Texas to “Pound the Ball” Against TCU

Mack Brown preached “pounding the ball” during his Wednesday press conference, saying the phrase half a dozen times over the[s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]  course of the weekly Q&A. And after big games from Johnathan Gray and Malcolm Brown, it’s clear Texas has found their offensive identity.

“That’s who we are,” Brown said. “We’re a downhill, power running football team.

“And the option stuff we had with David (Ash), we don’t have with Case (McCoy). So, it’s more of a power game now than it even was when we started the season.”

However, TCU’s defense might present the biggest test the Longhorns’ running backs have seen this year.

“No one’s run it well against TCU this year,” Brown said. “The couple of teams that got 200 yards they had to run it a whole bunch to get that 200.”

Despite what has been a disappointing 3-4 start for the Horned Frogs, TCU still ranks 31^st in total defense and 17^th in rushing defense, allowing a mere 115 rushing yards per game. TCU also ranks 3^rd in the league in interceptions.

This is likely a product of TCU putting teams in third-and-long situations after two failed rush attempts. The TCU defense is then able to put the quarterback in precarious situations and force bad throws. How Case McCoy is able to handle such situations, and whether Brown remains patient with the running game, will be key. If the Longhorns want to leave Ft. Worth with a win, they need a balanced offensive attack and confidence from the QB position.

“You can’t give up on the run too soon because it’s not going to be easy,” Brown said. “You’ve got to continue to pound it. You’ve got to give it to Johnathan and Malcolm enough to get their four yards, and then that four yards becomes six and eight as the game goes on.”

Other Notes:

• Adrian Phillips and Alton Santos have been practicing and should be ready to go Saturday. Josh Cochran is still being evaluated and that will probably be a game-time decision.
• Ash will not play but continues to make progress. Brown said Ash meets with offensive coordinator Major Applewhite every day.
• Brown complimented TCU and head coach Gary Patterson: “You go back and look at this team, they’ve played the hardest schedule so far in our league. They’re a much better team than perceived, and we’ve got our hands full on Saturday.”
• When asked about the team’s confidence following the win over Oklahoma: “Did you enjoy the trip from BYU better than Oklahoma. No. Why? Because you played well. You want to be happy, win. Are the fans happier this week than they were against BYU? Yeah. So, if you like (winning), keep (winning).”
• Brown said that Senior DT Chris Whaley, along with Jackson Jeffcoat, are the two most vocal leaders on the defensive side of the ball.
• According to Brown, there was a noticeable spike in recruiting buzz following the win over Oklahoma. “Guys were calling and asking if we still had room.”

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