One formation the Bryan Harsin Longhorn offense seems to like near the goal line is a wildcat with backup QB David Ash split out wide and DJ Monroe threatening the boundry. They’ve run it with multiple combinations of backs in the backfield, and early in the fourth quarter they put Fozzy Whittaker behind center. Whittaker used the decoys on a seven-yard touchdown run that gave the Longhorns a 27-9 lead.
The score was set up by another long throw from Garrett Gilbert to Mike Davis. With Texas running on 33 of 55 offensive plays, Gilbert’s play action was effective, and he found Davis for 50 yards, getting Texas into Rice territory.
Rice has piled up 16 first downs – more than Texas’ 15 – but have only managed 213 yards of offense and only 84 yards passing early in the fourth quarter.
Gilbert’s debut in the new offense might not sell fans on his viability as a franchise QB moving forward, He’s 11-20 for 199 yards with about 11 minutes remaining.