- 2007 Texas Longhorn football team
NCAATeamFootballSeason
Year=2007
Team=Texas Longhorn
ImageSize=130
Conference=Big 12 Conference
Division=South
ShortConference=Big 12
CoachRank= 10
APRank= 10
BCSRank=
Record=10–3
ConfRecord=5–3
HeadCoach=Mack Brown
OffCoach= Greg Davis
DefCoach=Duane Akina &Larry Mac Duff
OScheme= Spread Option
DScheme=4-3
StadiumArena=Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
Champion=Holiday Bowl, W 52–34
BowlTourney=
BowlTourneyResult=The 2007 Texas Longhorn football team (variously "Texas" or "UT" or the "Horns") representedThe University of Texas at Austin in the 2007–2008college football season. The team was coached byMack Brown , who received the 2005Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year award.cite news | title=Head coach reaches summit - Fans looking at Brown in new light after national championship run | publisher=The Daily Texan | date=January 18, 2006 | accessdate=2007-01-23 | author=Veyhl, Jake | url=http://www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2006/01/18/RoseBowlTab/Head-Coach.Reaches.Summit-1434846.shtml?norewrite200607271260&sourcedomain=www.dailytexanonline.com] The Longhorns play their home games inDarrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (DKR), which is undergoing renovations from 2006–2008 to improve older sections and add extra seating capacity.cite web | author=Haurwitz, Ralph K.M.|year=1998|title=UT stadium expansion to include renewed emphasis on veterans|format=HTML|work=Austin American-Statesman |url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/02/10texstadium.html| accessdate=2007-01-23]The Longhorns entered the 2007 season ranked third on all-time college football lists in both total wins and winning percentage. A pre-season ranking by
ESPN writerMark Schlabach had the Longhorns ranked eighth,cite news | last =Schlabach | first =Mark | title =Booty could return Trojans to No. 1 ranking | language =English | publisher =ESPN | date =2007-01-11 | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=2725188| accessdate =2007-01-23] whileCollege Football News ranked Texas third.cite web | url=http://cfn.scout.com/2/609740.html | title=CFN 2007 Pre-Preseason Rankings - Top 25 | publisher=College Football News | date=January 14, 2007 | accessdate=2007-01-23] The Longhorns came into the season ranked fourth in both theCoaches Poll andAP Poll .During the summer leading into the season, five players were disciplined for legal infractions, another was suspended for NCAA rule violations, and a coach underwent surgery for cancer. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/09/01//0901bohls.html | title=Longhorns thinking positive - Good to get bad karma out of the way | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=September 1, 2007 | author=Bohls, Kirk | accessdate=2007-09-01] Additional players were suspended during the season.
The Longhorns played games against two opponents they had never faced previously:
Arkansas State University and theUniversity of Central Florida (UCF). The Longhorns narrowly achieved a victory in their home opener with Arkansas State, and in their first road game of the season, Texas was the inaugural opponent for the UCF Knights in their new stadium. In preseason speculation, games against Texas Christian University (TCU) and Oklahoma (OU) were considered among the top 20 games to watch during the 2007–2008 college football season.The Longhorns lost conference games to the Kansas State Wildcats,cite news | url=http://tamu.scout.com/a.z?s=187&p=2&c=685742 | title=Sunflower Showdown Next for No. 24 Cats | work=Scout.com | publisher=College Football News | date=October 1, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-06] the Oklahoma Sooners,cite news | url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/10/09/Sports/Brown.Says.Losses.Not.Bad.Luck-3020587.shtml | title=Brown says losses not bad luck | author=Hale, Cody |work=The Daily Texan | publisher=Texas Student Publications | date=October 9, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-11] and the Texas Aggies.cite news | url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/sports/games/boxscores/MFB_2160_TA12-UT.HTM#GAME.PLY | title=Box Score| publisher=Texas A&M Athletics Department | date=November 23, 2007 | accessdate=2007-11-25] In two close games, they avoided
upset attempts by lower-ranked Nebraska and Oklahoma State, the latter game involving a 28-point fourth quarter comeback by the Horns.cite news | url=http://www.stillwater-newspress.com/osusports/local_story_307235716.html | title=How much can one football fanbase take? | author=Moore, Roger | work=Stillwater-newspress.com | publisher=Stillwater News Press | date=November 3, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-03] Texas concluded its season by winning the2007 Holiday Bowl against the Arizona State Sun Devils—another first-time opponent for Texas—bringing their season record to 10–3.The Horns finished the season ranked tenth in the AP poll [cite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankings?seasonYear=2007&weekNumber=1&seasonType=3&pollId=1 | title=2007 NCAA Football Rankings - Final - Associated Press | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | accessdate=2008-01-08] and in the USA Today coaches poll. [cite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankings?seasonYear=2007&weekNumber=1&seasonType=3&pollId=2 | title=2007 NCAA Football Rankings - Final - Coaches Poll | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | accessdate=2008-01-08] After the season, five UT players entered professional football through the
2008 NFL Draft and four others agreed to sign free-agent contracts with NFL teams.Before the 2007 season
Mack Brown became the head coach of the Texas Longhorns for the 1998 season. [cite book | last=Brown |first=Mack | coauthors=Bill Little | title= One Heartbeat II: The Road to the National Championship |page=35-45 | publisher= Bright Sky Press | year=2006 | month=June | language=English | ISBN= 1931721769 | others=Foreword by Darrell Royal, Preface by Red McCombs ] Through 2006, he had a win/loss record of 93–22 and the best winning percentage (80.9%) of any football coach in Longhorn history. The 2004 team had the first
Bowl Championship Series win for any Texas teamcite news | url= http://texas.scout.com/2/336787.html | title=Hollywood ending! | work=Scout.com | publisher=College Football News | author=Frisbie, Bill | date=January 2, 2006 | accessdate=2007-09-14] and the 2005 team won the National Championship (the fourth for the UT football program).cite web | url=http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html | title=Past Division I-A Football National Champions | work=NCAA.org | accessdate=2007-01-23]The 2006 team had 9 wins and 1 loss through November 4, 2006 but starting
quarterback Colt McCoy was injured in the 11th game and Texas lost the final two regular season games in 2006, including a 12–7 home loss to division rivals Texas A&M.cite web | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=263152306 | title=Texas loses QB McCoy, then national title hopes at K-State | publisher=Associated Press | date=November 12, 2006 | accessdate=2006-11-17] cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/11/25/25texside2.html | title=McCoy suffers severe pinched nerve in neck - Longhorns quarterback spends three hours at hospital for testing | publisher=Austin American-Statesman | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | date=November 25, 2006 | accessdate=2006-11-26] cite news | url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2006/11/27/Sports/Mccoy.Lacks.Mcgees.Toughness-2508048.shtml?sourcedomain=www.thebatt.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com | title=McCoy lacks McGee's toughness | publisher=The Battalion | date=November 27, 2006 | accessdate=2006-11-27] cite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=263280251 | title=Texas A&M runs down Texas to snap 6-game series skid | publisher=Associated Press | date=November 24, 2006 | accessdate=2006-11-25] cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/11/25/25texfoot.html | title=The gig is up - A&M shoots down Texas streaks with 12-7 win at Royal-Memorial | publisher=Austin American-Statesman | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | date=November 25, 2006 | accessdate=2006-11-26] cite news | url=http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/colleges/16096484.htm | title=QB's day unravels in the second half | publisher=Fort Worth Star-Telegram | author=Ransom, Eric | date=November 25, 2006 | accessdate=2006-11-26] cite news | title=SportsCenter | publisher=ESPN | date=November 26, 2006] cite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2674763 | title=Texas' McCoy suffers pinched nerve, return unknown | publisher=ESPN | date=November 24, 2006 | accessdate=2006-11-25] This took the team out of contention for the conference championship,cite news | url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/stewart_mandel/11/27/bowl.projections.1127/index.html | title=Bowl Projections - ACC, Big 12 title games will cause big domino effect | publisher=Sports Illustrated | author=Stewart Mandel | date=November 27, 2006 | accessdate=2006-11-28] as well as the national championship.cite web | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=263152306 | title=Texas loses QB McCoy, then national title hopes at K-State | publisher=Associated Press | date=November 12, 2006 | accessdate=2006-11-17] cite news | url=http://www.kstatecollegian.com/media/storage/paper1022/news/2006/11/13/Sports/KState.Shocks.No.4.Texas-2455832.shtml?norewrite200611152252&sourcedomain=www.kstatecollegian.com | title=K-State shocks No. 4 Texas, knocks Longhorns out of championship contention | publisher=Kansas State Collegian | author=Garten, Jonathan | date=November 13, 2006 | accessdate=2006-11-18]Between the 2006 regular season and the bowl season, back-up quarterback
Jevan Snead transferred to another school,cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=40&url_article_id=2655&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2 | title=Texas players elect to transfer | publisher=MackBrownTexasFootball | date=December 1, 2006 | accessdate=2006-12-01] and Longhorndefensive coordinator Gene Chizik accepted the head-coaching job atIowa State University .cite news | url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2006/11/28/Sports/Longhorns.Lose.Defensive.Coordinator-2509551.shtml?sourcedomain=www.dailytexanonline.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com| title=Longhorns loose defensive coordinator | publisher=The Daily Texan | author=Killian, Ryan | date=November 28, 2006 | accessdate=2006-11-28] The Longhorns ended up accepting a bowl invitation to theAlamo Bowl against the unranked University of Iowa Hawkeyes, who had finished in eighth place in theBig Ten Conference .cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=40&url_article_id=2656&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2 | title=Texas accepts bid to 2006 Alamo Bowl | publisher=MackBrownTexasFootball | date=December 3, 2006 | accessdate=2006-12-03] Colt McCoy was cleared to play for the Hornscite news | url=http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=ap-texas-mccoy&prov=ap&type=lgns | title=Colt McCoy cleared to play in Alamo Bowl | date=December 21, 2006 | publisher=Associated Press | accessdate=2006-12-30] and led Texas through a back-and-forth affair to a 26–24 win.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/12/31/31texfoot.html |title=Texas survives the Alamo | publisher=Austin American-Statesman | date=December 30, 2006 | accessdate=2006-12-30] The Longhorns finished the season with a record of 10 wins and 3 losses and received a final ranking of 13th in the nation by both theAssociated Press AP Poll and the USA Today Coaches Pollcite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankingsindex | title=2006 College Football Rankings - Week 17 | publisher=ESPN | accessdate=2007-01-23]Texas entered the 2007 season ranked third in the all-time list of both total wins and winning percentage.cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/doc_lib/090107_notes.pdf | title=Game notes - Arkansas State | work=MackBrownTexasFootball.com | publisher=University of Texas & Host Interactive | format=PDF | date=September 1, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-16] They were ranked in the Top 10 by numerous pre-season polls. For instance, a pre-season ranking by
ESPN writerMark Schlabach had the Longhorns ranked eighth;cite news | last =Schlabach | first =Mark | title =Booty could return Trojans to No. 1 ranking | language =English | publisher =ESPN | date =2007-01-11 | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=2725188| accessdate =2007-01-23] Rivals.com ranked them ninth; [cite news | last =McClellan | first =Mark | title =Rivals.com 2007 Preseason Top 25 | language =English | publisher =ESPN | date =2007-01-09 | url =http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=627579| accessdate =2007-01-18]College Football News cite web | url=http://cfn.scout.com/2/609740.html | title=CFN 2007 Pre-Preseason Rankings - Top 25 | publisher=College Football News | date=January 14, 2007 | accessdate=2007-01-23] and Real Football 365 [cite web | title=2007 Preseason Rankings, National Title Contenders - No. 1 to No. 25 | url=http://cfn.scout.com/2/609740.html| publisher=Scout.com | accessdate=2007-01-16 | language=English | format=HTML] both ranked Texas third. The Longhorns came into the season ranked fourth in both theCoaches Poll cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/08/03/longhorns_ranked_fourth_in_coaches_poll.html | title=Longhorns ranked fourth in coaches poll | publisher=Austin American-Statesman | date=August 3, 2007 | accessdate=2007-08-03] and AP Poll.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/shared-gen/ap/General_College_Sports_News/FBC_College_FB_Poll.html | title=USC Is No. 1 in AP Top 25 College Poll | publisher=Associated Press | author=Russo, Ralph | date=August 19, 2007 | accessdate=2007-08-19]Facilities and equipment
Following the final home game of 2006, construction workers demolished the north end of Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. This section was rebuilt to make the lowest seats closer to the field while planning for luxury boxes and an upper-deck.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/11/25/25texnotes.html | title=Longhorns notebook - Holiday Bowl loves Aggies | publisher=Austin American-Statesman | date=November 24, 2006 | accessdate=2006-11-25] The lower deck was ready for 2007, while the upper deck and luxury boxes are planned to be ready for 2008.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/11/25/25texnotes.html | title=Longhorns notebook - Holiday Bowl loves Aggies | publisher=Austin American-Statesman | date=November 24, 2006 | accessdate=2006-11-25] The modifications put the north
end zone seats thirty yards closer to the field of play. This results in several game day changes, such asSmokey the Cannon moving to the south end-zone near Bevo.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/09/01/0901stadium.html | title=Face of change at UT's stadium - Time for kickoff, but scramble isn't over for Horns' construction chief. | work=Austin American-Statesman | author=Maher, John | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=September 1, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-01]Each 2007 Longhorn football helmet featured a Texas bluebonnet
decal . The decal was chosen to honor PresidentLyndon B. Johnson ,Lady Bird Johnson and the Johnson family. Brown said President Johnson used to enjoy discussing football with former UT coach Darrell K. Royal, while the first lady was known for her conservation efforts, particularly the spread of nativewildflowers . [cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=40&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=3150&change_well_id=2 | title=Longhorns pay tribute to Johnson family | work=MackBrownTexasFootball.com | publisher=University of Texas & Host Interactive | date=August 27, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-01]For the second straight year, UT merchandise products were the top-selling products among clients of
Collegiate Licensing Company . [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/08/16/0816royalties.html | title=Texas repeats as national champion in merchandising - UT sells more gear than Notre Dame, Florida and everyone else | publisher=Austin-American Statesman | date=August 16, 2007 | accessdate=2007-08-19] UT entered into a marketing arrangement withBluetooth SIG to deployBluetooth kiosks throughout the stadium. These kiosks broadcasted free game-day information to Bluetooth-enabled cell-phones in the stands. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/technology/08/31/0901bluetooth.html | title=Bluetooth group stages wireless demonstration at Longhorn games | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | author=Ladendorf, Kirk | date=September 1, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-01]Practices and preseason injuries
The Longhorns played their 2007 Spring Jamboree
Scrimmage on March 31, 2007cite web | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/ | title=Next Game - 2007 Schedule | publisher=MackBrownTexasFootball | accessdate=2007-02-20] and reported for fall practice on August 5, 2007.cite news | url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5024080.html | publisher=Houston Chronicle | title=UT tackle turns self in on aggravated robbery charge | author=Duarte, Joseph | date=August 3, 2007 | accessdate=2007-08-03] A public scrimmage scheduled for August 18, 2007 was canceled due to safety concerns related to the weather and to ongoing stadium construction. With rain expected over the weekend and no working pumps to help remove water from the field, Brown held a closed practice indoors instead.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/08/18/0818texfoot.html | title=Texas cancels Saturday's open scrimmage - Rain, health concerns for players forces Mack Brown to move scrimmage indoors. Fan Appreciation Day is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at the stadium. | publication=Austin-American Statesman | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | date=August 18, 2007 | accessdate=2007-08-19]During fall practice, receivers
Limas Sweed ,Billy Pittman , andJordan Shipley were injured. Sweed suffered a sprain to his left wrist on August 15. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/news/content/sports/stories/longhorns/08/18/0818texnotes.html | title=Notebook: 'Nothing really wrong,' Sweed says | publisher=Austin-American Statesman | date=August 18, 2007 | accessdate=2007-08-19] Pittman sprained his left shoulder during practice on August 17. Head UT trainer Kenny Boyd said, "We will continue to evaluate [Pittman] and monitor his progress in hopes of getting him back in time for the season opener."cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/08/19/0819texnotes.html | title=Notebook: Pittman out of action indefinitely - He is latest UT receiver to suffer injury. | publisher=Austin-American Statesman | date=August 19, 2007 | accessdate=2007-08-19] Jordan Shipley had to limit his practice due to a strainedhamstring . The receiver position was considered one of the deepest positions on the team; coaches said veteran playersQuan Cosby (Texas' second-leading receiver) andNate Jones performed well in training camp. Coach Brown said he expected to be able to play three freshman receivers in 2007: Brandon Collins, Malcolm Williams and James Kirkendoll. On August 29, 2006 Brown announced that Sweed was "probable" for the season opening game, but that Shipley was "doubtful".cite news | url=http://www.bcsfootball.org/cfb/story/7161334 | title=Texas' Sweed will play in season opener | work=BCSFootball.org | publisher=Bowl Championship Series | date=August 29, 2007 | accessdate=2007-08-30]Coaches
Prior to the first game of the season, the University of Texas Board of Regents voted unanimously to raise Brown's salary by $300,000, bringing his annual compensation to $2.81 million and keeping him among the five highest-paid coaches in college football. The package also includes up to $3 million in bonuses, including "$100,000 if he wins the Big 12 Championship and $450,000 for a national championship, as well as bonuses based on the percent of players who graduate."cite news | url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/08/29/TopStories/Mack-Browns.Raise.Approved.By.Ut.Regents-2941770.shtml | title=Mack Brown's raise approved by UT regents | author=Collier, Kiah | work=The Daily Texan | publisher=Texas Student Media | date=August 29, 2007 | accessdate=2007-08-30] At the time, Brown's contract extended through the 2016 season and included buy-out clauses should another school attempt to hire Brown.
