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Scouting Kansas
The Longhorns have another long road trip this week, traveling to Lawrence = to take on Kansas at 1 p.m. Saturday. The game will not be televised. The Jayhawks are 4-5. They lost to SMU, 31-17, to open the season, then bea= t Alabama-Birmingham, 23-20, and Southern Illinois, 42-0, before falling to Oklahoma, 34-16, and Kansas State, 52-13. Then they defeated Missouri, 38-17, and Colorado, 23-15, before dropping a 45-39 game to Texas Tech and then getting hammered by Nebraska, 56-17. The Jayhawks have a unique offense. QB Dylen Smith is one of the rare quarterbacks who feels just as comfortable running the option or dropping back into a four-wide receiver set. He is 6-1, 190, and fast and shifty. Texas coach Mack Brown says Smith "is a really athletic quarterback who has= a great arm and who can make plays" with his arm or his quick feet. He also says RB David Winbush, 5-7, 180, "is the leading rusher in Kansas history, and that's a school that has had Gale Sayers and John Riggins" of Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins fame, respectively. WR Harrison Hill is one of the best in the league. Defensively, nose tackle Nate Dwyer, 6-3, 300, is the anchor in the middle = of the line, and LBs Chaz Murphy, 6-3, 252, and Andrew LeClair, 6-6, 245, are big run stoppers. The Jayhawks are giving up more yards than they are gaining, which is never= a good sign, but they have been impressive at times, particularly when they a= re playing at home. The Longhorns are a 13-point favorite, but this is a dangerous road game because Kansas has to beat Texas and then Iowa State next week to qualify f= or a bowl game. To win the Horns need to start quickly, like they did in Lubbock, and the defense needs to pressure Smith and keep Winbush under control. If Major Applewhite's knee injury turns out to be serious, they also need t= o have a balanced offense to keep all the pressure from falling on Chris Simm= s' inexperienced shoulders. They also need to score more touchdowns than field goals when they get inside the 10. Here's how the teams compare statistically (national rank in parenthesis): Texas Kansas Offense (80) 121.7 Rushing Avg. (39) 163.1 (15) 289.0 Passing Avg. (78) 194.9 (33) 410.7 Total Off. Avg. (68) 358.0 (12) 36.8 Scoring Avg (64) 25.3 Defense (12) 92.0 Rushing Avg. (70) 160.8 (20) 180.7 Passing Avg. (39) 201.9 (5) 272.7 Total Def. Avg. (56) 362.7 (18) 18.2 Opp. Scoring Avg (85) 30.0 Big 12 Roundup Nebraska visits Kansas State in a game that will decide the Northern Divisi= on crown Saturday, while top-ranked Oklahoma travels to Texas A&M in a huge ga= me in the Southern Division. The winner of the Nebraska-Kansas State game is a virtual lock to represent the North in the Big 12 championship game. If Oklahoma beats A&M, the Sooners also will be assured of a spot in the title game. But if the Aggies pull an upset, then a three-way tie would exi= st in the South if Texas beats Kansas. BIG 12 STANDINGS SOUTHERN DIVISION Conference Season W L PF PA Pct. W L PF PA Pct. Oklahoma 5 0 225 82 1.000 8 0 367 117 1.000 Texas 5 1 207 127 .833 7 2 331 164 .778 Texas A&M 5 1 153 74 .833 7 2 259 118 .77= 8 Texas Tech 2 4 131 185 .333 6 4 232 211 .600 Okla State 0 5 80 157 .000 2 6 145 211 .250 Baylor 0 6 38 246 .000 2 7 95 300 .2= 22 NORTHERN DIVISION Conference Season W L PF PA Pct. W L PF PA Pct. Nebraska 5 1 276 102 .833 8 1 394 152 .888 Kansas State 4 2 221 134 .667 8 2 433 161 .800 Iowa State 3 3 147 198 .500 6 3 233 249 .667 Colorado 3 3 141 153 .500 3 6 193 215 .333 Kansas 2 4 146 219 .333 4 5 228 270 .444 Missouri 1 5 115 203 .167 2 7 184 298 .22= 2 Last Week's Results Texas 29, Texas Tech 17 Texas A&M 21, Oklahoma State 16 Oklahoma 56, Baylor 7 Colorado 28 Missouri 18 Kansas State 56, Iowa State 10 Nebraska 56, Kansas 17 This Week's Games Texas at Kansas, 1 p.m. Oklahoma at Texas A&M, noon Oklahoma State at Texas Tech, 1 p.m. Missouri at Baylor, 1 p.m. Iowa State at Colorado, 2:30 p.m. Nebraska at Kansas State, 6 p.m. 2000 Longhorn Schedule, Record (7-2) Texas Opp. Sept. 9 Louisiana-Lafayette 52 10 Sept 16 at Stanford 24 27 Sept 23 Houston 48 0 Sept 30 Oklahoma State 42 7 Oct. 7 Oklahoma (Dallas) 14 63 Oct. 14 at Colorado 28 14 Oct. 21 Missouri 46 12 Oct. 28 Baylor 48 14 Nov. 4 at Texas Tech 29 17 Nov. 11 at Kansas Nov. 24 Texas A&M Scoring by Quarters Texas 35 116 76 104 - 331 Opponents 40 61 42 21 - 164 The Blue Chips Here's my updated list of the top Texas football recruits. I have inserted * * * * at each position. The players above that mark are m= y Fabulous 40. The Elite 80 Recruits Quarterback (6) Matt Nordgren, 6-5, 225, 4.7, Dallas Bishop Lynch (UT Commitment) Jason Carter, 5-11, 180, 4.5, Caldwell (A&M Commitment) * * * * Tye Gunn, 6-4, 200, 4.62, La Grange (TCU Commitment) Kevin Ford, 6-0, 188, 4.5, Madisonville (Rice Commitment) Mike Pankratz, 6-3, 200, 4.8, Katy Taylor (A&M, UCLA, OU, KSU, ND) Davon Vinson, 6-3, 185, 4.5, Kilgore (A&M, Ark, OU, Bay) Running Back (8) Cedric Benson, 5-11, 200, 4.5, Midland Lee (UT Commitment) David Underwood, 6-0, 220, 4.38, Madisonville (Michigan Commitment) Anthony Johnson, 5-11, 195, 4.4, Jefferson (UT Commitment) Donta Hickson, 5-9, 180, 4.4, McKinney (FSU, Neb, A&M, OU, Mich, Tenn, TT) Eron Haynes, 6-1, 195, 4.4, Borger (TT, A&M, ASU, Kan, Wash) * * * * David Williams, 5-11, 180, 4.4, Carrollton Smith (FSU, A&M, Colo, OU, Mia) Anthony Evans, 5-9, 195, 4.5, Pearland (Bay, A&M, Az, KSU, UCLA) Cody Thibodeaux, 6-1, 200, 4.5, Winnie East Chambers (A&M, Neb, Ok St, LSU) Fullback (2) Darnell Sims, 6-2, 230, 4.7, Aldine (A&M, UH, LSU) * * * * Mark Pierce, 6-2, 215, 4.6, Weatherford (TCU Commitment) Tight End (1) James Moses, 6-3, 225, 4.7, GP North Shore (UT, Colo, Tenn, Mia, OU, A&M) * * * * Wide Receiver (10) Armon Dorrough, 6-1, 168, 4.4, Lancaster (ND, Pur) Brandon Jones, 6-3, 205, 4.4, Texark. Liberty-Eylau (Ky, Ark, A&M, FSU, UT) Bennie Brazell, 6-2, 168, 4.4, Houston Westbury (LSU, UCLA, Ark, Ky, LSU, M= ia) Thomson Omboga, 6-2, 175, 4.5, Grand Prairie (OU, ND, Ga, A&M, Mo) Cedric Williams, 6-0, 170, 4.4, Jefferson (KSU, FSU, LSU, Neb, A&M, OU) Keith Mills, 5-11, 175, 4.4, Garland (A&M, FSU, Fla, Ark, TT, OU) * * * * Terrence Thomas, 5-9, 175, 4.4, Houston Washington (Mia, FSU, UCLA, A&M, UH= ) Corey Roberts, 6-4, 190, 4.4, Carthage (LSU, A&M, SMU, TCU) Jesse Woods, 6-4, 190, 4.5, Katy Taylor (A&M Commitment) Kenneth Shelton, 6-1, 175, 4.4, Port Arthur Jefferson (A&M, OU, TT) Offensive Line (13) Jonathan Scott, 6-7, 290, 4.9, Dallas Carter (UT Commitment) Jami Hightower, 6-4, 305, 5.2, Jacksonville (Neb, UT, A&M) Ben Wilkerson, 6-4, 265, 4.9, Hemphill (Tenn, LSU, UCLA, OU, Ark, A&M) Abe Robinson, 6-6, 270, 4.9, Jersey Village (UT Commitment) William Winston, 6-6, 330, 5.3, Houston Madison (A&M, UT, UCLA, LSU, Mia) Mike Garcia, 6-5, 280, 5.2, Galena Park (UT Commitment) * * * * Will Allen, 6-5, 300, 5.2, Cypress Falls (UT Commitment) Terrance Young, 6-6, 330, 5.5, Longview (UT Commitment) Bryan Kegans, 6-6, 305, 5.2, Stephenville (Texas Tech Commitment Shane Simms, 6-2, 300, 4.9, Tomball (TCU Commitment) Roman