Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Texas Football: Funny Guy!
I'm not sure which is worse: Ivan Maisel the comedian, or Ivan Maisel the poet. Combine the two and you might just have the worst college football preview piece I've read this season.
Exhibit A:
And Haiku? Come on... write a few Sonnets or something. We used to do Haiku in fourth grade. Haiku doesn't impress me.
For the record, we're going to beat OU this season. I might just take a header off of the Cotton Bowl's upper deck if we don't.
|
Exhibit A:
Vince Young has it allExhibit B:
Quickness, size, and leadership
Complete? Needs OU
World Trade Towers stoodHe's right on both counts, of course, but it doesn't mean that I'm not tired of reading how Texas can't beat OU. Part of sportswriting is coming up with original material.
Bill Clinton was president
Longhorns beat Sooners
And Haiku? Come on... write a few Sonnets or something. We used to do Haiku in fourth grade. Haiku doesn't impress me.
For the record, we're going to beat OU this season. I might just take a header off of the Cotton Bowl's upper deck if we don't.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Movies: Best "Guy" Movies
I was reading this Hornfans thread, and I figured that I could a much better job of coming up with "Guy" movies than some of these boobs.
Die Hard- This flick is the ultimate. It's got explosions, lots of great lines, and I defy anyone to give me a better villian than Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber. It's a classic.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly- It's the yin to Die Hard's yang. Clint Eastwood is an American hero, and this is the height of his bad-assedness. How many classic lines can one movie have? And don't forget the Mexican standoff in the cemetary, my vote for best movie scene of all-time.
Fight Club- You watch this movie and you want to whip someone's ass. That's enough for me.
I'm sure there are more, but those are the three that stand out to me (and really, the first two are the only "no-brainers," in my opinion. I'm open to debate on the third).
Looking at the Hornfans list I'm struck by the many examples of movies that don't begin to qualify as "Guy" movies. I don't think comedies work in this context. "Guy" movies are all about being a man in the hunter-gatherer sense. In a "Guy" movie I'm thinking "ass-kicker," not "smart-ass." I loved Swingers, but those guys don't fit that bill. Neither does the crew in Old School or any Coen Brothers flick. And Steven Seagall may kick some ass in his movies, but does casey Rybeck have half the charisma of Blondie or John McLain? Hell no he doesn't. If there's one comedy that I could welcome to this list (albeit at number three, tops), it's Animal House. But I'm really not as high on it as most people.
At this time I feel compelled to single out the worst entry on the thread -- Scarface. I've railed against that piece of crap here before, but come on, Scarface? What do people see in that movie? Evidently it's not the awful acting, worse accents, or cring-inducing cheesy montages. Best "Guy" movie? P'Shaw. Start a list of movies that called: great-when-you-were-a-kid-in-1984-but-when-viewed-as-an-adult-reveal-themselves-for-the-cheesy-over-the-top-craptastic-piles-of-dung-that-they-always-were-but-you-just-weren't-old-enough-to-realize-it. I'll put Scarface at the very top. I won't even have a second spot.
|
Die Hard- This flick is the ultimate. It's got explosions, lots of great lines, and I defy anyone to give me a better villian than Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber. It's a classic.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly- It's the yin to Die Hard's yang. Clint Eastwood is an American hero, and this is the height of his bad-assedness. How many classic lines can one movie have? And don't forget the Mexican standoff in the cemetary, my vote for best movie scene of all-time.
Fight Club- You watch this movie and you want to whip someone's ass. That's enough for me.
I'm sure there are more, but those are the three that stand out to me (and really, the first two are the only "no-brainers," in my opinion. I'm open to debate on the third).
Looking at the Hornfans list I'm struck by the many examples of movies that don't begin to qualify as "Guy" movies. I don't think comedies work in this context. "Guy" movies are all about being a man in the hunter-gatherer sense. In a "Guy" movie I'm thinking "ass-kicker," not "smart-ass." I loved Swingers, but those guys don't fit that bill. Neither does the crew in Old School or any Coen Brothers flick. And Steven Seagall may kick some ass in his movies, but does casey Rybeck have half the charisma of Blondie or John McLain? Hell no he doesn't. If there's one comedy that I could welcome to this list (albeit at number three, tops), it's Animal House. But I'm really not as high on it as most people.
