Hats off…

1–2 minutes

January 4, 2006

…to the Longhorns and the Trojans. Texas came in and played a great game, and should enjoy their victory celebration. Not much I can say about it in great detail at this point….would have liked to have seen the Trojans play better and seen a few calls go the other way, but what can you do now?

Full coverage (photos, recap/aftermath) to follow. For now, may I recommend drinking a glass of Jameson’s (or whatever soothes you) to the Trojans, and everything they’ve done between today and the last time we felt this bitter sting of defeat, all the way back on September 27, 2003.

29 responses to “Hats off…”

matthew

January 4, 2006 at 10:26 pm

i forgot how this feels. it feels terrible.

but congrats to the longhorns – they outplayed us,

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Penny M.

January 4, 2006 at 10:27 pm

The SI jinx continues . . .Texas looked like they wanted it more and certainly played like the better team tonight. Too much media hype took its toll.

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CrimsonTide12xsChamps

January 5, 2006 at 4:58 am

I am glad to see all USC fans are not sore losers. The folks over at the USCfootballblog are as bad as Leinhart himself. They could not take the heat, so they erased all the comments after weeks of trash talk.

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Steve

January 5, 2006 at 5:31 am

“Thank you” to the three USC fans with class (the ones who have posted comments here).

I couldn’t believe how Leinhart responded after such an incredible game. “They just made the plays at the end”?? Come on…that’s like Jeff Gordon saying, “I’m a better driver; Tony Stewart just drove faster the last few laps.”

The fact is that both teams are incredibly good. And to have a run like USC has had is tremendous; Texas absolutely HAD to play a top-notch game to get this victory. But give them credit: they did.

Thank you for giving some credit where it’s due. Both teams were excellent, but Texas just managed to outplay USC for the championship, and that’s what this game was all about.

Hook ’em Horns!

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Kevin

January 5, 2006 at 8:00 am

Yes, good to see there is some class in the Trojan Nation, despite Leinart’s class-less post-loss comments. News flash: The Longhorns WERE the better team–on the field, where it counts.
Congrats on your 34 consecutive victories, but that, as they say, is history.

Hook ’em Horns!

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Sid Vicious

January 5, 2006 at 8:46 am

Leinart is right. USC has a better A-game than Texas. Vince Young is Texas. Vince Young played a perfect game, running all over USC and committing no turnovers.

But if USC played it’s A-game (negating the uncharacteristic 3 turnovers inside the red zone in the first quarter), USC would have won decidedly no matter how many tackles Vince Young shed.

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matthew

January 5, 2006 at 9:29 am

I totally agree, but we look like a bunch of punks if we make those arguments. USC made major mistakes and didn’t convert when they had to. Texas did, played the better game, were the better team last night, and won the game that really counted. As much as we want to say USC lost the game with their mistakes, Texas ran all over USC, too.

The possible silver lining: maybe, but maybe, the Texans will draft VY and not Reggie!

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SC4life

January 5, 2006 at 9:30 am

Ok yes Texas did win….does that make them the better team kind of….they were the better team last night for the last drive thats about it if SC punted on their last drive the game would have been different if they would have reviewed Youngs pitch it would have been different… I am not trying to make excuses but like leinart said they (Texas) made better plays at the END.

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CrimsonTide12xsChamps

January 5, 2006 at 9:40 am

Listen crybaby, Young did shed all those tackles and USC did have those 3 fumbles not to mention they can’t convert on 4 and 2. Texas had the attitude; we are going to attack, USC is going to suffer, we are going to win. They wanted it more. Leinart is a weenie punk. I can’t wait until he goes pro. Maybe he will get drafted by the Lions or some other weak team and get put on his back everytime the ball is snapped. Oh yeah, he looks just like that goofy bachelor guy Bob Guiney.

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SC4life

January 5, 2006 at 9:48 am

ummm….im sorry but texas fans or crimson tide fans for that matter CrimsonTide12xsChamps can’t talk crap about SC considering our back up quarterback is going to be a heisman candidate soon and dwayne jarret is coming back im sorry bro but SC is the better team and if Young goes pro Texas is gona suck next year and SC will be one of the top runners again its just facts and you wanna talk about SC Quarterbacks going pro have you heard of a guy named Carson Palmer??

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T-Wire

January 5, 2006 at 9:50 am

As far as Leinart’s comments go–give me a fucking break. The guy just played his last college football game, and he’s proud of his team and all they accomplished. If Texas fans really feel SO slighted by his comments then I can only draw one conclusion — you’re not enjoying your hard-fought win enough.

Like I said before–congratulations to Texas and all of their fans on their win.

