Utep vs Sam Houston C-USA Championship

[Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] hello and welcome to what should be a fantastic close to the Conference USA Football season it's the battle for the trophies as we Crown the champion of Conference USA right here today there's a lot more at stake than a championship trophy here today there's playoff positioning and potentially just getting into the playoff on the line as well so the stakes have never been higher as we'll see the number 21 team of the country the utap miners taking on the eighth rank team the Sam Houston Beats 3A sports college football I'm Chris fower here in the booth with Kirk herb Street I think we've talked long enough Kirk let's get this game [Music] going kickoff team out there getting ready and this is it the battle for the conference championship [Applause] trophy fielded In The End Zone it's Smith tackled at the 13 not great field position start the [Applause] [Music] drop this line getting set up it's a first down play [Applause] B handed off R it up the middle but stuff for no game they're just trying to establish the Run there's not much there but give credit to that defensive line and those linebackers attacking the line of scrimmage to negate any chance at [Applause] all got it important second down play coming up from the shotgun drops back looking for an open man it's an out route the catch made he something but he gets out across the 25 yd line you know we talked this week with the offensive coordinator about what makes this receiver so special he kept referring to his route running here's an example of that great route enough separation to give the quarterback a nice Lane to throw the football it's an option look pitch play to the [Applause] back they've got him but he picks up eight yards set up a nice second and two great job by the offensive line here opening up some holes and giving the running back room to run on first down plays like this can open up the playbook for the play caller allow him to make that defense think are they going to run maybe play action maybe throw the ball down field what's the play hole here on second down for this [Applause] offense they'll run it out of the shotgun oh and he fumbles defense falls on the ball crucial takeaway that is tough for the ball Carri here because not only does he take a big hit but now you're about to get an earful from your coach on the sideline after that [Music] turnover big guys up front lined up it's first [Music] down moving the receiver around pre snap he'll hand it off they pick up four so second down and Six coming up that's just not a whole lot of options here for this quarterback on the RPO the defense give him credit they did a nice job of sniffing it out wouldn't be surprised if the quarterback is second guessing that decision of giving it to the back instead of pulling that and either running it himself or maybe making a nice throw a game makes it second and medium quarterback drops back we're going to test the secondary receiver makes the grab finding some room at the 25 tackle made at the 24 yd Line This offense really threatening them I love how this quarterback is finding this slot receiver not only is he tough to handle but it's what he's doing after the catch he has such wiggle and quickness he's tough to bring down you see more positive yards after the catch here and the motion by the back now forces the defense to adjust he's running out of time here slides down to avoid the tackle well they did a good job of getting pressure on the quarterback but man make the play bring him down instead they give up positive yards here on the scramble the Bearcats trying to cash in here in the red zone2 SP and the wi out goes in motion they flip it to him on the Jet Sweep the defense all over they stop him right at the line this is a great job of being prepared by this defense almost anticipating this play they're in position to bring him down for a [Applause] loss white outs now [Applause] clustered third down play here out of the shotgun caught the sticks it's Johnson makes the first down but crazy price big hit there at the end well that's exactly how you Dice up a Zone coverage nice throw downfield here on third down and a really good route to give the quarterback a chance to make that play the Bearcats are on the move [Applause] here keeping it on the ground here he test the middle there but get nothing that play was perfectly defended you know sometimes as an offense and offensive coordinator you hit a wall and it's time to mix some things up on what you show the defense coming to the line on second down this is important they want to avoid a third and long off the RPO caught to the right brought down at the five after the catch the offense really threatening now love the timing here between the quarterback and his receiver pick up some positive yards and I continue to be impressed with just the the chemistry between these [Applause] two here we go third down close to the goal line they can still get a first down without scoring quarterback making some changes at the line they'll try to move the chain here on the ground and they stop him just short of the end zone the offense set up with a first and goal now wow you love to see this first drive of the game and the offense goes to the ground game to come up with that critical first down here on third down impressive and now they get a real shot here inside the 10 yd line and the Bearcats line it up with first and goal direct snap to the back and he runs