At this time I feel compelled to single out the worst entry on the thread -- Scarface. I've railed against that piece of crap here before, but come on, Scarface? What do people see in that movie? Evidently it's not the awful acting, worse accents, or cring-inducing cheesy montages. Best "Guy" movie? P'Shaw. Start a list of movies that called: great-when-you-were-a-kid-in-1984-but-when-viewed-as-an-adult-reveal-themselves-for-the-cheesy-over-the-top-craptastic-piles-of-dung-that-they-always-were-but-you-just-weren't-old-enough-to-realize-it. I'll put Scarface at the very top. I won't even have a second spot.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Texas Football: 2005 Game-by-Game Predictions
Sept. 3- Louisiana-Lafayette. An olfactory hodgepodge of bourbon and crawfish fills the air around DKR. Either a Louisiana team is visiting Austin or Texas fans are just trying to get rid of all the excess Cajun kits they bought a few years ago before a 65-13 loss to OU made the Sugar Bowl a pipe dream. ULaLa is known more for its funny nickname than it’s football prowess, but that doesn’t stop them from jumping out to an 3-0 lead on the opening drive. Infamous Longhorn BBS legend "TSD" tries to organize a petition drive in Sec. 4 at the 13:43 mark of the first quarter to replace offensive coordinator Greg Davis, who was obviously responsible for the ULaLa field goal, but that’s quelled when someone throws a coke on him. Texas responds in a big way when Vince Young goes 73 yards on a zone read keeper to give Texas the only points they’ll end up needing. Gene Chizik’s new defense forces six turnovers, including two interceptions from Michael Huff that end up in the end zone. Vince Young, Selvin Young and Ramonce Taylor all eclipse 100 yards before giving way to new fan favorite Henry Melton, who on top of adding 46 yards of his own in the final quarter, sets an NCAA freshman record for most heads sucked in a single game. That’s crawfish heads, by the way; the other variety’s record resides up the road in College Station. Texas 46, Louisiana-Lafayette 6.
Sept. 10- at Ohio State. Whoa Nelly, the Horns make their first trip in ages to the hotbed of Big Te(leve)n football. These teams have a lot in common: winning traditions, marquee gamebreakers, stout defenses, and the ability to score at will against Oklahoma State. Forget the Eyes of Texas; the eyes of the entire nation are focused on 2005’s premier non-conference clash. Ohio State goes on top early when Teddy Ginn finds a seam and slips by Ced Griffin. Texas answers with a 13-play drive that finds VY hitting David Thomas on a corner route to tie it at 7-7. The two squads trade field goals in the second and third quarters before Aaron Harris swings the momentum Texas’ way when he strips Troy Smith of the football in Buckeye territory. A third-down pass hits Limas Sweed in the fingertips, but he’s unable to hold on. Matters worsen when Richmond McGee’s field goal sails wide left. A suspect pass interference on third down moves Ohio State across the 50, and who else but Ginn squirms free on an end around to set up the 39-yard go-ahead field goal. VY has a little more than a minute to drive Texas 66 yards for the win, and opens with two completions to Thomas to get Texas into Buckeye territory. Taylor takes a zone read handoff down to the 34, and it looks like the Horns will settle for three points and overtime in the Horseshoe. But with twelve seconds left VY fakes the QB draw, drops back, and fires a missle toward a streaking… Limas Sweed? The sophomore that dropped the ball earlier lays out and hauls in the game-winner. Is Texas overrated? One hundred and three thousand Ohioans wouldn’t say so. Texas 20, Ohio State 16.
Sept. 17- Rice. We tailgate all day, the Horns take the field, the MOB performs at halftime, Fox Sports Net gives a crappy broadcast, and no one gets hurt. All in all it’s a successful third game, even if it is boring as hell. Texas 40, Rice 10.
Oct. 1- at Missouri. Remember when Brad Smith was a Heisman candidate? “When last we met,” Vince Young says, “I was but the learner. Now I am the master.” Smith replies: “Only a master of evil, Darth.” Actually, the Tigers have no answer for the VY Heisman Express. They also have no answer for Rod Wright, who blows up the Mizzou O-line like he’s a Tomahawk missile headed toward Baghdad. The All-American sets a career-high with four tackles for losses. Missouri adds two late touchdowns against the Texas second-string, but the Horns coast in an easier-than-it-looked win. Texas 34, Missouri 20.
