Holiday Bowl 2011, Texas Vs. Cal: Longhorns Clamp Down In 21-10 Win

Texas Turns Focus To 2012 Recruiting Class

Fresh off a 21-10 win over Cal, the Texas Longhorns turn their attention to recruiting. And Texas readers are fortunate to have a tremendous Longhorns resource in Burnt Orange Nation. And Wescott Eberts of BON joins us to talk Texas football recruiting. In typical fashion, Texas is battling Alabama for the top recruiting class. Again. Texas currently sits at 25 commitments, and almost all of them are stars. Take it away, Wescott:

Texas Vs. California Recap, Holiday Bowl 2011: The Numerical

The stats that mattered in Texas' 21-10 win over California in the Bridgeport Education Holiday Bowl, from California's turnovers, to Texas' recruiting misfires, to Manny Diaz's ferocious defense.

2011 Holiday Bowl Final Score: Texas Defense Strong In 21-10 Win Over Cal

The Cal Bears turned the ball over five times -- four fumbles and a pick -- as Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz dialed up the pressure, leading to a 21-10 Longhorn victory in the 2011 Holiday Bowl. Texas sacked Cal quarterback Zach Maynard five times while limiting the Bears to just 10 points and one yard net rushing in a somewhat dominant win.

Cal kicker Georgio Tavecchio got the scoring started, putting the Bears on top 3-0 with a 47-yard field goal in the first quarter. In the second, Texas broke out a trick play deep in Cal territory as wide receiver Jaxon Shipley found quarterback David Ash for four yards and a touchdown. At the half, Texas held a 7-3 lead, with each defense asserting itself in the first 30 minutes.

After Isi Sofele gave Cal a 10-7 lead five minutes into the second half, it was all Longhorns. The defense clamped down and continued forcing turnovers while the offense did just enough to get Texas out in front and keep it there. Just under two minutes after Cal took the lead in the third quarter, Ash answered with a 47-yard strike to Marquise Goodwin for the score, putting the Longhorns on top for good.

Texas added one more touchdown for good measure on the first play of the fourth quarter, coming on a four-yard Cody Johnson touchdown. The Texas defense forced one more turnover, a fumble, as Cal tried to claw back into it late in the fourth quarter, sealing the win and running out the clock on the ensuing possession.

For more on the Longhorns, visit Burnt Orange Nation and Barking Carnival. For a view from the Bears' side, head over to California Golden Blogs.

2011 Holiday Bowl Score: Texas Extends Lead Over Cal, 21-10

The Texas Longhorns are in firm control of the 2011 Holiday Bowl, taking a 21-10 lead over the California Bears at the start of the fourth quarter. This score came about as a result of sloppy play by Cal quarterback Zach Maynard, who fumbled the yet again in this game.

Texas' Adrian Phillips delivered the sack that caused the Maynard fumble and recovered the ball. On the first play of Texas' drive, Marquise Goodwin made his way 37 yards down the field, going Cal's 44-yard line to the seven. Cody Johnson picked up the final yards on two plays, ending it with a four-yard run for the increased lead.

The Cal offense has been lost for most of the game and the Texas defense has proven to be quite an effective killer of points this game.

For more on the Cal Golden Bears visit SB Nation's Cal blog California Golden Blogs. For more on the Texas Longhorns visit SB Nation's Texas blog Burnt Orange Nation. Also stay tuned to SB Nation's 2011 college football bowl game coverage.

Cal Vs. Texas Score: Bears, Longhorns Exchange Touchdowns To Start 3rd Quarter

The California Golden Bears offense appears to have woken up at the start of the third quarter of the 2011 Holiday Bowl. Zach Maynard led the Bears down the field for a touchdown and a temporary 10-7 lead. The Texas Longhorns then struck back with a David Ash 47-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Goodwin, taking a 14-10 lead.

The drive didn't start out promising once a six-yard pass gain was moved back 10 yards as a result of a 10-yard holding penalty on Cal. But then Maynard completed three passes for a total of 50 yards during the middle of the drive. Mayard's final completion of the drive, a 10-yard reception by Keenan Allen, set up Isi Sofele for the six-yard touchdown run.

But the lead was short-lived. Malcolm Brown and Ash ran for 29 yards before the long touchdown pass to Goodwin. Offense is alive and kicking in the second half.