it into the end zone touchdown Sam Houston they'll try to add to the lead now with the pat number one in the and the P makes it 7 nothing open scor the kickoff team on the field now as they get set to send this one [Applause] away bringing it out it's Smith makes it with the 16 that's good coverage [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] there here comes the UT off F back on the field now last possession they bubbled it away and it set up a touchdown drive and they bounce back from that right away tackle right at the 30 good enough to move the sticks Chris the thing that I love about this play is the running back showing great patience and then the vision to find that hole and then accelerate through it for a nice game first and 10 now for the offense Quick Pass pass here comes a Jet Sweep they bring him down just short of the marker inches away from a first down well heck if they hadn't dug themselves such a big hole what a positive play here using that jet motion and that touch pass to pick up some huge yards and giving them a chance anyway of trying to come up with a first down the backs got it takes it out to the 44 that's good for a first down was a nice job up front by the offensive line but give the running back in a assist for setting those blocks up before he's able to get down field for the first down the minor starting a new series here on First and 10 pre- snap motion from the offense and looking to throw now on first down he'll try a pass here caught near the sticks it's Clemens that's a big game before he goes out of bounds it'll move the sticks more than enough for a first down well here the defense decided to sit back in Play Zone and that front didn't do a good job of pressuring the quarterback he had the time to make the throw and he put it on target a completion good for a first down the offense working with a new set of downs [Applause] here they're going to run it here runs through the defender they've got him but not before a solid gain on the ground just love watching this back run Gets behind that offensive line lowers his pads and it's a nice solid [Applause] game second down after that run on the previous play and the the quarterback tucks it and takes off as a designed run and they stop him at the four after an excellent run these quarterbacks today in the college game are so athletic they can beat you with their arm obviously just when you think you have them figured out they tuck the ball and go I'd expect this defense to put in a spy to keep this quarterback from running fresh seter Downs first and [Applause] goal they'll try and run it here's the running back muscles across the goal line touchdown UT touchdown Chris it's a great touchdown run here by this back but the continuity this offensive line was on display and that's the reason he was able to get into the end zone and now they'll set up for the point after and he knocks it right through the kick is good that time now the kickoff team is out on the field number 36 set kickoff that one will bounce out of the back of the end zone so a Touchback will start the [Music] 25 here comes the Sam Houston offense on the field they really had the defense off balance in the last possession mixing the run and pass extremely well he picks up nine so just short of the first down second and one I tell you to be able to pick up a nice gain like that those offensive linemen have to sustain their blocks gave them a chance at a really nice game second down after that run on the previous play jackb a pop pass on the sweep brought down but it's past the line the game the defense has got to do a much better job here of adjusting to the pre- snap motion they just kind of stayed in place and it gave the receiver plenty of room there to make a nice play that's solid run good for first down [Applause] yardage motion by the back will make the defense adjust here's a throw underneath to the back but the play loses yardage very tough second down coming up now boy a defense that's such a good job of taking any threat down field away all he could do is throw it to his back and loss of yards now you're behind the sticks second down play coming up for this offense 29 the shotgun handoff here he's found some room with the 45 they get him down to wrap up the first three of [Applause] play so here we go first play of the quarter the offense has a first down back in motion now quarterback looking to scramble slides to avoid the big hit man nothing is more aggravating for a defensive coordinator than this right here you've got him you got a chance to make a play on him take him out of his rhythm but instead this guy gets away from that pressure tucks it and picks up some big yards the Bearcats come to the line to start a fresh set of downs on First and 10 here looking to throw the ball grab behind the line it's Garza to get him down quickly not much of a gain on that completion just a good job of spreading the wealth making sure everybody's getting their touches when you do that the defense can't lock in on one guy or two guys make them have to be aware of everybody and allows you to continue to spread the ball around and spread the field making it tougher for this defense getting set here's second down from the shotgun it's a handoff why he space at the 20 and they tackle him but a solid gain down to around the 5 yd line that's what you love to see from an offense the offensive line and the running back insane working together and it pays off what a big gain thought he might be close to be able to take