Texas vs TCU: How Texas slowed down the TCU Offense

Texas lost to TCU this year in a very tight defensive football game. Both the TCU defense and the Texas defense were outstanding in the game. TCU held the Texas offense to 3 points on the day and won the battle but I was impressed with the Texas defense as well. This article will look at the scheme and defenses Texas played in the game that held TCU in check for most of the day. They did get some yards later in the game but the performance of the Texas defense was very good all day.

Texas held TCU to 17 points on the day and also scored 7 themselves. The TCU offense had one big play on the day in the run game, a 75 yard run off a over run by the LB. They also gave up 1 big play in the passing game on a 32 yard pass. But overall, I feel like Texas dominated the game under coach Pete Kwiatowski. This was a unit that averaged 40 points a game and put up 45 vs Michigan.

The defense had 14 tackle for losses, 5 sacks ,and a scoop and score. They were exceptionally good in the pass game and held Duggan to 124 yards passing and made his life miserable. Q Johnson only had 3 catches for 65 yards and 1 was on a blown coverage. They were impressive led by a very active defensive line. B Sorrell was an animal on defense with 11 tackles. He created havoc all day. He also had 4 tackle for losses and was a disruptive force. The Defensive Line also had nice production from Coburn and Sweat. Just wait to this year as they get Sorrell and some nice pieces back.

The secondary was outstanding as well as they were all over the field and the coverage was all over the field. They started a true freshman in D’Shawn Jamison and he was great in coverage. Jahdea Barron had 11 tackles and was a force from his safety position. They really played well enough to win and could have if the offense got going and not for 2 tough plays below.

Long Run

They ran g wrap on the play and Texas was in position but the unblocked LB on the 2nd level just overran it enough to create the seam. The RB cut it the other way and ended up breaking it for 75 yards.

Long Pass

On the long pass play they look like they are in cover 4 and they have a communication error due to the depth of the routes. The safety thought the CB should have stayed on top and the safety was jumping the out. This communication error led to the 2nd td that put them up 17-3.

#1 runs the post

#2 runs the deep out and #2 on the other side.

Aspects of the Game Plan

Scheme wise:

1. Limit wr. Derious Davis in the perimeter run and screen game. When he ran jet or motion they would often bring pressure and role that way.

2. Not let Q Johnson get going vertically. They did a good job on him for the most part

3. Control the run game between the tackles. Take away tight zone and duo and force TCU to be a perimeter run team. The Duo/tight zone scheme is their bread and butter

4. Pressure Duggan and get after him on those pure passing downs. Run some pass rush games especially on the right side to get the DE on the Center matchup.

5. Empty-bring pressure!