Greg Davis, who entered his 10th season with Texas, was the team's
offensive coordinator andquarterbacks coach .cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=32&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=1329&change_well_id=2 | title=Coaching Staff | work=MackBrownTexasFootball.com | publisher=University of Texas & Host Interactive | accessdate=2007-09-04]Duane Akina was thedefensive coordinator , and took the position vacated by Gene Chizik when he left the program. During the 2007 season, Akina performed his job on the sidelines whileLarry Mac Duff provided input from the press box. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/09/01//0901texfoot.html | title=The main man - Akina rises to role as Brown's top defensive lieutenant. | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | date=September 1, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-01] UTrunning backs coach Ken Rucker announced in August that he hadprostate cancer and that he would have surgery on August 27. He coached practices until just prior to surgery and returned to the team before the end of the season. Rucker's health concern coincided with player incidents that created Brown's most tumultuous off-season since arriving at Texas.Player suspensions
The school suspended a total of seven players for at least a portion of the season. Six were suspended for alleged illegal activities, and one was suspended for a violation of
National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) rules. Defensive endHenry Melton and linebackerSergio Kindle were both arrested during the summer on charges of driving while intoxicated.cite news | url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/08/03/Sports/Law-Seeks.Out.Texas.Football.Again-2929321.shtml | title=Law seeks out Texas football, again | publisher=The Daily Texan | author=Jankowski, Philip | date=August 3, 2007 | accessdate=2007-08-03] cite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2962285 | title=Melton, Kindle to miss first three games of season for DWI charges | publisher=Associated Press | date=August 5, 2007 | accessdate=2007-08-06] Freshman defensive tackle Andre (Dre) Jones (who had not yet played for Texas but did join spring practices) and former UT player Robert Joseph were charged withaggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. Jones was one of the team's most highly touted recruits; his high school football career honors included Prep All-American, three-time all-state selection, first-team All-American by Parade Magazine, and Texas 4A Defensive Player of the Year by the Texas Sports Writers Associationcite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/08/03/jones_suspended_indefinitely.html | title=Jones suspended indefinitely | publisher=Austin American-Statesman | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | date=August 3, 2007 | accessdate=2007-08-03] cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/08/03/andre_jones_in_custody_on_robbery_charge.html | title=Andre Jones in custody on robbery charge | author=Trubow, Alan | publisher=Austin American-Statesman | date=August 3, 2007 | accessdate=2007-08-03] The university suspended Tyrell Gatewood indefinitely after he was arrested on two drug possession charges. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/09/13/former_longhorn_3.html | title=Former Longhorn QB arrested for DWI | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | date=September 13, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-14] cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/09/14//0914gatewood.html | title=Longhorns suspend Gatewood after drug arrest | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | date=September 14, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-14] James Henry was arrested on third-degree felony charges of "obstruction or retaliation and tampering or fabricating physical evidence." [cite news | url=http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=7091356 | title=Another UT Football Player Arrested | work=KXAN.com | publisher=KXAN | date=September 18, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-18] [cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=15&change_well_id=17&member_id=146 | title=James Henry #30 | work=MackBrownTexasFootball.com | publisher=University of Texas & Host Interactive | date=September 18, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-18] [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/09/18/longhorn_james.html| title=Longhorn James Henry arrested on felony charges | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | date=September 18, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-18] cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/09/18/henry_suspended.html | title=Henry suspended | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | date=September 18, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-18] cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/09/18/arrest_clears_u.html | title=Arrest clears up an old mystery from July case ork=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=September 18, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-18]The University of Texas suspended Billy Pittman for three games because he violated NCAA rules when he accepted the use of a friend's car over the summer.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/09/01/0901texfoot_pittman.html | title=Longhorns' Pittman suspended for 3 games - Officials say he has been driving car that belongs to a friend. | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | date=September 1, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-01] Coach Browncite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2962514 | title=Brown institutes 'zero tolerance' policy as embroiled Texas opens camp | publisher=ESPN | author=Griffin, Tim | accessdate=2007-08-06] and University of Texas President William Charles Powers Jr. issued statements concerning the important of team discipline and
zero tolerance policy for infractions.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/09/18/ut_president_re.html | title=UT president responds to latest Longhorn arrest | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=September 18, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-18]chedule
CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 1
time = 6:00pm
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
rank = 4
opponent = Arkansas State
opprank =
site_stadium =Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
site_cityst = Austin, TX
gamename =
tv = FSN PPV
score = 21–13
overtime =
attend = 84,440cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=40&url_article_id=3170&url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2 | title=Longhorns top Arkansas State, 21-13 | work=MackBrownTexasFootball.com | publisher=University of Texas & Host Interactive | date=September 1, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-06] CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 8
time = 6:00pm
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
rank = 7
opponent = TCU
opprank = 19
site_stadium = Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
site_cityst = Austin, TX
gamename =
tv = FSN
score = 34–13
overtime =
attend = 84,621cite news | url=http://gofrogs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/090907aab.html | title=TCU vs. Texas - Post-Game Notes | work=GoFrogs.CSTV.com | publisher=TCU | date=September 8, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-15] CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 15
time = 2:30pm
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
away = yes
neutral =
rank = 6
opponent = UCF
opprank =
site_stadium =Bright House Networks Stadium
site_cityst = Orlando, FL
gamename =
tv =ESPN2
score = 35–32
overtime =
attend = 45,622cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/gen/ap/FBC_T25_Texas_Central_Florida.html | title=Texas holds off Central Florida 35-32 | author=Goodall, Fred | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=September 15, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-15] CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 22
time = 6:00pm
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
rank = 6
opponent = Rice
opprank =
site_stadium = Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
site_cityst = Austin, TX
gamename =
tv = FSN
score = 58–14
overtime =
attend = 84,571cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=272650251 | title=Rice 14, (7) Texas 58 - Box Score | work=ESN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=September 22, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-24] CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 29
time = 2:30pm
w/l = l
homecoming =
rank = 7
opponent = Kansas State
opprank =
site_stadium = Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
site_cityst = Austin, TX
gamename =
tv = ABC
score = 41–21
overtime =
attend = 84,864cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/000_stats/07/ut5.htm | title=Kansas State vs Texas (Sep 29, 2007) | work=MackBrown-TexasFootball.com | publisher=University of Texas & Host Interactive | date=September 29, 2007 | accessdate=2007-10-06] CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 6
time = 2:30pm
w/l = l
nonconf =
homecoming =
neutral = yes
rank = 16
opponent = Oklahoma
opprank = 10
site_stadium = Cotton Bowl Stadium
site_cityst = Dallas, TX
gamename = AT&T Red River Rivalry
tv = ABC
score = 28–21
overtime =
attend = 80,000cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/000_stats/07/UT6.HTM | title=Oklahoma vs Texas (Oct 06, 2007) | work=MackBrown-TexasFootball.com | publisher=University of Texas & Host Interactive | date=October 6, 2007 | accessdate=2007-10-06] CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 13
time = 11:30 a.m.
w/l = w
away = yes
neutral =
rank = 22
opponent = Iowa State
opprank =
site_stadium =Jack Trice Stadium
site_cityst = Ames, IA
gamename =
tv = FSN
score = 56–3
overtime =
attend = 52,060cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=272860066&confId=80 | title=(23) Texas 56, Iowa State 3 - Box Score | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=October 13, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-14] CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 20
time = 11:30 a.m.
w/l = w
away = yes
neutral =
rank = 18
opponent = Baylor
opprank =
site_stadium =Floyd Casey Stadium
site_cityst = Waco, TX
gamename =
tv = Versus
score = 31–10
overtime =
attend = 41,335cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=272930239 | title=(22) Texas 31, Baylor 10 - Box Score | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=October 20, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-21] CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 27
time = 2:30 p.m.
w/l = w
homecoming =
rank = 16
opponent = Nebraska
opprank =
site_stadium = Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
site_cityst = Austin, TX
gamename =
tv = ABC
score = 28–25
overtime =
attend = 85,968cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=273000251&confId=4 | title=Nebraska 25, (19) Texas 28 - Box Score | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=October 27, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-28] CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 3
time = 2:30 p.m.
w/l = w
away = yes
rank = 12
opponent = Oklahoma State
opprank =
site_stadium =Boone Pickens Stadium
site_cityst = Stillwater, OK
gamename =
tv = ABC
score = 38–35
overtime =
attend = 41,406CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 10
time = 2:30 p.m.