But as someone who’s recently been there before, a word of advice–in winning, try to act like MAYBE you’ve done it before.

Celebrate with class. Party it up and enjoy the spoils. Don’t waste so much time busting the losing team’s balls on semantics.

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matthew

January 5, 2006 at 10:20 am

I can accept defeat graciously, but Leinart doesn’t look goofy. Dude is a looker. Between him and Reggie’s good looks and LenDale’s cuteness, USC wins the look championship hands down (no homo). But this *is* LA.

(Dwayne Jarrett is kinda ugly, though, I gotta admit.)

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frontinus

January 5, 2006 at 11:52 am

I can understand Leinart’s comment. I mean he just got outplayed on the biggest stage of all by a quarterback continually slighted as an inept passer. That’s got to sting a bit. Best thrower since Rome outlawed the olympics and he’s punked by a Big 12(!) runner who wasn’t NFL material 24 hours ago. I can almost cry with the guy.

But Leinart is not representative of USC fans and only UT homers would try to make that case so stop helping them by defending the primadonna. Just remind them of Young’s comments at the Heisman ceremony and call a truce. Neither of the heros is without stain.

As far as the game goes, both teams have cause to be proud. Those of us who are fans of, uhum, other teams will probably never feel what you guys did last night. We’ll never have an historic team like USC and we’ll never have a Young. So suck it up and be happy.

USC will dominate far longer than UT. Mack Brown and Greg Davis will be deified and set in bronze before long despite both of them being nearly incompetent. Some of us were saying in 2003 that Young was a man among boys and could be the best college QB ever. It took 3 years for him to reach his potential IN SPITE of the best efforts of his coaches. I’d give more credit for Young’s development to Steve McNair than to anyone on the coaching staff at UT. Aside from counters-galore they’ve had the same playbook for Young that they had for Chance Mock, Major Applewhite, etc. Even 3 years ago it was plain to see Young was a freak outside the pocket yet I could probably count on my digits alone the number of options he ran each season. So whoever posted that UT would be nothing without Young, you’re absolutely right. Try as they might they will never hide their shortcomings without him. Mack and Davis(especially) will be the Switzer of Texas football in 5 years.

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CrimsonTide12xsChamps

January 5, 2006 at 11:55 am

Who cares about the Heisman? That trophy doesn’t win football games. I remember a guy named Ron Dane that won the Heisman in 1999-2000 season, where is he now? Shaun Alexander did not even get an invite to the ceremony and had 24 TD’s that year–more than any other RB. Alexander is now a star NFL running back while Ron Dane is somewhere eating cornbread and butterbeans. All I am saying is that trophy does not win football games or championships. The Tide has never had a heisman winner but have produced some great players and have won 12 titles. The Snake, Joe Namath, Derrick Thomas, Bart Starr just to name a few. It is ok to lose sometimes, just don’t act like USC deserved to win just because they are USC. Texas won just as many games this season as USC, otherwise they would not have been playing for the national title. When USC can come to the SEC or ACC and consistantly win then I will be impressed. There is no comparison between the PAC 10 and those conferences.

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frontinus

January 5, 2006 at 12:05 pm

Last I checked Dayne was trying to resurrect his career at Mile High(or whatever they’re calling it nowadays). He actually looks to be in better shape than when he was at Wisconsin so I wouldn’t make him the butt of any Heisman jabs just yet.

There’s also no comparison between the Big 12 and the SEC or Big 10. So what? The BCS bandwagoners will get so much damned traction with this game we won’t hear about playoffs til 2010.

By the way, which conference won the Bowl Challenge thingy ESPN has every year? I didn’t see them show the updated records last night which is understandable.

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MattR

January 5, 2006 at 1:48 pm

Anyone out there have this game on Tivo? I am 99% sure that the Reggie Bush lateral was forward, but I cannot find a good replay online to confirm it and I forgot to set my DVR. It looks like the ball left Reggie’s hand at about the 20 (or maybe even 21) and hit the ground at about the 18. It just looked like it was backwards since Bush’s body was going back at the same time. Good thing college introduced instant replay.

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Sid Vicious

January 5, 2006 at 2:08 pm

I was lined up on the hash right where Reggie lateraled it, which was forward, but since it wasn’t complete I believe it’s ruled a fumble

there should be no excuses regarding the officiating anyways. (see Miami, 34-game win streak, losing the national championship on a bad call, 2002)

the officials will always give the underdog the benefit of doubt

if USC was going to win, they shouldn’t have allowed Texas to hang so close

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Sid Vicious

January 5, 2006 at 2:16 pm

For all you Texans calling that game one of the greatest college football games ever, you need to dig deeper.

