Texas Longhorns looking to avoid another dramatic finish against Oklahoma State

By JIMMY BURCH

jburch@star-telegram.com

AUSTIN — In a series marked by dramatic comebacks in recent seasons, Texas coach Mack Brown said Monday he is working to avoid adding to the Longhorns’ list of great escapes against Oklahoma State.

Specifically, Brown has challenged himself to do a better job of motivating and preparing his players heading into Saturday’s matchup between No. 3 Texas (7-0, 4-0 in Big 12) and No. 13 OSU (6-1, 3-0) in Stillwater, Okla.

"I haven’t gotten our team ready to play in this game enough. We’ve stood around some. It’s been our fault," Brown said, reflecting on the fact that the Longhorns have needed comebacks from large deficits to win four of the teams’ last six meetings. Included are comebacks from deficits of nine points (2003), 19 points (2005) and 21 points (2007) in the last three meetings in Stillwater.

"Most of that is on me for not having them as prepared for this game as they needed to be," Brown said. "I’ve got a great challenge this week."

Brown said the Longhorns will take a high-energy approach in workouts this week, seeking to build off momentum provided by last week’s offensive resurgence in a 41-7 victory at Missouri.

"We want to go into Stillwater with a swagger," Brown said. "This has a chance to be the best team we’ve had in a long time if our offense will continue to grow."

Brown said he has seen the "same buzz" in team meetings for the past two days that the Longhorns typically exhibit while preparing to meet Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry — a fresh twist for OSU week.

What has changed?

"Oklahoma State is a lot better than they were when we got here," said Brown, who has an 11-0 record in matchups against the Cowboys. "They have our team’s full attention and I expect us to play great on Saturday."

Separation at tailback

Heading into the team’s eighth game, offensive coordinator Greg Davis finally has seen a line of demarcation among his tag-team tailbacks. Davis said co-starters Fozzy Whittaker and Cody Johnson "have stepped up and separated themselves" from Vondrell McGee and Tré Newton, thereby figuring more prominently in future game plans.

Because the Whittaker-Johnson tandem is "working well," Mack Brown said McGee and Newton figure to get most of their snaps on special teams for the foreseeable future.

"When you start talking about alternating backs, you may alternate two. You’re not going to alternate four," Brown said. "So, if it’s working, you’re going to play those two."

Media relations

On the same day Florida quarterback Tim Tebow issued an apology to reporters in Gainesville, Fla., for skipping postgame interviews after Saturday night’s game at Mississippi State, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy made it clear he would not be tempted to blaze a similar trail. Not even if he has two touchdowns returned for interceptions, as Tebow did in the Gators’ 29-19 victory.

Asked Monday if he had ever been tempted to bypass a postgame interview after a poor performance, McCoy said: "I think it’s your job as a leader, as a quarterback, that no matter what — if you play good, or you don’t — you have to go talk to the media. You’re the voice for all the fans, for everybody, to let them know happened and what’s going on. That’s your job as a quarterback."

Bryant, Hunter watch

Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp said he is actively breaking down videotapes of OSU tailback Kendall Hunter (foot injury) and receiver Dez Bryant (ruled ineligible by NCAA), two standouts who have not played since September, in anticipation of seeing them Saturday. Hunter, injured since Sept. 12, suited up but did not play last week. Bryant, who last played on Sept. 19, is awaiting word on an NCAA appeal to have his eligibility restored.

"We will prepare for them full-force," Muschamp said. "You don’t ever want to come out on the field and be shocked."

UCF telecast

Fox Sports Southwest will televise the team’s Nov. 7 game against Central Florida that kicks off at 11 a.m. in Austin.

Shipley a semifinalist

Texas receiver Jordan Shipley (58 catches, 713 yards) was selected Monday as one of 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top receiver.

Huey to start

Right guard Michael Huey is "100 percent" recovered from an ankle injury suffered Sept. 5 and will start Saturday, Mack Brown said. Huey split time with Tray Allen in last week’s Missouri game after lasting only 12 plays the previous week against Oklahoma.

Jimmy Burch, 817-390-7760

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