Colt For Heisman

By Danny Reagan / Abilene, Texas

Texas vs. Texas Tech 2007 - one team with my favorite college quarterback and one team that is my alma mater - should be an instant classic.

It’ll be close, and if it’s not, something went horribly wrong for one of the teams.

Except for the “game of inches” football is notorious for (think Oklahoma State), the Longhorns (8-2, 4-2) and the Red Raiders (7-3, 3-3), could have each other’s records. If you recall, Tech lost to the Cowboys 49-45, while UT pulled out a 38-35 victory in Stillwater with 0:00 left on the clock. Both of those games could’ve easily gone the other way.

Over the past month UT is 4-0 and Tech is 2-2. During that same stretch, Tech QB Graham Harrell has put up these numbers: 157-of-214 (73.4%) for 1,686 yards, 11 TDs and 8 picks, while Colt McCoy is 80-of-119 (67.2%) for 1,054 yards, 6 TDs and 6 picks.

I wouldn’t put too much stock in those numbers to determine a winner. Passing is what Tech does, and Colt has found his legs, so to speak.

On “paper,” it is a toss-up: Texas has the home-field advantage and a multi-purpose offense which tends to thwart Tech, while Tech has their passing machine going up against a depleted secondary and has a pass-rush defense which will give Colt fits (especially with Dallas Griffin gone for the rest of the season).

I’m going to pick Tech to win - not out of school loyalty, but because there is less pressure on the Red Raiders, and the ‘Horns may be caught thinking ahead about the Aggies. And I always saw Texas going 10-3 this year … so that means a W against A&M and a bowl victory.

Of course, the thought of a BCS at-large bowl bid could have Texas extra movtivated. Who knows?

Whatever happens, I sure hope one of those teams is in the Alamo Bowl this year - upping my chances of seeing them live again.

Original post at GoColtGo.com

I’ve seen Oklahoma State play often enough to know that those Cowboys are just crazy enough to win when they shouldn’t.

Despite the fact that they’re tied for the Big 12 South lead and have a potent offense, some observers feel they should lose because of Texas’ ranking or the fact that OSU’s defense is giving up almost 4 touchdowns a game.

Just throw all that baloney out the window.

This game in Stillwater - which pits the shades or orange against each other - will be the toughest the ‘Horns will face to date. It starts a three-game stretch which will determine the Longhorns’ season - more or less. The way the Red Raiders are playing, that game against Tech isn’t looking as potent as it did earlier in the season, and UT will be looking for payback against the Aggies.

So this game at Boone Pickens Stadium Saturday takes on a new importance. Good timing, because Colt McCoy, Jamaal Charles and the rest of the Horns appear to have some momentum after escaping the ‘Huskers last week. Same thing can be said for the Cowboys who edge Kansas State, 41-39.

Sorry, but this is a long way around of saying that Texas better play like this is for all the marbles, because that’s the way the Cowboys will cinch it up.

Originally posted on GoColtGo

Quarterback Colt McCoy is showing up in the punting stats after one game. He had two quick kicks on fourth down, with both punts killed inside the 20. He averaged 30 yards a kick.

But McCoy, who was a punter in high school, isn’t looking to take on an additional role this year.

“It was situational,” he said Monday.

Mack Brown, in his 10th season with the Longhorns, has never had a quarterback punt. So McCoy’s ability to punt does give the Longhorns a new dimension to their fourth-down package. Now, an opposing defense has to think about a kick-quick when Texas lines up to convert a fourth down. UT was successful on nine of 16 fourth-down conversions in 2006.

Original post by Bevo Beat

Longhorn fans, here’s your team leader for 2007:

He’s Colt McCoy, the 20-year-old sophomore quarterback entering his second year as a starter.

The everyman’s kid brother, the one who hasn’t touched a drop of Dr Pepper or any other carbonated beverage since junior high, topped all expectations a year ago. Now, he could be the reason the fourth-ranked Longhorns can win big in 2007.

“He is trying to get perfection with everything he does,” said Texas coach Mack Brown. “He is just so much more confident and such a great leader.”

It does seem appropriate that the milk-drinking McCoy is the de facto bell cow of the 2007 Longhorns, a team that Brown has tagged as his youngest in the decade he’s been at Texas.

The official depth chart for Saturday’s season-opener won’t be released until Monday morning. But judging by the comments made by Brown and his staff during preseason, at least 20 freshmen and sophomores will figure in the 44-player, two-deep plans.

None will have a bigger role than McCoy, but fellow sophomores, such as tight end Jermichael Finley, linebacker Rod Muckelroy and cornerback Deon Beasley, could be stars by season’s end.

Brown likes to quote coach Darrell Royal when talking about the makeup of his team. The freshmen want to play, he says. The sophomores desire to be stars. The juniors want to win. And the seniors will do anything to make the victories happen.

