle is an athletic freak who has battled injuries throughout his career, but this year has absolutely terrorized from a pass rusher standpoint. Kindle was all over the place making plays and punctuated his night with a big sack on Aggy QB Stephen McGee. McGee got up and taunted Kindle which I submit is not a good move.

4. Brandon Collins - WR - Texas

Collins stepped up this week and emerged as a 3rd target for McCoy. Collins is not a blazer who will smoke DB's down the field, but he's cat quick and a good route runner. Collins took screens and short slants and turned them into big gains with his run after the catch ability. Collins tallied 6 catches for 103 yards and a TD and really took a step forward this week.

5. Brian Orakpo - DE - Texas

Orakpo came out to shine on Senior night. As one of the most beloved players on the team he was a guy who got one of the biggest ovations when introduced as a Senior. "Rak" lived in the Aggy backfield and made things miserable with his pass rush. Late in the game when the Aggies pulled out all of the stops and attempted a WR reverse Pass, Orakpo never gave up on the play and pursued from the backside...When Aggy WR and former QB Ryan Tannehill stopped to throw Orakpo blindsided him causing a fumble and giving the Horns the ball in scoring position.

6. Quan Cosby - WR - Texas

Quan was another guy who really did his thing in his last game at DKR-TMS. After being a steady hand all year Cosby did nothing but his usual thing. He made tough catches (Except for one on the sidelines he probably should have had) and he got in the end zone. Cosby will be sorely missed next year.

7. Jordan Shipley - WR - Texas

Needing just one touchdown to tie Limas Sweed and Roy Williams for most TD's in a season by a Longhorn WR, I was pretty sure Shipley would get it. He didn't, but what he did do is continue to work the middle for soft spots and get big gains to convert for first downs. Shipley also had a very long pass play where he took a short screen almost to the house but was pushed out on the one yard line. Cody Johnson would score from there a couple of plays later.

8. Earl Thomas - S - Texas

After being heavily criticized at the beginning of the year, Thomas has really come on as a player. Twice he saved TD's last night pushing big time Aggie gains out of bounds. On the verge of completing his freshman year, Thomas will lead a still young but talented Longhorn secondary next year.

9. Henry Melton - DE - Texas

I really wish Big Henry had another year on the 40. After failing to be a runner in college, Melton was changed to DE last year. He struggled to learn the position but this year came out firing. I have no doubt if he had another year here he would be a first day draft pick. Melton made a couple of big plays including stringing out a number of Aggy runs and bringing them down and recovering a fumble.

10. Ryan Palmer - CB - Texas

Palmer is the loud and boisterous DB of the Horns who often talked more than he produced, but last night he was virtually lock down from the corner spot and had a big sack on Aggy QB McGee in the 3rd Qtr.

11. Jerrod Johnson - QB - Texas A&M

I had to put at least one Aggy on here and Johnson threw a TD for the Ag's.


In Conclusion

We really had a great time at the game and I'll post some pictures later, but now the Horns await their destiny. The worst thing that can happen is they trip to the Fiesta Bowl...When you can say that is the worst thing, life is good.

While you wait enjoy this video from the 45-35 campaign



Hook 'Em Horns