it all the way to the end zone but the defense just brings him down there inside the five that's strong run defense not much of a gain on the play you know the real estate gets tight inside the 10 yd line you love a play caller has the ability to either run it or throw it cuz that puts so much pressure on that defensive coordinator to know how to line up it's not just a one-dimensional attack he's dealing with second down and goal try to make it with a quarterback sneake and he runs it in for the score touchdown be cat nice safe call here for the touchdown the quarterback does a nice job of just kind of waiting to find the crease behind that centering guard found it got low found the in zone the extra point is good so it's 14-7 kickoff team is on the field see if they give the returner a chance to bring this one back and he'll just take a knee Drive will start at the 25 yd line the miners offense is back out in the field in that last touchdown Drive they just pounded away away with the ground game let's see if that formula works again they get him down but the gain moves the ball up to the 36 how about that offensive line that's just getting a hat on a hat opening just enough room for the back to be able to get through there for a big game how aggressive will they be on this first down play quarterback drops back he's escaping the pocket now looks down field and finds a receiver who worked his way wide open a big game before he goes out of bounds the offense keeps churning gets a fresh set of downs the defense is spread all over the field creating some one-on-one matchups and a quarterback makes him pay for it first down play call coming up how aggressive will it be here's the snap quarterback drops back rning back grabs it on the screen they bring him down but he was fast enough to get that first down yardage Bo this is great execution here on this screen play to the running back to pick up big yards in the first down I think in a process Chris they send a message to the defense you can Rush our quarterback all you want but when you do you better be careful cuz we're going to throw the screen on you on First and 10 they'll look to throw it he's going to pull it down and run avoid the big hit with the slide Chris watch him work through his progressions here finds the first and the second option aren't there by the third option he's got to pull it down and try to pick up some positive yards of which he did and then he slides down to avoid the big hit out of the shotgun he'll hand it off and he gets to the end zone touchdown miners I think we're starting to kind of see a theme here Chris today that's his second touchdown the off line doing their job and he's doing an outstanding job of just reading the defense finding the hole and being able to pick up big yards and touchdown point after up and good the pat ties the game here in the second quarter now kickoff team on the field getting set [Applause] now and that one will bounce out of the back of the end zone the offense will start at the [Music] 25 and the Bearcats offense back out there now in the last possession the defense just had no answer for this powerful ground game let's see what they can do this time the junior able to bring him down quickly you know in the RPO game the quarterback's got to make really sound decisions on that read either give it when it's the right time or you pull it out and make the throw here I think he's kind of in that gray area decides to hand it off and at least picked up some positive yards quarterback looking to throw it on second down grab down the middle it's Johnson tackle made at the 37 that's a solid game that's a nice pick up there they find some space in the zone and pick up the first down yeah really nice call here Chris to be able to pick up this first down on this drag route the quarterback does a nice job of being patient waiting for that window to open up that zone and he put it right on the money for the receiver to have a chance to not just catch it but eventually get the first they flip it to him on the Jet Sweep they make the stop but not before a solid gain that time and is another first the the Bearcats begin a new series here first and 10 back now goes in motion defense will have to adjust he lets it go on the Move he's got it for a big game Chris how the offensive balance these last couple plays we're seeing from these guys not only are they balanced but the explosiveness a big run followed up by a big play through the air man puts a lot of pressure on this defense quarterb back on the move trying to make something happen he'll avoid the tackle there with a slide Chris I love the patience here by the quarterback he's waiting for something to happen downfield but it's not there then you see the athletic ability to be able to pick up some good yards second down after that run on the previous play and he'll set up to throw the pocket breaking down quarterback gets down to avoid the tackle these are the kind of plays to keep defensive coordinators up at night you spend so much time putting your plan together to stop the pass and then nobody counts for the quarterback on a run shotgun formation here's an inside give Chris is the consistency of this back is giving this defense fit they've got to come up with some changes up front this guy's already over 50 yards and if he keeps running the way he is not only is he having a great day but it's going to give this quarterback a chance to hit some big plays downfield off play action makes it across the goal line touchdown