Texas

Everything Georgia Bulldogs Coach Kirby Smart Said About the Texas Longhorns

Published

3 months ago

October 14, 2024

Everything Georgia Bulldogs Coach Kirby Smart Said About the Texas Longhorns

AUSTIN — Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart met with the media Monday ahead of Saturday’s meeting against the No. 1 Texas Longhorns and previewed the top-five matchup.

Here’s what he had to say about Texas:

On his relationship with Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian:

“Lot of respect for Sark. You know, I’ve gotten to know Sark really well over the last couple years. We take a trip every year together, and really enjoy getting to know him and have a lot of respect for the job he does.”

On Texas being a “complete team”:

“I mean, the most complete team that we’ve seen or faced this year, and probably in multiple years. When you look at what they’re doing, defensively, offensively and special teams, they are clearly one of the best teams in the country.”

On the Texas offense:

“They’re balanced and they do a great job of putting you in conflict in terms of run, pass, play action, turn your back to the ball. I mean, they can take shots. They got really good wideouts to take shots with. You know, I think they lost a couple backs, maybe in preseason camp. And I thought like, ‘Okay, well, they’re not going to have — (laughs), wel these two backs they got are really good. And I’m like, ,an, I’m watching them against Mississippi State. … I was really impressed. And then against Oklahoma, they even got better. So it’s not like, there’s these weaknesses. They’re big, physical, upfront, on defense and offense. … In the trenches, they’ve got really good players, and they’re built like an SEC team, and it’s hard to prepare for (Sarkisian), because he knows what he’s doing. I mean, offensively, he’s really different in terms of what he makes you adjust to.”

On Texas QB Arch Manning:

“You watch the games that Arch played, he played really well. He did some really good things. I mean, look at his numbers. He played and he comes out first couple plays against Mississippi State ripping it and firing it in his first SEC (game) and played really good.”

On what makes the Texas defense great and how it reminds him of some former Georgia teams:

“Size, speed, two best front guys. I mean, let’s, let’s every every defense starts with train wreckers, big guys, physical guys at the point of attack that are hard to move. They got them. They’ve got guys on the edge that are elite rushers. They got an elite player out of the portal. They went and got DB from Clemson (Andrew Mukuba), who’s playing really good. They patched up some holes they had, and they’re the complete package on because they’re really consistent. They don’t give up explosives. They’re really good in the red area. They’re hard to run the ball on. The consistency you watch them play with, it reminds me of some of our better teams here, our best teams here, I’m like, man, they’re good on D, they’re good on O good on special teams, and they’re playing at a high level.”

On former Georgia defensive tackle Bill Norton, now at Texas:

“What a great kid, man. This guy worked his tail off here and worked really hard. … One of his key roles with special teams, and he played on our field goal urotection Unit, and was the best at doing it we had. And he was a backup defensive tackle and played some snaps, but that was his role that I want to say, maybe the Ohio State game, or one of the games we lost somebody, and he had to go in and take over and play a role at that. And he did it with great pride. He was always like positive and enjoyed practice, and was fun to be around, funny guy. And now he’s been, I guess, two places, you know, and he’s playing for them, and he’s doing a really good job.”

On Texas tight end Gunnar Helm:

“Well, first of all, he’s a tremendous blocker. He’s not a one-way tight end. He’s got great size. I mean, this guy’s huge on film, but he’s a great pass catcher. And the scheme that Sark has, they do a great job. It’s not like they just say, hey, go out here and go one-on-one and get open. They’re sprinting out throwing back, their play action, boot(leg) naked, throw a screen off of it. Everything that you don’t honor because you’re thinking about another play, they got a play off of it. That makes you honor him. And he’s a tremendous blocker. I think the quarterbacks are really comfortable with him, so when you get zone elements and holes and zones, they trust him to go to be at that spot and catch the ball. But I wasn’t aware of him going into the week because I had not really heard of him. And now watching tape, this guy’s a really good player, and you’re right. He had a big game last week.”

On Texas QB Quinn Ewers:

“There’s nothing he sees that he hasn’t seen. … He’s a really good athlete. He’s been in Sark’s system. I mean, I think the comparisons between he and Carson (Beck) are so similar in terms of the kind of quarterbacks they are. They’re both better athletes than people think. They both have awareness of coverage, and they’re really good in the pocket, and this guy’s taken off and hurt people running when he needs to, but he also can stand in the pocket and make all the throws and change the protection. So I’ve really been impressed with him. But that was the case even last year when I saw him play.”

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Texas

Tips on protecting plants and property as North Texas homeowners prepare for freeze

Published

1 hour ago

January 4, 2025

Press Room

Tips on protecting plants and property as North Texas homeowners prepare for freeze

01:41

NORTH TEXAS — In a couple of days, temperatures are expected to drastically drop. This weekend is a good time to get prepared.

Richardson homeowner Stephanie Brownell is now preparing her home for freezing temperatures while it’s still pleasant outside.

“I don’t like cold weather, so I’ve come out and I wrapped all my faucets and then put covers on them,” she said.

She’s also moved all her potted tropical plants inside.

“So for this freeze you’re going to want to bring in anything that’s tropical, tender vegetation such as house plants, and things like that,” Fort Worth Botanic Garden Senior Director of Horticulture Keith Brock said. “Most of your annuals will be fine.”

He said based on the forecast, water your plants now if you can.

“Water has insulating quality,” he said. “It also makes sure that plants are not under stress because like water, you want your plants in good shape when we get these kinds of temperatures. I would start no later than tomorrow.”

He said for the most part, outdoor plants don’t need to be covered. However, if there’s any concern based on the type of plant you have, you can always throw a frost cloth or an old sheet on it.

