Finding Points
Texas finished [the 2016 season] with zero defensive touchdowns and zero special teams touchdowns. The Longhorns never created those extra scores that can swing games. Considering they lost five games by one-score margins, a few non-offensive touchdowns could have gone a long way.
This was coach Tom Herman’s reaction upon hearing that stat after a practice last week: "Wow."
His Houston teams were among the nation’s best on that front. Todd Orlando's defenses scored seven touchdowns over the past two seasons. The Cougars' play on special teams produced six more. When it came to non-offensive touchdowns, Houston ranked No. 5 in FBS during the Herman era.
"When you’re out there thinking or tiptoeing or feeling around or evaluating, you’re going to be a step or two behind," Herman said.
There was plenty of that going on with Texas' defense last fall. Orlando noticed it frequently when he watched the tape: players getting fatigued, miscommunicating, getting lined up incorrectly and getting beat. Those errors are bound to happen when you put so many young players on the field. They’re guaranteed to happen when you change defensive play-callers after four games.
On special teams, Texas had just two punt returns of 20-plus yards and two kickoff returns of 30-plus yards. Safety Brandon Jones did block two punts (one was a safety, the other set up a field goal), but the Longhorns’ return game was a relative nonfactor.
Texas was one of six FBS teams to score zero non-offensive touchdowns last season. The other five: Arizona, East Carolina, Fresno State, Louisiana-Monroe and UMass. These six teams went a combined 18-54. None of them went bowling.
Texas might be close to turning the corner thanks to all the talent Strong stockpiled, but a dedication to detail can make a big difference. Herman’s success at Houston is a certainly proof of that.
The 13 non-offensive scores at Houston were also a product of confidence, no doubt, and that’s something the Longhorns lacked too often last season. They will have to start creating their own big breaks in 2017 if they intend to take a serious step forward. Just don’t call them lucky breaks.
"Those aren’t breaks," Herman said. "Those are earned and coached."
[More @ E$PN]
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Last edited: Mar 29, 2017