Texas ended it’s spring season Sunday with the Orange-White game. Here’s what we learned:

D.J. Monroe deserves a chance

Monroe is often overlooked in UT’s crowded backfield. But Monroe had a 60-yard touchdown run and finished with 82 rushing yards.

Head coach Mack Brown has been looking for Monroe to be a receiver. Whether he stays in the backfield or makes the switch, the senior deserves to get the ball more.

“D.J. Monroe is running with more confidence than ever before,” Brown said. “I think he’s a better runner. He’s catching it better.”

Demarco Cobbs plays well

Cobbs has been impressing coaches since returning from an injury that limited him in spring practice.

“When he hopped back in there, he really hit the ground running,” said defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. “He helps us. He changes us. When he’s in there, it changed our defense a little bit.”

Case McCoy’s interceptions pose concern

Turnovers are hurting McCoy’s chances to win the starting quarterback job.

McCoy was intercepted on a pass intended for Mike Davis, but it looked like it was meant for Leroy Scott, a defensive back. McCoy had another pick in the fourth quarter.

McCoy did have a couple of bright moments, but quarterbacks coach Bryan Harsin said the team cannot give up turnovers.

Mike Davis has no catches

Throughout spring practices, coaches have been impressed with receiver Davis.

But Davis had no catches during the spring game and both of McCoy’s interceptions were passes that were intended for Davis.

“You get out there and you try to dial some things up and the quarterback goes somewhere else without telling the guy what you want him to do,” Harsin said.

Connor Brewer impresses

Although the freshman quarterback played with UT’s reserves, he went 3 of 4 on his first drive. The only incompletion was a dropped pass.

He threw an impressive pass down the sideline and had an over-the-shoulder touchdown pass to Cade McCrary.

Toughness is apparent

Texas had a physical spring season and it showed Sunday with plenty of big hits.

“We put it on both sides,” Harsin said. “The physical mentality. Both sides have been getting after it in a way that is very competitive.”

Receivers look strong

Jaxon Shipley had an impressive day and he and Grant each had a touchdown. They also blocked well.

“Our receivers have improved so much in blocking down field,” Brown said. “I don’t think we’ve ever blocked better than we are.”

Kicking game is still unclear

There was no opportunity for the kickers to kick a field goal, but all extra points were made.

Davis and Monroe also failed to return kickoffs past the 20-yard line.

“We’ll go into the fall with competition in both of those kicking positions,” Brown said. “We’re not settled right now on who is going to return punts and kickoffs and were not settled on who will kick or punt.”

Malcolm Brown only plays one series

Brown didn’t play very much because he lost his shoe. He only carried the ball twice for 21 total yards.

But Jeremy Hills, Joe Bergeron and Monroe stepped up. Bergeron had a two-yard touchdown run.

Fans come out for Ricky Williams

Texas had a good turnout for the game, which featured the unveiling of a statue of Heisman Trophy winner Williams.

“It was a sweet day to remember and contribute that to Ricky,” McCoy said. 

Printed on Monday, April 2, 2012 as: Orange- White game offers up ten lessons