Were it not for a late-game defensive play, late-game coaching boners from Charlie Strong‘s offensive staff -- not a near-record performance -- would’ve been the talk of Austin watercoolers come Monday morning.
So, given the scoreboard, we’re here to praise the Texas Longhorns not bury them (too much). In particular, we’re here to praise D’Onta Foreman as the junior ran for a career-high 341 yards in the 45-37 road win over Texas Tech. The total was just nine off tying the school single-game record of 350 yards set by Ricky Williams in 1996.
With 250 yards in last week’s win over previously unbeaten Baylor, Foreman has now rushed for at least 200 yards in back-to-back games. He’s the first Longhorn to accomplish that feat since Hodges Mitchell in 2000 and just the fourth in program history.
Despite that historic production, however, Foreman was inexplicably persona non grata late in the game as the Longhorns’ tried to ice the win.
Up 45-37 and facing a 3rd-and-2 from the Tech 27-yard line with under three minutes remaining, quarterback Tyrone Swoopes ran for one yard. Facing a 4th-and-1 on the following play, Swoopes was stopped for no gain. Not only did Foreman, he of one of the greatest rushing performances in school history, not get the ball in at least one of those situations, he wasn’t even on the field.
Unless Foreman was injured -- and there’s been no indication he was -- offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert and his head coach have some esplainin’ to do.Play calling
— Clarence Hill (@clarencehilljr) November 5, 2016
Why no foreman
— Clarence Hill (@clarencehilljr) November 5, 2016
What a baffling series from Sterlin Gilbert.
— Mike Finger (@mikefinger) November 5, 2016
Tech took over on downs and proceeded to drive to the Texas 20. Strong, his coordinator and his Longhorns were saved intense scrutiny by a Patrick Mahomes interception in the end zone to seal the win.
Head coach Charlie Strong bailed out by defensive coordinator Charlie Strong.
— Mike Finger (@mikefinger) November 5, 2016
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2016 Texas Longhorns!