Oct. 8- Oklahoma (Dallas). Seriously, who thought to schedule this at noon? NOON? Good God-a-mighty Joe Friday that’s early. The hangover’s just starting to wear off when Texas does something they haven’t done in forever (in a regular season game, anyway): return a kickoff for a touchdown. There’ll be no shutout this year, as Taylor shows that he can take it to the house against more than just the Texas reserves. OU answers quickly, however, with a long Adrian Peterson TD run. Texas fans groan – those Ruff/Nek pop guns don’t help their hangovers. Less than a minute later VY fakes the zone read and dumps a pass to Thomas, who outraces his LB coverage for yet another first – Texas’ first passing TD against OU since the 20th century. Either Texas has come to play today or else my buddy Eric's re-arrangement of our seating order has paid off. Chizik’s defensive scheme tightens up and with LBs Harris and Drew Kelson flying to the outside Bob Stoops tries running AD up the middle. Franklin Okam assures Texas fans that DTU will continue to live once Wright heads to the NFL, stuffing Peterson on consecutive red-zone dives to preserve a 17-10 halftime lead. When Huff returns his third interception for a TD midway through the third the Texas half of the stadium is rocking! There are so many “hells,” “damns,” and “craps” coming from the OU sideline you’d think Barry Switzer was still coaching. The scoreboard would dictate otherwise, at least on this day. VY adds the icing late in the game with a 35-yard TD strike to heralded RS freshman Jordan Shipley, and for the first time in years Texas fans leave the Cotton Bowl with Texas-sized grins on their faces. Texas 31, Oklahoma 17.
Oct. 15- Colorado. Tito’s and lemonade celebrates its first birthday as the official stadium drink of the LM, and just for old time’s sake Matt and I lead our section in a rousing chorus of “No means no, go Horns go.” Today it’s the Texas defense that’s saying “no.” At the half Gary Barnett’s club has mustered just 54 yards of offense, and has yet to cross midfield. The Tito’s and Lemonade might be a year older, but the Texas-Colorado performance is still the same. Despite an off-day throwing the ball, VY manages to find the end zone twice, and Taylor and Selvin Young pick up the slack with a TD run each. Katie Hnida, watching from home, laughs heartily when CU’s only trip into Texas territory results in a shanked 27-yard field goal. Texas 34, Colorado 0.
Oct. 22- Texas Tech. Two years ago the Red Raiders put a scare into the home crowd when they almost upset the Horns in Austin. That was back when Huff and Griffin were sophomores, not premier DBs looking for an NFL paycheck. Huff sews up a finalist spot in the Thorpe Award balloting with INT’s number six and seven of the season, and touchdown number four. Griffin checks in with numbers three and four, and Tarrell Brown gets his first of the year. With forced fumbles from Harris and Wright the Horns capitalize on seven Raider turnovers to build a 49-0 lead in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately Texas’ second straight shut-out is foiled when with the starters long gone, mystery walk-on DB Ron Navajo allows (insert spare fifth-year senior’s name) to complete a bomb for a touchdown. Navajo is later revealed to be 13th-year senior Ron Weaver aka Ron McElvey in an exclusive breaking story on Orangebloods.com. Texas 49, Texas Tech 7.
Oct. 29- at Oklahoma State. (note: Inside Joke alert!) The LonghornFanZone.Com Bus is now two years late at Home Depot, and the employees are starting to tire of Texas Jeff and son's "Victor Naborski"-esque refugee lifestyle, as they wait for Longhorn Bob Wheeler's arrival. When the Myers Rum-induced deliria wears off and he realizes that it's OSU week, Jeff decides that he obviously just misunderstood. The bus trip was for 2005. Of course. It all makes sense now, and Jeff joyfully goes to sleep Thursday night, on his roll-away cot, dreaming of Longhorn Bob. The only joy for Cowboys fans this season is that Les Miles, who jumped ship for greener pastures in Baton Rouge, is struggling at 4-3 in the SEC. Texas fans parade around Stillwater as if they own the place. After Selvin Young’s first 200-yard rushing game, the Horns prove they at least own Boone Pickens Stadium. Congratulations to the Texas Longhorns, your 2005 Oklahoma State Champions. Texas 37, Oklahoma State 12.