w/l = w
homecoming =
rank = 14
opponent = Texas Tech
opprank =
site_stadium = Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
site_cityst = Austin, TX
gamename =
tv = ABC
score =59–43
overtime =
attend = 86,401CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 23
time = 2:30pm
w/l = l
away = yes
rank = 13
opponent = Texas A&M
opprank =
site_stadium =Kyle Field
site_cityst = College Station, TX
gamename = State Farm Lone Star Showdown
tv = ABC
score = 38–30
overtime =
attend = 88,253 [cite news|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/college_sports/story/321952.html|title=Texas A&M's passing leaves UT defenseless|publisher="Fort Worth Star-Telegram"|accessdate=2007-11-25|date=2007-11-24|author=Treon, Ricky] CFB Schedule Entry
date = December 27
time = 7:00pm
w/l = w
away =
rank = 17
opponent = Arizona State
opprank = 10
site_stadium =Qualcomm Stadium
site_cityst = San Diego, CA
gamename =Holiday Bowl
tv = ESPN
score = 52–34
overtime =
attend = 64,020cite news | url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/college_football/20071228-9999-7s28holiday.html | title=Horns have a ball - Texas rides record-breaking first quarter to high-scoring rout of Arizona State | author=Schrotenboer, Brent | work=SignOnSanDiego.com | publisher=Copley Press | date=December 28, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-29]Players
Roster
Watch lists
Longhorns listed on preseason
All-America n or “All-Conference” teams or on award watch lists:
*Jamaal Charles
**Maxwell Award watch listcite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/doc_lib/101307_notes.pdf | title=Game Week - Iowa State | format=PDF | work=MackBrown-TexasFootball.com | publisher=University of Texas & Host Interactive | date=October 11, 2007 | accessdate=2007-10-11]
**Doak Walker Award watch list
**Athlon Sports third-team All American [cite book | title=2007 Preview – Big12 edition | publisher=Athlon Sports | editor=Miller, Charlie | year=2007 | pages=62]
** Athlon Sports first-team All Big 12cite book | title=2007 Preview – Big12 edition | publisher=Athlon Sports | year=2007 | editor=Miller, Charlie | pages=101]
*Jermichael Finley
**Mackey Award watch list
*Marcus Griffin
**Outland Trophy watch list
**Athlon Sports second-team All Big 12cite book | title=2007 Preview – Big12 edition | publisher=Athlon Sports | year=2007 | editor=Miller, Charlie |pages=102]
*Robert Killebrew
** Athlon Sports third-team All Big 12
*Tony Hills
**Lombardi Award watch list
**Outland Trophy watch list
** Athlon Sports first-team All Big 12
*Drew Kelson
**Lott Trophy
*Derek Lokey
**Lombardi Award watch list
**Outland Trophy watch list
**Nagurski Trophy watch list
**Lott Trophy
**Athlon Sports first-team All Big 12
*Colt McCoy
**Maxwell Award watch list
**CBS Sportsline.comHeisman Trophy Watch [cite book | title=College Football – 2007 Season Preview | publisher=CBS Sportsline.com | year=2007 | page=33]
**Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year Award watch list
**Athlon Sports first-team All Big 12
**Davey O’Brien Award
**Manning Award
*Roddrick Muckelroy
** Athlon Sports second-team All Big 12
*Frank Okam
**Lombardi Award watch list
**Outland Trophy watch list
**Bednarik Award watch list
** Athlon Sports first-team All Big 12
*Brian Orakpo
** Athlon Sports third-team All Big 12
*Limas Sweed
**Biletnikoff Award candidatecite news | url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/10/09/Sports/No.More.sweeeeeed-3020575.shtml | title=No more 'Sweeeeeed' - A nagging wrist injury requires season-ending surgery for Sweed | author=Killian, Ryan | work=The Daily Texan | publisher=Texas Student Publications | date=October 9, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-09]
**Maxwell Award candidate
**Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year Award watch list
**ESPN Scouts Inc. Top 10 professional prospects list
** Athlon Sports second-team All Big 12Recruiting
Texas’ 2007 recruiting class was rated by Scout.com as third-best in the nation, behind Florida and USC. [cite book | title=2007 Preview – Big12 edition | publisher=Athlon Sports | year=2007 | editor=Miller, Charlie | pages=70] Of their picks for the top 100 incoming freshman, Texas signed #8 Tray Allan (offensive lineman), #14 Curtis Brown (cornerback), #30 Andre (Dre) Jones (defensive tackle), #31
John Chiles (wide receiver), and #81 Russell Carter (defensive end). [cite book | title=2007 Preview – Big12 edition | publisher=Athlon Sports | year=2007 | editor=Miller, Charlie | pages=72] Carter made the preseason roster as a defensive end while Chiles was listed as a quarterback.cite web | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&change_well_id=16&url_channel_id=15 | title=Roster | publisher=MackBrownTexasFootball | accessdate=2007-08-05] Jones was suspended from the team due to legal trouble.Game notes
Arkansas State
Linescore Amfootball
Road=Arkansas State
R1=3
R2=0
R3=0
R4=10
Home=#4 Texas
H1=14
H2=0
H3=7
H4=0The first Longhorn game of the season marked the first-ever meeting between Texas and Arkansas State, a NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision team from the
Sun Belt Conference . Pre-game media attention played upon the fact that both schools won national football championships in 1970. [cite news | url=http://www.asuindians.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=7200&ATCLID=204985 | title=Football Traditions | publisher=Arkansas State University | accessdate=2007-04-02] Both schools entered the game with a level of controversy attached to their teams. Arkansas State was facing criticism over its team name. The team was nicknamed "Indians" in honor of theOsage Nation that inhabited the area until the 1800s. [cite news | url=http://asunews.astate.edu/MascotRetirement.htm | title=ASU to conduct farewell ceremonyfor Indians mascot at Feb. 28 game | work=ASUNews | publisher=Arkansas State University | date=Feb 13, 2008 | accessdate=2008-08-29] The NCAA enforced restrictions on the use of Indian mascots, saying that they were derogatory to American Indians. [cite news | url=http://www.kait8.com/Global/story.asp?S=3356829&nav=0jsia7N3 | title=NCAA May Force ASU To Drop Indian Mascot | publisher=KAIT | date=May 17, 2005 | accessdate=2007-04-02] [cite news | url=http://www.indianz.com/News/2005/009701.asp | title=NCAA won't allow Indian mascots at playoff games | publisher=Indianz.com | date=February 1, 2006 | accessdate=2007-04-02] In 2008, the Indians changed their name to the Red Wolves. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2008/01/30/postcript_on_ar.html |title=Postcript sic on Arkansas State’s nickname | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=January 30, 2008| accessdate=2008-02-09] [cite web| url=http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=61924 |title=Arkansas State Goes With Red Wolves |author=Rued, Monika |publisher=TodaysTHV |work=Associated Press |date=2008-03-07 |accessdate=2008-03-07] The University of Texas was dealing with player suspensions, and passed a large pay raise for Mack Brown one week prior to the game. As part of the package, Brown received a $100,000 special payment upon completion of the game.cite news | title=Arkansas State at Texas | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | page=G6 | date=September 1, 2007]Two days prior to the game, Las Vegas casinos favored Texas by 39 points.cite news | url=http://www.vegas.com/gaming/sportsline_ncaaf.html | title=Gambling - NCAA football | work=Vegas.com | publisher=Vegas.com, LLC | date=August 30, 2007 | accessdate=2007-08-30] Sportswriters John Bridges and Kirk Bohls of the
Austin American-Statesman predicted the Longhorns would have a big lead early in the game and that true-freshman quarterbackJohn Chiles would enter the game in the second or third quarter as the back-up to Colt McCoy. Redshirt freshman quarterbackSherrod Harris was on the injured list and was not expected to play. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/09/01/0901texsideline.html | title=Sideline Pass: The best seat in the house | date=September 1, 2007 | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | accessdate=2007-09-01] Those predictions were off the mark as the Indians almost kept up with the Horns and McCoy stayed in for the entire game.cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/000_stats/07/ut1.htm | title=Arkansas State vs Texas (Sep 01, 2007) | work=MackBrownTexasFootball.com | publisher=University of Texas & Host Interactive | date=September 1, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-02]Texas scored a
touchdown on its first possession and Arkansas State answered with a field goal. Texas made another touchdown to end the first quarter. Neither team scored in the second quarter. Texas scored seven points in the third quarter, while Arkansas State was scoreless. In the fourth quarter, Arkansas State scored ten points to pull within eight points of Texas. With approximately one minute left to play, Arkansas State attempted anonside kick . State recovered the ball, but a controversial illegal formation penalty forced them to re-kick. On the re-kick, Texas recovered the ball and was able to run out the clock to preserve a 21–13 win. Colt McCoy threw two touchdown passes and two interceptions; he also made two punts. Jamaal Charles accounted for the third touchdown.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/gen/ap/FBC_T25_Arkansas_St_Texas.html | title=McCoy tosses 2 TDS but Texas shaky in 21-13 win | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | author=Vertuno, Jim | date=September 1, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-01]Starting Longhorn defensive end Brian Orakpo injured his right knee during the game.cite news | url=http://texas.scout.com/a.z?s=110&p=2&c=675347 | title=Orakpo Expected to Return | work=Scout.com | author=Frisbee, Bill | publisher=Fox Sports | date=September 3, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-14] The team reported Orakpo would not need surgery but that it was uncertain when he would return. [cite news | url=http://www.topix.net/content/kri/2007/09/texas-football-notes | title=Texas Football Notes | work=Star-Telegram.com | publisher=Dallas Star Telegram | date=September 4, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-14]
Kirk Bohls was among commentators who were unimpressed by the Longhorns performance, saying, "if this becomes the pattern, look for a 7–5 season."cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/09/02/0902bohls.html | title=Horns put forth lackluster effort - If this becomes a pattern, look for a 7-5 season. | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | author=Bohls, Kirk | date=September 2, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-02] On September 5, Arkansas State coach
Steve Roberts said he was told by the Big 12 Conference's supervisor of football officials that game officials wrongly overturned ASU's recovery of the onside kick. He said the Big 12 Conference Supervisor of Officials told Arkansas State there had been no illegal formation, that no penalty should have been called, and that Arkansas State should have been awarded possession of the football. A Big 12 Conference spokesman said he could not confirm or deny that such a conversation took place and that any such conversation would be confidential.cite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3005873 | title=Coach: Big 12 admits missing call in Texas-Arkansas St.
date=September 5, 2007 | publisher=Associated Press | accessdate=2007-09-05]TCU
Linescore Amfootball
Road=#19 TCU
R1=0
R2=10
R3=0
R4=3
Home=#7 Texas
H1=0
H2=0
H3=10
H4=24The second Longhorn game of the season was the first meeting of the former Southwest Conference (SWC) rivals since the conference disbanded following the 1995 season.cite web | url=http://www.texasalmanac.com/history/highlights/swc/ | title=Texas History Highlights - A Look Back at the Southwest Conference | work=Texas Almanac | accessdate=2006-07-30] Texas held a 60–20–1 (win-lose-tie) record vs. the TCU Horned Frogs. Their most recent meeting was a 27–19 Longhorn victory.cite web | url=http://www.texassports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/all-time-record-teams.html | title=All-Time Results | publisher=MackBrown-TexasFootball| accessdate=2008-08-02]In their annual season preview magazine,
CBS SportsLine.com selected two Longhorn games — vs. TCU and against OU — as ranking in their 17 “must see” games for 2007.cite book | title=College Football – 2007 Season Preview | publisher=CBS Sportsline.com | year=2007 | pages=176] CBS Sportsline.com also selected TCU as one of the potential “BCS Busters” for 2007, saying, “The Horned Frogs will have one of the best defenses in the nation with nine starters back on a squad that allowed only 12.3 points per game last year, including a 12–3 victory over Texas Tech. Garry Patterson has made the Horned Frogs one of the best non-BCS schools in the nation, but unlike Utah and Boise State, they had not received the opportunity to play in aBowl Championship Series bowl. If TCU can get past Texas on Sept. 8, it might finally be time for the Horned Frogs to invade the BCS party.” [cite book | title=College Football – 2007 Season Preview | publisher=CBS Sportsline.com | year=2007 | pages=21]Texas' narrow win versus Arkansas State in week one, together with TCU's victory over Baylor, fueled speculation that the 2007 Horned Frogs might have a chance at an
upset victory over the Longhorns.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/09/03//0903texfoot.html | title=Breakthrough for Jones, setback for Horns - Nate Jones' play excepted, rest of Longhorns have some questions to answer. | author=Trubow, Alan | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=September 3, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-03] Texas dropped three places to number seven in the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll, while TCU moved up three places to number nineteen.cite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankings?pollId=1 | title=AP Top 25 | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Walt Disney Company | date=September 4, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-04] cite news | url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/polls/coaches/ | title=Division I-A Coaches' Top 25 Poll | work=SI.com | publisher=Time Warner | date=September 4, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-04] One day prior to the game, Las Vegas casinos picked Texas to win by 9½ points.cite news | url=http://www.vegas.com/gaming/sportsline_ncaaf.html | title=Gambling - NCAA football | work=Vegas.com | publisher=Vegas.com, LLC | date=September 7, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-07]Both teams were scoreless in the first quarter. In the second quarter, TCU's Torrey Stewart faked a blitz, then dropped back and caught an interception from Colt McCoy before running in for a touchdown. Later in the quarter, McCoy threw a pass that was tipped by a defender and intercepted by David Roach. The Longhorn defense kept the Horned Frogs out of the end zone following the interception, but the Frogs scored on a 19-yard field goal by Chris Manfredini. The first half ended with TCU leading, 10–0.
