Players to Watch: Iowa State

Running back Mike Warren

Texas faces the top freshman rusher in the country in Iowa State running back Mike Warren. The redshirt freshman began the season quietly with only nine carries for 28 yards in his first two games. Warren had a breakout game in Week 3 against Toledo, putting up 126 yards on 21 carries. He’s been rolling since then and is the No. 2 rusher in the Big 12. Warren’s 153.8 average rush yards per game is third in the nation. Warren was also added to the Doak Walker Award watch list earlier this week. He is the only freshman candidate for the award, which is given to the nation’s top running back. The Longhorn defense needs to be prepared for Iowa State to utilize Warren heavily in its running game.

Defensive end Dale Pierson 

Warren isn’t the only Cyclone receiving national attention. Senior defensive end Dale Pierson was named to the Ted Hendricks Award midseason watch list this week, which honors the top defensive end in the country. Pierson is 11th in the nation in sacks per game with 0.93 and has 6.5 total sacks on the season. He also recorded a tackle-for-loss in every game he’s played this season for a total of 10 for a loss of 57 yards. Pierson has 27 total tackles this year, and he’ll likely be a key part of the Cyclone defense as it looks to stop Texas’ tough run game Saturday.

 Receiver Allen Lazard 

Sophomore Allen Lazard is making an impact for Iowa State as a wide receiver and on special teams. Lazard is currently the Cyclones’ top receiver with 406 yards and three touchdowns on 29 catches. He’s averaging 16.9 punt return yards per game – the most in the Big 12 — and has 152 yards as a punt returner. Lazard could be dangerous for the lackluster Longhorn special teams and secondary.

Quarterback Joel Lanning 

Redshirt sophomore Joel Lanning just found out this week he would start for the Cyclones. Redshirt senior quarterback Sam Richardson struggled against Baylor, completing 3-of-11 passes for 12 yards. Lanning took over for Richardson in the second quarter and led a Cyclones comeback in the second half. He completed 12-of-17 for 144 yards to cut Iowa State’s deficit from 35-0 to 45-27. Lanning’s solid performance in the loss to Baylor landed him the starting job against the Longhorns. Texas’ defense will need to capitalize on Lanning’s inexperience and put pressure on him to force mistakes.

Photo courtesy of Korrie Bysted

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2015/10/29/players-to-watch-iowa-state

Players to Watch: Kansas State

Defensive back Morgan Burns

Senior defensive back Morgan Burns is a key contributor to the Wildcats’ defense and special teams. He totaled 55 tackles, three interceptions and seven pass breakups last season as a cornerback and averaged 30.7 yards per kickoff return – third in the Big 12. He’s regarded as one of Kansas State’s  fastest players and is building a strong 2015 season. Burns has played in five games and racked up 17 total tackles and five pass breakups. His biggest impact is on special teams. He leads the Wildcats with 341 all-purpose yards, all from kick returns. Burns is averaging 31 yards per kickoff return, the most in the Big 12. Texas’ kickoff-return defense is ranked No. 122 out of 127 FBS teams, allowing opponents to average a little more than 27 yards per return. Burns’ speed and agility could rip through one of the weaker areas of the Texas team Saturday.

Defensive tackle Will Geary

Former high school wrestler and Kansas State walk-on Will Geary is a force to be reckoned with. The redshirt sophomore defensive tackle is a stout 6-foot, 297 pounds and totaled 30 tackles in his debut season last year. He should well surpass that number this season, as he already has 27 tackles through six games. Geary was named to FoxSports’ Bruce Feldman’s preseason ‘Top 25 Freaks in College Football’ list, which spotlights “those guys who are the top workout warriors in the sport or the guys who possess some rare physical abilities that wow folks inside their programs.” Geary could show off those ‘freaky’ physical abilities against a Texas offensive line that’s had some struggles this season.

 Quarterback Joe Hubener

Junior quarterback Joe Hubener stepped into the starting role after then-starter Jesse Ertz injured his knee in Kansas State’s season opener against South Dakota. Ertz left the game after only two snaps, and Hubener led the Wildcats to a 34-0 win with 147 yards and one touchdown pass. Hubener has settled in as a starter, amassing 866 yards and throwing four touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 240 yards and six touchdowns. Hubener still shows signs of inexperience, however. He’s thrown four interceptions and cost Kansas State a potential upset when he fumbled in the final minute of a 52-45 loss to No. 4 TCU. He was benched in the second half of a 55-0 blowout loss to Oklahoma last weekend. Senior receiver Kody Cook took over under center and both quarterbacks combined to throw for 45 yards and three interceptions, completing just 5-of-22 passes. Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder is “not sure yet” who will start against Texas. Hubener put up 268 yards of total offense and four touchdowns against the same TCU team that embarrassed the Longhorns 50-7. Hubener poses a threat if Texas’ defense performs the way it did against TCU three weeks ago.