Nov. 5- at Baylor. I’m not wasting my time with a game recap here. Texas 55, Baylor 3.
Nov. 12- Kansas. After a severe bout of angina pectoris, fueled by fretting over BCS conspiracy theories and too much cannelloni at Buca di Bepo, Kansas coach Mark Mangino leaves Seton Hospital just in time to watch Ramonce Taylor return his second opening kickoff of the season for six points. From there it really gets ugly. To prove his 4th and 19 last year wasn’t a fluke, Vince Young takes two delay of game penalties and converts a 20-yard QB draw, before tossing a 52-yard TD pass to Sweed. And Tarrell Brown doesn’t even allow KU receivers to push off. He steps in front of the first two passes thrown his way and shows that Huff isn’t the only Longhorn DB with skills. By the time Henry Melton comes in to clean up Mangino is feeling chest pains again. Time to go on a diet, fatass. Texas 45, Kansas 10.
Nov. 25- at Texas A&M. After surprising Oklahoma on the road, the Aggies are actually in position to win their first division title since 1998. If only Reggie McNeal really were as good as VY, it might happen. But he isn’t. The Dennis Franchione-to-Penn State rumors have the Ags distracted, and McNeal plays his worst game of the year. In trying to avoid Michael Huff McNeal tosses interceptions to every single Longhorn named Griffin – Cedric, Michael, Marcus and even back-up offensive lineman Dallas. In fact FOX threatens ABC with a lawsuit when animators run a clip of Peter Grifffin, from the hit TV show The Family Guy picking off a McNeal pass en route to the end zone. VY clinches a spot at the Downtown Athletic Club with a 14-19, 239-yard passing performance, which complements his 124 yards on the ground. Texas 27, Texas A&M 10.
Dec. 3- Iowa State (Big XII Championship, Houston). Iowa State? Hell, they couldn’t be any more pathetic than Colorado or Kansas State or whatever patsy comes from the North. I don’t care who Texas plays. It’ll be anti-climactic. Texas 38, North Scrub 13.
Jan. 4- Rose Bowl Game. Pinch me that morning and see if I’m dreaming
|
Sept. 10- at Ohio State. Whoa Nelly, the Horns make their first trip in ages to the hotbed of Big Te(leve)n football. These teams have a lot in common: winning traditions, marquee gamebreakers, stout defenses, and the ability to score at will against Oklahoma State. Forget the Eyes of Texas; the eyes of the entire nation are focused on 2005’s premier non-conference clash. Ohio State goes on top early when Teddy Ginn finds a seam and slips by Ced Griffin. Texas answers with a 13-play drive that finds VY hitting David Thomas on a corner route to tie it at 7-7. The two squads trade field goals in the second and third quarters before Aaron Harris swings the momentum Texas’ way when he strips Troy Smith of the football in Buckeye territory. A third-down pass hits Limas Sweed in the fingertips, but he’s unable to hold on. Matters worsen when Richmond McGee’s field goal sails wide left. A suspect pass interference on third down moves Ohio State across the 50, and who else but Ginn squirms free on an end around to set up the 39-yard go-ahead field goal. VY has a little more than a minute to drive Texas 66 yards for the win, and opens with two completions to Thomas to get Texas into Buckeye territory. Taylor takes a zone read handoff down to the 34, and it looks like the Horns will settle for three points and overtime in the Horseshoe. But with twelve seconds left VY fakes the QB draw, drops back, and fires a missle toward a streaking… Limas Sweed? The sophomore that dropped the ball earlier lays out and hauls in the game-winner. Is Texas overrated? One hundred and three thousand Ohioans wouldn’t say so. Texas 20, Ohio State 16.
Sept. 17- Rice. We tailgate all day, the Horns take the field, the MOB performs at halftime, Fox Sports Net gives a crappy broadcast, and no one gets hurt. All in all it’s a successful third game, even if it is boring as hell. Texas 40, Rice 10.