First off the Rose Bowl is less than a majestic setting for anything great to happen

Secondly, both defenses were committed to playing everything underneath. I don’t remember a single spectacular or memorable play

#11 scrambling is like playing your buddy in John Madden ’92 who insists on using Randall Cunningham; sure it works, but it’s far from impressive.

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frontinus

January 5, 2006 at 2:58 pm

“For all you Texans calling that game one of the greatest college football games ever, you need to dig deeper.”

Funny, I think most of the people peddling the hype machine today are most decidely not from Texas. Hell, even Tony Kornhole and Wilbon were going a bit overboard as were the rest of ESPN(and Fox, SI, etc.).

“First off the Rose Bowl is less than a majestic setting for anything great to happen”

Strange, it is still the “grandaddy of them all”, no? I do remember nearly painting my monitor with lunch reading multiple paeans to the sunset over the press box. But if you say so, Sid. Horrible setting for college football. Almost as bad as Death Valley, Happy Valley, and the Horseshoe…..

“…I don’t remember….”

You’ve identified the problem. Best of luck correcting it.

“#11 scrambling is like playing your buddy in John Madden ’92 who insists on using Randall Cunningham; sure it works, but it’s far from impressive.”

Number 11? Ramonce Taylor? Ok, you meant 10. Pardonable mistake. So what you’re saying is that Vince was so dominating and unstoppable that he made the game, what, pedestrian? Boring? Mmmkay, interesting angle but I doubt you’ll find many takers.

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TSD

January 5, 2006 at 3:16 pm

Great game. COngrats to Texas! USC played great but not good enough i guess and the new #1 team is texas. USC has alot of spaces to fill next season and lets hope we do. Untill then #2 is okay. texas was truly the better team and VY was amazing. The kid is crazy and if he stays they can repeat! Good luck to both teams in 06-07 season! rematch fiesta bowl next year?

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frontinus

January 5, 2006 at 3:23 pm

Since I asked the question here….

http://www.fanblogs.com/bowl_games/006339.php

Run down of the bowls by conference. Somewhat surprised. Personally I’d rank the conferences 1) Big Ten, 2) SEC, 3) ACC, 4) Big 12, 5) Pac 10. But that’s more personal preference based on style of play than anything else. Top-to-bottom strength I’d probably flip 1 and 2 and 4 and 5. All B(C)S anyways.

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Lambowolf

January 5, 2006 at 3:24 pm

Let me say, I am a UH Cougar…ok ok.. no jokes please…

First thing, I am amazed about how some of you are breaking this game down like you are. This was probably the best game I have ever seen played. I have to take my hat off to Coach Pete on going for it on the Fourth and 2 call. You get the first down, USC wins…The Longhorns couldn’t stop LenDale White going between the Tackles all night. So you take the win when you get it.

Yes, there were bad calls against USC, but Texas did have an interception that they didn’t get. Every game is going to have bad calls, the Great Teams rise about bad calls for it is part of the game.

USC’s biggest mistake wasn’t having to deal bad calls, but not making the knock out punch when they did have their chances. Not making the fouth and 2, also not kicking a field goal earlier in the game.

Instead of making the knock out punch, they gave Young the ball back, and he took the knock out punch.

I can understand how Leinart felt, but his words were not “Politically Correct” I will give the guy slack, he did go to the UT Lockeroom afterwards.

Also, you guys giving Mack Brown no love. He just coached a team to the National Championship. How many 10 win season did he just have? He must have some idea on what he is doing. Also, just winning the National Championship will prob help Texas with their recruiting and keeping those Texas High School Prospects from going North the Red River.

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frontinus

January 5, 2006 at 4:50 pm

I’m sorry, but Mack has ALWAYS gotten credit for being a great recruiter. I doubt anyone would dispute it now that he’s in one of the major football farms–Texas. Texas, like Florida and California, will support more than one major program. UTexas probably has one of the biggest budgets for their sporting programs in the history of collegiate athletics. And next year it’ll be even higher after they get $13-$14 mil for the naming rights to their baseball stadium. They’ll have close to $100,000,000(for oen year) to play with. And Mack is smack dab in the middle of a high school football goldmine. Dallas Carter, Plano(east, west, senior, etc.), Southlake, Smithson, etc., etc. Teams routinely ranked by USA Today. Same with Pete at USC, Bobby at FSU, etc. They get the best classes year in and year out and hardly ever have to travel more than a few hours to do so. But Mack will NEVER get another Vince Young(or a chance at another Adrian Peterson for that matter) so every Longhorn fan better hope that Mack and Greg actually figure out how to do more than just recruit. This national championship confirms Young’s greatness alone. If UT gets one post-Young then I’ll eat my office carpet and hop onto the Mack bandwagon with a smile. Until then no love from me. No apologies either.