beats and that's a another touchdown for this guy this defense better adjust and get eyes into that back field or he may go for a third or a fourth later today P puts him in front by seven kickoff team is on the field to boot this one away 14 he thought about returning it but instead takes a knee it'll be a Touchback we'll start at the 25 utep's offense is back out there now little bit of my turn your turn so far in the early going both offenses scoring touchdowns in their last possessions and they'll stop him after a short game you know in the era that we live in right now everybody wants to spread the field around try to create space try to create one-on-one matchups and the defense has countered over the years by trying to play out wide but here's a great example of the defense has the ability to play wide but still be solid at the line of scrimmage and not give up big run plays second down after that run on the previous play on the run it's Jackson goes backwards losing three yards there they don't block the defensive end who shows some quickness KK getting around the edge that time yeah this gu usually getting around the edge to put pressure on the quarterback but he reminds everybody here that this guy's a complete package not only can he pressure the quarterback but also he is very very talented and shows you the physicality he has against the run as [Applause] well third down here time for perhaps one more play before the two-minute warning so we've reach the two-minute warnings this offense tries to take the lead here before before [Applause] halftime not going to be easy here backed up a long way to go for a first [Applause] Downy drops back looking to throw for it him third down pass is going to be incomplete he was really lucky to avoid the pick there and I think the quarterback here forces the ball because it's third down he's got to be careful having the ball on his own side of the field that ball was almost picked off they'll kick it away here he's got an opening watch out he's got great speed and the returner is brought down [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Sam Houston's offense back out there now trying to build on a beautiful balanced touchdown tronic last time they had it first play of the drive looking to throw the football quarterback escapes the pocket and takes off the senior able to make the stop after a short game now it's second down [Applause] here there's the snap they'll set up to throw hit as he released it it's incomplete he was hit as he threw that time and now third down coming up man you got to love this if you're defensive coordinator it's all about affecting the quarterback and getting pressure on him this time they got to him and forced that incompletion challenging play for the offense they face third and long here from their own 43 dropping back he going to throw for the first down let's a fly of the wide out incomplete third straight play well Chris obviously they had to go through the air there to try to pick up this third down and long but when you're so far behind the chains but you really allow this defense to dictate things and allows them to put pressure on your quarterback and can affect the timing as we saw in this play the Bearcats will have to punt this one away he'll call for the fair catch here here comes the UTF offense back on the field now if they want to cut into this lead before halftime they have to work quickly now they'll come out throwing here to start the drive bringing pressure defense drops him for a loss tougher second down on play I tell you what man this defensive speed is electric great job of running to the football nowhere to go at all after that F second down and long from the 9yd line quarterback drops back from the shotgun looking for a receiver and he finds a wide openen receiver they forgot about him downfield out of bounds but not before a huge gain offense gets a fresh set of downs what a pitch and catch by the quarterback and receiver for a big gain for this offense the offense operating a peak efficiency they come to the line again out of the shotgun he hands it off solid run tackled at the 45 yd line a timeout is called and talk strategy close game here as we approach halftime Hey listen you don't always have to have big plays to be successful it's a nice solid gain here keeps you on schedule and you get ready for that next play second down after that run on the previous play quarterback drops back probing the secondary finds a man down field it's a big gain to the right heads out of bounds after a solid gain more than enough to pick up a first down boy this quarterback throws a beautiful ball another big gain for this offense and a chance to get points on the board before we get to halftime first down looking to throw the ball going to try to use his legs here and a nice first down game there they get him down but very close to the first down marker the offense will call a timeout that's their second of the half put a defense trying to get after this quarterback I love the concept I love the idea here they don't give up the big play they prevent him from getting out and picking up huge yards and the miners are in the Red [Applause] Zone quarterback looking to pass here on second down and he finds his tight end for the catch he's tackled quickly but the yardage is good enough for the first down and there's the tight end who shows off his hands the miners will have first and 10 here offense looking to throw the ball quarterback looks to his right and finds his man