Brown said he’s tried to manage his team differently this August. With so many younger players, he’s even had to go over simple logistics, from pregame meals to changing where the team enters Royal-Memorial Stadium on game days.

Overall, “they’ve done everything right,” Brown said. “We have pushed them really hard, and we’ve probably hit more in the spring and in the fall because of the younger guys. They’re tired and worn out, but they want to be good.”

The youth will be complemented by a blend of older players. They’ve mentored the youngsters throughout the summer. And they’ll have a big impact as well, as they seek to improve on a disappointing 10-3 season.

“We have a bunch of guys out there ready to work who have very high goals for the team and who are all about the team,” said junior receiver Quan Cosby, who gave up pro baseball three years ago. “It has been a very inspiring camp.”

Tony Hills, a senior offensive tackle, was laughing earlier in the month that his team didn’t really have many “characters.” Everyone is more low-key, he said.

For Hills and senior receiver Limas Sweed, the game of choice is the always-controversial dominoes. Their games do get competitive, though; trash talk is exchanged.

The older Longhorns are known to be bookish, as well as athletically gifted. Twelve are set to graduate in December. Center Dallas Griffin already earned his degree in the spring and is in graduate school.

(more…)

Colt McCoy is bigger, wiser, stronger and, according to his coach, playing better than ever. He’s even an NCAA record-holder.

Now if he could just grow some whiskers.

The Texas quarterback says he’s resigned to “looking like a 12-year-old - a young 12-year-old.” Hey, his daddy didn’t call him the “baby-faced assassin” for nothing when he was slinging those 29 touchdown passes last season.

McCoy, who turns 21 in September, may look like a kid, but there’s little question he has become the leader of the No. 4 Longhorns as they aim for their second national championship in three years.

“This is his team now,” coach Mack Brown said. “Colt looks the best I’ve seen him look.”

Impressive, considering he tied an NCAA freshman record for touchdown passes last season when he was just supposed to be a placeholder at the position in the post-Vince Young era. His 29 TDs were more than Young threw when Texas won the national title in 2005.

McCoy, who comes from the small West Texas town of Tuscola (population 714), redshirted his first year and matured quickly after stepping in for Young.

(more…)

AUSTIN, Texas - Texas sophomore QB Colt McCoy has been named to the 2007 Manning Award watch list, the Allstate Sugar Bowl announced on Wednesday.

The Manning Award is presented to college football’s top quarterback and is the only quarterback award that takes a candidate’s bowl performance into consideration. Former Longhorn and current Tennessee Titan Vince Young was the recipient of the award in 2005.

McCoy, who is also a member of the Maxwell Award watch list, honoring the nation’s outstanding collegiate football player, completed 217-of-318 passes (68.2%) for 2,570 yards (No. 1 on UT’s freshman single-season list/No. 5 on the UT’s single-season list) and 29 TDs (T-No. 1 on NCAA single-season freshman list/No. 1 on UT’s single-season list/No. 6 on UT’s career list) as a redshirt freshman in 2006. In total, McCoy tallied 2,740 yards of total offense (No. 1 on UT’s freshman single-season list/No. 9 on UT’s single-season list), while becoming the first freshman quarterback in UT history to win 10 games. He was named the National Freshman of the Year by The Sporting News and the Touchdown Club of Columbus for his efforts. In addition, McCoy was a semifinalist for the 2006 Davey O’Brien Award (nation’s top QB) and was also named Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year by the conference coaches and The Associated Press.

The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning, and will be presented to the recipient following the holiday bowl season. Finalists will be announced prior to the beginning of the bowl season. The winner will be determined by a selected panel of national media covering college football, as well as each of the Mannings.

Original post on Mack Brown - Texas Football

Fall practice is finally upon us. Check out the photo below of our boy Colt McCoy directing the team at one of the Longhorns’ first practices of the 2007 season:

Gameday can’t get here soon enough. Hook ‘em!

On how it was getting back out on the field: It was fine. We have been looking forward to this day for a long time. I think we handled it well and we’re ready for tomorrow.

On the chemistry with the receivers: The receivers look great out there. The first day is always tough with everyone out there wanting to do their best and show off for the coaches and show the work that they have put in over the summer. The work that we put in with the receivers was great. I felt like we had a great day and like I said we’re ready for tomorrow.

On comparing the first day this year versus last year: I’m definitely more comfortable. I’m excited because I know the potential that we have and the offensive line and receivers did great. I think overall for a first day we did really well. I definitely wasn’t as nervous as last year coming into this practice. I have the respect of my teammates and my coaches. It’s going to be a lot of fun this year.

On Jamaal Charles: You can’t tell much from the first work out, but with Jamaal he looks very fast. He carried the ball well and had no fumbles and that’s what you expect out of him.