Oct. 1- at Missouri. Remember when Brad Smith was a Heisman candidate? “When last we met,” Vince Young says, “I was but the learner. Now I am the master.” Smith replies: “Only a master of evil, Darth.” Actually, the Tigers have no answer for the VY Heisman Express. They also have no answer for Rod Wright, who blows up the Mizzou O-line like he’s a Tomahawk missile headed toward Baghdad. The All-American sets a career-high with four tackles for losses. Missouri adds two late touchdowns against the Texas second-string, but the Horns coast in an easier-than-it-looked win. Texas 34, Missouri 20.
Oct. 8- Oklahoma (Dallas). Seriously, who thought to schedule this at noon? NOON? Good God-a-mighty Joe Friday that’s early. The hangover’s just starting to wear off when Texas does something they haven’t done in forever (in a regular season game, anyway): return a kickoff for a touchdown. There’ll be no shutout this year, as Taylor shows that he can take it to the house against more than just the Texas reserves. OU answers quickly, however, with a long Adrian Peterson TD run. Texas fans groan – those Ruff/Nek pop guns don’t help their hangovers. Less than a minute later VY fakes the zone read and dumps a pass to Thomas, who outraces his LB coverage for yet another first – Texas’ first passing TD against OU since the 20th century. Either Texas has come to play today or else my buddy Eric's re-arrangement of our seating order has paid off. Chizik’s defensive scheme tightens up and with LBs Harris and Drew Kelson flying to the outside Bob Stoops tries running AD up the middle. Franklin Okam assures Texas fans that DTU will continue to live once Wright heads to the NFL, stuffing Peterson on consecutive red-zone dives to preserve a 17-10 halftime lead. When Huff returns his third interception for a TD midway through the third the Texas half of the stadium is rocking! There are so many “hells,” “damns,” and “craps” coming from the OU sideline you’d think Barry Switzer was still coaching. The scoreboard would dictate otherwise, at least on this day. VY adds the icing late in the game with a 35-yard TD strike to heralded RS freshman Jordan Shipley, and for the first time in years Texas fans leave the Cotton Bowl with Texas-sized grins on their faces. Texas 31, Oklahoma 17.
Oct. 15- Colorado. Tito’s and lemonade celebrates its first birthday as the official stadium drink of the LM, and just for old time’s sake Matt and I lead our section in a rousing chorus of “No means no, go Horns go.” Today it’s the Texas defense that’s saying “no.” At the half Gary Barnett’s club has mustered just 54 yards of offense, and has yet to cross midfield. The Tito’s and Lemonade might be a year older, but the Texas-Colorado performance is still the same. Despite an off-day throwing the ball, VY manages to find the end zone twice, and Taylor and Selvin Young pick up the slack with a TD run each. Katie Hnida, watching from home, laughs heartily when CU’s only trip into Texas territory results in a shanked 27-yard field goal. Texas 34, Colorado 0.
Oct. 22- Texas Tech. Two years ago the Red Raiders put a scare into the home crowd when they almost upset the Horns in Austin. That was back when Huff and Griffin were sophomores, not premier DBs looking for an NFL paycheck. Huff sews up a finalist spot in the Thorpe Award balloting with INT’s number six and seven of the season, and touchdown number four. Griffin checks in with numbers three and four, and Tarrell Brown gets his first of the year. With forced fumbles from Harris and Wright the Horns capitalize on seven Raider turnovers to build a 49-0 lead in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately Texas’ second straight shut-out is foiled when with the starters long gone, mystery walk-on DB Ron Navajo allows (insert spare fifth-year senior’s name) to complete a bomb for a touchdown. Navajo is later revealed to be 13th-year senior Ron Weaver aka Ron McElvey in an exclusive breaking story on Orangebloods.com. Texas 49, Texas Tech 7.
