By Kevin Flaherty
LonghornDigest.com
October 27, 2010
* Trust was a word used repeatedly by Texas coach Mack Brown on Monday, following the Longhorns' 28-21 loss at home to Iowa state.
"I trusted last year's team that they were going to come behind if they got in trouble, that they were going to fight, going to compete," Brown said. "Right now, I don't trust all the kids that they will because they haven't shown that ability. And therefore you don't trust the assistant coach if his guy isn't playing well. Because it's his responsibility to get the guy to play well."
Brown said the players had strong practices on Wednesday and Thursday, and seemed enthusiastic leaving the hotel on Saturday. But that didn't equate to an enthusiastic effort on the field.
"They were enthusiastic leaving the hotel on Saturday morning," Brown said. "When I walked out on the field, I didn't think they had the same enthusiasm. It was the weirdest thing. It was like a switch flipped or something."
* One of the most popular topics of conversation this year has been the utilization, or lack of utilization, of running back D.J. Monroe.
Monday, Greg Davis assumed blame for not playing the speedster more, saying "it was my fault." Davis went on to say that he thought he was justified in not giving Monroe carries against Nebraska, where the Longhorns needed more of a ball control element. But he said he made a mistake by not playing Monroe more against Iowa State.
Monroe had one carry for 10 yards against the Cyclones. For the season, he has just 12 carries, and is averaging nearly 12 yards per carry.
* After missing the entire Iowa State game due to injury, linebacker Emmanuel Acho was listed as the starter at middle linebacker for the Baylor game. Acho started the season in the middle, but in recent weeks had moved to the strong side. Assuming the starting strongside position was Dravannti Johnson.
Johnson is also listed as the primary backup to defensive end Eddie Jones, ahead of Jackson Jeffcoat, who also missed last week's game with an injury.
* Over the spring, quarterback Garrett Gilbert appeared to have a connection with sophomore receiver DeSean Hales. Saturday, Hales's role increased, as did his production. He caught three passes for 27 yards, including a key third down conversion. Davis said Hales would continue to play more.
Gilbert said he and Hales worked together with the second-teamers a year ago, which probably led to the connection in the spring. Now, he said that he doesn't feel any more connected to any of his receivers.
* You can make a lot of arguments about the reason this year's Longhorn team has struggled. But just don't tell Brown that it's a talent issue.
"It can't be about the talent level because if you've got enough talent to beat a really good Nebraska team in Lincoln, you've got enough talent to beat an Iowa State team in Austin."