Reeves, 6-6, 295, 5.2, Livingston (UT Commitment) E. J. Whitley, 6-5, 290, 5.3, Texas City (Kentucky Commitment) Clint O'Neal, 6-6, 290, 5.2, Weatherford (Colorado Commitment) Defensive End (9) Jonathon Jackson, 6-4, 222, 4.56, GP North Shore (UT, A&M, Mia, Colo, Az) Kevin Everett, 6-5, 235, 4.6, Port Arthur Jefferson (UT, ND, Colo, Pur, Mia= ) * * * * Simeon Jones, 6-3, 240, 4.7, Houston Jones (A&M, UH, Colo, Bay) Lawrence Hooper, 6-4, 255, 4.7, Aldine (A&M, PSU, LSU, Colo, Fla, OSU, UCLA= ) Jamie Jackson, 6-3, 225, 4.7 Andrews (TT, OU, A&M) McKenzie Tilmon, 6-3, 235, 4.7, Irving MacArthur (KSU, A&M, Tenn) Colin Allred, 6-3, 225, 4.7, Dallas Hillcrest (Neb, TT, TCU, Mich) Bret Rayl, 6-7, 265, 4.9, Lewisville (A&M, FSU, OU, PSU, TCU) Quintene Newhouse, 6-2, 250, 4.7, Emory Rains (A&M, Ky, Mich, Bay, TCU) Defensive Tackle (7) Tommie Harris, 6-3, 280, 4.8, Killeen Ellison (UT, FSU, A&M, Mia, OU, LSU) Thomas Derricks, 6-0, 275, 4.9, Dallas Jesuit (PSU, ND, Neb, A&M, TCU) Fred Thwreat, 6-2, 300, 4.9, Midland Lee (TT, A&M, Az) * * * * Clayton Harmon, 6-6, 260, 5.1, Stephenville (Texas Tech Commitment) Sharod McGowan, 6-2, 250, 4.7, Waco (A&M, TT, NC, OU, NC) Brandon Goodlett, 6-2, 280, 5.1, Conroe (Ky, OU, Neb) Jeremy Calahan, 6-3, 260, 5.0, Pflugerville (ND, A&M, OSU, Stan, TCU, Van) Outside Linebacker (4) Derrick Johnson, 6-3, 205, 4.5, Waco (UT, FSU, A&M, Ark, OU) Lance McFarland, 6-1, 225, 4.6, Jefferson (UT Commitment) * * * * Lee Foliaki, 6-2, 200, 4.5, Euless Trinity (A&M, FSU, Neb, KSU, TCU) Shawn Willis 6-2, 215, 4.6, Flatonia (A&M, FSU, Bay, TT) Inside Linebacker (2) Yamil Lebron, 6-2, 240, 4.7, Killeen Ellison (UT Commitment) * * * * Jeff Billings, 6-2, 232, 4.7, Pasadena Rayburn (A&M, Ky, Az, ASU, NW) Cornerback (7) Byron Jones, 5-10, 180, 4.4, Bay City (A&M Commitment) Cedric Griffin, 6-1, 180, 4.4, San Antonio Holmes (UT Commitment) Danielle Manning, 5-11, 187, 4.4, Corsicana (A&M Commitment) Aaron Ross, 6-1, 180, 4.42, Tyler John Tyler (UT Commitment) * * * * Bryant Singleton, 6-0, 175, 4.4, Galveston Ball (LSU, Tenn, A&M, Ark) Moses Harris, 6-1, 170, 4.4, Dallas Carter (FSU, OU, Mia, TCU, Gramb) Courtney Sterling, 5-7, 170, 4.4, Dallas Carter (Arizona State Commitment) Safety (5) Dewayne Brandon, 6-3, 198, 4.46, Temple (UT, FSU, Colo, A&M, Tenn, Ky) Rufus Harris, 5-11, 180, 4.4, LaPorte (A&M, LSU, Az, Mia, UT) Kendall Briles, 5-10, 175, 4.5, Wolfforth Frenship (UT Commitment) * * * * Jarvis Mayes, 6-2, 180, 4.45, Dallas Kimball (A&M Commitment) Jaxson Appel, 6-0, 190, 4.5, Friendswood (A&M Commitment) Athlete (6) Joseph Addai, 6-1, 195, 4.5, Hstn Sharpstown (UT, Neb, KSU, TCU, LSU) Quan Cosby, 5-10, 180, 4.4, Mart (UT, A&M, UCLA, FSU, Bay) Gainus Scott, 5-9, 170, 4.4, La Porte (FSU, Az, Tenn, Mia, ASU, Ky) Ryan Gilbert, 5-11, 180, 4.4, Dallas Hillcrest (Mich, Neb, Mia, Tenn, FSU) * * * * Braden Johnson, 6-2, 200, 4.5, Euless Trinity (UT Commitment) Brian Carter, 5-11, 180, 4.5, The Woodlands (UT Commitment) The 25 "Difference Makers" These are Texas' top 25 players, in my opinion: 1. DT Tommie Harris, Killeen Ellison 2. OL Jonathan Scott, Dallas Carter (Texas) 3. OL Jami Hightower, Jacksonville 4. LB Derrick Johnson, Waco 5. RB Cedric Benson, Midland Lee (Texas) 6. S Dewayne Brandon, Temple 7. RB David Underwood, Madisonville (Michigan) 8. C Ben Wilkerson, Hemphill 9. QB Matt Nordgren, Dallas Bishop Lynch (Texas) 10. OL Abe Robinson, Jersey Village (Texas) 11. OL William Winston, Houston Madison 12. Ath Joseph Addai, Houston Sharpstown 13. DE Jonathon Jackson, Galena Park North Shore 14. WR Armon