Oct. 29- at Oklahoma State. (note: Inside Joke alert!) The LonghornFanZone.Com Bus is now two years late at Home Depot, and the employees are starting to tire of Texas Jeff and son's "Victor Naborski"-esque refugee lifestyle, as they wait for Longhorn Bob Wheeler's arrival. When the Myers Rum-induced deliria wears off and he realizes that it's OSU week, Jeff decides that he obviously just misunderstood. The bus trip was for 2005. Of course. It all makes sense now, and Jeff joyfully goes to sleep Thursday night, on his roll-away cot, dreaming of Longhorn Bob. The only joy for Cowboys fans this season is that Les Miles, who jumped ship for greener pastures in Baton Rouge, is struggling at 4-3 in the SEC. Texas fans parade around Stillwater as if they own the place. After Selvin Young’s first 200-yard rushing game, the Horns prove they at least own Boone Pickens Stadium. Congratulations to the Texas Longhorns, your 2005 Oklahoma State Champions. Texas 37, Oklahoma State 12.
Nov. 5- at Baylor. I’m not wasting my time with a game recap here. Texas 55, Baylor 3.
Nov. 12- Kansas. After a severe bout of angina pectoris, fueled by fretting over BCS conspiracy theories and too much cannelloni at Buca di Bepo, Kansas coach Mark Mangino leaves Seton Hospital just in time to watch Ramonce Taylor return his second opening kickoff of the season for six points. From there it really gets ugly. To prove his 4th and 19 last year wasn’t a fluke, Vince Young takes two delay of game penalties and converts a 20-yard QB draw, before tossing a 52-yard TD pass to Sweed. And Tarrell Brown doesn’t even allow KU receivers to push off. He steps in front of the first two passes thrown his way and shows that Huff isn’t the only Longhorn DB with skills. By the time Henry Melton comes in to clean up Mangino is feeling chest pains again. Time to go on a diet, fatass. Texas 45, Kansas 10.
Nov. 25- at Texas A&M. After surprising Oklahoma on the road, the Aggies are actually in position to win their first division title since 1998. If only Reggie McNeal really were as good as VY, it might happen. But he isn’t. The Dennis Franchione-to-Penn State rumors have the Ags distracted, and McNeal plays his worst game of the year. In trying to avoid Michael Huff McNeal tosses interceptions to every single Longhorn named Griffin – Cedric, Michael, Marcus and even back-up offensive lineman Dallas. In fact FOX threatens ABC with a lawsuit when animators run a clip of Peter Grifffin, from the hit TV show The Family Guy picking off a McNeal pass en route to the end zone. VY clinches a spot at the Downtown Athletic Club with a 14-19, 239-yard passing performance, which complements his 124 yards on the ground. Texas 27, Texas A&M 10.
Dec. 3- Iowa State (Big XII Championship, Houston). Iowa State? Hell, they couldn’t be any more pathetic than Colorado or Kansas State or whatever patsy comes from the North. I don’t care who Texas plays. It’ll be anti-climactic. Texas 38, North Scrub 13.
Jan. 4- Rose Bowl Game. Pinch me that morning and see if I’m dreaming
Texas Football: It's Game Week
Apologies for the three-month absence since my last post, and if there's another three-month absence after this post.
Last year I posted my Texas Football Pedigree. Basically it was a pedestrian excuse to list some of my favorite games and moments from Longhorn football history. Saturday the Horns take the field in pursuit of the Rose Bowl, so I thought I might update that post for 2005.
Record in games I've Attended: 57-17-1
Home: 48-10-1
Road: 7-7
Bowl: 2-0
v. Oklahoma: 2-3
v. A&M: 5-0
v. Nebraska: 3-0
v. Texas Tech: 3-3
v. Baylor: 7-4
First Game: 1986 @ Baylor L 13-18
If I recall correctly, this game was notorious for Texas QB Bret Stafford throwing the ball out of bounds to stop the clock on Texas' potential game-winning drive. Too bad it was already fourth down.
First Home Game: 1988 v. North Texas W 28-24
The Horns trailed 24-7 in the second half, and Kerry cash's game-winning TD catch (or was it Keith?) was made about two feet out of bounds. [sarcasm] Man, I do miss the glory days of Texas Football, when we needed home cooking to beat North Texas. [/sarcasm]
Best Game Attended: 1999 v. Nebraska W 24-20
When Nebraska's final fourth down pass fell incomplete, I turned to high five a complete stranger. I completely missed, and hit him in the face, knocking his glasses to the ground. He shook it off and grabbed me in a elated hetero victory embrace. Runner-Up: 1998 v. Texas A&M W 26-24 Ricky broke the record and a little freckled kid with not much else but grit made a legend out of himself, bringing Texas from behind for a late win.