Photo courtesy of George Walker

Running back Justin Silmon

Freshman running back Justin Silmon began the season at the No. 2 spot on the Kansas State depth chart. He’s now the Wildcats’ leading rusher and top running back since making his debut in Week 1 against South Dakota with 51 yards on six carries. He’s rushed for 285 yards this season with two touchdowns. Silmon ran for a season-high 119 yards on 24 attempts in a 39-33 triple-overtime win against Louisiana Tech. Texas’ defense continues to improve each week and will need to be on its A-game to prevent Silmon from breaking through.

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2015/10/22/players-to-watch-kansas-state

UT alumnus pursues dream of playing wheelchair rugby in Paralympics

UT alumnus Jeff Butler faced a decision not many 25-year-olds have to make. Like most recent graduates, he wanted to pursue a career. But he also had the opportunity to pursue his lifelong dream: competing for Team USA in wheelchair rugby at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

“I’ve done a lot of soul-searching the past year — do I pursue this Paralympic thing and potentially delay some of my career goals?” Butler said. “But I’m pretty confident and comfortable with the choice I’ve made to go after the Paralympics because this is not something that I’m able to do later in life.”

Butler has been playing wheelchair rugby since high school. He played recreationally for the Indianapolis club team in his home state of Indiana. But his goal of qualifying for the Paralympics drove him to search for more competitive opportunities. Butler transferred from Indiana University to UT to play for Austin’s club team, the Stampede.

“The head coach of the club team in Austin also is the head coach of Team USA,” Butler said. “If you want to be the best and want to reach your goals, you go wherever your best chance of doing that is.”

Head coach James Gumbert’s knowledge and mentorship kept Butler motivated when he tried out for Team USA four times before making the cut. Butler upped his training regimen to five days a week, including practices, working on endurance, agility and court drills. He began focusing more on game strategy and technical aspects of the sport to meet the demands of playing for Team USA.

“[Gumbert] was the one who was saying don’t give up … on this dream of yours,” Butler said. “It’s also helpful to have a coach who’s incredibly knowledgeable about the game who can tell you in great detail what you need to be doing and why you need to be doing it.”

UT alumnus Jeff Butler has found a home competing for the U.S. wheelchair rugby team. Butler and Team USA hope to compete at the Rio Paralympics next year. Photo courtesy of Kelly Gumbert

Butler also had a mentor in close friend and former teammate Emily Shryock. They were teammates in Indiana and both moved to Austin to play for Gumbert with the Stampede. Shryock is now the assistant director at the Services for Students with Disabilities at UT.

“Jeff’s always had the enthusiasm and the drive to become a great athlete,” Shryock said. “That’s one of the reasons he’s reached the level he has — because it wasn’t something he just talked about and wanted ­— it was really something that he was willing to work toward.”

Butler’s hard work and training is paying off. He returned home with a Team USA silver medal from the World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge in London last week. Team USA lost by one point to Canada on the first day of the tournament. It then went on to win four games straight. But Canada again plagued the team in the gold medal match on the final day, defeating Team USA 54-50 to win gold.

“This is [Butler’s] first big international competition, so it’s been exciting to see him get to that point,” Shryock said. “We used to be at home together watching Team USA play games, and now he’s the one out there actually competing in them.”

Butler’s road to taking the court at the Paralympics next summer is far from over. The London tournament served as a measuring stick to gauge where Team USA stacks up against five of the top teams in the world, but they still need to get through a Paralympics qualifying tournament early next year.

Butler feels confident his team can do it. Winning a silver medal among the top-seeded teams in the world isn’t a bad start for the No. 2-ranked Team USA.

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2015/10/19/ut-alumnus-pursues-dream-of-playing-wheelchair-rugby-in-paralympics

Women’s swimming and diving wins short-course meet on Day 2 of season opener

The Longhorns notched seven wins in the 25-yard short-course meet Saturday to sweep their season opener, defeating Florida 155-105 and Indiana 141-115. The Longhorns also won the long-course meet Friday, beating Indiana 168-130 and Florida 171-129. Texas tallied 12 total wins this weekend.

“It was a little bit strange the first day out on the long course,” head coach Carol Capitani said. “I like starting off this way — it makes them tougher, makes them do the little things right. We do have to make some progress, but I do like where we are.”

