University of Texas vs. UCLA in Arlington

[Rabid Cougar]

What exactly happened during the bizarre Texas-UCLA coin toss?
Sep 14, 4:35 AM

ARLINGTON – One of the strangest things that happened in the Texas Longhorns' 20-17 loss to No. 12-ranked UCLA Saturday night at AT&T Stadium took place even before the game started.

UCLA won the coin toss and the Bruins deferred to the second half. With the option to take the ball or kick off, the Longhorns chose to kick the ball off and play defense. The referee insinuated to both Texas captains – senior defensive tackle Desmond Jackson and senior running back Malcolm Brown – playing defense would mean they'd have to kick the ball off to open the game and likely after halftime.

Jackson appeared to confirm with Brown that playing defense is what they wanted to do, so Jackson told the referee the Longhorns wanted to be on defense first. The move cost the Longhorns a possession since UCLA wisely chose to receive the ball to start the third quarter.

After the game, Texas head coach Charlie Strong discussed the snafu.

“You know, I think that what happened, one of our guys got nervous,” Strong said. “I said to him, I said, 'What happened?' He said, 'I don't know, Coach. I was just so hyped up and I just' – they looked at me, and they said, 'You want to receive the ball or do you guys want to play defense?' And he was like,
'Oh, we want to play defense.'”

Strong didn't take the choice of the captains very well.

“I said, 'We lost the toss,'” Strong said.

Brown was made available to the media after the game, but he he declined to discuss what happened during the coin toss.

And these are SENIORS with the ref telling them what they wanted to do.! They have been playing since they were 6 years old. IDIOTS!

My PEEWEE TEAMS knew they wanted the ball on coin flips.

[1st and goal]

I'm all for Coach Strong's attempt to instill discipline.

I actually wonder if any recruits may have been "turned off" by some of the shenanigans that some of the players brought to the team? Some boy'z mamas wouldn't look to kindly seeing their kids go into a locker room environment that had a shady element.

[Macarthur]

I'm all for Coach Strong's attempt to instill discipline.

I actually wonder if any recruits may have been "turned off" by some of the shenanigans that some of the players brought to the team? Some boy'z mamas wouldn't look to kindly seeing their kids go into a locker room environment that had a shady element.

I think that's wishful thinking. Look, it's been born out for years and year. You don't win big in the NCAA with recruiting guys that are choir boys. It's a sad truth, but a truth nonetheless. The trick, as Sumlin is finding out, is how to balance bringing in the top talent and keeping them out of the police blotter.

[Rabid Cougar]

I'm all for Coach Strong's attempt to instill discipline.

I actually wonder if any recruits may have been "turned off" by some of the shenanigans that some of the players brought to the team? Some boy'z mamas wouldn't look to kindly seeing their kids go into a locker room environment that had a shady element.

They don't want to play D1 football then because that element is everywhere.

[New Taiton]

You don't win big in the NCAA with recruiting guys that are choir boys.

100% correct.

You want to win a NC? Sign top 5 recruiting classes year in and year out.

No team has won the NC with a bunch of "coached up" "diamonds in the rough".

Recruiting the sole reason why I think Coach Strong is going to need 5-7 years to turn the program around. He has 0 recruiting momentum and is recruiting against Briles and Sumlin who both showcase skill players and have a more "relaxed" atmosphere which is an exact 180 from his bootcamp mentality.

Time will tell...

[Emerson1]

100% correct.

You want to win a NC? Sign top 5 recruiting classes year in and year out.

No team has won the NC with a bunch of "coached up" "diamonds in the rough".

Recruiting the sole reason why I think Coach Strong is going to need 5-7 years to turn the program around. He has 0 recruiting momentum and is recruiting against Briles and Sumlin who both showcase skill players and have a more "relaxed" atmosphere which is an exact 180 from his bootcamp mentality.

Time will tell...

Eh. Texas currently has the 17th ranked class. Baylor despite their success is still barely cracking the top 50. OU is still behind Texas. A&M is the only team that Strong has to really worry about. Texas coaches are meeting with every top player in the state over the course of this week. Could see some stuff happening as far as verbals go soon. This years class will be swayed by where Malik Jefferson ends up.

Parents have a lot of influence too. I would bet there are a good number who would rather them go to a place where there is actually some sort of discipline.

[Rabid Cougar]

Parents will overlook a lot if the right school comes knocking.....

[Rabid Cougar]

This just came in and illustrates another aspect of prospect's decision making no matter who the school is....playing time.

"June 19th was a big day for the Cedar Hill duo of Damarkus Lodge and linebacker Richard Moore as both chose A&M after a recent College Station visit. Fast forward three months, and only one of those pledges remains as Lodge made the decision Friday morning to reopen his recruitment.

Lodge may have reservations about a depth chart that currently contains a number of freshmen in the 2-deep, including Speedy Noil, Ricky Seals-Jones, and Frank Iheanacho. Even with wide receivers coach David Beaty's willingness to rotate players at the position, Lodge apparently couldn't be convinced that A&M was the best spot for him."

http://www.goodbullhunting.com/2014/...ver-recruiting

[Saggy Aggie]

This just came in and illustrates another aspect of prospect's decision making no matter who the school is....playing time.

"June 19th was a big day for the Cedar Hill duo of Damarkus Lodge and linebacker Richard Moore as both chose A&M after a recent College Station visit. Fast forward three months, and only one of those pledges remains as Lodge made the decision Friday morning to reopen his recruitment.

Lodge may have reservations about a depth chart that currently contains a number of freshmen in the 2-deep, including Speedy Noil, Ricky Seals-Jones, and Frank Iheanacho. Even with wide receivers coach David Beaty's willingness to rotate players at the position, Lodge apparently couldn't be convinced that A&M was the best spot for him."

http://www.goodbullhunting.com/2014/...ver-recruiting

Sumlin now going after Tyron johnson who's ranked higher than lodge nationally anyways.

[1st and goal]

This just came in and illustrates another aspect of prospect's decision making no matter who the school is....playing time.

"June 19th was a big day for the Cedar Hill duo of Damarkus Lodge and linebacker Richard Moore as both chose A&M after a recent College Station visit. Fast forward three months, and only one of those pledges remains as Lodge made the decision Friday morning to reopen his recruitment.

Lodge may have reservations about a depth chart that currently contains a number of freshmen in the 2-deep, including Speedy Noil, Ricky Seals-Jones, and Frank Iheanacho. Even with wide receivers coach David Beaty's willingness to rotate players at the position, Lodge apparently couldn't be convinced that A&M was the best spot for him."

http://www.goodbullhunting.com/2014/...ver-recruiting

Yes, there's problems when you have depth. But, if the top guys move on after their sophomore year, it opens things up. If you are good enough, you'll start or get playing time. Look how many frosh are getting snaps right now.

Interested to see how this Tyron Johnson thang goes.

[BwdLions]

Sumlin now going after Tyron johnson who's ranked higher than lodge nationally anyways.

I guess that's the next stop for the Sumlin and his Swag Copter.

[New Taiton]

I guess that's the next stop for the Sumlin and his Swag Copter.

I hop so. The swagcopter is still undefeated.....

[Gen.Pat]

Charlie Strong got a ruff row to hoe at Texas.