The Longhorns' first second-half drive culminated in a 33-yard touchdown pass to Nate Jones. A
fumble by TCU gave Texas good field position, but the Longhorns were stopped on the two-yard line and settled for a game-tying field goal. The Horns held TCU to seventeen yards of offense and no first downs in the quarter.In the fourth quarter, Colt McCoy set up the go-ahead score with a scramble to the TCU one-yard line. Vondrell McGee scored a touchdown two plays later. Texas' next possession resulted in a second field goal by Ryan Bailey. The Longhorn defense held TCU to a
three-and-out but TCU's punter fumbled the ball, and Brandon Foster ran the ball in for a touchdown, capping 27 straight points for Texas. The Frogs came back and scored 37-yard field goal by Manfredini and then attempted anonsides kick but Texas recovered the ball. UT's Jamaal Charles made a 39-yard rushing touchdown for the game's final score. Texas won, 34–13.cite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=272510251 | title=McCoy, Texas regain composure to handle TCU | work=ESPNU.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=September 8, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-08] The attendance for the game, 84,621, was the third-largest crowd ever to watch a TCU football game.UCF
Linescore Amfootball
Road=#6 Texas
R1=10
R2=10
R3=3
R4=12
Home=UCF
H1=7
H2=3
H3=7
H4=15The third game of the season was the first-ever meeting between the Longhorns and the UCF Knights. Texas was the first opponent in the Knights' new stadium,Bright House Networks Stadium , and the game was the first of three scheduled meetings between the schools.cite news | url=http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050906aaa.html | title=UCF Football to Face Texas in New On-Campus Stadium in 2007 - 2005 national champs will be first opponent in new stadium. | publisher=UCF Athletic Department | date=May 9, 2006 | accessdate=2006-10-22] The Knights opened their season with anupset ofNorth Carolina State ; the victory was their second victory over a BCS opponent and the first time for the Knights to beat a BCS school since 2000. They followed the win with a week off, giving them two weeks to prepare for Texas. [cite news | url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/college/knights/orl-fbcucffolo0307sep03,0,7398981.story | title=UCF upbeat as date with Texas looms | work=OrlandoSentinel.com | publisher=Tribune Company |author=Hightower, Kyle | date=September 3, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-14] It was just the sixth time Texas had played inFlorida and was the team's first appearance in the state since 1965. The number six-ranked Longhorns were the highest rank team the Knights had ever played. UCF coachGeorge O'Leary said prior to the game, "When you talk about elite teams, Texas is an elite team from an athletics, traditions and overall standpoint."cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/preview?gameId=272582116 | title=(Texas in search of consistency vs. Central Florida | work=ESPNU.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=September 15, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-15]Several Longhorn players missed the game due to injuries or suspensions. Starting defensive end Brian Orakpo missed his second straight game as a result of suffering a knee sprain against Arkansas State. Starting offensive tackle Adam Ulatoski was listed as doubtful. Backup quarterback Sherrod Harris was also injured and had not seen action since spraining his knee on August 12. Wide receiver Jordan Shipley participated in his first game since a preseason injury.cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=272582116 | title=(6) Texas 35, UCF 32 Box Score | work=ESPNU.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=September 15, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-15] Defensive end Henry Melton, linebacker Sergio Kindle and receiver Billy Pittman were serving the last game of their three-game suspensions. On September 13, Tyrell Gatewood joined Andre Jones and Robert Joseph in receiving an indefinite suspension due to alleged illegal activities. The day prior to the game, sports books in Las Vegas picked Texas to win by 18 points.cite news | url=http://www.vegas.com/gaming/sportsline_ncaaf.html | title=Gambling - NCAA football | work=Vegas.com | publisher=Vegas.com, LLC | date=September 14, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-14] A sell-out crowd greeted the Longhorns in Florida. [cite news | url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/college/knights/orl-bk-ucfsellout091107,0,1561648.story?coll=orl_tab01_layout | title=Sold out! No tickets left for UCF's 1st on-campus game | work=OrlandoSentinel.com | publisher=Tribune Company |author=Hightower, Kyle | date=September 11, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-14] UCF received the opening kickoff in their end-zone and took a
touchback .cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/playbyplay?gameId=272582116&period=0 | title=(6) Texas 35, UCF 32 Play-by-play | work=ESPNU.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=September 15, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-15] UCF was not able to get a first down and before punting the ball to Texas. The Horns drove inside the UCF 20-yard line before being stopped on fourth-and-short and settling for a field goal. On their second possession, the Knights drove the ball down the field for a touchdown and a four point lead.cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/drivechart?gameId=272582116 | title=(6) Texas 35, UCF 32 Drive chart | work=ESPNU.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=September 15, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-15] Shortly thereafter,lightning was spotted near the stadium and both teams were sent into their locker rooms for approximately 15 minutes before play resumed.cite news | title=College Football - Texas at Central Florida | work=ESPN2 | publisher=The Disney Company | date=September 15, 2007] Texas' first drive after the delay culminated in a six-yard touchdown pass to Nate Jones. When the first quarter ended, the Longhorns had a three point lead and the Knights had the ball. In the second quarter, the Longhorns and the Knights each fumbled inside the UCF ten-yard line. Texas scored ten points in the quarter to UCF's three. The score at halftime was 20–10, Texas.Texas began the scoring in the third quarter with a 49-yard field goal. UCF needed just five plays to reply with a touchdown and cut Texas' lead to 23–17. After two punts by the Horns and one by the Knights, UCF turned the ball over on downs. On the next play, McCoy threw an interception and UCF's resulting drive culminated in a touchdown to give the Knights a 24–23 lead with 13:38 left in the game. The Longhorns regained the lead with two field goals and a touchdown. A Longhorn attempt at a
two-point conversion failed, making the score 35–24. This decision was later criticized by commentators who said that the decision allowed UCF a chance to tie the game. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/09/15/burn_the_chart.html | title=Burn the chart | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | author=Golden, Cedric | date=September 15, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-15] [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/09/18/0918texnotes.html | title=Longhorn notebook | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | author=Trubow, Alan and Kirk Bohls date=September 18, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-18]With 2:14 remaining, Longhorn Jamaal Charles committed his second fumble of the game. UCF recovered the ball and completed a touchdown and a two-point conversion to cut Texas' lead to 35–32 with 35 seconds remaining. When the Knights were unable to recover their onside kick attempt, Texas was able to run out the clock and preserve a three-point victory.
Jamaal Charles of Texas rushed 22 times for 157 yards and Kevin Smith of UCF rushed 27 times for 150 yards for UCF. McCoy completed 68% of his passes for a total of 227 yards; UCF's
Kyle Israel completed 35% of his passes for a total of 133 yards. McCoy's 47 passing attempts tied a UT single-game record. His 32 completions set a new school record, besting the 30 completed by Vince Young during the2006 Rose Bowl and byMajor Applewhite during two 1999 games. [cite news| url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/09/16/0916texfoot.html | title=One tough Knight - Central Florida opens new stadium by pushing Texas to brink. | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | date=September 16, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-16] Due to his performance in the game, Texas cornerback Brandon Foster was named the Big 12’s defensive player of the week. For the second week in a row, Foster scored a touchdown on defense. Foster was recognized by the conference the previous week for his work onspecial teams , making him the first Longhorn to get back-to-back conference honors since running backHodges Mitchell in 2000. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/09/17/foster_is_big_1.html | title=Foster is Big 12 defensive player of the week | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=September 17, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-18] Kicker Ryan Bailey tied a school record with five field goals. Combined with his previous attempts, the five kicks made him seven-of-nine for the season at that point.Rice
Linescore Amfootball
Road=Rice
R1=0
R2=7
R3=0
R4=7
Home=#6 Texas
H1=10
H2=31
H3=14
H4=3Prior to the 2007 season, Texas and Rice had competed in football on 89 prior occasions. The series, which began in 1914, is the fourth oldest (by number of games) in Texas history.cite web | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/doc_lib/fb_notes_091106.pdf | title=Texas at Rice - Game Day Notes | accessdate=2006-09-16] The Owls were 21-67-1 against Texas heading into the game, including the sixth-longest streak of one college football team winning over another team.cite news | url=http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/football/football_records_book/2007/2007_d1_football_records_book.pdf | work=Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Records Book | title=Streaks and Rivalries| page=112 | format=PDF | publisher=NCAA | date=2007 | accessdate=2007-11-07]
After their narrow victory over the UCF Knights, the Longhorns remained in sixth place in the coaches’ poll and dropped from sixth place to seventh place in the Associated Press poll. Jeff Sagarin, whose computer rankings are used as a component of the
Bowl Championship Series rankings, had the Longhorns at number twelve coming into the game. Sagarin's system had Rice ranked as the worst team in Division I-A and 181st in the country, behind many I-AA teams. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/09/17/whoooo_whos_wor.html | title= Whoooo... Who’s worse than these Owls? | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=September 17, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-18] Four days prior to the game, Las Vegas favored UT by 39 points.cite news | url=http://www.vegas.com/gaming/sportsline_ncaaf.html | title=Gambling - NCAA football | work=Vegas.com | publisher=Vegas.com, LLC | date=September 18, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-18] The Longhorns suspended special teams player James Henry prior to the game, but three Longhorn players—Billy Pittman, Henry Melton, and Sergio Kindle—were able to rejoin the team after serving three game suspensions. Brian Orakpo missed his third straight game due to an injury received in the season-opening game.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/09/18/0918texfoot.html | title=Horns welcome back Pittman, Kindle, Melton for Rice - Hopes rise as 3 Horns return to field after punishment. | | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | date=September 18, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-18] The Owls came into the game 0–3 after losing the previous week to Texas Tech by a score of 59–24. [cite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=272580242 | title=Texas Tech 59, Rice 24 - Texas Tech's Harrell passes for personal-best 6 TDs vs. Rice | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=September 15, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-18]The Longhorns started the game on offense and had no success on their first drive. On the first play, Colt McCoy threw an incompletion, and on the second play, Jamaal Charles fumbled the ball to the Owls. The Texas defense held Rice to a field goal attempt, which was no good. Texas scored a touchdown on a 13-play drive that included converting a 4th-and-two situation.cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/playbyplay?gameId=272650251&period=0 | title=Rice 14, (7) Texas 58 - Play-by-Play | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=September 22, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-24] The Longhorns extended their lead to 41–0 before Rice scored a touchdown with 18 seconds left in the first half. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/09/23/0923texfoot.html | title=Texas thrashes Rice - Longhorns empty bench in easy win | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=September 23, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-24] In the second half, Texas scored two touchdowns and one field goal, and Rice scored one touchdown. Texas won 58–14.
McCoy completed 20 of his 29 passing attempts, accumulating 333 yards through the air. For the first time in the season, he did not throw an interception.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/09/23/0923bohls.html | title=Horns need Chiles in the game more often - Backup would benefit from increase in action. | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | author=Bohls, Kirk | date=September 23, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-24] McCoy and most of the Longhorn starting players were replaced by backups after the first drive of the second half.cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=272650251 | title=Rice 14, (7) Texas 58 - Recap | work=ESN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=September 22, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-24] True freshman quarterback
John Chiles made his first appearance as a Texas player in the first quarter, when he participated in a single play. He came out of the game after the play before returning in the third quarter as McCoy's replacement. On his first drive, Chiles led the Longhorns 80 yards to a touchdown, carrying the ball 4 times for 49 yards. [cite news | url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/09/24/Sports/Chiles.Turns.Heads.Without.Even.Making.A.Completed.Pass-2986043.shtml | title=Chiles turns heads without even making a completed pass | work=The Daily Texan | publisher=Texas Student Publications | author=Treon, Ricky | date=September 24, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-24] He also threw one incomplete pass (one of two he threw in the game) and handed off toVondrell McGee three times for thirty-one yards. Redshirt freshman Sherrod Harris replaced Chiles for the final two drives of the game. Chiles' strong performance immediately led to media speculation as to how the Longhorns could get him more playing time. [cite news | url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/09/24/Sports/Chiles.Youth.Only.Reason.To.Keep.Him.Off.The.Playing.Field-2986097.shtml | title=Chiles' youth only reason to keep him off the playing field | author=Killian, Ryan | work=The Daily Texan | publisher=Texas Student Publications | date=September 24, 2007| accessdate=2007-09-24]McGee was the game's leading rusher, and had 8 carries for 80 yards. Jamaal Charles rushed 14 times for 72 yards, and John Chiles ran 9 times for 72 yards. Limas Sweed was the leading receiver with 5 catches for 139 yards and 2 touchdowns as he set a new career high for receiving yards in a single game. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/09/23/0923texside.html | title=Horns find Sweed's hiding place - Receiver has breakout game | author=Trubow, Alan | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=September 23, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-24] [cite news | url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/09/24/Sports/Longhorns.Fry.Rice.5814-2986036.shtml | title=Longhorns fry Rice, 58-14 - McCoy-Sweed link easily powers Texas past old SWC rival | author=Hale, Cody | work=The Daily Texan | publisher=Texas Student Publications | date=September 24, 2007| accessdate=2007-09-24] Sergio Kindle injured his knee, and defensive end Eddie Jones injured his shoulder, but neither injury was thought to be serious. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/09/22/what_were_heari.html | title=What we're hearing on the injury front | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=September 23, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-24]
Kansas State
Linescore Amfootball
Road=Kansas State
R1=7
R2=17
R3=10
R4=7
Home=#7 Texas
H1=7
H2=7
H3=7
H4=0Texas first played Kansas State in 1913 and held a record of 5–4–0 in the series prior to 2007. Since theKansas State Wildcats belong to the north division of the Big 12 Conference, Texas plays KSU two out of every four years.cite news | url=http://www.big12sports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121906aaa.html | title=Big 12 Releases Future Football Conference Schedules | publisher=Big 12 Conference | date=December 19, 2006 | accessdate=2007-04-02] In the 2006 meeting, fourth-ranked Texas was favored by 16 points over an unranked Kansas State team;cite web | url=http://www.vegas.com/gaming/sportsline_ncaaf.html | title=Sports Line - NCAA Football | work=Vegas.com | accessdate=2006-11-11] Colt McCoy was injured early in the game and KSU went on to defeat Texas 45–42.cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/000_stats/06/ut11.htm#GAME.PLY | title=Texas vs Kansas State (Nov 11, 2006) - Play-by-Play Summary | publisher=MackBrownTexasFootball | date=November 11, 2006 | accessdate=2006-11-15] This defeat snapped the Longhorns 17 win streak on the road as well as the national-best 21-game conference winning steak.cite web | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=263152306 | title=Texas loses QB McCoy, then national title hopes at K-State | publisher=Associated Press | date=November 12, 2006 | accessdate=2006-11-17]One day prior to the 2007 game, Las Vegas casinos picked Texas to win by 15 points.cite news | url=http://www.vegas.com/gaming/sportsline_ncaaf.html | title=Gambling - NCAA football | work=Vegas.com | publisher=Vegas.com, LLC | date=September 28, 2007 | accessdate=2007-09-28] Kansas State got the ball to start the game and scored a touchdown on their opening drive. Texas answered with a touchdown on a drive that featured backup quarterback John Chiles in the game alongside Colt McCoy for some of the plays. The first quarter ended with the score tied 7–7.cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/playbyplay?gameId=272720251&period=0 | title=Kansas State 41, (7) Texas 21 - Complete Play-by-Play | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=September 29, 2007|accessdate=2007-09-29]
In the second quarter, Kansas State took a 24–14 lead and Colt McCoy was injured and headed to the locker room just before halftime. McCoy came back as the Longhorn quarterback at the start of the third quarter, but Texas was never able to erase the point deficit and lost, 41–21. With about two minutes left in the game, McCoy again headed to the locker room early and Chiles led the Longhorns' last drive.
