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TEXAS LONGHORNS
Converted tight end gives Texas a boost
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Texas' Cody Johnson dives in for a touchdown against Louisiana-Monroe during the first quarter of their game last Saturday in Austin, Texas. The Longhorns won 59-20.
By Blake Hurtik Daily Texan
AUSTIN, Texas — Of all the positives to come out of the Texas football team's season-opening trouncing of Louisiana-Monroe, Dan Buckner received arguably the most praise from coaches and players.
The wide receiver-turned-flex tight end had a career day with five catches for 62 yards, most coming over the middle in tight coverage. While not a traditional tight end by any means at 6-foot-4-inches tall and 215 pounds, he gives the second-ranked Longhorns a sure-handed option underneath who presents mismatches for linebackers and safeties.
"He became a really fast flex tight end as compared to a receiver with good speed," Texas head coach Mack Brown said. "Dan has great hands, he doesn't have good hands. He very rarely drops a ball."
Texas' depth at tight end was the biggest question mark heading into the season after Blaine Irby, D.J. Grant and Ian Harris all suffered serious injuries. But in Texas' spread offense, a traditional tight end might not be needed, which suits Buckner just fine.
"It's starting to show that he's feeling comfortable," receiver Jordan Shipley said. "If we can have several different receivers catching balls and making plays, then they can't double-team anybody."
For run-blocking duties, Texas used Greg Smith, a converted tackle, on 26 plays Saturday.
Sophomore Ahmord Howard, a converted defensive end, and freshman Barrett Matthews also saw some snaps.
Huey, Norton out
Right guard Michael Huey and linebacker Jared Norton won't make the trip to Wyoming this weekend after both left Saturday's game with injuries.
Huey had to be carted off the field in the third quarter with a left ankle injury. He'll be replaced by "sixth starter" David Snow, who has made two career starts at center.
The injury also forced Texas to move lineman Tray Allen back to offense full-time for depth purposes after using the junior exclusively on defense against ULM.
"He's more of a run-stopper on defense so when you're playing a team that's going to throw it a whole lot out of the spread set [like Wyoming], we feel that we have a bigger need on offense for depth" Brown said.
Roddrick Muckelroy will slide over from weak side linebacker to take over Norton's middle linebacker spot. Sophomore Keenan Robinson will fill in for Muckelroy.
Special teams enforcer
While Muckelroy expectedly led the Longhorns with seven tackles Saturday, a freshman made an impact on the stat sheet.
Kenny Vaccaro, a defensive back from Brownwood, tied Norton for second on the team with six tackles — three of which came
on special teams.
Brown recognized his efforts by awarding him the "Hard Hat" weekly team award for hardest hit.
"We're really impressed by him." Brown said. "He can be an impact on special teams and maybe in playing time as well."
TEXAS A&M AGGIES
Johnson, Aggies trounce Lobos in first game
By Chris Duncan Associated Press
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Jerrod Johnson threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a score to lead Texas A&M to a 41-6 win over New Mexico on Saturday.
Johnson completed 31 of 41 passes, and Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael added touchdown runs for the Aggies (1-0), who piled up 606 yards. The A&M defense showed dramatic improvement from last season, holding New Mexico to 21 rushing yards and sacking Donovan Porterie five times.
Porterie completed 29 of 40 passes for New Mexico (0-1) in his first start since tearing ligaments in his right knee in the fourth game last season and undergoing surgery.
The Lobos played poorly in Mike Locksley's head coaching debut and failed to score a touchdown in their opener for the fourth straight season. The loss also marked New Mexico's 10th straight defeat in Texas.
The Aggies,starting their second year
under Mike Sherman, dominated from the start and built a 20-3 halftime lead.
Johnson completed a 42-yard pass to freshman Uzoma Nwachukwu on A&M's first possession and Johnson scrambled for a 16-yard touchdown with 9:52 left in the opening quarter.
Michael, one of 12 freshmen to play for A&M in the first half, broke two runs over 20 yards on the Aggies' next possession. Michael went out for a rest and Cyrus Gray's 13-yard touchdown run put A&M up 17-0 with 4:44 left in the half.
Jeff Fuller caught an 18-yard pass from Johnson early in the second quarter, setting up Randy Bullock's 22-yard field goal. Fuller led A&M with 10 catches for 111 yards in the game.
Demand Dennis fumbled on the Lobos' next play from scrimmage. A&M safety Jordan Pugh recovered and Bullock kicked a field goal for a 20-1 lead.
James Aho kicked a field goal with 13 seconds left in the first half to complete New Mexico's best drive of the game. The
A&M marched 86 yards in 12 plays to start the second half. Johnson went 6-for-6 on the drive and Michael finished it with a 2-vard touchdown run.
Aho matched his career best with a 48-yard field goal later in the third quarter. A&M answered with a 17-play drive, capped by Johnson's 7-yard touchdown pass to Fuller.
Johnson threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to freshman Kenric McNeal with 9:14 left. Tommy Dorman finished the game at quarterback for the Aggies.
Aggies defense, one of the nation's worst in 2008, held the Lobos to two rushing yards and nine first downs in the first half.
Texas A&M has won 24 of its last 26 home openers, though it lost to Arkansas State in Sherman's debut in 2008.
Texas A&M's Uwoma Nwachukuw is hit by New Mexico's Frankie Baca, left, after a reception during the second quarter of their game last Saturday in College Station, Texas. The Aggies won 41-6.
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