Stock Up: D’Onta Foreman and Chris Warren III
The running back duo of junior D’Onta Foreman and sophomore Chris Warren III provided a great deal of the offensive production for the Longhorns against Cal, rushing for a combined total of 276 yards and scoring two touchdowns each.
The Longhorns seemed to have figured out the dual running back gameplan, and Foreman’s and Warren’s success shows it. Their bruising style of play, combined with the short-yardage rushing efforts of senior quarterback Tyrone Swoopes, should help elevate Texas’ offense and relieve pressure on freshman quarterback Shane Buechele as the team heads into Big 12 competition.
Stock Down: Secondary
It was no secret that Cal possessed one of the top passing offenses in the country and that the Golden Bears would rely on the air to score, but Texas’ secondary seemed ill-prepared all throughout the game.
The Longhorns gave up 396 passing yards and four touchdowns from Cal quarterback Davis Webb, who succeeded in making several long passes to his receivers down the field. Texas’ secondary is especially worrying considering that Cal’s passing game is very similar to several Big 12 teams, including Texas Tech, TCU and Oklahoma State, all of whom are ranked at the top in passing yards in the FBS.
Stock Up: Armanti Foreman and Jacorey Warrick
Junior wide receiver Armanti Foreman had a great game against Cal. He led Texas’ receivers in receiving yards and had his most receptions, four, since last year’s game against Cal. In addition to having 72 yards, Foreman hauled in a 34-yard catch.
Senior wide receiver Jacorey Warrick did his part as well, catching Texas’ lone passing touchdown of the night and putting up 64 receiving yards.
Both Foreman and Warrick have seen an increase in catches from years past, and while Foreman is on pace to have his best season, Warrick has already gained more yards this year than he had through his previous three campaigns on campus.
Stock Down: Vance Bedford
Texas’ defensive coordinator has received a lot of criticism after the Cal game, some rightly so. In addition to allowing close to 400 yards through the air, the Longhorns also let Cal rush for 111 yards and three touchdowns.
It was also the second time this season that Texas allowed more than 500 total offensive yards. The defensive woes are nothing new, as the Longhorns ranked 111 out of 127 in rush defense and 106 in total defense last year.
Bedford, with the help of head coach Charlie Strong, needs to alter some schemes and especially focus on his secondary stopping the pass and creating turnovers to keep himself off the hot seat.