McCoy threw for 200 yards and had four interceptions during his worst performance of his college career.
Sports Illustrated selected him as one of the season's 10 "Most Disappointing College Players" and noted that his nine interceptions thrown to that point in 2007 were already two more than he threw during the entire 2006 season. [cite news | url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0710/cfb.most.disappointing.players/content.1.html | title=Most Disappointing College Players - Colt McCoy, QB - Soph., Texas | work=SI.com | publisher=Time Warner | date=October 7, 2007 | accessdate=2007-10-11] Kansas State had no turnovers and scored 21 points on defense and special teams. The Wildcats scored one touchdown on a punt return, one on a kick return, and one on an interception. Previously, Texas had never allowed all three types of scores in a single season.cite news | url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/10/02/Sports/Mccoy.Texas.Taking.Hard.Hits-3005341.shtml | title=McCoy, Texas taking hard hits | author=Hale, Cody | work=The Daily Texan | publisher=Texas Student Publications | date=October 2, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-06] The 41 points were the most scored against Texas in Austin since UCLA handed the Longhorns a 66–3 loss in 1997.cite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=272720251&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines | title=Wildcats turn table again on McCoy, No. 7 Longhorns | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=September 29, 2007|accessdate=2007-09-29] The loss to Kansas State was the worst home defeat in the Mack Brown era at Texas.cite news | url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/stewart_mandel/10/04/texas.young/index.html | title='Horns unhooked - Texas is missing Vince Young-type leadership | author=Mandel, Stewart | work=SI.com | publisher=Time Warner | date=October 4, 2007 | accessdate=2007-10-11]Stewart Mandel of Sports Illustrated listed several factors that contributed to the Longhorns' struggles. He cited the off-field problems as evidence that no UT player has been able to show the superior leadership skills of Vince Young. Mandel said that McCoy, still only a sophomore, had not been able to completely fill that gap and that McCoy's play had not been as good as during 2006. He also said part of the blame should be placed on an offensive line that lost several starters and had not been able to consistently protect McCoy. Finally, he noted that the running game had been "equally inconsistent". The win over UT was the Wildcats' first road victory over a top–ten team in school history.cite news | url=http://tamu.scout.com/a.z?s=187&p=2&c=685742 | title=Sunflower Showdown Next for No. 24 Cats | work=Scout.com | publisher=College Football News | date=October 1, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-06]Oklahoma
Linescore Amfootball
Road=#10 Oklahoma
R1=7
R2=7
R3=7
R4=7
Home=#16 Texas
H1=0
H2=14
H3=0
H4=7The game against the2007 Oklahoma Sooners football team marked the 102nd meeting of theRed River Shootout , which has been called one of the greatest sports rivalries in college football.cite news | url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/columnist/weekendforecast/2005-10-05-column_x.htm | title=Full plate of Big 12, SEC showdowns worth feasting on | work=USA Today | publisher=Gannett Company | author=Smith, Erick | date=October 5, 2005 |accessdate=2007-01-17] It is Texas' second-longest running rivalry, just behind its rivalry with Texas A&M. Prior to 2007, Texas led the series 57–39–5, including the last two consecutive wins. The last match-up was a 28–10 Longhorn victory. Since 1929, the game has been held at the Cotton Bowl inDallas, Texas typically in mid-October with theState Fair of Texas occurring adjacent to the stadium.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/08/8texnotes.html | title=Notebook: Reversal of fortunes | work =Austin American Statesman | date=October 8, 2006 | accessdate=2007-10-06]CBS Sportsline.com listed the game sixth on its list of games to watch during the 2007 season, saying, “The annual Red River Shootout in Dallas will once again feature two top-ten teams with the winner being the front-runner for not only a Big 12 title but a factor in the national title picture. The game will also feature one of the best match-ups of the year with Limas Sweed and Billy Pittman of the Longhorns facing against Oklahoma’s excellent secondary.” [cite book | title=College Football – 2007 Season Preview | publisher=CBS Sportsline.com | year=2007 | pages=176] Like Texas, Oklahoma suffered a defeat one week before the Red River Shootout, losing to the Colorado Buffaloes. Texas' loss pushed it to number 16 in the coaches poll and number 19 in the AP poll; OU fell to number 10 in both polls. The ranking marked Texas' 114th straight week to be listed in the AP poll, the longest active streak in the countrycite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/preview?gameId=272790251 | title=Oklahoma-Texas a must-win for both teams work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=October 6, 2007 | accessdate=2007-10-06] and tying the school record.cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/doc_lib/100607_notes.pdf | format=PDF | title=Longhorn Gameweek | work=MackBrown-TexasFootball.com | publisher=University of Texas & Host Interactive | accessdate=2007-10-06] The Longhorns had been ranked 142 straight weeks in the coaches poll, the longest UT streak in any poll and the country's longest active streak in the coaches poll. On the morning of the Red River Shootout, oddsmakers favored Oklahoma to win by 12–13 points.cite news | url=http://www.vegas.com/gaming/sportsline_ncaaf.html | title=Gambling - NCAA football | work=Vegas.com | publisher=Vegas.com, LLC | date=October 6, 2007 | accessdate=2007-10-06]The game was a back-and-forth affair ultimately won by Oklahoma, 28–21. OU's freshman quarterback,
Sam Bradford , was 21–of–32 for 244 yards and 3 touchdowns. UT's McCoy was 19–of–26 for 324 yards and two touchdowns, earning the most passing yardage against an Oklahoma team since the2004 National Championship Game vs. USC. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/12/1012askbeatwriters.html | title=Ask the beat writers: Questions on the Longhorn secondary, linebackers and Vondrell McGee | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 11, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-12] McCoy threw one interception, and Jamaal Charles lost a fumble inside the Oklahoma five yard-line.cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=272790251 | title=Bradford's steady play steers Sooners past Horns | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=October 6, 2007 | accessdate=2007-10-06] For the second straight week, the Texas defense did not cause any turnovers.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/07/1007texnotes.html | title=Comings and goings at end | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 7, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-07]McCoy, who suffered a concussion the previous week, played the game with his throwing arm bandaged from mid-forearm to biceps and took four sackscite news | url=http://www.newsok.com/article/3142630/ | title=OU back in national title picture | author=Trotter, Jake | work=NewsOK.com | publisher=The Oklahoman | date=October 7, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-07] and a blind-side late hit after one play had been whistled dead. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/10/08/colt_doesnt_hol.html | title=Colt doesn’t hold a grudge over late hit | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 8, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-07] With the loss, Texas opened conference play 0–2 for the first time since 1956. A bright spot for the Horns was tight end
Jermichael Finley , who caught four passes for 149 yards. Jamaal Charles ran for 79 yards and John Chiles carried once for four yards. Counting the sacks to McCoy, Texas had a total of 61 yards rushing.cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=272790251 | title=(10) Oklahoma 28, (19) Texas 21 | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=October 6, 2007 | accessdate=2007-10-06]Receiver
Limas Sweed left the game early because he re-injured his left wrist. He later had surgery to tighten the ligaments in the wrist but the injury ended his collegiate career. The Austin American-Statesman reported "Quan Cosby likely will move to Sweed's spot at split end, with Nate Jones moving to flanker. The Longhorns likely will decide betweenBilly Pittman andJordan Shipley at slot receiver when Texas is in its base, three-receiver set."cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/09/1009texfoot.html | title=Sweed lost for the year - All-conference receiver will have surgery to fix ligament in his left wrist. He suffered the initial sprain in August, but he aggravated against Oklahoma. | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 9, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-07]Defensive end Aaron Lewis fractured his elbow in the game and was taken out of the lineup indefinitely. The Austin American-Statesman reported "A depth chart issued Monday shows Lamarr Houston moving to Lewis' spot at power end, with Brian Orakpo regaining his starting job at quick end. The Longhorns have been dealing with injuries at defensive end all season." Fullback
Luke Tiemann also required surgery to repair a broken wrist, but was expected to miss only two games.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/10/08/sweed_lost_for.html | title=Sweed lost for year | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 8, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-07]Jeff Duarte of the
Houston Chronicle made note of Charles' fumble, McCoy's interception and the low rushing yardage. He said, "the Texas Longhorns went back and forth with Oklahoma for most of the game Saturday before eventually succumbing to the same problems that have taken them from a Top 10 ranking to the verge of dropping out of the national polls for the first time in seven years." [cite news | url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5194368.html | title=River rivalry runs red - Familiar woes surface as Texas falls just short | work=Chron.com | publisher=Hearst Corporation | date=October 7, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-08] The win kept the Sooners in position to win the south division of the Big12 Conference and could even allow them back into the national championship race.Asked to assess his personal performance after the loss to Kansas State, Colt McCoy said, "I think I've had some bad luck, I'm definitely a better quarterback, definitely more experienced—I've just had some bad luck. Things that can go the wrong way, have gone the wrong way — tipped balls and that stuff." He also said there was room for improvement, "Teams are blitzing us a lot more. We've handled it well for the most part, but there's so many things we can do better... If you ask every person on this offense, they'll tell you there's something individually they can do better." After the loss to Oklahoma, Mack Brown said he did not want to hear about bad luck, "By saying we're unlucky is just a cop-out, this game isn't about luck. If you knock balls loose you should get on them. If you tip balls in the air you should catch them. We're not going to have any excuses." Brown cited the lack of big plays on defense, particularly the lack of forced turnovers, as a problem for Texas. Both Brown and Greg Davis hinted that Jamaal Charles could face less playing time as a result of his problems hanging onto the ball.cite news | url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/10/09/Sports/Brown.Says.Losses.Not.Bad.Luck-3020587.shtml | title=Brown says losses not bad luck | author=Hale, Cody |work=The Daily Texan | publisher=Texas Student Publications | date=October 9, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-11]
Iowa State
Linescore Amfootball
Road=#22 Texas
R1=14
R2=14
R3=21
R4=7
Home=Iowa State
H1=0
H2=3
H3=0
H4=0Texas first played Iowa State in 1979, and the Longhorns had won all six matchups coming into the 2007 season. Their last meeting in 2006 concluded with a 37–14 Texas victory. The Cyclones football team was coached byGene Chizik who was co-defensive coordinator for Texas from 2005–2006.cite news | url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2006/11/28/Sports/Longhorns.Lose.Defensive.Coordinator-2509551.shtml?sourcedomain=www.dailytexanonline.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com| title=Longhorns loose defensive coordinator | publisher=The Daily Texan | author=Killian, Ryan | date=November 28, 2006 | accessdate=2007-03-31] Like Texas, the Cyclones were 0–2 in conference play, but they had only a 1–5 record overall. Their lone victory of the season had been against Iowa when they made a game-winning 28-yard field goal with :01 remaining.cite news | url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/10/11/Sports/Chizik.Revisits.Weaknesses.In.Texas.Playbook-3025962.shtml | title=Chizik revisits weaknesses in Texas' playbook - Former Longhorns coordinator studied hours of game film | work=The Daily Texan | publisher=Texas Student Media | date=October 11, 2007 | accessdate=2007-10-11] As with Kansas State, Texas plays the Cyclones two out of every four years as part of the Big 12 Conference schedule.Despite losses to Kansas State and Oklahoma, Texas remained in the Top 25 coming into the game with Iowa State. The Horns were number 22 in the USA Today coaches poll and number 23 in the Associated Press media poll. Texas extended its streak in the coaches poll to 143 weeks and its streak in the AP poll to 115 weeks. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/10/07/streak_stays_al.html | title=Horns remain in Top 25, keep streaks stay alive | author=Halliburton, Suzanne |work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 7, 2007 |accessdate=2007-10-08] Mack Brown said that he would not change the game plan in facing Chizik but that he would need to adjust sideline signals and snap counts since they were known to the former Texas co-coordinator. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/13//1013texfoot.html | title=Friend or foe? Horns face Chizik for first time - Longhorns must change a thing or two, given that their former defensive coordinator is on the other sideline. | author=Halliburton, Suzanne |work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 13, 2007 |accessdate=2007-10-15]
The Austin American-Statesman predicted Iowa State's quarterback
Bret Meyer and wide receiverTodd Blythe would pose the biggest threat for the Longhorns. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/11/1011texfoot.html | title=Cyclone roommates provide messy problem for Texas | author=Trubow, Alan |work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 11, 2007 |accessdate=2007-10-08] The paper also called the Cyclones the worst team in the Big12 north and predicted that Texas would be 2–2 in conference play after facing Iowa State and Baylor, the worst team in the south division. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/08//1008texfoot.html | title=Texas has a few bright spots ahead - Upcoming opponents offer chance to be 2-2 in Big 12 |author=Halliburton, Suzanne |work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 8, 2007 |accessdate=2007-10-11] The Daily Texan reported that the game offered an opportunity for Gene Chizik to get a "signature win" if his team could beat Texas. [cite news | url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/10/11/Sports/Iowa-State.Has.Chance.To.Earn.Signature.Win.Against.Texas-3025969.shtml | title=Iowa State has chance to earn signature win against Texas | author=Kilian, Ryan | work=The Daily Texan | publisher=Texas Student Media | date=October 11, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-11] Two days prior to the game, oddsmakers favored Texas to win by 16 points.cite news | url=http://www.vegas.com/gaming/sportsline_ncaaf.html | title=Gambling - NCAA football | work=Vegas.com | publisher=Vegas.com, LLC | date=October 11, 2007 | accessdate=2007-10-11]The Longhorns were in control from the beginning and routed Iowa State 56–3, the worst loss for the Cyclones since 1997.cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=272860066 | title=Texas ends Big 12 skid, sends Iowa St. to worst loss since '97 | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=October 13, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-14] Iowa State got the ball to start the game and made a first down with a pass from Bret Meyer to Todd Blythe. The UT defense prevented them from gaining another first down and the Cyclones punted from their own 37 yard-line; Texas took over at their 42 yard-line. On the first play from scrimmage, Colt McCoy scrambled away from a blitz and saw that Jordan Shipley had broken off his route and was 10 yards behind any Cyclone defender. Shipley caught the pass from McCoy and sped away from the Cyclones to score a 58 yard touchdown.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/14/1014texfoot.html | title=Texas plays part of bossy houseguest - Iowa State, coached by ex-UT assistant, suffers through 56-3 blowout at hands of Horns | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 14, 2007 | accessdate=2007-10-16] From that point, the Longhorns never relinquished the lead. They led 14–3 at the end of the first quarter and 28–3 at halftime. In the second half, Texas added another 28–points, en route to a 56–3 blowout.cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/playbyplay?gameId=272860066&period=0 | title=(23 ) Texas 56, Iowa State 3 | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=October 13, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-14]
The Longhorns' success passing the ball eventually gave way to the running game. John Chiles led the Longhorns with 54 yards on 9 carries. McCoy rushed for 50 yards, while Jamaal Charles carried the ball 7 times for 44 yards. The Longhorns finished with 514 total yards – 298 via the air, 216 on the ground. The Longhorns forced three turnovers, including two interceptions, without surrendering any themselves. Brandon Foster intercepted a pass from Bret Meyer and returned it for a 39 yard touchdown. Deon Beasley also picked off Meyer, who completed only 17 passes for 111 yards and no touchdowns.
