But to say anyone knew Texas could handle it?
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In some versions of a story September 4 and September 5 about a Notre Dame-Texas game, The Associated Press erroneously reported the Irish’s deficit in the third quarter.
Where Notre Dame could be vulnerable is on defense, especially in the secondary, which is the youngest part of the defense.
I have no doubt that Notre Dame was ready for Texas, which is why the victory is even more impressive.
But there was so much more going on. The touchdown clinched Texas’ first win over a top 10 opponent since 2008 and their first win in a season-opener since 1980. While 6th year Avery Sebastian and upperclassmen Drue Tranquill started the game at safety, it was true freshmen Devin Studstill and Jalen Elliott on the field for a good portion of the 2nd half and overtime.
Kizer threw for five touchdowns and ran for another and guided Notre Dame within field-goal range two other times on 13 possessions against Texas.
As bad as the defensive statistics looked against Texas, Kelly is right.
Texas went ahead 37-35 on D’Onte Foreman’s 18-yard touchdown run before Notre Dame blocked the extra point and Shaun Crawford returned it for 2-point score that tied it at 37 with just under 4 minutes left. His big mistake was a third quarter interception that set up a Kizer touchdown run in the Notre Dame rally.
“Just unfortunate that it wasn’t officiated or reviewed in a manner that I thought it should have been”, Kelly said, adding that his exchange with the officials following the play was “heated”.
If they finish with one loss, they’re likely in the playoff discussion.
Yet it was Swoopes who won it in the end.
The Wolf Pack (1-0) are coming off their own overtime outing, last Saturday’s 30-27 victory over Cal Poly.
“I think we can make it work”, Strong said Monday. “It doesn’t – you know, in my estimation it doesn’t do much for them if they’re sitting and watching, so I wanted to get them in early, yes”. I like Coach (Brick) Haley a lot. But Burt dropped it. Sterlin Gilbert came back to the exact same play on the second play of the third quarter, and it went for a 72-yard TD.
“If he wants to be on the headset, I got him on the headset”, Kelly said.
The game was easily one of the best kick off games ever for Texas, who all burnt orange fans are hoping ride the momentum into the next games and get the W next week at home once against over the UTEP miners.
The Texas Longhorns have more talent this season, on both sides of the ball, than they’ve had in years. Instead, they answered all the adversity.
As a member of the media, we’re used to seeing players stroll in for the weekly Monday presser, which is usually two days after the game.
Hunter was on the receiving end of a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit in the end zone and promptly removed from the game. Jones now leads the nation in rushing following his 249-yard, two touchdown performance.
Malik Zaire, the former starter who missed most of last season because of an ankle injury, completed 2 of 5 passes for 23 yards. The 6-foot-4, 205 pound pass catcher caught five passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns-including a highlight reel one.
And then it was Swoopes sealing the deal in OT. “Last year we would have lost this game”.
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“BC kind of doesn’t respect us”, junior linebacker Da’Sean Downey told MassLive.com. The newest rankings can not divert this team from what it takes to be successful. Senior Tyrone Swoopes was under center at times, too, and he rushed for 53 yards and three scores.