All-American junior Madisyn Cox added three short-course wins in addition to her two wins Friday in 50-meter long course events. Cox posted a 1:47.93 win in the 200-yard freestyle over seven-time All-American Florida senior Ashlee Linn. Cox also had an exciting win in the 200-yard breaststroke, narrowly defeating Indiana freshman Miranda Tucker by seven-tenths of a second. Cox finished in 2:12.83 and Tucker in 2:12.90. Cox dominated the 400-meter individual medley, winning by almost four seconds.

Photo credit: Andrea Kurth

“I feel good just seeing this team as a whole,” Cox said. “A lot of the freshmen stepped up, and that’s great to see. I’m just really excited for the direction we’re headed.”

Freshman Joanna Evans put up a strong short-course performance in her first collegiate meet, notching two wins Saturday. Evans’ endurance held up in the 1000-yard freestyle. She pulled ahead in the last 10 laps to win in 9:55.24. Evans won the 500-meter freestyle in thrilling fashion with a 4:49.67, narrowly beating Indiana senior Haley Lips’ time of 4:50.08.

“It was [Evans’] first short-course meet,” Cox said. “She did really well and it’s so inspiring to see that.”

Freshman Olivia Anderson earned another close win for Texas in the 100-yard breaststroke. Anderson finished in 1:01.54 — only a tenth of a second faster than Indiana freshman Lilly King’s second place time of 1:01.64.

“[Anderson] touched out [King] who touched her out yesterday, and [King] is good,” Cox said. “Olivia took that fire from yesterday —  getting touched out —  and came back today and got her.”

Freshman Quinn Carrozza made her collegiate debut in the long course Friday with a win in the 200-meter backstroke. She continued her success Saturday, winning the 200-yard backstroke in 1:56.43. Freshman Remedy Rule came in third with 1:58.15. Rule added more points for Texas with a second-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly.

“We lost some key players in our seniors, and I feel like [the freshmen] have eased the pain of that,” Capitani said. “I’m glad of how they stood up, and I’m happy with how they got out of their comfort zone, and most of them did. Most of them surprised themselves at how good they were right now.”

Texas faces A&M in College Station on Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. for its next meet.

Click here to read a recap of Friday’s portion of the meet.

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2015/10/17/women%E2%80%99s-team-wins-short-course-meet-on-day-2-of-season-opener

Swimming and diving dominates in Day 1 of season opener

Texas women’s swimming and diving put up a solid performance in the long-course meet on day one of its season opener against Indiana and Florida. The Longhorns beat Indiana, 168-130, and Florida, 171-129.

Texas began the day with a second- and third-place finish in the 200-meter medley relay. Texas’ B-team placed second with a time of 1:57.59, and the A-team took third with 1:57.76. Indiana’s A-team won the race in 1:57.09.

Texas freshman Joanna Evans won the 800-meter freestyle with a time of 8:54.12. Florida freshman Jessica Thielmann was right behind Evans with an 8:55.80. The Longhorns kept the momentum going with first- and second-place finishes in the 200-meter freestyle. Junior All-American Madisyn Cox dominated the pool with a 2:01.58 – almost two seconds faster than freshman Quinn Carrozza’s second-place time of 2:03.40.

The 100-meter breaststroke was a thrilling fight to the end. Texas freshman Olivia Anderson took a close second place with a time of 1:09.71, behind Indiana freshman Lilly King’s 1:09.38.

The 200-meter butterfly proved to be another close race, with a little more than seven-tenths of a second separating the top three finishers. Texas junior Maggie D’Innocenzo placed third with a 2:16.92. Florida freshman Taylor Katz won the race in 2:16.17.

Sophomore Rebecca Millard won the 50-meter freestyle with a 26.28 and placed second in the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 57.67. Carrozza held a commanding lead in the 200-meter backstroke to win the race in 2:13.66 — more than two seconds faster than the second-place time. Cox dominated the 200-meter individual medley, winning by almost five seconds at 2:16.42. She also placed third in the 200-meter breaststroke.

The Longhorns saw another tight finish in the 400-meter freestyle, as Evans came in second with a time of 4:20.30 behind Indiana sophomore Kennedy Goss’s 4:20.10.

Senior diver Meghan Houston placed second in the one-meter dive with a score of 278.55.

Texas capped off the day with a sound two-second victory in the 200-meter freestyle relay, finishing the race in 1:44.54.

Texas wraps up the dual meet tomorrow with short-course events against Indiana and Florida. The first event begins at 10 a.m.