Brownell said her gardenias are vulnerable to the cold. She’s making the preparations now, hoping they pay off in the coming days.

Erin Jones

Raised in Richardson, Erin Jones is proud to call North Texas home. Her passion for journalism began in elementary school. For a 5th grade graduation memory book, she was asked what do you want to be when you grow up? She wrote journalist.

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Texas expected to host Florida State transfer edge Marvin Jones on Friday

Published

10 hours ago

January 3, 2025

Press Room

Texas expected to host Florida State transfer edge Marvin Jones on Friday

After a quiet period in the NCAA transfer portal around the holidays, the Texas Longhorns are active again with a report from 247Sports that head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff are expected to host Florida State Seminoles transfer edge Marvin Jones on Friday.

Florida State EDGE transfer Marvin Jones Jr. is expected to visit Texas today, a source tells @CBSSports/@247Sports.
The former five-star recruit, who is coming off a visit to Oklahoma, ranks as the third-best uncommitted defensive player in the portal. Had four sacks this year.… pic.twitter.com/pE8FUnd99M
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 3, 2025

The son of 10-year NFL veteran and former Florida State standout Marvin Jones, the younger Jones has one season of eligibility remaining. Jones previously took a visit to Oklahoma.

A 6’5, 255-pounder out of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage in the 2022 recruiting class, Jones was ranked as the No. 24 player nationally and the No. 3 edge, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. He chose Georgia over 32 other offers, taking official visits to Alabama, Florida State, Oklahoma, and USC.

In Athens, Jones tallied 16 tackles, including 5.5 for loss with 2.0 sacks, playing in 12 games in 2023, including a start in the SEC Championship Game, recording 12 tackles, 4.5 for loss with 1.0 sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one quarterback hurry as a sophomore.

Jones transferred back to his home state to play for his father’s alma mater as a junior, but departed Tallahassee after the Seminoles finished last in the ACC with a 2-10 record overall and 1-7 mark in conference play. At Florida State, Jones started in nine of his 11 appearances despite some injury issues, totaling a career-high 25 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble. Jones totaled 16 pressures and 17 defensive stops, including two sacks among four total pressures against Cal.

Texas has a need for edge at the edge position with the departure of Barryn Sorrell following the 2024 season and the entrance of junior Justice Finkley into the NCAA transfer portal. 247Sports ranks Jones as the third-best available defender in the portal.

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Texas

Memphis basketball vs North Texas: Prediction, picks, injury updates and odds

Published

19 hours ago

January 3, 2025

Press Room

Memphis basketball vs North Texas: Prediction, picks, injury updates and odds

The Memphis basketball team’s early season schedule has been one of the strongest in the country.

It has also featured an array of contrasting styles and looks. Coming off a commanding road victory over an FAU team that is more offensive-oriented, now the Tigers (11-3, 1-0 AAC) turn their attention to North Texas (11-3, 1-0), which prefers to focus more on defense.

The Mean Green travel to Memphis for a game Sunday (4 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2). It will be the only regular-season meeting between the two.

North Texas is coming off a come-from-behind win at home over UAB on Tuesday. The Blazers were the preseason favorite according to a poll of the AAC’s coaches to win the league. The Tigers earned a win over FAU on Thursday.

Here are three things to keep an eye on ahead of Sunday’s game.

The ‘blessing’ of having Dain Dainja

Memphis big man Dain Dainja feasted on FAU in the second half, scoring all 16 of his points during a 6:54 span.

The former Illinois and Baylor player is averaging 11.4 points per game (fourth on the team), and he’s doing it off the bench.

Coach Penny Hardaway has called it a “luxury” to have a player of Dainja’s caliber playing a reserve role. On Thursday, he went with a new word.

“What a blessing to have Dain Dainja coming off your bench,” he said. “At any time, he can get going. When he got his fourth foul, I left him out there and went with the two bigs (Dainja and Moussa Cisse). They did really well. Dain adds a different layer, because he can score the ball in bunches.”

How to capitalize on momentum

Memphis’ Tyrese Hunter said there was plenty of room for improvement after the FAU win.

The senior guard, who scored 20 points, rattled off a list of things: Keep the confidence level high, pay attention to the scouting report, and maintain the same energy level for a full 40 minutes.

But there was one item very clearly at the top of the list.

“Learn from your mistakes,” he said.

The Tigers committed 19 turnovers and gave up 25 points off those miscues. They also gave up 19 offensive rebounds, which led to 18 second-chance points for FAU.

North Texas basketball scouting report

It’s all about the defense for North Texas.

The Mean Green are second in the nation in steal percentage (15.1%). Eight different members of the roster have registered 10 or more steals through 14 games, led by Latrell Jossell’s 23.

But the Mean Green can create turnovers in other ways. North Texas is fourth in the country in turnover percentage defense (24.4%), and its opponents are averaging 15.1 turnovers per game.

The latter is a top-50 mark in Division I. But Memphis has overcome turnover-minded teams. The Tigers committed 13 turnovers versus Ole Miss and 16 against Missouri but won both of those home games comfortably.

Scoring points is not something North Texas emphasizes. The Mean Green has put up more than 73 points just twice since early November and has only topped 80 points once this season against Mississippi Valley State. That’s partially because of personnel. But it’s also a result of coach Ross Hodge’s philosophy. North Texas plays at one of the five slowest paces in the country, which was also the case last season.

Memphis basketball score prediction vs. North Texas

Memphis 77, North Texas 68: The Mean Green can be a feisty bunch. But the Tigers at home will be more than they can handle.

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com, follow him @munzly on X, and sign up for the Memphis Basketball Insider text group.

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