touchdown UT this offense really clicking perfect timing here by this quarterback great re puts the ball where his man can make a play on it and they're an extra point away from tying this game up and now here comes the point after attempt and the p is good KCK so an important touchdown just before halftime not much time for the opposing offense to try to answer before the break kick bounces out of the back to the end zone for a [Music] Touchback so the offense takes the field in the final seconds of the half chance for just a couple more [Music] plays first play of the drive they'll come out throwing looking for the wide out and that one is incomplete with just nine seconds on the clock well they don't make the completion here the timing seem to be off between a quarterback and receiver but man this defensive coordinator he may want to consider getting more pressure on this quarterback by changing some things up you got a lot of time back there to throw the ball and eventually that's going to cost you offense lines up for a second down play off the incompletion and the ball is handed off out of the shotgun they bring him down but the drive has now reached the 35 timeout is called to clock strategy time for just one or two plays here before halftime looks like the final play of the half coming [Applause] up here we go here comes a first down pass attempt using his legs here Breaking Free at Midfield K gets down to avoid the big hit and that will do it for the first half here Kevin Connors now has our halftime update and the miners will kick this away to start the second [Applause] half that one bounces through the end zone so it'll start at the 25 [Music] here comes the Beats offense back out out of the [Music] field on first down it's playaction looks left and finds his Target there tackle made at the 37 that's a solid game it's so easy to get caught up in the receivers and a quarterback and your eyes get lost you forget about the running back nice catch and a first down for this offense offense keeps moving it's a completion for a first [Applause] down there's the snap quarterback setting up to throw tackle is finally made but the offense will set up now at the [Music] 44 the offense is clicking and the defense just searching for answers now and here's the handoff only a small gain now looking at second and nine the defensive coordinator this week all week telling us about Gap Integrity not giving this running back any creases at all really sound defense on that play offense getting set second down play here same tail back another carry he shreds The Tackle breaks the tackle to get back to the line of scrimmage but that's it just great job by this defense defending this RPO they sat back and then they overcommitted to stop the run game and it works out they come to the line a long way to go for the first down but needing this crucial conversion right now let's It Go quickly caught over the middle it's Johnson they bring him down but a big chunk of yardage on the play well you could tell the quarterback knew exactly what he wanted to do with the football he was going to that end route no matter what he hits it for a nice game looking for a gap it's mcken he'll try to run inside but nowhere to go the back just had nowhere to go how about the defensive line they eat up all the blocks up front freeing those linebackers up to be able to make the play just a bad Play All Around to this offense makes a quick catch brought down but the completion moves the ball inside the 10yd line defense getting pushed back Chris I think you got to give all the credit to the wide receiver here manto man coverage on an out route that is a tough ass good inside move on the stem to separate from the defender and a great throw by the touchdown Sam Houston he'll take the lead in the second half they try to add to the lead now with the pat so with the pat they take a seven-point lead 2821 here's a kickoff team let's see if they give the returner opportunity to bring this back 28 21 so no return here he takes a KNE in the end zone and they'll begin the drive at the 25 miners offense is back out of the field they reached the end zone the last time out trying to do the same thing here they're going to run the option tackled behind the line it's a loss of two Chris I think we all kind of get caught up in third down what what's an offense doing on third down but I think what's also important is how well you defend first down if you can hold your opponents to a short gain or a tackle for a loss you throw the offense out of whack and their game plan gets much more challenging to try to come up with that first down after a first down loss it's second and long in the 23 [Applause] from the gun he looks for an open man and that pass rush has trapped him into a sack Chris that's on the offensive line right there they definitely have to be feeling responsible because it's almost like you didn't protect your little brother back [Applause] there well a serious challenge for this offense you don't want to be in third and long inside your own 20 how much of a risk will they take to try to pick up this first down defense is coming after him could not get there on the scramble short of the marker and now a fourth down decision coming up I just love the fact he doesn't take a sack here in fact I'm sure he can imagine hearing his coach saying it's third down do not take a sack and in this case he's able to avoid the pressure and get out of there he doesn't quite get the first down but he does turn a possible loss