Texas fullback Antwan Cobb sprained his left
anterior cruciate ligament late in the game, an injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Cobb's injury left the Longhorns without a true fullback, although they had not utilized the position often during the season. The only other fullback on the team, Luke Tiemann, was expected to miss one more week with a wrist injury. Mack Brown said Chris Ogbonnaya, the second-team tailback, would move to fullback for the Baylor game. Freshman tight end Blaine Irby had taken some practice at fullback and could also be used in that position. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/10/15/cobb_out_for_th.html | title=Cobb out for the year | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 15, 2007 | accessdate=2007-10-16]Robert Killebrew was benched after committing two personal foul penalties, [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/14/1014texthird.html | title=Third and Longhorns - The (sometimes warped) view from the press box| work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 14, 2007 | accessdate=2007-10-16] a consistent problem for him in the 2007 season.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/14/1014texnotes.html | title=Notebook: Takeaway time; Colt riding high |work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 14, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-16] Without a veteran fullback, Texas planned to either run the ball out of theshotgun formation or simply focus on the passing game.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/15/1015texfoot.html | title=After refreshing win, soft part of UT schedule continues - Coming up next: Baylor, then Nebraska | author=Trubow, Alan work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 15, 2007 | accessdate=2007-10-16]Representatives from the
Holiday Bowl were in attendance. According to the Austin Statesman, one of them said, "We’d love to have Texas, but they’re still hoping to wind up at the Fiesta Bowl."cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/10/13/holiday_would_l.html | title=Holiday would love to have the Horns again work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 13, 2007 | accessdate=2007-10-16] In order to reach theFiesta Bowl , Texas needed Oklahoma to lose two games, giving Texas a spot in theBig 12 Conference Championship game , which Texas would then have to win. Another possibility would have been Oklahoma making it to the National Championship game and Texas being selected for an at-largeBowl Championship Series bid."Baylor
Linescore Amfootball
Road=#18 Texas
R1=3
R2=7
R3=7
R4=14
Home=Baylor
H1=0
H2=7
H3=0
H4=3The game against Baylor was played in
Floyd Casey Stadium inWaco, Texas , approximately 100 miles (161 km) north onInterstate 35 from Austin, the home of the University of Texas. [cite web | url=http://maps.google.com/maps?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&channel=s&tab=wl&q= | title=UT to Baylor driving directions | publisher=Google | accessdate=2007-03-30] Because home UT games are usually a sell-out, Texas games at Baylor have found numerous Texas fans driving to Waco to watch the game. [cite news | url=http://www.baylor.edu/Lariat/news.php?action=story&story=16914 | title=Students should show BU allegiance | publisher=The Baylor Lariat | author=Cichowski, Trevor | date=November 27, 2001 | accessdate=2007-03-30]The Longhorns first played the
Baylor Bears in 1901 and faced them annually during the days of theSouthwest Conference . In the 96 meetings through 2006, Texas' record against the Bears was 70 wins, 22 losses, and 4 ties. The rivalry with Baylor is Texas' third-longest by number of games: only Oklahoma and Texas A&M have faced Texas more times on the football field. Texas won the 2006 meeting 63–31.In the week prior to the 2007 game, Baylor assistant coach
Eric Schnupp was charged with a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct and reckless exposure after he allegedly urinated on the bar of a Waco nightclub. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/10/16/baylor_assistan.html | title=Baylor assistant coach facing public urination charge | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 16, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-16] He was suspended indefinitely from the program. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/10/16/baylor_assistan_1.html | title=Baylor Assistant suspended | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 16, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-16] Baylor's starting quarterback,Blake Szymanski , was questionable for the game because of a mild concussion he suffered in a game against Kansas.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/10/16/baylor_qb_doubt.html | title=Baylor QB doubtful for game | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 16, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-16] Although Szymanski had been physically cleared to play, back-up quarterbacks Michael Machen and John David Weed were sharing snaps in practice and Baylor coaches said any one of them could get the start against Texas.cite news | url=http://www.wacotrib.com/sports/content/sports/college/2007/10/18/10182007wacbearsqbs.html | title=Untested reserves Machen, Weed splitting snaps as Bears prepare for Texas | author=Werner, John | work=WacoTrib.com | publisher=Waco Tribune-Herald | date=October 18, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-18] Two days prior to the game, oddsmakers favored Texas to win by 25 points.cite news | url=http://www.vegas.com/gaming/sportsline_ncaaf.html | title=Gambling - NCAA football | work=Vegas.com | publisher=Vegas.com, LLC | date=October 18, 2007 | accessdate=2007-10-18]The game was initially a close-fought contest; Texas led by only a touchdown before Deon Beasley intercepted a pass at the Baylor 43-yard line with nine minutes remaining in the game.cite news | url= http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=272930239 | title=(22) Texas 31, Baylor 10: Despite miscues, Horns earn 10th straight win vs. Baylor | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=October 20, 2007 | accessdate=2008-03-10] Texas scored two more touchdowns to outlast the Bears in a 31–10 victory.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/21/1021texscore.html | title=Texas 31, Baylor 10 | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=October 20, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-21] Texas accumulated 293 passing yards, all by McCoy, compared to 284 by Machen and Weed of Baylor. Vondrell McGee was the leading rusher for Texas, contributing 57 of the team’s 177 yards. Baylor’s Jay Finley was the Bears' leading rusher, but Baylor was held to only 8 yards rushing overall because of the sacks forced by the Texas defense. [cite news | url= http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=272930239| title=(22) Texas 31, Baylor 10: Box Score | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=October 20, 2007 | accessdate=2008-03-10] It was the tenth straight victory for UT over Baylor.
Nebraska
Linescore Amfootball
Road=Nebraska
R1=0
R2=10
R3=7
R4=8
Home=#16 Texas
H1=3
H2=0
H3=6
H4=19Texas first played the Nebraska Cornhuskers in 1933, and the Longhorns held a 7–4–0 record against Nebraska though 2006. As with Kansas State and Iowa State, Texas plays the Cornhuskers two out of every four years as part of the Big 12 Conference schedule.On the morning of the game, oddsmakers favored Texas to win by 21 points.cite news | url=http://www.vegas.com/gaming/sportsline_ncaaf.html | title=Gambling - NCAA football | work=Vegas.com | publisher=Vegas.com, LLC | date=October 27, 2007 | accessdate=2007-10-27] The weather forecast called for a high of convert|76|°F|°C|lk=on and sunshine with winds NNE at convert|10|mph|km/h to convert|15|mph|km/h. [cite news |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/local/USTX0057?from=search_city | title=Local weather forecast for Austin, Tx | work=Weather.com | publisher=The Weather Channel|date=October 27, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-27] Texas stuck with their passing game for three quarters and was trailed Nebraska most of the way; the Cornhuskers led 17–9 to start the fourth quarter. [cite news | url= http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/playbyplay?gameId=273000251&period=0 | title=Nebraska 25, (19) Texas 28: Play-by-play | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=October 27, 2007 | accessdate=2008-03-10] The Associated Press reported, “Once Texas figured out it should be running against one of the nation's worst run defenses, things turned out all right for the Longhorns.”cite news | url= http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273000251 | title=Nebraska 25, (19) Texas 28: Recap | work=The Associated Press | publisher=ESPN.com | date=October 27, 2007 | accessdate=2008-03-10]
Early in the fourth quarter, McCoy took a hard hit as he scrambled outside the pocket. He was shaken up badly enough to leave the game for a play. John Chiles came in at quarterback; his one play, a
zone-read handoff to Jamaal Charles, produced 24 yards. According to the Associated Press recap of the game, “suddenly Texas had figured out how to beat a Cornhuskers' team that had been steamrolled on the ground in recent weeks. Texas only threw three passes in the fourth quarter.”Once Texas switched to the
zone read offense , they quickly started gaining yards and points. Charles ran for a career-high 290 yards, including 216 yards and three long touchdown runs in the fourth quarter. His tally also set a new record for rushing against the Cornhuskers, surpassing the old record of 247 yards by Oklahoma’sBilly Simms . Charles explained "It was my time to show everyone what I can do. When I saw a hole, I blasted through it." Texas finished with 181 yards passing and 364 yards rushing; Nebraska had 315 yards passing and 132 yards rushing.cite news | url= http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=273000251
title=Nebraska 25, (19) Texas 28: Box Score | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=October 27, 2007 | accessdate=2008-03-10] The running back was named theWalter Camp Football Foundation National Offensive Player of the Week. [cite news | url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/10/30/Sports/Stay-Calm-3064450.shtml | title=Stay Calm: Brown won’t pull a ‘Gundy’ soon | author=Hale, Cody | work=The Daily Texan | publisher=Texas Student Mendia | dte=October 30, 2007 | accessdate=2008-03-10]The game was a milestone for one coach and a millstone for another; it was the 100th win for Mack Brown at Texas; and it put more pressure on beleaguered Nebraska coach Bill Callahan. Brown remarked on his victory, “A hundred is nice. I knew the game was going to come down like it did. It didn’t surprise me. They made sure that I’ll remember it the rest of my life.” Callahan was fired five weeks later. [cite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3125379 | title=Nebraska Fires Callahan | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=November 24, 2007 | accessdate=2008-03-10] Panorama
fullwidth = 7474
fullheight = 1290
caption = A panorama ofDarrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium during the Nebraska game.