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Mark

January 6, 2006 at 10:02 am

Kevin, you’re useless.

Your comment is similar to a common Southern phrase: “…& If frogs had wings, they wouldn’t bump their balls when they hop.”

~v~

Posted by: Kevin at January 5, 2006 08:00 AM

“Leinart is right. USC has a better A-game than Texas. Vince Young is Texas. Vince Young played a perfect game, running all over USC and committing no turnovers.

But if USC played it’s A-game (negating the uncharacteristic 3 turnovers inside the red zone in the first quarter), USC would have won decidedly no matter how many tackles Vince Young shed.”

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trojanman

January 6, 2006 at 12:16 pm

Pertaining to a few of the comments made on leinarts take on the game….it was a classless comment. If you need an example of class look no farther than the sooners of oklahoma, they have gotten spanked two years in a row after being heavily favored, and look at their post-game press. Heck even look at what their heisman winner had to say, go back and look…you’ll find alot more class there than in leinart… anyway…those of you who read the trash-talk forum may remember me, i predicted that texas would win. I was rooting for the tide just as hard as anyone else, but just because i could see this coming doesnt make me less of a fan. Props to texas and mac, and props to sc and a great next season.

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Bruce

January 6, 2006 at 7:34 pm

You certainly have to give Vince Young and Texas their due. They beat a USC team that had two Heisman trophy winners. He who wins last, laughs last.
But reading some Texas fan comments on the blogs, they should remember they beat USC by 3 points in a clincher. It wasn’t 55-19, 28-14 or 38-17 (USC’s winning scores in the last 3 post-season bowl games). A win is a win, but it wasn’t domination. Look at the game stats: First downs even; Total yards USC 574, UT 556; Passing efficiency Young 75%, Leinart 70%; time of possession USC 32, Texas 28. The winning streak had to come to an end (I would have preferred in next season). But 34 games was a great run, and 45 out of 47 is excellent too.

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Foyt4

January 7, 2006 at 7:27 pm

Great game, BUT….I can only imagine what the Texas defense thought when after USC calling time-out and USC lined up in a power run scheme that had Heisman winner Reggie Bush standing on the sidelines, and in that formation me and everyone in my living room in Indiana knew last years Heisman winner Leinart was’nt a threat to throw, we knew White would carry the ball. Question? If I could see it from my easy chair don’t ya think the Texas defense saw it!! Especially the linebackers who with Bush on the sidelines did’nt have to cover him on the outside!! When a defense see’s a formation like that it allows the linemen to go all out & shoot gaps, this free’s up all linebackers,and secondary to sell out and attack the ball!! Just like Texas done it. Can you imagine a potent offense like the Indianapolis Colts in the EXACT same situation benching Harrison,Wayne,Stokley,Clark,and the Edge at running back and lineup like USC in a power formation with extra blockers and Dominick Rhodes the lone back. NO WAY!! That’s what I thought when I saw USC in that formation. I thought my FREAKING eyes were seeing things. It was a great game, I just wish Bush & Leinart and their feared offensne would have had a chance to pick up 2 yards, with the field spread the way they made Texas try to cover them in the second half!! But, congrats to the Texas organization because they sure played it ALL so well…Ed Bowlen

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Foyt4

January 7, 2006 at 7:29 pm

Great game, BUT….I can only imagine what the Texas defense thought when after USC calling time-out and USC lined up in a power run scheme that had Heisman winner Reggie Bush standing on the sidelines, and in that formation me and everyone in my living room in Indiana knew last years Heisman winner Leinart was’nt a threat to throw, we knew White would carry the ball. Question? If I could see it from my easy chair don’t ya think the Texas defense saw it!! Especially the linebackers who with Bush on the sidelines did’nt have to cover him on the outside!! When a defense see’s a formation like that it allows the linemen to go all out & shoot gaps, this free’s up all linebackers,and secondary to sell out and attack the ball!! Just like Texas done it. Can you imagine a potent offense like the Indianapolis Colts in the EXACT same situation benching Harrison,Wayne,Stokley,Clark,and the Edge at running back and lineup like USC in a power formation with extra blockers and Dominick Rhodes the lone back. NO WAY!! That’s what I thought when I saw USC in that formation. I thought my FREAKING eyes were seeing things. It was a great game, I just wish Bush & Leinart and their feared offensne would have had a chance to pick up 2 yards, with the field spread the way they made Texas try to cover them in the second half!! But, congrats to the Texas organization because they sure played it ALL so well…Ed Bowlen

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colt stoldt

November 25, 2006 at 11:47 pm

good luck against the best team in the nation! you’ll need it

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