into positive yards here comes the Sam Houston offense on the field the last possession they really had the passing game clicking move right down the field for a [Applause] touchdown oh the quick throw walls incomplete I'm not sure the quarterback makes the right decision on this one I think if he do it over again he would have found a different Target downfield but he made his decision that one's incomplete offense getting set it's second [Applause] down here's the snap looking to throw here looking to set up a screen pass here they'll bring him down the defense fought through the blocks and they stop him short of the first down screen plays risky because the defense can get to the quarterback and it also can be covered many times quarterback just throws it away here they get some positive yards all looking to keep the drive going here third and short now from the 44 drops back from the shotgun looking for an open man the pass is offt Target he got hit as he threw as the third down pressure worked the quarterback did all he could here to wait until the last possible moment but he waits just a hair too long which allows the defense to actually hit him as he throws the ball got it the ball near Midfield the offense going to go for it on fourth down looking to throw again he's got it a fourth down conversion Drive stays alive just great execution here on this fourth down to keep this drive alive and what I love is the accuracy from the quarterback and a good job by the receiver knowing where that route needed to be to be able to catch the ball and pick up the first down and there's the handoff they get him down but the game moves the ball to the 37 hey whether it's been on the inside or bouncing things to the outside this guy has shown you everything that he has to offer and a big part of the reason why they're enjoying this nice lead the Bearcats looking to keep this drive [Applause] rolling looking for some space it's McKinny in the clear at the 25 nothing better than an offense on first down be able to pick up big positive yards like that you can either keep giving it to the back or it can set up play action and get the defense to come up to the line of scrimmage and you can throw it over top of them the Bearcats lining up here on First and 10 receiver in motion now hand off here from the shotgun he's got some room can he get there touchdown Bearcats this offense is still clicking here comes the point after attempt with the extra point the lead is 14 now they get set to kick it [Applause] away and it comes out to the 25 no return attempted there hey ep's offense is back out there now they're coming off a quick three and out so looking to put something together on this drive with a little more urgency quick throw by the quarterback off the RPO tackle is made that's a short gain well short of the marker boy wide receiver screen can be hit or miss either receiver finds a nice crease and picks up Big yards or the defense completely negates that the team speed from the defense here wins that play Quick Pass here comes a Jet Sweep tackled at the 44 but good enough for a first down wide gain 1 the running play gives the offense fresh set of downs but go with the ground game here running back takes the hand off and the broken tackle there produces a solid game man you know the back gets a lot of the attention here and he's a good back I love to see that offensive line win the battle with the line of scrimmage get get and they hand it off to the back good enough for first down yardage you know offensive linemen are just a certain breed they're always going to do their job no matter who's back there carrying the ball I tell you what they have a little bit more confidence when the person that's carrying the ball can break off some big time runs that makes them block just a little bit harder knowing what he's potentially capable of doing breaks a tackle on the play and makes a decent gain I think this defense keep thinking about them throwing the football and by doing that they're opening up running Lanes good positive yards there by the running back a game makes it second and medium they're moving the receiver now before the snap takes the snap and takes off on the Run that's a nice wrap up there by the junior well anytime you use your quarterback as a runner the goal was obviously to hit some big plays you've got to be careful of letting your quarterback take too many big hits not only can he get tired he can also start to Fumble the football in the third and short they'll try to throw for the sure hands it's Jackson tackled after he makes the first down as the seconds tick away here in the third quarter and that's a first down for the off [Music] [Applause] [Music] back at at the start of the quarter offense getting set to win a first down play looking to throw it from the Red Zone pressure is coming trying to get the throw off it's incomplete he was hit as he threw good pass rush there on first down well sometimes an answer for an offensive coordinator against a good pass rush is to move the launching Point move the quarterback from one spot to another to affect the rhythm of the pass rush that's not having any kind of impact at all on this defense they're getting after this quarterback no matter where he is they do a good job of it right here the pass rush closing in hit as he releases it and the pass ball is incomplete third offense thinking touchdown not field goal facing a third and long from the 20yd line back to throw again running out of time in the pocket he's going