24 BIG 12
TEXAS LONGHORNS
Kindle's big sack helps Texas pull away
By Michael Sherfield Daily Texan
AUSTIN, Texas — Sergio Kindle had been waiting for this one all night, setting it up patiently.
First, he showed his strength, bull rushing blockers and getting pressure on Texas Tech quarterback Taylor Potts as the Texas defense disrupted the Red Raiders' vaunted passing attack all night.
Then, with one flash of speed, Kindle was in the backfield, finally getting his hands on Potts, dislodging him of his helmet as well as the ball with a vicious hit.
The fourth-quarter sack and fumble proved to be the turning point as the Long-horns got their revenge over Texas Tech with a 34-24 victory at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday night.
"In the first half, it was more of a bull rush to see what type of rush I needed," Kindle said after getting his first sack of the season. "When I saw he was looking for a bull rush, I switched to a speed [rush] and it was successful for me. I just ran right by him."
Fittingly, it was a defensive play that
finally allowed Texas to pull away in a game that never lived up to its hype as an offensive shoot-out. After Sam Acho recovered Potts' fumble at the 14-yard line, Texas scored its third and final offensive touchdown of the night. It wasn't apparent until Colt McCoy found receiver Dan Buckner in the back of the end zone, gaining a 31-17 lead with less than 10 minutes left, that the Longhorns would not relinquish this time around.
"Sergio blasted him, and that's his M.O., what that he does," Acho said. "We were all over [Potts Saturday], just trying to turn some of those pressures into sacks."
The Texas offense managed only a field goal in the first half but was nonetheless up 10-3 at the break following an outstanding defensive and special teams performance.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The two conspired for the first half's lone touchdown as Justin Tucker's rugby punt was downed inside the Tech 10-yard line. A defensive stand forced the Red Raiders to punt from their own end zone and receiver Jordan Shipley did the rest, returning the kick 46 yards up the right sideline for a touchdown.
Texas 'Sergio Kindle, top, hitts Texas Tech quarterback Taylor Potts in the backfield to force a fumble during the fourth quarter of their game last Saturday. The Longhorns won 34-24.
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THE WAVE SEPTEMBER 25,2009
THE WAVE
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN