Texas Defeats Missouri 33-16 In The Texas Bowl
For much of the 2017 season the Longhorns’ calling card has been defense. Once again they used strong play on defense and special teams to pull away as Texas Defeats Missouri 33-16 In The Texas Bowl.
Your 2017 Texas Bowl Champions! #ThisIsTexas #HookEm pic.twitter.com/ZSMBGiCDMS
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) December 28, 2017
In holding Drew Lock to 269 yards and a touchdown Tom Herman‘s club won their first bowl game since 2013. Playing in their first contest without offensive coordinator Josh Heupel and offensive line coach Glen Elarbee Missouri looked lost at times. Heupel was named head coach of Central Florida on December 5th and Elarbee followed him. At least one Tiger player seemed to think that was the case.
Missouri DE Marcell Frazier blamed departed OC Josh #Heupel for leaving the Tigers high and dry after they got rolled by Texas 33-16 Wednesday night at the Texas Bowl. "Realistically, Heupel left us in a bad position," It is what it is. And Elarbee left us in a bad position.
— Sportsfeedia.com (@sportsfeedia) December 28, 2017
However much of the lackluster Tiger offense can be attributed to the stingy Texas defense which forced four turnovers. The Longhorns intercepted Lock once and he also fumbled. In addition Anthony Wheeler returned a fumble for a touchdown. The score was the eighth non-offensive score for the Longhorns, most in college football. Missouri had scored at least 45 points in each of their six game winning streak heading into the bowl.
Need more evidence of the strength of the Longhorns defense and special teams? Punter Michael Dickson was named as the MVP of the Texas Bowl. The Ray Guy Award winner as the nation’s best punter kicked 11 times for 452 yards. Furthermore four of his punts landed inside the five yard line keeping Missouri in bad field position for most of the game. The junior already announced he was leaving school early for the NFL Draft.
#Texas P Michael Dickson was named MVP of the #AcademyTexasBowl. He is the first non-offensive player to be named MVP in Texas Bowl history and is the 2nd-ever punter to be named MVP of a bowl game (Florida State P Graham Gano was named MVP of the 2008 Champs Sports Bowl)
— TaxAct Texas Bowl (@TexasBowl) December 28, 2017
As expected on offense both Longhorn quarterbacks Shane Buechele and Sam Ehlinger saw action and played well. Each player threw a touchdown pass while running back Daniel Young added 64 yards receiving and scored once. He added 48 yards rushing.
What’s Next For Both Teams?
In securing their first bowl win since 2013 and first bowl win since 2012 the future looks bright for the Longhorns. Texas has two talented quarterbacks returning along with one of the nations best recruiting classes.
Conversely Tiger fans will now sit and wait on Lock’s decision. Does the loss of his offensive coordinator help in his decision to declare for the NFL Draft? If he returns then Missouri remains near the top of the SEC in offense. If he leaves then it could be a long season in Columbia in 2018.
Texas Defeats Missouri 33-16 In The Texas Bowl marking the fourth time the Big 12 has won this game, more than any other conference. Thanks for checking out this recap and all the other content at Last Word On College Football leading up to the National Championship Game.