to be brought down by that ferocious passler nice sack play well that takes to win right out of your Sals this offense is trying to find a way to get back into this game and another pressure and a sack against their [Music] [Applause] quarterback the offense stays on the field down multiple possessions Easy Choice [Applause] 25 fourth down looking to throw for it he's running out of time here oh they cannot connect really needed that completion instead it's a turnover on Downs I don't BL in the offensive coordinator here it's the right thing to do down a couple of scores it just didn't execute and the the Bearcats offense back out there now they really built momentum in this game they've been hard to stop can the defense make some adjustments come up with a stop here they'll run it here hard running through a tackle eventually they tackle him but what a spin move to earn him the first down what a shock right this guy once again gets his hands on the football and great thing seems to happen he's over 120 yards on the day and it's really been a combination of his vision and speed along with really dominant offensive line play they'll run it from the gun they stop him after a 6yd gain so second and four that's exactly how you want to start this drive working with the lead in the fourth quarter take as much time off this clock as possible that's a great way to get this drive started the gain makes it second and medium 55 off the play fake looking to throw the football hits the running back in the flat you make the tackle but the game moves the ball to the 28 well anytime you can have a balanced attack it's always going to help an offense and you know the previous play they're running the football that puts a lot of pressure on the eyes of the linebackers and safety they start to think about defending the run and a great job with that play action call to get them out of position and be able to hit that for that conversion will he score here and he runs it into the end zone touchdown beats that's another touchdown for the running back and they've got one hand in that conference championship trophy now man this running back is just adding up the touchdowns you know the whole conference knows about this guy and what he's capable of doing and here he is the big stage in a championship game showcasing everything he's got in the toolbox fielded in the end zone Perez and he stopped at the 19 good job by the coverage team over first and 10 here comes the UT offense back on the field now last time the defense got a big fourth down stop let's see what the offense can do this time fires it to the wide out looks downfield and connects with a wide open wide receiver that's a big game before goes out of bounds it'll move the sticks more than enough for a first down the slot receiver can go inside or to the outside this time he sets the defender up and then Works across the middle for the completion One play and they're already past the 40 first and 10 quarterback sets up looking for an open man makes the catch it's white he'll be taken down but he does have first down yardage that's good timing there receiver makes the catch and then has some room to run anytime you're going to run a route like this you know who needs to get a lot of credit is the offensive line cuz this play takes some time for the receiver to work his way across the field on that drag route and a quarterback that time had enough time to be able to navigate the coverage and make the accurate throw you make the tackle but the game moves the ball to the 28 well depending on the temperament of the head coach he's either turning to the bench and screaming where the heck was that all game or maybe he's just kind of keeping that to himself thinking all right maybe this is something to build on maybe something positive can come out of this you're can to have some bad games from time to time we'll see how he gets his team ready in the future but that right there that's what they've been looking for all game second down after that previous [Applause] play quarterback drops back from the shotgun that's caught it's Jackson heads out of bounds as a short gain on the play the running back that time just kind of sneaks out of the Back Field and shows his hands on that nice catch [Applause] third got it now it's third and short from the 21 defense trying to make a stand here and prevent a touchdown offense moving receivers around now before the snap a pop pass on the Jet Sweep he start short of the marker so it's fourth down now man the Jet Sweep action put so much pressure on defense you get so locked in on the ball attacking you downhill when offenses sprinkle this kind of offense in it stretches this defense out wide and can create some vertical scams for big plays and he's throwing for it on fourth down flips with the running back but he's got work to do BU carrier heads out of bounds but the pickup is good enough to move the chains first down for the defense had everybody accounted for except the running back you can really feel the quarterback having to work through his progressions he came off his primary finally finds the running back and they pick up the first down to carry it's the Run picks up brings up second so down here in the Red Zone every yard tough to find here is a crucial play coming up quarterback looking to connect with the receiver here they've got him it's a sack for the defense and just like that you squeeze the life out of this offense that's another sack by this defense they have been in that back field the