The bruises and blood-stained uniforms after the first few days of bowl practice have become almost a tradition for Texas as it prepares for its bowl games.
They were on display the last several days as the Longhorns prepare for their Jan. 5 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl matchup with Ohio State.
So much for any feeling of wallowing in self-pity after the Longhorns were snubbed for the Big 12 title game on a controversial tiebreaker. What better way to hammer those feelings away than with a few more extra "Longhorn Drills"?
That practice activity is a staple for developing toughness. It's a three-on-three conditioning drill featuring a back running behind three linemen against three defensive linemen. The claustrophobic nature is emphasized in a tightly contained area set apart by tackling dummies.
"We've been as physical as we've ever been in practice to prepare for this game," Texas coach Mack Brown said. "But at the same time, we've gone one (offensive starter) against one (defensive starter) every day, because we want to match the speed and the physical part of the game. We've lined up and have just been after each other. The impact of the offensive and defensive line working against each other has been incredible."
After a demoralizing loss to Texas A&M last season, Brown ratcheted up intensity in his Holiday Bowl practices by putting his team through an excruciating run of workouts. The hard work paid off with an impressive 52-34 victory over Arizona State punctuated by four sacks and eight tackles for loss.
This season, the Longhorns are nursing a deeper wound after failing to make the Big 12 championship game -- and ultimately a potential shot at the national championship -- only after a controversial three-way tie for the South Division championship was settled by the BCS standings. Oklahoma claimed the Big 12 South title despite Texas' 45-35 victory over the Sooners on Oct. 11.
Those feelings lingered for a couple of days as the Longhorns moped about their near-miss. But after returning to practice, the return to intense practices has quickly caught their attention.
"I think we've got our mojo back," Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo said. "Everybody is upbeat and very excited about this bowl game. We haven't been in a BCS bowl for a while, so it's a true accomplishment for this season."
The return to physical practices is particularly important against Ohio State, who Brown believes will provide a challenge to the Longhorns in the trenches. Ohio State ranks 28th nationally in rush offense and features a punishing ground attack keyed by a huge offensive line and 237-pound tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells.
"They are huge. Their offensive line is about 300 pounds a man," Brown said. "Beanie Wells is by far the best back that we'll see this year. It's not even close for anybody else or in the same ballpark.
"And then you take (Ohio State quarterback) Terrelle Pryor. We all know how good he is. We recruited him. He's Vince Young, except may be thicker. He can run and throw. They are a physical football team."
On defense, the Buckeyes have standouts like linebacker James Laurinaitis and cornerback Malcolm Jenkins who both remember coming into Austin and snapping the Longhorns' 21-game winning streak early in the 2006 season.
"Coach Brown has really emphasized being physical and hitting each other a lot this year," guard Cedric Dockery said. "He wants that carryover to be in the bowl game. He wants us to be ready for what we're going to see with Ohio State."
And considering Texas' recent success in bowl games, it's hard to argue with the results. Texas, along with Boston College and Utah, are the only teams to have won consecutive bowl games in each of the last four seasons.
So the Longhorns are expecting more of the same intense hitting until they break for Christmas on Tuesday.
"He does that for us to get ready to play in the bowl games," Dockery said. "It's been good for him before, so I don't think he'll turn away from it this year."
Additional Notes:
Hall Should be Ready for Fiesta Bowl
Starting Texas center Chris Hall has returned to practice after missing the final two games of the season with a knee injury.
Hall expects to be ready to go for the Longhorns' Jan. 5 game against Ohio State in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
"I feel great," Hall said. "It's been really good to be back out there and doing live snaps again. Everything has felt really good. I can't complain about a thing."
True freshman David Snow ably filled in for Hall while he missed games against Kansas and Texas A&M.
"Having Chris back is great," Texas quarterback Colt McCoy said. "David did a great job of filling in. We couldn't have asked more from him. He was tremendous during that two-game stretch. But having Chris back is good, too. And we can use David in other areas of the rotation. It's all good."
Shipley Plans to Appeal for Sixth Season
Texas wide receiver Jordan Shipley has filed paperwork with the NCAA to apply for a sixth season of eligibility.
Shipley missed his first two college seasons because of a series of knee and hamstring injuries. He is considered a senior heading into the Longhorns' Jan. 5 Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State.
But he plans to return to college for another season if granted a medical hardship by the NCAA because of his earlier injuries.
"Looking back, I wouldn't change anything about it," Shipley said. "I feel like the adversity made me tougher and stronger. But that's also another reason I'd like another year."
A ruling is expected sometime next month. Shipley is hopeful but pragmatic about his chances.
"It would be awesome. I'm having a lot of fun playing here," Shipley said. "I feel like there's still more I'd like to accomplish as a team and individually. And I'm enjoying it so much I'd like to be around another year.
Shipley was a third-team All-American selection by the Associated Press this season after producing 79 receptions for 982 yards and 11 touchdowns. His 96-yard kickoff return against Oklahoma was a turning point for the Longhorns, sparking a comeback from an early 11-point deficit in a 45-35 victory.
At the Longhorns' regular-season finale against Texas A&M, Shipley was introduced with the other members of the senior class. He also said he approached his football banquet last week with the idea it could be the last time he was with his teammates in that setting.
"It's a funny feeling for me that I have a good chance of doing the same thing next year," Shipley said. "It's a weird feeling, but I had fun with it because it's not 100 percent that I'll be back next year. I have to look at it both ways knowing it could be my last year, but it also might not be."
Fiery McCoy Fueled by Heisman Vote
Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis received text messages from quarterbacks Vince Young and Colt McCoy after both finished second in their Heisman Trophy balloting.
While McCoy's was a little more suitable for family reading, Davis said the message from his current quarterback was just as determined as the one from Young, who led his team to the national championship after finishing second in the 2005 Heisman balloting behind Reggie Bush.
McCoy's snub has brought back some extra motivation for the Longhorns' Jan. 5 Fiesta Bowl game against Ohio State after finishing behind Sam Bradford of Oklahoma for the Heisman last week.
"With Vince in '05 I got a text shortly after the announcement and I can't relay exactly what he said because you guys write for children," Davis said. "But it basically said 'Coach let's get ready.'
"But I got another from Colt and his I can tell you about. I think there's something there because they are both such competitors."
McCoy said he told Davis he plans to use the Heisman vote to come back next year more prepared in his senior season.
"I just said everything happens for a reason," McCoy said. "God has a plan for me and this team. It's obvious I don't need to win it until next year."