Dorrough, Lancaster 15. RB Anthony Johnson, Jefferson (Texas) 16. WR Brandon Jones, Texarkana Liberty Eylau 17. Ath Quan Cosby, Mart 18. CB Byron Jones, Bay City (Texas A&M) 19. RB Donta Hickson, McKinney 20. CB Cedric Griffin, San Antonio Holmes (Texas) 21. DT Thomas Derricks, Dallas Jesuit 22. CB Danielle Manning, Corsicana (Texas A&M) 23. LB Lance McFarland, Jefferson (Texas) 24. CB Aaron Ross, Tyler (Texas 25. WR Bennie Brazell, Houston Westbury UT Commitments The Longhorns have 19 commitments, including 17 high school players and 2 J= C players. They are: QB Matt Nordgren, 6-5, 225, 4.7, Dallas Bishop Lynch RB Cedric Benson, 5-11, 200, 4.5, Midland Lee RB Anthony Johnson, 5-11, 195, 4.4, Jefferson OL Jonathan Scott, 6-7, 290, 4.9, Dallas Carter OL Abe Robinson, 6-6, 270, 4.9, Jersey Village OL Mike Garcia, 6-5, 280, 5.2, Galena Park OL Will Allen, 6-5, 300, 5.2, Cypress Falls OL Terrance Young, 6-6, 330, 5.5, Longview OL Roman Reeves, 6-6, 295, 5.2, Livingston OL Alfio Randall, 6-6, 300, 5.1, Blinn JC DE Eric Hall, 6-2, 240, 4.5, Clarksville, Tenn LB Lance McFarland, 6-1, 225, 4.6, Jefferson LB Yamil Lebron, 6-2, 240, 4.7, Killeen Ellison CB Cedric Griffin, 6-1, 180, 4.4, San Antonio Holmes CB Aaron Ross, 6-1, 180, 4.42, Tyler John Tyler Ath Kendall Briles, 5-10, 175, 4.5, Wolfforth Frenship Ath Braden Johnson, 6-2, 200, 4.5, Euless Trinity Ath Brian Carter, 5-11, 180, 4.5, The Woodlands P - Brian Bradford, 6-2, 210, Trinity Valley JC Recruiting Roundup OL Jonathan Scott of Dallas Carter created quite a stir last week when he was quoted in the Dallas News as saying he remains committed to Texas, but might take a visit or two just to be sure of his commitment. Texas coach Mack Brown generally sees a commitment as being binding on both parties. He tells recruits when they are ready to commit that UT will guarantee them scholarships, and they are supposed to guarantee they will honor their commitments and refrain from visiting other schools. Scott has talked off an on about visiting other schools, but he hasn't set = up any visits yet. I'll keep you posted if he does. * * * * QB-Athlete Kendal Briles of Wollforth Frenship, another UT pledge, says Nebraska continues to recruit him, but he says he is solid for the Longhorn= s. * * * * Central Texas normally doesn't have very many top recruits, but four of bes= t in the state and in the nation his year are in Central Texas and three of them play in District 13-5A, which stretches from Waco in the north to Georgetown in the south. Those four recruits will go a long ways toward determining whether the Longhorns have a great recruiting class or just a very good one. The 13-5A players are DT Tommie Harris of Killeen Ellison, LB Derrick Johns= on of Waco and DB Dewayne Brandon of Temple. The other top prospect is QB-Athlete Quan Cosby of Mart, who led his team t= o a 15-0 record and a Class 2A state title last year. Texas is recruiting all four of them and has the lead with Johnson, Brandon and Cosby. Harris has favored Texas when he lists a preference, but he has been more noncommital about his college choice recently. Texas has a good chance to get all four of them and that would really put t= he icing on an already outstanding recruiting class. Student Sports magazine currently has UT ranked No. 2 behind Michigan in th= e=20 national recruiting rankings. If the Horns get three or four of those Central Texans I mentioned earlier, they will have a great shot at the top spot. And for those of you who have expressed concern that the Longhorns' two-los= s season could