By Steve Habel/Senior Editor
AUSTIN — The key to a Texas win this Thursday against Texas Tech’s offensive juggernaut is to run the ball and control the clock to keep the Red Raiders’ attack off the field.
After all, Tech’s defense is next-to-last in the Big 12 and 122nd in rushing defense out of the 127 FBS teams ranked, allowing 259.9 yards per game through its first 11 contests, so the Red Raiders are there for the taking, right?
There’s one problem in the Longhorns’ plan, however, [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]and it’s a big one. UT’s top two running backs, sophomore D’Onta Foreman and senior Johnathan Gray, are injured. Foreman, who had hand surgery last week, is definitely out, and Gray — who injured his right foot Nov. 14 against West Virginia — is listed as day-to-day for the annual Turkey Day contest. If he does play, he certainly will not be 100 percent.
That puts the bulk of Texas’ running attack on the Longhorns’ two quarterbacks — Jerrod Heard and Tyrone Swoopes — and a pair of true freshman running backs, Chris Warren III and Kirk Johnson, who have combined for 100 yards on 23 carries this season.
“People have been successful running the ball against Tech and we want to stick with that plan,” Texas coach Charlie Strong said Monday at his weekly media availability. “If we block right, No. 25 (Warren) will get his yards.
“Warren hasn’t had the carries that the other guys have had, but I feel comfortable with him. He’s a big, physical back and I think he will take advantage of his opportunity.”
Thursday’s game is also Senior Night for the Longhorns, as 22 seniors — 14 of them on scholarship — play for the final time in Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
Strong said it would be a shame if Gray, who’s meant so much to the team and its transition from the Mack Brown coaching regime to the current staff, isn’t able to play in his final home game.
“It will be tough if J. Gray can’t play because he’s a special player and a special person,” Strong said. “He hasn’t had the year we, or he, hoped he would, but he’s been so important to the team and his teammates.”
Texas Tech’s prolific offense, which gains 588.1 yards per game (good enough for third in the nation — and the Big 12 Conference, behind Baylor and TCU) racks up the majority of its yards (391.3 ypg) through the air.
“We have to limit Tech’s big plays, because they are very explosive — the most-wide open offense we will see this year,” Strong explained. “We can’t give up the home run plays — I just hope they don’t score too quickly.”
Tech also shines on third downs, converting 91 of 170 (53.5 percent) to lead the nation. The Texas defense often has trouble getting off the field on third downs, ranking 119th in the nation while allowing opponents to convert 47.2 percent of the time.
Other items gleaned from the Texas presser Monday included:
Texas has won 14 of the past 16 games in the 64-game series with Tech, including the past six contests.
Guard Patrick Vahe will miss the Tech game with a knee injury. Strong said he hopes to have Vahe, a freshman, back for the Dec. 5 against Baylor.
Strong said the team knows what it has to do to earn a bowl nod and understands the importance of garnering a spot in the postseason. “The guys know we have to win out, and we’re focused and determined to do it,” he said.
Strong addressed continuing questions about his interest, or lack of, in the Miami coaching job by saying he has told his players he will be at Texas for the long run. “I told them I’m not going anywhere,” he said, “and that I’m here for the duration and working to get this program turned around.”
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