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2015/10/16/longhorns-dominate-in-day-one-of-season-opener

Tying the Knot: Local artist’s sculpture on display at new Drop-Off Center

Ever since he was nine years old, local Austin artist George Sabra has been drawn to art. Now an established sculptor, George focuses on environmental art using recycled, reused, and reclaimed materials.

“I believe that there is value in the discarded and reclaimed materials,” George said. “My duty as an artist is to bring to the public the value of these materials through the beauty of the art in hopes that it will help people be aware of what they throw away.”

George was inspired to re-create stories through his art after reading a childhood story about a mother and child in a time of war. He wanted to convey their faces and emotions on canvas and began experimenting with paint, eventually sculpting with clay or wire – whatever he could get his hands on.

“My favorite thing as a boy was to collect metal caps from glass bottles,” George recalls. “It was so much fun – I punched holes in the caps and used wire to create a sculpture.”

George’s desire to create art from existing materials stayed with him. He opened his own art studio shortly after college and has been creating and sharing his work in Austin for more than nine years.

“I created my own technique in my own studio and started building small- and medium-scale sculptures,” George said. “I love doing art out of reclaimed material. I have this relation between me and all the used items.”

One particular piece was created with a special purpose in mind. The KNOT sculpture is made of 55-gallon oil-drum barrels and took three months to create. George had to build two special machines out of scrap materials to crush, press, and bend the 35 barrels into the knotted shape. He hopes the sculpture can send a message to the United Nations COP21 Convention on Climate Change in Paris this December.

“It’s the time now to tie the knot,” George said about the sculpture’s message. “The oil barrels are symbolic of the petroleum product. It’s a message to the conference to take caution of burning fossil fuels and petroleum products.”

George hopes the KNOT can influence key world leaders at the conference, but the sculpture has also garnered interest locally. The KNOT is on display around Austin as part of the TEMPO Program, a division of the City’s Art in Public Places Program. This temporary art initiative gives local emerging artists exposure by displaying their work at rotating outdoor locations.  The TEMPO program allows artists to explore a range of themes suitable for the outdoor environment and provides the opportunity for innovative, thought-provoking artwork that impacts the way people experience their environment.

“Temporary public art has become a significant player in the environmental movement,” George said. “It has the power to transform the way individuals think and act regarding the environment and sustainability…and is a great way to inform and engage the public in current issues that need to be addressed.”

KNOT was on display at the Austin Convention Center forSXSW Eco, as the sculpture was funded by Art in Public Places Program for the convention with the intention of driving local tourism. The KNOT moved to the new Recycle & Reuse Drop-Off Center on Oct. 12.

“I see the people react to the sculpture, and it’s so amazing,” George said. “When people are standing beside the sculpture, they can feel how much energy I put inside it.”

George strives to affect environmental change through the energy his sculptures emit. He hopes the messages behind his sculptures will engage the community in environmental issues through the excitement and beauty of art.

“A sculpture can start a conversation – why oil barrels, why not?” George said. “It’s the power of the art to transform the message in a different way. Nobody has to read or listen – the sculpture speaks to their hearts through the beauty.”

Thanks to the TEMPO program, visitors at the Recycle & Reuse Drop-Off Center grand opening on Oct. 17 can view the KNOT sculpture and – hopefully – take George’s message to heart.

For more information on the grand opening event, please visit http://www.austintexas.gov/event/recycle-reuse-drop-center-grand-opening

To see more of George’s work, check out his website: www.georgesabra.com

http://www.austintexas.gov/blog/tying-knot-local-artist%E2%80%99s-sculpture-display-new-drop-center

Players to Watch: Oklahoma

Running back Samaje Perine

Sophomore running back Samaje Perine is already building a strong follow-up season to a dazzling freshman year. Perine ran for 1,713 yards as a freshman with 21 touchdowns, and he also racked up 15 receptions for 108 yards. He already has 328 yards on 72 carries this year for the No. 10 Sooners. Perine broke the school-record 2,000 career-yard mark in a 44-24 win over West Virginia in Week 4, making him the fastest Sooner to hit 2,000 career yards in the Bob Stoops era. After a quiet 65-yard performance against the Mountaineers, Perine could have a heyday Saturday against a Texas defense that allowed TCU’s offense to take control of the field and run up 604 yards of total offense last week.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield

The junior from Austin made an impact for Texas Tech before transferring to Oklahoma his sophomore year. Mayfield started seven games for the Red Raiders in 2013, completing 218-of-340 passes for 2,315 yards and 12 touchdowns. He sat out his sophomore season at Oklahoma due to NCAA transfer rules, but has proved himself an asset to the Sooners’ offense through four games this season. Mayfield has already passed for 1,382 yards and 13 touchdowns, completing 88-of-135 throws. He also has 138 yards on the ground and ran for four touchdowns. TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin gashed Texas’ defense for 332 yards and five touchdowns last week, and Mayfield could do the same in the Cotton Bowl after putting up Boykin-like numbers all season for the Sooners.

