For all the talk from the hot air filled likes of Colin Cowherd, kicking Max Redfield off the team was indeed a big deal for Notre Dame as Redfield was the best safety on the Notre Dame roster this year and it showed on Sunday night. What if I told that after that showing in South Bend, that Swoopes would end up being the hero in the rematch?
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Texas took advantage of its first possession in overtime, piecing together a 20-yard completion to receiver Jacorey Warrick and a three-yard rush from Swoopes to score the first touchdown. If we’re 10 or 11 games into the season and we have to outscore everybody, I’ll take the questions, you know? And, on the biggest stage that they have seen in years, the Longhorns pulled off an impressive victory that many seem to believe indicates the program’s return to prominence.
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. Senior Tyrone Swoopes, a player who would rather not be in the spotlight but who’s had little choice, exceled in the power running package, rushing for three touchdowns including the game victor. Swoopes has been booed by Texas fans the last two seasons and was treated to a chorus of “Swooooooopes” from the Texas-record crowd of 102,315.
“It’s what they’re programmed really to do”, Kelly said of being resilient. He completed 15 of 24 passes for 215 yards and five touchdowns, also running for 77 yards and a score. “It’s great conversation for everybody to have, but it’s so short-sighted of what really happened in the Texas game”.
“This is a great start for us”, Strong said. We’ve been down for so long.
“So I just think we’re jumping the gun”.
Kelly then finally relented and said, “Yeah, we will make that decision this week”. The following season he was thrust into early action again when quarterback David Ash was knocked out of action for good with concussions, and the weight of the world was right back on his shoulders before he was probably ready.
Texas: A huge win for Strong, who is trying to avoid being the first Texas coach with three consecutive losing seasons since the 1930s. “We’ve got to play better, and we’ll continue to do that”, he said during Tuesday’s news conference. The Sooners dropped 11 spots after the loss, from third to No. 11.
Neither team was able to put up the decisive points in the final 3:23 of regulation, and the Longhorns entered overtime locked in an offensive battle with the Irish.
Texas: Texas hasn’t been ranked since late 2013 when Mack Brown was coach.
Last season, Will Fuller was the Irish’s go-to receiver. The adjustment worked against not only the regular package the Longhorns were throwing out there, but also against the 18-wheeler package headed by Tyrone Swoopes.
“He’s 260 pounds and runs big”, said Notre Dame defensive lineman Isaac Rochell.
Officials had plenty of time to review the play, as Hunter remained down on the field in the end zone for a couple minutes before being escorted to the sideline.
– Though Ashton White, Dexter Williams, Te’von Coney and Kevin Stepherson played against Texas on Sunday, Kelly was unsure when Notre Dame’s disciplinary arm will rule on their immediate future.
Nevada won its opener, 30-27 in overtime against visiting Cal Poly of the Football Championship Subdivision.
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Texas: Texas hosts Texas-El Paso, which beat New Mexico State 38-22.