entire game and a big reason why these guys are enjoying a lead pass caught can he get in he can't reach the goal line they tackle him inside the five quarterback had a lot of time to evaluate this defense and most of his reads downfield appeared to be taken away so he checks it down to his running back but how about the way this defense just runs to the football to keep him short of that first down great job by the de it falls incomplete a turnover on down big play for this defense what a great job by this defense really all game long it's very fitting here we are now on the fourth quarter on a fourth down play they step up yet again how you give the ball to your own offense you work that clock and you seal Victory he stopped just short of that first down marker inches away from it boy we got a smart offensive coordinator on our hands today Chris great job of just keep feeding this running back keep it on the ground working with the lead in the fourth quarter force them to use all their timeouts and just keep working that [Applause] clock he eludes the rush watch some time now lets it Go the short completion of the tight end bre clear over the right side can they chase him down pretty easy call for the head coach he will accept that peny of course here's the second down [Applause] play use the running game to chew on this clock now and they tackle him but not before he picks up the first you know I'd say this run is pretty imatic of what we've seen all day long no matter what they've done on offense the guys up front have controlled the line of scrimmage AG they've given a quarterback time to throw they've been able to run really whatever they've wanted to that's why the points are going up on the board right now the psyche this offense is we're in control and we can do whatever we want whatever we feel like doing his Dro incomplete would have had a huge gain took his eye off the ball you know they don't hit this down field but it gives you an idea of how much pressure this quarterback can put on this defense they've got to cover all these receivers worry about the running game try to pressure the quarterback and then deal with him when he breaks out and scrambles like that he's a threat to run or throw has the first still on the Move slides down to avoid the tackle and that is a running back stre I don't think the guy got touched until he got taken to the ground just excellent blocking there's nobody he had to make miss or use his stiff arm just a lot of open field got it the Bearcats pick up first down yardage to keep the drive going here's some pre- snap movement in the back field trying to extend the [Applause] play that one Falls incomplete good defensive play brings up second Down Chris I thought he had his hands on that football I thought he was going to come down with it but give the defense all the credit with a big hit to knock that ball loose and the runner takes off to his right the pickup is just three yards now third down and seven third Christino the spread era over the years has always blown offensively but what I've been always impressed with defenses that really build their defense to play in space still have an ability to be sound at the line of scrimmage and defend a running game it's exactly what we saw right there and the play goes nowhere nicked up about a yard but it'll be fourth down and now a timeout taken by the defense trying to preserve as much clock as possible for their offense so on fourth down the decision is to try out the field goal team and that one is no good and the lead remains at 21 after the Miss that's a missed opportunity for some points here the way they were moving the football I thought maybe a touchdown at the very least three points but instead he Shanks it and he's tackled for a loss after the catch the defense all over that one up second down they're backed up second and long at the 19 there's the snap looking to throw the ball receiver looks it in it's complete and a big game before he goes out of bounds the offense keeps churning gets a fresh set of downs well this offense has a long way to be able to get back and potentially win this game but they're doing the right things managing the clock picking up good yards and getting out of bounds the offense really clicking against this battled defense just trying to get rid of it he just throws that one away took a big shot but avoids the sack how about the defense today they have played so well I think the defensive coordinator put together a great plan his kids clearly understood their scheme because they have been aggressive and attacking all game long tackle made after a nice pick up on the play how about the arm strength from this quarterback he really didn't have any other option than to put it right in there and give it everything that he had great timing and a good job of squeezing that in between the Defenders oh the pass is picked off not much on the return there but the takeway will give the offense the football at the 46 boy would this quarterback love to have this one back they're trying to work themselves back into this game here in the second half and the defense comes up with a big turnover they could be the nail in the coffin and the quarterback just kneels down talk about a perfect end of the regular season becoming champions of Conference USA they've achieved a goal they've made their case now it's going to come down with the committee decides to do to see if they're going to get that college football playoff invite and that is going to wrap it up we