Wide receiver Sterling Shepard

Senior receiver Sterling Shepard has been a consistent piece in the Sooners’ offense with 2,515 career yards and 18 touchdowns. Shepard won the game for Oklahoma in double overtime against Tennessee in Week 2, as he caught the game-winning touchdown pass and burst through two defenders into the end zone to seal the win at 31-24. He is averaging 16 yards per reception with 321 yards on 20 catches. Expected to be one of the top wide receiver prospects for the 2016 NFL draft, Shepard is rated No. 9 out of 401 wide receivers, according to NFL Draft Scout. As Shepard looks to finish his final collegiate season strong, he’ll likely take advantage of a Texas defense that allowed TCU receivers 376 yards and six touchdowns last week.

Photo courtesy of Tyler Woodward

Linebacker Eric Striker

Texas redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard could be in big trouble as he tries to avoid Oklahoma senior linebacker Eric Striker – one of the most feared pass rushers in the country, according to Gabriel Baumgaertner of Sports Illustrated. Striker forced a fourth quarter fumble last week against West Virginia that allowed Oklahoma junior linebacker Jordan Evans to run the ball back 40 yards for the Sooners’ final touchdown of the game. Striker finished the game with 13 tackles and two sacks and has 29 tackles on the season – bad news for a Texas offensive line that has struggled to protect the quarterback all season.

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2015/10/06/players-to-watch-oklahoma

Players to Watch: TCU

Quarterback Trevone Boykin

Senior quarterback Trevone Boykin enters Week 5 as the Big 12’s leading passer and a top candidate for the Heisman trophy. His 1,470 passing yards are third in the nation, and he’s thrown for 14 touchdowns and only three interceptions so far. Boykin put up career numbers last week as No. 4 TCU narrowly avoided an upset at Texas Tech. He threw the game-winning touchdown pass from the 4-yard line with 23 seconds left in the game to seal the win 55-52. Boykin completed 63 percent of his passes and finished the night with a career-high 485 yards and four touchdowns through the air. The Longhorn defense will have its hands full Saturday with Boykin and the No. 5 scoring offense in the country.

Photo Credit: Ethan Black

Wide receiver Josh Doctson

One of Boykin’s favorite targets and the No. 1 wide receiver in the country, senior Josh Doctson is a central cog in the Horned Frogs’ explosive offense. Doctson put up 267 yards on a conference record-tying 18 catches against Texas Tech last weekend. He has 593 yards on 35 catches and has hauled in six touchdown grabs this season. Doctson set a TCU single-season record in 2014 with 1,018 receiving yards, and he should finish 2015 well over that number if he continues at this level of play. Doctson tagged Texas’ defense for 115 yards last year in a 48-10 TCU win and could easily do the same this year against a struggling Texas pass defense.

Running back Aaron Green

The Horned Frogs might be 3-1 instead of 4-0 if it hadn’t been for senior tailback Aaron Green’s heroics last weekend. As TCU trailed Texas Tech with 23 seconds left to play, Green caught the game-winning touchdown just barely in-bounds after Boykin’s high pass was tipped off Doctson’s hands. He recorded three touchdowns and 162 rushing yards on 28 carries. Green amassed 922 yards in 2014 as TCU’s leading rusher and also leads the Frogs with 434 yards so far this season. As TCU looks to continue proving its case for a playoff bid, Green has a chance to pad that number by taking advantage of a Texas defense that’s given up 825 rushing yards this season.

Defensive end Josh Carraway

Texas’ offensive line crumbled last week when junior right tackle Kent Perkins left the game with a knee injury. Redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard was sacked five times, once for a loss of 22 yards, without Perkins on the line. Perkins is day-to-day and there is a good chance he’ll play Saturday, and Texas’ offensive line will need all the reinforcement it can get against TCU junior defensive end Josh Carraway. He wreaked havoc on the Longhorns last year in a 48-10 Horned Frogs blowout, returning an interception 33 yards for a touchdown in the final minutes of the game. Carraway also forced a Longhorn fumble in the first quarter, which led to TCU’s first touchdown. If Perkins isn’t in the Texas lineup Saturday or isn’t 100 percent healthy, Carraway could exploit the weak Texas line and force turnovers from the hands of young Heard.

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2015/10/01/players-to-watch-tcu