pose a problem, Michigan has three losses already. A 7-2 seaso= n at this point is a very good year to sell to recruits. I still expect the Longhorns to sign 25 or 26 kids. With 19 already committed, that leaves room for only six or seven more players. * * * * In addition to the obvious recruiting targets I have been writing about recently, there are two super prospects in Louisiana who are talking about taking official visits to Texas the weekend of the Texas-Texas A&M game. They are DT Marquise Hill, 6-7, 290, 5.1, of New Orleans De La Salle and TE Marcus Spears, 6-5, 270, 4.75, of Baton Rouge Southern Lab. The two Louisiana prospects and DL Kaelen Jakes, 6-4, 265, 4.75, of Valenci= a, Cal., are the only out-of-state prospects on the Longhorn radar screen at this time. UT has a very good shot at Jakes. Hill and Spears are long shots= . A True Orange Subscription Is The Gift You Can Get Every Year for Your Longhorn Friends A subscription to True Orange is the perfect gift for any occasion for a Longhorn who has everything else. It's only $45 ($35 by e-mail) and I'll send an attractive card announcing your thoughtful gift. The only thing better is a gift of True Orange and the True Orange Fax = =01) and you can give both for just $130 a year ($99 if they take both by e-mail= ). o I am enclosing $45 for a gift subscription ($35 e-mail) o I am enclosing $130 for a gift subscription to the newsletter and the fa= x ($99 e-mail) Name of Recipient Address (& fax no., if applicable) City, State, Zip Your Name Any Message You Want on Card A Great Publication for Texas Baseball Fans Follow past, present and future Longhorns in full detail with a subscriptio= n to the Lone Star Baseball Report. Gearing up for our second year of publication, LSBR is the foremost authority on amateur and minor league baseball in Texas. Follow the top high school and junior college prospects = in Texas, and keep up with all the latest happenings in Austin, College Statio= n, Waco, Lubbock, and all points in between with our comprehensive college coverage. Now is an exciting time to be an LSBR subscriber. Starting with our 150-pag= e preview edition in January, we are moving to a slick, magazine format that will look a lot like Sports Illustrated, bringing our look up to speed with our coverage. Cost for a year=01,s subscription (6 issues) is $24.95. We pu= blish bi-monthly, printing issues in January, March, May, July, September and November. For subscription information or credit card orders, call 1-877-628-3226. Next Issue November 13 The next issue will be e-mailed on November 13 and will report on the Kansa= s game and will preview the big regular season finale against Texas A&M. I'll have a lot of recruiting news, an update on the Longhorns' bowl prospects, reports on men's and women's basketball and lots of other Longho= rn sports news. I want to subscribe. I am enclosing $45 for the next year, which will inclu= de 26 issues. A two-year subscription is $85. For a one-year subscription via E-Mail, send $35. Name Street Address or Box Number or E-Mail Address City, State and Zip Code Remit to True Orange, P O Box 26530, Austin, TX 78755 Foreign Rates Available on Request. Phone 512-795-8536 E-Mail Address: truorange@aol.com I want to give a gift subscription to True Orange. I am enclosing $45. Please send an appropriate gift card. For a gift subscription via E-Mail, send $35. Name of Person Receiving Gift Street Address or Box Number or E-Mail Address City, State and Zip Code Your Name
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