height = 200Oklahoma State
Linescore Amfootball
Road=#12 Texas
R1=0
R2=14
R3=0
R4=24
Home=Oklahoma State
H1=14
H2=14
H3=7
H4=0From 1916 through 2006, Texas had played the
Oklahoma State Cowboys football (OSU) program 21 times and held a 19–2–0 record. Texas came into the 2007 game with a nine game active winning streak against OSU. The Cowboys' only two victories occurred in 1944 and 1997. The day before the 2007 game, oddsmakers favored Texas to win by 3 points.cite news | url=http://www.vegas.com/gaming/sportsline_ncaaf.html | title=Gambling - NCAA football | work=Vegas.com | publisher=Vegas.com, LLC | date=November 2, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-02] The pre-game festivities included an appearance by Challenger, the firstBald Eagle ever trained to free-fly into sports stadiums, and a fly-over by fourF-16 Fighting Falcons from theOklahoma Air National Guard ’s138th Fighter Wing piloted by Oklahoma State alumni.In the 2007 game, Oklahoma State took an early lead and led 35–14 at the start of the fourth quarter. For the fourth time in five years, the Longhorns staged a big rally to win the game. This time, Texas overcame a 21 point fourth quarter deficit to win by three points as time expired in the game.cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273070197 | title=(15) Texas 38, Oklahoma State 35, work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=November 3, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-03] It was the biggest fourth-quarter comeback in Texas Longhorn history.cite news | url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/college/5271341.html | title=Texas avoids OSU upset with second-half surge - Longhorns keep conference title hopes alive, avoid season sweep by state of Oklahoma | author=Duarte, Joseph | work=Chron.com | publisher=Hearst Corporation |date=November 3, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-04] It was the biggest fourth-quarter comeback in Texas Longhorn history.cite news | url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/college/5271341.html | title=Texas avoids OSU upset with second-half surge - Longhorns keep conference title hopes alive, avoid season sweep by state of Oklahoma | author=Duarte, Joseph | work=Chron.com | publisher=Hearst Corporation |date=November 3, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-04]
Fox Sports selected Jamaal Charles and Jacob Lacey as their players of the game for Texas and Oklahoma State, respectively.cite news | title=(15) Texas at Oklahoma State | work=Fox Sports Net | date=November 3, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-03] Charles averaged 11.3 yards per carry.cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=273070197 | title= | title=title=(15) Texas 38, Oklahoma State 35 - Box Score| work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=November 3, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-03] ESPN remarked, "For the second straight week, Jammal Charles led a late charge for the 15th-ranked Longhorns. He scored two of his three touchdowns in the fourth quarter as Texas (No. 14 AP) outscored Oklahoma State 24–0 in the final 15 minutes." OSU's leading rusher was Dantrell Savage with 102 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries. McCoy was 20 of 28 passing attempts for 283 yards. He had one touchdown pass and three interceptions; he also rushed for 105 yards. Zac Robinson was 30 of 42 for 427 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. Robinson's passing yardage broke the school record, previously held by current head-coachMike Gundy . Together, the teams had 1,170 yards of offense. The 594 yards allowed by Texas was the most in the 2007 season. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/shared-gen/ap/College_Sports_Game_Stories/FBC_T25_Texas_Oklahoma_St..html | title=No. 14 Texas Rallies Past Oklahoma State | author=Evans, Murray | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=November 3, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-03] cite news | url=http://www.stillwater-newspress.com/osusports/local_story_308001445.html?keyword=topstory | title=Still not ready | author=Steele, Ryan | work=Stillwater-newspress.com | publisher=Stillwater News Press | date=November 3, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-03] Oklahoma State ran 87 plays and used 35:11 minutes of ball possession, compared to 70 plays and 24:49 for Texas.cite news | url=http://livestats.texassports.com/boxscores/fb/07/ut10.htm | title=Texas vs Oklahoma State (Nov 03, 2007)|work=MackBrown-TexasFootball.com | publisher=University of Texas & Host Interactive | date=November 3, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-03]The Longhorns suffered several injuries during the game. According to the
Austin American-Statesman , "Center Dallas Griffin left the game with a knee injury, linebacker Jared Norton left with a right shoulder injury and Eddie Jones left with a shoulder injury. Brandon Foster injured his chest in the third quarter, and Drew Kelson left the game with a left knee injury."cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/11/04/1104texnotes.html | title=Notebook: Injury report, Interception issues A Texas penalty resulted in the ball being moved to the ½-yard line.author=Trubow, Alan | | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=November 3, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-03] The paper also reported that Griffin's removal from the game may have contributed to several mistakes in snapping the ball to McCoy and that UT might not have been able to win if any of the resulting handling mistakes had been picked up by OSU.Texas Tech
Linescore Amfootball
Road=Texas Tech
R1=3
R2=17
R3=0
R4=23
Home=#14 Texas
H1=14
H2=14
H3=7
H4=24Texas' rivalry with the
Texas Tech Red Raiders began in 1928 and through 2006, the Longhorns were 42–14–0 against Tech. In the 2006 contest, fifth-ranked Texas barely came away with a 35–31 win over an unranked Texas Tech team. Two days before the 2007 game, oddsmakers favored Texas to win by 6½ points.cite news | url=http://www.vegas.com/gaming/sportsline_ncaaf.html | title=Gambling - NCAA football | work=Vegas.com | publisher=Vegas.com, LLC | date=November 8, 2007 | accessdate=2007-11-08] Pre-game speculation continued about what bowl game might select Texas. Various media predictions included theGator Bowl , Cotton Bowl, andHoliday Bowl . Holiday Bowl executive director Bruce Binkowski said his bowl would be very interested in pitting Texas against the USC Trojans, whom Texas defeated in the2006 Rose Bowl . A BCS bowl was also still mentioned as a possibility, with Sports Illustrated saying the Orange Bowl could take Texas. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/11/07/1107texfoot.html | title=Horns going bowling, but where? - Texas has many possibilities when it comes to postseason destinations. | author=Trubow, Alan | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=November 7, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-08]Texas Center Dallas Griffin injured his
anterior cruciate ligament against Oklahoma State and was out for the season. Griffin was a senior, meaning his career with the Longhorns ended due to the injury.cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/11/06/1106texfoot.html | title=Texas loses center to a knee injury - Defense may get back some injured players in time for Texas Tech | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | work=Austin American-Statesman |publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=November 6, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-08] Backup defensive end Eddie Jones and reserve safety Drew Kelson were also out for the game against Texas Tech. Linebackers Jared Norton and Sergio Kindle were listed as "questionable" and "probable", respectively. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/11/08/injury_update_f_1.html | title=Longhorns injury update: Jones, Kelson are out | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | work=Austin American-Statesman |publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=November 8, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-08]The Red Raiders were 7–3 on the season and 3–3 in the Big 12 after beating Baylor 37–7 in their most recent game. Quarterback
Graham Harrell passed for over 4,000 yards for the second season in a row, becoming the fifth quarterback in NCAA Division I-FBS (formerly Division I-A) to have multiple 4,000-yard seasons. [cite news |ur;=http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/recap?gid=200711030079 | title=Texas Tech 38, Baylor 7 | author=Hawkins, Stephen | work=YahooSports | publisher=Yahoo.com | date=November 3, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-09] The Austin American-Statesman reported, "Defensively, Texas must hope that the injured are quick healers because it's a given that the Longhorns will need every available body against the Red Raiders. Texas Tech fields the most dynamic passing offense in the country, and the Red Raiders also stay on the field an average of 77.3 plays per game. Tech further frustrates a defense by often going for fourth downs. They've been successful on 14 of 23 fourth-down attempts this season. A year ago, Tech was one of three on fourth downs in a 35-31 loss to Texas."With the game falling on
Veteran's Day weekend, a pre-game ceremony honored veterans and commemorated the 60th year of Texas'ROTC program. Four army helicopters fromFort Hood overflew the stadium after the national anthem. It was also Senior Day for Texas, with 25 players making their last home game appearance. As a group, they had a 42–6 record coming into the game, which represented the third-highest win total for any Texas class. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/11/10/1110texsideline.html | title=Sideline Pass: As close as you can get to the game without being tackled | work=Austin American-Statesman |publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=November 10, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-10] The temperature at kickoff was 84 degrees. [cite news | url=http://www.weather.com | work=Weather.com | date=November 10, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-10]On their first offensive series, the Horns scored a touchdown on a pass from McCoy to Shipley. Their defense held Tech to a field goal. Texas offensive tackle Tony Hills injured his leg and left the game on a cart. Texas scored another touchdown on a run by Vondrell McGee to create a 14–3 lead at the end of the first quarter. Tech's Graham Harrell threw a touchdown pass and Texas answered with a rushing touchdown. On the ensuing kick, Texas used a pooch kick which was tipped by a Texas Tech player. The Longhorns' kickoff team recovered the ball, helping put their offense to rush for another touchdown. Tech brought the game to 28–20 with another touchdown. Texas drove into field goal range but tried to throw a touchdown pass with 11 seconds remaining in the half. The pass was intercepted for a
touchback and the Red Raiders ran a short play to end the half.Jammal Charles and tight end Jermichael Finley were injured in the second half but were able to return. In the fourth quarter, McCoy suffered a cut to his head but he did not miss any plays due to the injury. McCoy threw for four touchdowns and ran for two more. Both teams kept running their first team offense until late in the game; they combined for 47 points in the final 12 minutes and each scored a touchdown within the final two minutes of play.cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/playbyplay?gameId=273140251&period=0 | title=Texas Tech 43, (14) Texas 59 - Play by Play | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company |date=November 10, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-10] Tech attempted two
onside kick s in an effort to come from behind, but Texas recovered both kicks.cite news | url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273140251 | title=Texas Tech 43, (14) Texas 59 - McCoy, Horns use late surge to pull away from Red Raiders | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company |date=November 10, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-10]During his post-game
press conference , Texas Tech head coachMike Leach excoriated the officiating crew for incompetence and bias. [cite news | url=http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/RR_Don/index.php?entry=entry071110-233952 | title=More on Leach's Rail Against Officials | work=LubbockOnline.net | publisher=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal|date=November 11, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-11] cite news | url=http://www.redraiders.com/updates/postgame_update1.shtml | title=Texas rolls over Tech | | author=Williams, Don | work=RedRaiders.com | publisher=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal|date=November 11, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-11] He speculated that the officials may have favored Texas because the head official lived in Austin, because the officials were incompetent, or because the conference wanted Texas to appear in a BCS bowl because of the increased appearance fees that such a bowl generates for the conference. [cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/11/11/1111golden.html | title=Leach goes off deep end with comments on officiating - Expect Tech coach to be fined, at least. | author=Golden, Cedric | work=Austin American-Statesman |publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=November 11, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-11] cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/gen/ap/FBC_Texas_Tech_Leach_Rant.html | title=Texas Tech coach Leach rips officials after 59-43 loss to Texas | author=Vertuno, Jim | work=Austin American-Statesman |publisher=Cox Enterprises | date=November 11, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-11] Jim Vertuno of the Associated Press wrote "Leach was upset officials disallowed two Tech touchdowns in the third quarter. The first was overruled when video replay clearly showed the receiver let the ball hit the ground. On the next play, a touchdown pass was negated by a holding penalty. Leach also wanted, but didn't get, a flag for roughing the quarterback." [cite news | url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/college_football/20071110-2036-fbc-texastech-leachrant.html |title=Texas Tech coach Leach rips officials after 59-43 loss to Texas | author=Vertuno, Jim | work=SignOnSanDiego.com |publisher=San Diego Union Tribune | date=November 11, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-11] The "Lubbock Avalanche-Journal " reported, "Big 12 policy prohibits coaches from commenting publicly about game officials, so Leach’s actions leave him open to reprimand, fine or worse." ESPN reported, "Leach's rant will likely draw a fine from the league and possibly a suspension." [cite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3104347 | title=Texas Tech coach Leach suggests Texas bias after loss | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company |date=November 11, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-10] The Big 12 fined Leach $10,000, the largest fine in conference history. [cite news | url= http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2007-11-13-2774327870_x.htm | title= Texas Tech's Mike Leach fined record $10,000 for criticizing officials after loss | work=USA Today | publisher=Gannett Company | author=Blaney, Betsy | date=November 13, 2007 | accessdate=2007-11-13]The win ensured that 2007 would be the 10th straight season the Longhorns won nine or more games, a record streak for the Horns. Including Mack Brown's final two seasons at North Carolina, Brown became the only coach in the nation to lead his program to nine or more victories in 12 straight seasons.
Texas A&M
Linescore Amfootball
Road=#13 Texas
R1=0
R2=3
R3=14
R4=13
Home=Texas A&M
H1=10
H2=7
H3=7
H4=14This game marked the 114th meeting between the Aggies and the Texas Longhorns and was the fourth year of a multi-sport rivalry named theLone Star Showdown . The football rivalry began in 1894 and continues to be the longest-running rivalry for both the Longhorns and the Aggies; it is the third-longest rivalry in NCAA Division I FBS (formerly Division I-A) football. [cite news | url=http://www.sptimes.com/News/111800/Sports/Times_top_5_college_f.shtml | title=Times top 5 college football rivalries | work=St. Petersburg Times | date=November 18, 2000 | author=Young, Peter | publisher=Times Publishing Company | accessdate-2008-03-11] Texas A&M came into the 2007 contest with a 35–73–5 record against Texas.cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=36&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=298&change_well_id=2 | title=All Time Record vs. Opponents | publisher=MackBrownTexasFootball | accessdate=2007-03-31] Since the series began in 1894, the game has traditionally been played onThanksgiving Day or Thanksgiving weekend.cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/doc_lib/2006_atm_notes.pdf | title=Game Notes - Texas A&M | publisher=MackBrownTexasFootball | accessdate=2006-11-23] The 2007 game marks the fourteenth straight game to be scheduled the day after Thanksgiving.cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/doc_lib/2006_atm_notes.pdf | title=Game Notes - Texas A&M | publisher=MackBrownTexasFootball | accessdate=2007-04-02]The Aggies scored on their opening possession with a 35-yard touchdown with a
screen pass fromStephen McGee toMike Goodson . The Longhorns mustered two first downs, but were forced to punt. Texas A&M ended their subsequent drive three plays later with a punt of their own. The Longhorns again successfully penetrated into Texas A&M territory, but Mack Brown opted to call apooch punt by Colt McCoy on fourth down and four from the Aggie 37-yard line. The Aggies answered with an eighteen-play drive that stalled on the UT-14 yardline and the Aggies had to settle for a 31-yard field goal byMatt Szymanski .cite news | url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/sports/games/boxscores/MFB_2160_TA12-UT.HTM#GAME.PLY | title=Box Score| publisher=Texas A&M Athletics Department | date=November 23, 2007 | accessdate=2007-11-25]The second quarter started with the Longhorns driving only six yards and being forced to punt again. The Aggies continued to press their advantage and drove down the field until Stephen McGee threw an ill-timed pass that was intercepted by Deon Beasley at the Longhorn 25. Two first-downs later, Texas was forced to punt and pinned Texas A&M on their own five yard line. Stephen McGee led the offense with several long passes and the Aggies drove to the Texas 5 but again were held short on 3rd down. On 4th and three, the Aggies faked the field goal and the placeholder,
T.J. Sanders , ran the ball in for his first career touchdown giving the Aggies a 17–0 lead. The Longhorns started their next drive on their own 20-yard line, where Colt McCoy threw a 62-yard pass to Jamaal Charles. The drive stalled and the Longhorns had to settle for a field goal and went to halftime trailing their arch-rival, 17–3.The third quarter started with promising drives by both teams, each ending when the ball was intercepted.
