Austin native Todd Reesing led Kansas to a 42-21 Insight Bowl win over Minnesota on Wednesday evening in Tempe, Arizona.  The former Lake Travis Cavalier set a school record in the first half with 14 straight completions on his way to all four of his touchdown passes in the first 30 minutes.  Reesing told me after the game that it was great to bounce back from that 35-7 home loss to Texas in November with a win over rival Missouri and then the bowl game against the Golden Gophers to end the season at 8-5.   Kansas not only went to back to back bowls for the first time in school history, but won both of those bowls.  Reesing was 27-35 for 313 yards to close out his junior season. 

It was pretty obvious at this mornings UT workout in Scottsdale that they have turned up the intensity.  Horns came out in full pads for their first physical practice in more than a week which lasted about two hours.    Standing on the sidelines for the first 30 minutes of practice you really appreciate Colt McCoy’s accuracy, I never saw one of his passes hit the ground in the time I was able to watch.    Ohio State All-American linebacker James  Laurinaitis joked that he couldn’t build a video game quarterback that could complete passes at the rate Colt McCoy has this year (NCAA record 77%).  By the way, listen to Laurinaitis and  he sounds a lot like Michael Phelps, just can’t get Beijing  out of my mind I guess.

Another perfect day in the desert
UT offensive players met with the media on Wednesday morning in Scottsdale.  With reporters from Ohio and Arizona that don’t cover the team on a regular basis, the players had to once again convince them that they are happy to be at the Fiesta Bowl and are not dwelling on missing out on the national championship game.  The question is valid, but it was as if some reporters wouldn’t stop the questions until they got the answer they wanted.  Chris Ogbonnaya had a listen to question after question about how its human nature to be upset and don’t you think its unfair and do you want a playoff?  The senior running back didn’t waiver on his answer that we’ve heard in Austin since December 7th.  The Horns wanted to play for the title, but a couple of days after the announcement, it was all about the Fiesta Bowl and Ohio State. 

 Receiver Quan Cosby said that he roots for all Big 12 teams in bowl games,  but when asked to say “I’m for Oklahoma”, Quan told the reporter, “I do live in Texas and do have  to go back to Austin.” 

The Longhorns set up camp at Scottsdale Community College on Tuesday.  The practice field even has a big Longhorn logo right at the 50 yard line.  Texas practices in the morning which leaves the afternoons and evenings for rest and activities.  Mack Brown said that the team leaders  help set the curfew each night and it will get earlier and earlier as they get closer to Monday’s game.  One interesting observation from Columbus media at UT’s practice was the fact that the Horns warm up to music blaring from speakers around the practice field.  Apparently this is in start contrast to Ohio State’s workouts.  Mack is quick to point out that they have an easy time staying loose, having fun and then getting down to business.  This is also carry over from the Vince Young days when Mack admits that VY loosened up the coach.

Mack said this is as healthy as the team has been all season.  We even saw injured tight end Blaine Irby walking around the practice fields.   Irby looked like he was going to be a big part of the passing game before breaking his leg against Rice.  It’s another testament to this Texas offense, with all due respect to Peter Ullman and Greg Smith, they played almost all season with a threat at a position that is usually very productive in this offense.

On Tuesday the Horns will go through the first of two physical practices.  Tuesday afternoon a number of players and coaches will go to the Insight Bowl which is played at Sun Devil Stadium in  nearby Tempe.  Minnesota takes on Kansas.  Golden Gophers head coach Tim Brewster is a former UT assistant coach and his son Nolan is a freshman safety for the Horns.  Of course Kansas features Austin native Todd Reesing who is trying to finish strong. 

As for the weather, it isn’t called the Valley of the Sun for nothing.  It has been sunny, clear, did I mention sunny during the day and cool and crisp in the evening.

Hope you catch all of our coverage on Austin News including our Fiesta Bowl edition of Game Night Friday at 6:30 pm.

Seriously?

What was that?

The Cowboys’ 44-6 apathy-fest to the Eagles was about as uninspired football as my last effort at the newest Madden game. (I lost my sports video game abilities after Super Tecmo Bowl.) In an all-important “do-or-die-win-and-you’re-in” game, the Cowboys fell insanely flat. The only person who seemed visibly upset about losing during the game was Terrell Owens. Say what you want, but the guy is upset not only when he doesn’t get the ball, but when the team loses as well.

 The Cowboys have lost their regular season finale for the entire decade. Their last regular season finale win was in 1999, under (cough) Chan Gailey. That’s consistent, all right… but it’s not the ideal consistency, to say the least. After this most recent debauchle, questions are coming in the thousands and falling at the feet of the coaching staff and Jerry Jones, who on Friday endorsed the job future of this staff “no matter the outcome” of today’s game.

The great former president of GE, Jack Welch, once said, “When the facts change, I change.” Perhaps the great businessman Jerry Jones will do the same.

I’m not calling for Wade Phillips’s head. Not yet, anyway. But I am calling for some accountability. The best example was the fourth and inches situation in the second quarter, when Tony Romo told the punt team to leave the field. They converted the set of downs, but the drive failed, ending in a turnover.

Who is responsible? Who is in charge? Who is the players’ leader? Which coach is leading this team?

So many questions, and now, with a long offseason to ponder them, so much time.

 It’s perfectly appropriate that the Cowboys, who “controlled their own destiny” as to whether or not they got into the playoffs, lost. Perhaps that is this team’s destiny after all.