Favorite Game Attended: 1990 v. Texas A&M W 28-27
My dad and I sat in the temporary South End Zone folding chairs. The seats weren't the best, but I got to witness Mark Berry stuff Darren Lewis' go-ahead two-point conversion run from about 50 feet away. Runner-Up: 2002 @ Nebraska W 27-24 The cold was bitter, but the fans were nothing but hospitable, and for the second time in four years, Texas broke a long Husker home win streak.
Worst Game Attended: 2006 v. Oklahoma (Dallas) L 13-65
$200 down the drain. How bad was it? OU fans tried to cheer us up on the way out. "It's okay, man, keep your head up." Runner-Up: 1997 v. UCLA L 3-66 Route 66 was the closest I've ever come to being embarrased to be a Texas fan. Ugly.
Least Favorite Game Attended: 1992 @ Baylor L 20-21
Worst. Officiating. Ever. I've never seen a more irate Texas crowd after a game. Vince McMahon couldn't have orchestrated a better screwjob that afternoon. Runner-Up: 1996 v. Oklahoma L 27-30: To date it's Texas' only overtime game. A 4th-quarter meltdown that included a surrendered punt return for a touchdown doomed the Horns in my first-ever trip to the Cotton Bowl.
Best Road Trip: 2002 @ Tulane W 49-0
I remember the game, at least vaguely. What I really remember was the the Burnt Orange deluge of Bourbon Street, a horse cop that flashed the Hoom'Em with us in a photo, and a street musician playing "The Eyes of Texas" as we passed him. Runner-Up: 2004 @ Arkansas W 22-20: They hate us in Fayetteville. But that's okay because we danced in the corner of their end zone and they went home unhappy.
Worst Road Trip: 2002 @ Texas Tech L 42-38
I think Wes Welker might still be running circles around the Texas secondary. Runner-Up: None No road trip has ever come close to that.
Game I Most Regret Not Attending: 2005 Rose Bowl v. Michigan W 38-37
VY's five TD's were amazing, and even had Dusty Mangum's last-second kick not sailed (ever-so-gingerly) through the uprights, I'd still kick myself for having missed this game. Two storied powers played in college football's most tradition-rich setting in a game that went to the final tick of the clock... and I wasn't there. Damn. Runner-Up: 1990 v. Houston W 45-24 In two-plus decades of watching Texas Football, I've never see a more dominant Longhorn win. Houston wasn't any old team. They were the #3 team in the country, and Texas flat-out whipped their ass.
Favorite Longhorn Moments:
1. Ricky Williams's 60-yard TD run to break the NCAA all-time ruhing record in 1998.
2. Dusty mangum's FG to beat Michigan as time expired in the 2005 Rose Bowl.
3. 4th and Inches: James Brown to Derek Lewis in the 1996 Big XII title game.
4. Tony Jones' miracle catch to beat Arkansas on the final play in 1987.
5. Berry's play against A&M in 1990.
6. Stonie Clark's goalline stop to preserve a 17-10 Texas win against OU in 1994.
7. Bubba Jacques' fumble return for a TD to beat OU, 10-7, in 1991.
8. Phil Dawson's 50-yard game-winner against Virginia in 1995.
9. Priest Holmes' "Superman" TD to beat North Carloina in the 1994 Sun Bowl.
10. Beau Trahan kneeling the PAT attempt to hold Texas at 44 on "Cole Pittman Day" in the 2001 UNC game.
|
Last year I posted my Texas Football Pedigree. Basically it was a pedestrian excuse to list some of my favorite games and moments from Longhorn football history. Saturday the Horns take the field in pursuit of the Rose Bowl, so I thought I might update that post for 2005.
Record in games I've Attended: 57-17-1
Home: 48-10-1
Road: 7-7
Bowl: 2-0
v. Oklahoma: 2-3
v. A&M: 5-0
v. Nebraska: 3-0
v. Texas Tech: 3-3
v. Baylor: 7-4
First Game: 1986 @ Baylor L 13-18
If I recall correctly, this game was notorious for Texas QB Bret Stafford throwing the ball out of bounds to stop the clock on Texas' potential game-winning drive. Too bad it was already fourth down.
