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Updated: August 18, 6:00 PM ET Mock will get a little help from his friends By Mark Wangrin Special to ESPN.com |
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Texas Longhorns
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Coach: Mack Brown (49-15, 6th season) 2002 overall record: 11-2 Conference record: 6-2 Returning starters Offense: 8 Defense: 8 Kicker/Punter: 1 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Cedric Benson* (1,293 yds) Passing: Chris Simms (3,207 yds) Receiving: Roy Williams* (1,142 yds) Tackles: Reed Boyd* (123) Sacks: Cory Redding (8.5) Interceptions: Dakarai Pearson* (6) Outlook: Chance Mock's job description is short on glory and long on staying clean. All the junior quarterback has to do is make sure he gets the ball to running back Cedric Benson and receivers like Roy Williams, B.J. Johnson and David Thomas -- and then get out of the way. "Our receiving corps will help," Williams said. "All he has to do is put it somewhere in the vicinity and we'll come down with it." Texas has been in the vicinity before -- the Longhorns' led OU in the fourth quarter in their last two losses to the Sooners -- but hasn't come down with it. Texas may be as deep as any team at receiver and running back, and the return Bo Scaife from his third major knee surgery and the development of Thomas, whose poised for a break out year, give Mock two outstanding targets at tight end. Defensively the Longhorns have outstanding play-makers in linebacker Derrick Johnson and cornerback Nathan Vasher, an underrated safety in Dakarai Pearson and plenty of speed. What they don't have is experience at linebacker and end, which could ultimately hold them back. "I think after the first 11-2 season, our guys were satisfied," coach Mack Brown said. "But after the econd 11-2 season, there was some disappointment, which meant our guys thought they could go farther. That's progress." Keep an eye on: Kalen Thornton. The senior defensive end is finally healthy after two years of battling knee injuries and should have a bigger impact on games that former teammate and All-America end Cory Redding, now with the Detroit Lions. Thornton is lighter and quicker than he was a year ago and primed for a big year. "Nobody's seen the real Kalen Thornton yet,'' he said. They will. Key game: It's clear the Oklahoma Sooners have taken up residence in the Longhorns' skulls -- Roy Williams talked about how the Longhorns don't have to beat OU to achieve their goals -- and they're dangerously close to owning them. If Williams is healthy and the Longhorns can run the ball, they'll have a shot to walk out of the Cotton Bowl on Oct. 11 with a win after three-straight double-digit losses to the Sooners. If not, well, there'll always those other goals. It's a good year if. . .: The Longhorns win 11 games. But Texas fans aren't the type to keep settling for good years. They want great ones. A Big 12 title and a win in what would be the first BCS bowl game in Brown's six seasons at the school would qualify. Mark Wangrin covers the Big 12 for the San Antonio Express-News.
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