Brandon Foster ran the Longhorns' interception back to the A&M eight-yard line and Texas scored a touchdown on the next play to pull the Longhorns within seven points. The Aggies drove to the Texas 34 yard line, but the drive stalled out and Texas took over on downs as the fourth-down attempt failed. Colt McCoy fumbled a few plays later to give the ball back to Texas A&M. Five plays later, Stephen McGee scampered into the end zone for a five-yard touchdown to put the Aggies up 24–10. The Longhorns took little time to answer with a touchdown of their own. Quan Cosby returned the following kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown to pull Texas within seven once again. The next drive started on the Aggie 49-yard line, courtesy of a 42-yardkickoff return byE.J. Shankle . The quarter ended on a seven-yard pass to Mike Goodson.The final quarter of play began with A&M still moving the ball. Stephen McGee threw a 44-yard pass to Mike Goodson for a touchdown to put the Aggies ahead by the score of 31–17. The Longhorns again went
three and out and were forced to punt. The Aggies went down the field quickly and scored another touchdown on a 66-yard pass completion to Earvin Taylor, putting Texas A&M up by 21 points. Colt McCoy fumbled the ball two plays later, but A&M was forced to punt the ball away three plays after recovering the fumble. McCoy and the Longhorn offense drove the length of the field to score a touchdown, taking only 99 seconds off the clock in the process. The Aggies lost seven yards over the next three plays and were forced again to punt. The Longhorns drove 73 yards from their own 27, converted two fourth downs, and scored a touchdown. Ryan Bailey missed the extra point, but left the Longhorns only down by eight points. The Aggies took possession on their own 33 and ran the clock out to win the game, 38–30.During the postgame celebration, ABC commentator Jack Arute asked Dennis Franchione whether he would be back with the team the following year. Coach Franchione responded by asking the announcer to let the players enjoy their victory. At the beginning of the subsequent press conference, Coach Franchione announced his resignation, effective immediately. Shortly thereafter, Texas A&M announced defensive coordinator Gary Darnell would lead the Aggies in their
bowl game .cite news | url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/pressRelease.php?SID=MFB&PRID=13659 | title=Darnell Named Interim Head Football Coach | publisher=Texas A&M Athletics Department | date=November 24, 2007 | accessdate=2007-11-25]Holiday Bowl
Linescore Amfootball
Road=#11 Arizona State
R1=0
R2=10
R3=10
R4=14
Home=#17 Texas
H1=21
H2=7
H3=7
H4=17The Longhorns concluded the season in the2007 Holiday Bowl on December 27 against the Arizona State Sun Devils.With the loss to Texas A&M, the Longhorns fell out of contention for a
Bowl Championship Series game; their bowl situation would be decided largely by the play of other Big 12 teams. Number four Missouri beat number two Kansas to win the Big 12 North Division.cite web| url= http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankingsindex?seasonYear=2007&weekNumber=13&seasonType=2 | title=2007 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 12 (Nov. 18) | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=November 18, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-28] Missouri rose to the top spot in the BCS rankingscite web| url= http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankingsindex?seasonYear=2007&weekNumber=13&seasonType=2 | title=2007 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 13 (Nov. 25) | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=November 25, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-28] prior to facing Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship game. Oklahoma won the game to become the Big 12 Conference champion and secure a berth in the2008 Fiesta Bowl . Even though Missouri defeated Kansas, won their division, and outranked Kansas in the BCS standings (sixth compared to eighth)cite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankingsindex?seasonYear=2007&weekNumber=15&seasonType=2 | title=2007 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 14 (Dec. 2) | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=December 2, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-28] the Orange Bowl selected Kansas instead of Missouri to play in the2008 Orange Bowl . The Tigers were invited to play in the2008 Cotton Bowl ; the Cotton Bowl had first pick of Big 12 teams after BCS bowls have made their selections. TheHoliday Bowl had the next selection and chose Texas.cite web | url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/12/03/TopStories/No.17.Longhorns.Accept.Invitation.To.Holiday.Bowl-3127591.shtml | title=Texas accepts bid to play in Holiday Bowl | author=Pierce, Damien | work=The Daily Texan | publisher=Texas Student Media | date=December 3, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-28] cite web| url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=&url_article_id=3489&change_well_id=2 | title=Texas accepts bid to 2007 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl | work=MackBrownTexasFootball.com | publisher=University of Texas & Host Interactive | accessdate=2007-12-28] cite news | url=http://asunews.asu.edu/20071202_ASU_Accepts_HoilidayBowl | title=Sun Devil football accepts bid to play in Pacific Life Holiday Bowl | work=ASUNews.edu | publisher=Arizona State University | date=December 2, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-28] [cite web| url=http://www.bevosports.com/2007/12/02/texas-accepts-holiday-bowl-invitation/ | title=Texas accepts Holiday Bowl invitation | work=BevoSports.com | accessdate=2007-12-28]Arizona State University was ranked number 11 in the BCS standings; they completed a 10–2 regular season and won a share of the Pac-10 Conference Championship. The Sun Devils finished the regular season ranked number 11 in the final BCS rankings, number 11 in Coaches poll and number 12 in the AP rankings while Texas was number 19 in the BCS and number 17 in both the coaches and AP rankings. The Sun Devils were eligible for a BCS bowl themselves, but like Missouri, ASU was left out of the BCS selections. [cite web | url=http://www.bcsfootball.org/bcsfb/eligibility | title=BCS Selection Policies and Procedures | work=BCSFootball.org | publisher=Bowl Championship Series | accessdate=2007-12-28]
Texas dominated the first quarter and set two Holiday Bowl records. The Longhorns' first score, a two-yard pass from Colt McCoy to nose tackle Derek Lokey, was the quickest in game history, and took place with 13:39 remaining in the first quarter. The Longhorns scored 21 points in the first quarter—two more than previous record-holder SMU scored against BYU in 1980. Texas’ defense forced two turnovers and held the Sun Devils scoreless for the period.cite web | url= http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/college_football/20071228-9999-1s28quarters.html | title= Highlights by quarter | author=Carter, Bill Brent | work=SignOnSanDiego.com | publisher=Copley Press | date=December 28, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-29]
The game included one of the most bizarre plays of the football season.cite web| url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/sullivan/20071228-9999-1s28sullivan.html | title=Blooper of Year: Brown's stepson makes colossal goof | author=Sullivan, Tim Brent | work=SignOnSanDiego.com | publisher=Copley Press | date=December 28, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-29] cite web | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273610251 | title=(11) Arizona State 34, (19) Texas 52 – McCoy fumbles four times, but Texas still routs Arizona State in Holiday Bowl | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=December 27, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-29] ASU’s
Rudy Carpenter fumbled the ball as ASU was close to scoring a touchdown.cite news | url= http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/playbyplay?gameId=273610251&period=0 | title=(11) Arizona State 34, (19) Texas 52 – Complete Play-by-Play | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=December 27, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-29]Chris Jessee , a member of the Longhorns football operations staff and Mack Brown’s stepson, stepped onto the field and may or may not have touched the ball as it bounced near the sideline. The ball was recovered by Texas, seemingly preventing an ASU touchdown. However, after a twelve minute review, the officials awarded the ball to Arizona State; the Sun Devils scored a touchdown on the next play.cite web| url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/canepa/20071228-9999-1s28canepa.html | title=Un-Holiday Bowl end as 'Horns hook, line, sink 'em | author=Canepa, Nick | work=SignOnSanDiego.com | publisher=Copley Press | date=December 28, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-29]The Longhorns won the game, 52–34. The 52 points were the most ever scored by the Longhorns in a bowl game.cite web | url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/5407950.html | title=One Holiday to remember - Texas overcomes bizarre interference by Brown's stepson in 52-34 victory | author=Duarte, Joseph | work=Chron.com | publisher=Hearst Corporation | date=December 28, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-29] Joseph Duarte of the
Houston Chronicle called the Holiday Bowl the "biggest victory of the season in what could serve as a springboard for a preseason Top 10 ranking next season."After the season
Two Longhorns were named to postseason All-American lists. Marcus Griffin was selected to the ESPN list [cite news | url= http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=maisel_ivan&id=3158430 | title=Tebow, McFadden lead 2007 All-American team | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=December 8, 2007 | accessdate=2008-03-09] and Tony Hills was selected by the
Walter Camp Football Foundation . [cite news | url= http://waltercamp.org/index.php/news/walter_camp_football_foundation_announces_2007_all_america_team/ | title=Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2007 All-America Team | work=WalterCamp.org | date=December 6, 2007 | accessdate=2008-03-09]Towards the end of the season, speculation intensified about which players might enter professional football though the
2008 NFL Draft . In November, Jamaal Charles said he would return for his senior season rather than enter professional football in theNFL . [cite web | url=http://blogs.chron.com/longhorns/2007/11/charles_im_coming_back_next_se.html | title=Charles: 'I'm coming back next season' | author=Duarte, Joseph | work=Chron.com | publisher=Hearst Corporation | date=November 14, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-29] In December, sources reported Charles and Jermichael Finley had filed paperwork with theNFL to evaluate their draft potential if they decided to enter professional football in the NFL Draft instead of returning for their senior season. Quan Cosby, who spent three years in professional baseball, was reported to be still deciding whether to file the paperwork. Defensive tackle Roy Miller said he would definitely be back for his senior season. Mack Brown did not comment about specific players but said, "We always try to help our guys get as much information as possible when it comes to the NFL. We encourage and help them go through the process ... All of our underclassmen have told us they will be coming back, but if you're playing well enough to be considered an NFL prospect, going through the process can only help you better understand it and realize what you need to work on to improve your status."cite web | url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/texas/stories/121607dnspoutplayers.28c01c7.html | title=Sources say UT's Charles, Finley file NFL draft paperwork - Players trying to gauge where they might be taken in 2008 | author=Brown, Chip | work=DallasNews.com | publisher=Dallas Morning News | date=December 16, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-29] Charles said he would not go pro unless he was predicted to be chosen in the first round of the draft. [cite web | url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/nfl/stories/121907dnspotexasbrief.2e0ca1cf.html | title=Texas RB Charles waiting on NFL report | author=Brown, Chip | work=DallasNews.com | publisher=Dallas Morning News | date=December 19, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-29] cite web | url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/college_football/20071226-9999-1s26hbnotes.html | title=Arizona St. favors run, but runs into problem | author=Schrotenboer, Brent |work=SignOnSanDiego.com | publisher=Copley Press | date=December 26, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-29] After the Holiday Bowl Charles said, "Right now, I’m probably coming back. I didn’t think I did that good in the game. Next year maybe I’ll be up for the Heisman. I will come back." [cite web | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/12/28/charles_says_he_1.html | title=Charles says he’s coming back | author=Bohls, Kirk | work=Statesman.com |publisher=Austin American-Statesman | date=December 28, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-29] From 2000–2007, the Longhorns have had seven players taken in the first 10 picks of the NFL draft, more than any other school.On January 2, 2008, Charles announced that he was rescinding his earlier decision and would leave Texas for the NFL. Despite skipping his senior year, Charles ranks fourth on the list of total rushing yards by a UT player, behind
Ricky Williams ,Cedric Benson , andEarl Campbell , with 3,328 yards. Williams and Campbell each won theHeisman Trophy in their senior seasons. With Charles' departure,quarterback Colt McCoy becomes the leading returning rusher for the Longhorns.cite news | url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/news/story?id=3177593 | title=Charles leaving school to enter NFL draft | work=ESPN.com | publisher=The Disney Company | date=January 2, 2008 | accessdate=2008-01-03]Tight end Jermichael Finley also declared he would forgo his senior season to enter the NFL. [cite web | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/01/08//0108texfoot.html | title=Finley bolts Horns for shot at NFL - TE is second high-profile offensive star to leave team in as many weeks | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | date=January 8, 2008 | accessdate=2008-01-08]The draft concluded with five Longhorns selected: Limas Sweed (53rd pick), Jamaal Charles (73rd), Jermichael Finley (91st), Tony Hills (130th), and
Frank Okam (151st).cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=40&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=3780&change_well_id=2 | title=Five Longhorns chosen in 2008 NFL Draft | work=MackBrown-TexasFootball | publisher=University of Texas & Host Interactive | date=April 27, 2008 | accessdate=2008-05-10] In addition,Brandon Foster ,Marcus Griffin ,Nate Jones andDerek Lokey agreed to sign free-agent contracts with NFL teams.cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=40&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=3781&change_well_id=2 | title=Four Longhorns to sign NFL free-agent contracts | work=MackBrown-TexasFootball | publisher=University of Texas & Host Interactive | date=April 28, 2008 | accessdate=2008-05-10]On January 2, 2008, the Longhorns announced that defensive co-coordinator Larry MacDuff would not return for the 2008 season and Duane Akina was demoted to "Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs".cite web | url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/01/05/0105texfoot.html | title=Muschamp to lead Texas defense - Brown hauls in highly regarded coach for $425,000 | work=Austin American-Statesman | publisher=Cox Enterprises | author=Halliburton, Suzanne | date=January 5, 2008 | accessdate=2008-01-08] [cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=32&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=1329&change_well_id=2 | title=Coaching staff | work=MackBrown-TexasFootball.com | publisher=University & Host Interactive | accessdate=2008-01-08] The Longhorns hired
Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator; he will also coach UT'slinebackers . [cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=32&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=3551&change_well_id=2 | title=Will Muschamp | work=MackBrown-TexasFootball.com | publisher=University of Texas & Host Interactive | accessdate=2008-01-08] Muschamp was defensive coordinator atAuburn University and will earn a $425,000 salary at Texas. Running backs coach Ken Rucker transferred to a newly created position with the athletic department where he will act as a liaison tohigh school athletic programs. On January 16, 2008 Texas replaced Rucker by hiring former UT quarterbackMajor Applewhite .cite news | url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/bohls/entries/2008/01/16/applewhite_acce.html | title=Applewhite accepts job | author=Bohls, Kirk | date=January162008|accessdate=2008-01-16]References
External links
* [http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com Official website of UT football]
* [http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=34&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=18&change_well_id=2 Longhorn Depth Chart]
* [http://www.texassports.com/webcam.html WebCam showing construction at the north end of the football stadium]
* [http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/09/01/WEB0901utstadiumchanges.html Changes at DKR Stadium]
* [http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/statesman/pdf/09/090107UTfootballparking.pdf UT football parking and traffic information (PDF)]
* [http://www.barkingcarnival.com/ Barking Carnival] , unofficial blog about University of Texas football, basketball, recruiting, and other college athletics
* [http://www.barkingcarnival.com/henryjames/barking-carnivals-texas-football-state-of-the-union/ Barking Carnival's 2007 Texas Football Preview]
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