Austin, TX

DeAndre Moore Jr. Reflects on Turning Practice Into Production

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1 hour ago

September 16, 2024

DeAndre Moore Jr. Reflects on Turning Practice Into Production

Despite being a top-20 player at his position in 247’s 2023 CFB recruiting rankings, now sophomore wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. barely played in his freshman year, recording zero catches while playing mostly special teams.

Despite this, Moore was seen as one of the hardest workers in the offseason, catapulting himself from the bottom of the WR depth chart to a starting role. Still, the receiver struggled to find a spot in the first two weeks, recording zero catches against Colorado State and Michigan even with him starting as the primary slot receiver.

But Saturday’s game against the UTSA Roadrunners saw a blossoming performance from the young receiver, capped off with a touchdown on redshirt freshman quarterback Arch Manning’s first play in the game after starter Quinn Ewers’ injury.

“To see the work that we all put in, come to life on Saturdays in front of the big DKR crowd under the lights, it was a really exhilarating moment,” Moore said.

Even with his struggles to find the ball in his hands the first two weeks, Moore relayed his emphasis on practicing how you play at all times.

“We see it every day in practice,” Moore said about the touchdown catch. “It was really nothing new for us, because we’ve already been prepped for the game, you know it really comes easy for us.”

Moore finished the afternoon with three catches and a touchdown, both tied for third most on the team. While the sophomore still isn’t the number on target like transfer Isaiah Bond, Moore brings an element that many others lack: the ability to run-block nickel cornerbacks like a pro.

Former Texas Longhorn Jordan Whittington speaks to fans during the Longhorns’ spring Orange and White game at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, April 20, 2024. / Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Moore worked under future NFL Draft pick Jordan Whittington this last year, learning the traits that made the veteran one of the most beloved players on the team throughout his Texas career. One of the hardest-to-teach abilities for a wide receiver is the skill of run-blocking, something many star recruits deem less necessary as they try to turn into the best pass-catchers in the nation. Moore, however, has shown already his ability to help in the running game, even despite head coach Steve Sarkisian’s problems with his teams blocking on the boundary.

“Something we challenged the receivers on this morning in my meeting was, I think we need to block better on the perimeter,” Sarkisian said. “We need to get we need to get hands and hats on safeties, and we got to give our runners an opportunity to create really big runs.”

If Moore were to stay as the top blocker of the group, playing time would be assured with Sarkisian’s love for the ground game. With efficient running comes the ability to throw the ball at will and take the top off of the defense, leading to more plays near the goal line, enabling Moore to be a threat.

“The biggest thing is to want to,” Moore said about blocking. “Do you want to go put your face on that man’s face? You know what I’m saying? And for me, I love football, so every little aspect of it I’m going to go do to the best of my ability. And if it’s blocking and having to shield that man off, I’m going to go do that. “

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Austin, TX

Uber expands self-driving ride-hailing service to Austin and Atlanta with Waymo partnership

Published

11 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Press Room

Uber expands self-driving ride-hailing service to Austin and Atlanta with Waymo partnership

Uber Technologies is set to expand its partnership with Alphabet’s Waymo, introducing self-driving, all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles to Austin, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, starting early next year. This move follows a successful collaboration in Phoenix, Arizona, where Waymo’s autonomous vehicles have been available since 2023.

Additionally, Uber will oversee and deploy a growing fleet of Waymo’s fully autonomous cars, expected to increase to hundreds over time. This initiative aligns with Uber’s broader strategy to integrate new technologies and transition its entire fleet to green energy.

Uber first teamed up with Waymo in 2023 to offer driverless cars in Phoenix. The new service in Austin and Atlanta will allow riders to request Waymo vehicles through Uber’s platform for certain trips. However, the specific criteria for these “qualifying trips” were not disclosed. Riders can also choose to opt out of receiving a Waymo vehicle.

The announcement comes at a crucial time for autonomous vehicle companies, which are facing increased scrutiny from safety regulators due to recent incidents involving self-driving technology. Uber’s partnership with Waymo is part of a broader strategy to leverage advancements in electric and autonomous driving technologies. Uber has also announced a similar collaboration with General Motors’ Cruise to provide self-driving cars on its platform by next year.

Waymo started as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009 and is a leading player in the autonomous vehicle sector. The company currently operates Waymo One, an autonomous ride-hailing service in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana expressed excitement about the expansion, highlighting the positive feedback from existing riders and the opportunity to bring the benefits of autonomous driving to new cities.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi also expressed enthusiasm about the expanded partnership, emphasizing the potential for riders in Austin and Atlanta to experience the advantages of autonomous transportation through Uber’s platform.

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Austin, TX

Paul Finebaum Makes Arch Manning Heisman Prediction

Published

18 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Press Room

Paul Finebaum Makes Arch Manning Heisman Prediction

SEC analyst Paul Finebaum is predicting that Arch Manning will win the Heisman Trophy Award before he leaves Texas and moves on to the National Football League.

Appeared on the Matt Barrie Show Sunday, Finebaum expressed confidence in the young quarterback’s chances of hoisting the prestigious trophy at some point down the line.

“He’s gonna win,” Finebaum said.

Sep 14, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) throws a touchdown pass during the second half against the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images / Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Though some oddsmakers have placed him as the sixth-most likely winner of the Heisman this year, Manning won’t be winning it for as long as Quinn Ewers is still on the roster and healthy. Ewers left Saturday’s win against UT-San Antonio with a strained abdomen but is reportedly expected to be “week to week” with the injury.

He gave a performance for the ages as he accounted for five touchdowns in less than three quarters of work. He completed 9 of-12 passes or 223 yards for four touchdowns. He also had a 67-yard touchdown run.

Manning will get anoither opportunity to run the offense on his own this Saturday when Texas hosts Louisiana Monroe, Ewers, who entered the season as one of the Heisman betting favorites, is expected to be out for the game.

“I mean, I don’t think they look any different,” Finebaum said. “Now, I’m sure, the old timers will say – not that I am a new timer – ‘Hey, that experience of Quinn Ewers.” But Arch Manning looks like he’s been around and I think Texas is in great shape.”

Former Oklahoma quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Caleb WIlliams were both in a similar predicament, Finebaum said.

“As I remember, Spencer Rattler, wasn’t he the Heisman favorite going into the season? And he got replaced by Caleb WIlliams. So, I mean it’s happened before,” Finebaum said, “But, I am sure Sark will figure this out.

“It doesn’t matter. Texas doesn’t have much on their dance card until we get to October, so they are in good shape.”

Texas and Louisiana Monroe will kick off at 8 p.m. on Saturday night at DKR Stadium. The game will be available for streaming on ESPN+.

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Austin, TX

Texas high school football 2024: Central Texas Week 3 rankings

Published

1 day ago

September 15, 2024

Press Room

Texas high school football 2024: Central Texas Week 3 rankings

AUSTIN, Texas – The second week of the 2024 Texas high school football season is in the books.

Check out our rankings for the second week of the new season, which featured matchups like Akins vs Manor New Tech, Hendricks vs Hays, Round Rock vs Vista Ridge, Westlake vs Humble Atasocita, McNeil vs Westwood, Wimberley vs LBJ, Glenn vs Bowie, and Austin High vs Johnson.

View the highlights and scores for Week 3 here.

View the rankings for Week 2 here.