First Home Game: 1988 v. North Texas W 28-24
The Horns trailed 24-7 in the second half, and Kerry cash's game-winning TD catch (or was it Keith?) was made about two feet out of bounds. [sarcasm] Man, I do miss the glory days of Texas Football, when we needed home cooking to beat North Texas. [/sarcasm]
Best Game Attended: 1999 v. Nebraska W 24-20
When Nebraska's final fourth down pass fell incomplete, I turned to high five a complete stranger. I completely missed, and hit him in the face, knocking his glasses to the ground. He shook it off and grabbed me in a elated hetero victory embrace. Runner-Up: 1998 v. Texas A&M W 26-24 Ricky broke the record and a little freckled kid with not much else but grit made a legend out of himself, bringing Texas from behind for a late win.
Favorite Game Attended: 1990 v. Texas A&M W 28-27
My dad and I sat in the temporary South End Zone folding chairs. The seats weren't the best, but I got to witness Mark Berry stuff Darren Lewis' go-ahead two-point conversion run from about 50 feet away. Runner-Up: 2002 @ Nebraska W 27-24 The cold was bitter, but the fans were nothing but hospitable, and for the second time in four years, Texas broke a long Husker home win streak.
Worst Game Attended: 2006 v. Oklahoma (Dallas) L 13-65
$200 down the drain. How bad was it? OU fans tried to cheer us up on the way out. "It's okay, man, keep your head up." Runner-Up: 1997 v. UCLA L 3-66 Route 66 was the closest I've ever come to being embarrased to be a Texas fan. Ugly.
Least Favorite Game Attended: 1992 @ Baylor L 20-21
Worst. Officiating. Ever. I've never seen a more irate Texas crowd after a game. Vince McMahon couldn't have orchestrated a better screwjob that afternoon. Runner-Up: 1996 v. Oklahoma L 27-30: To date it's Texas' only overtime game. A 4th-quarter meltdown that included a surrendered punt return for a touchdown doomed the Horns in my first-ever trip to the Cotton Bowl.
Best Road Trip: 2002 @ Tulane W 49-0
I remember the game, at least vaguely. What I really remember was the the Burnt Orange deluge of Bourbon Street, a horse cop that flashed the Hoom'Em with us in a photo, and a street musician playing "The Eyes of Texas" as we passed him. Runner-Up: 2004 @ Arkansas W 22-20: They hate us in Fayetteville. But that's okay because we danced in the corner of their end zone and they went home unhappy.
Worst Road Trip: 2002 @ Texas Tech L 42-38
I think Wes Welker might still be running circles around the Texas secondary. Runner-Up: None No road trip has ever come close to that.
Game I Most Regret Not Attending: 2005 Rose Bowl v. Michigan W 38-37
VY's five TD's were amazing, and even had Dusty Mangum's last-second kick not sailed (ever-so-gingerly) through the uprights, I'd still kick myself for having missed this game. Two storied powers played in college football's most tradition-rich setting in a game that went to the final tick of the clock... and I wasn't there. Damn. Runner-Up: 1990 v. Houston W 45-24 In two-plus decades of watching Texas Football, I've never see a more dominant Longhorn win. Houston wasn't any old team. They were the #3 team in the country, and Texas flat-out whipped their ass.
Favorite Longhorn Moments:
1. Ricky Williams's 60-yard TD run to break the NCAA all-time ruhing record in 1998.
2. Dusty mangum's FG to beat Michigan as time expired in the 2005 Rose Bowl.
3. 4th and Inches: James Brown to Derek Lewis in the 1996 Big XII title game.
4. Tony Jones' miracle catch to beat Arkansas on the final play in 1987.
5. Berry's play against A&M in 1990.
6. Stonie Clark's goalline stop to preserve a 17-10 Texas win against OU in 1994.
7. Bubba Jacques' fumble return for a TD to beat OU, 10-7, in 1991.
8. Phil Dawson's 50-yard game-winner against Virginia in 1995.
9. Priest Holmes' "Superman" TD to beat North Carloina in the 1994 Sun Bowl.
10. Beau Trahan kneeling the PAT attempt to hold Texas at 44 on "Cole Pittman Day" in the 2001 UNC game.
Longhorn Sites
Astros Sites