On the mind frame of the team after the summer off the field issues: We’re positive. Everything about this team is positive energy. We’re not dwelling on anything negative. We hope the best for those guys. Coach Brown addressed us yesterday and talked about it, but it’s all behind us now and we’re looking forward.

On the offensive line: Cedric Dockery being back is going to help us a lot. There are a lot of young guys fighting for those upfront spots and Coach McWhorter is going to have someone ready to go. I felt like today they gelled and meshed together well.

On the back up quarterbacks separating: I think they will over time. You’re not going to be able to see anything the first couple of days. We’re not really doing anything really hard that is going to allow one of them to separate from the other. Right now they’re doing well, they’re understanding, they’re paying attention in meetings, and one of them will be ready to go.

On his performance today: I felt like it was good. My arm felt good. I played well. We didn’t do much, but overall it was good.

On how eager he and the others were to get out on the field: We were ready to go. I think we may have been a little over eager. We had everyone out there wanting to do their best and wanting to show off, but it was fun and that’s what you expect the first day.

On being able to spare some reps for the younger guys: I definitely feel like I can do that. I have a lot of stuff that I need to work on, a lot of things in my game that I need to tweak to make myself that much better, but at the same time the younger guys need a lot of reps. I feel like they’re doing really well. You can’t tell separation in the first couple days or weeks, but they’re doing fine right now. We may see both of them this year. Who knows?

On the announcement of Coach Rucker being diagnosed with prostate cancer: Everyone was very emotional. We’re behind Coach Rucker 100 percent. I can’t imagine what he’s going through, but for him to be able to stay around and coach us while he’s sick that shows you that this team is a family and that everyone cares for each other. We hope the best for Coach Rucker. It’s pretty motivating; he is one of the most emotional coaches and inspirational guys on our team. He is always there for everyone and to know that he is sick is a real downer for everyone, but we’re all positive and we’re not dwelling on anything negative. Coach Rucker is going to get through this and we’re all behind him.

On if he feels any pressure being rated the number four team in the country: No, not at all we have high expectations for ourselves. We don’t really pay attention to those, but we’re right where we want to be.

On Jermichael Finley: Jermichael is extremely important to our offense. He puts another dimension as a receiver, but he is also able to block. I know that he spent a lot of time in the weight room and with Coach Madden.

On working out this summer: I spent a lot of time in the weight room trying to put on some weight and get bigger so I can take a few more hits. You know you’re going to get rocked in the Big 12 so you have to be ready. I still feel comfortable and feel like I have the same speed.

On what the team is capable of: We’re looking forward to the first game. We understand that if we come together and play together, the expectations and potential for this team is very high. If we do the things that are going to take us to the top then that’s where we’re going to be, but right now we’re looking forward to Arkansas State.

On the team leadership: I feel like we have a lot of leaders on this team. We’re a team, everyone is going to speak up, everyone is going to play hard, there are definitely leaders on this team that people follow and look up to. They’re the older guys and when the older guys are doing right, the younger guys are going to follow them. We feel confident. We have made some mistakes, but we’re not focusing on that. We’re looking forward and staying positive and want to win games.

On the defense: I thought that today the defense played really well. Coach Akina has them doing great. I could tell there was a lot of a difference in the secondary and upfront they are looking really solid right now. They’re moving around and doing a lot of different things. I feel like they’re going to be right where they need to be.

On judging the team chemistry: We’ve played together all summer and I think what Coach Brown is talking about is the coaches and all the players coming together and getting a chemistry at the end of the week. That is a true statement, but as far as us being around each other and playing together this summer, to go out there the first day, it’s hard to build chemistry, but all the preparation that we’ve done this summer has got us ready.

Original post on Mack Brown - Texas Football

Rivals and SI.com have posted their QB rankings for 2007. Colt McCoy is their seventh best:

I’m not sure I’d put Colt that far down on the list. John David Booty came on at the end of the year but he didn’t overly impress me. Chad Henne had a solid freshman year but he’s hoping he can put up a season as good as McCoy’s last year. Pat White is an amazing athlete but he’s so average as a passer that I can’t put him up high on a list of QB’s.

Hopefully all this bulking up Colt McCoy is doing keeps him on the field:

His teammates joke that they notice new biceps on Texas quarterback Colt McCoy more than ever before.

A buffed-up McCoy might still bear a striking resemblance to the title character of “Malcolm in the Middle,” even at a hulkish 210 pounds. But McCoy said the added weight should have him better prepared for his second season as the Longhorns’ starter.

“I need to be,” McCoy said. “I’m tired of being thrown around and I don’t want to get hurt again. I spent a lot of time in the weight room to get ready for the season. Everybody has.”

I worry about him getting too big and too stiff out there. We want him mobile enough that he can avoid a hit or two as well. Hopefully the development of backups Sherrod Harris and John Chiles as a dual threat option at QB can give Colt a few breaks.