For more on the Cal Golden Bears visit SB Nation's Cal blog California Golden Blogs. For more on the Texas Longhorns visit SB Nation's Texas blog Burnt Orange Nation. Also stay tuned to SB Nation's 2011 college football bowl game coverage.

Holiday Bowl 2011 Halftime Score: Texas Leads Cal, 7-3, In Snoozefest

The 2011 Holiday Bowl has had little excitement in the first half, and it shows in the score. The Texas Longhorns lead the California Bears, 7-3, at halftime. This game has so far been a huge letdown after the exciting game that was the Military Bowl just a few hours ago.

All of the exciting plays came on Texas' second-quarter scoring drive and they all centered on quarterback David Ash. Ash completed two passes for a total of 44 yards and then caught a four-yard touchdown pass, the only touchdown of the half.

Cal kicked its first field goal in the first quarter, but it took a second try to get it done. The first was waived off due to an illegal formation. However, ESPN didn't realize the flag had been thrown and cut to a commercial break, making Giorgio Tavecchio wait several minutes to attempt the field goal again.

At halftime, neither team has reached 100 yards of total offense. Cal has 71 and Texas is close with 96. One hundred sixty-seven total yards of offense does not making for an exciting game, obviously.

For more on the California Golden Bears visit SB Nation's Cal blog California Golden Blogs. For more on the Texas Longhorns visit SB Nation's Texas blog Burnt Orange Nation. Also stay tuned to SB Nation's 2011 college football bowl game coverage.

Cal Vs. Texas Score: Longhorns Take 7-3 Lead On David Ash Reception

The Texas Longhorns breathed life back into the 2011 Holiday Bowl with a bit of trickery on the scoring drive that gave the team 7-3 lead over the California Golden Bears. With the running game not working, the Longhorns have relied on quarterback David Ash to move the ball down the field by throwing the ball. But in the scoring play, Ash pitched the ball to his running back who then got it into the hands of wide receiver Jaxon Shipley. Shipley then completed the play by completing a four-yard touchdown pass to Ash.

Ash was 2-of-2 on the drive with completions of 14 and 30 yards. The 30-yarder went into the hands of Blaine Irby and brought the ball to the four-yard line.

This has been all the excitement in an other wise boring game so far.

For more on the California Golden Bears visit SB Nation's Cal blog California Golden Blogs. For more on the Texas Longhorns visit SB Nation's Texas blog Burnt Orange Nation. Also stay tuned to SB Nation's 2011 college football bowl game coverage.

Holiday Bowl 2011 Score: Cal Strikes For 3-0 Lead In 1st Quarter

The 2011 Holiday Bowl has been marked so far by long stretches of nothing, but then punctuated by Giorgio Tavecchio kicking one field goal twice. The first attempt was called back as a result of an illegal formation, but Tavecchio connected on the second one to give the California Golden Bears a 3-0 lead over the Texas Longhorns. Tavecchio needed to wait until the game came back from a television timeout to attempt the second field goal.

Cal almost didn't get the chance to put points on the board, but keen eyesight and a review allowed Cal to retain the ball. Texas punted and it appeared that the Cal returner had muffed the catch, allowing Texas to regain possession. However, it was ruled that Texas illegally touched the ball on the play, giving Call the ball (but not until after a lengthy talk on the field and then a look at the video).

For more on the California Golden Bears visit SB Nation's Cal blog California Golden Blogs. For more on the Texas Longhorns visit SB Nation's Texas blog Burnt Orange Nation. Also stay tuned to SB Nation's 2011 college football bowl game coverage.

Holiday Bowl 2011: Texas Wants To Extend Mack Brown's Contract

Mack Brown, the head coach of the Texas Longhorns football team, has a good contract going for him right now: it pays him $5.2 million a year, with $100,000 annual raises, through 2016. It doesn't get much better than that. But, according to the Houston Chronicle, that's not secure enough... for the Texas administration. Seriously:

UT athletic director DeLoss Dodds said Monday the Longhorns are discussing an extension to coach Mack Brown's current contract ... Dodds said he would like the extension to be for at least another two years.

Brown is 60 years old, so the extension, if he signs it and is approved by the UT Board of Regents, would take him until he's 67. The reason for the extension, other than the obvious — Brown's the best coach Texas has ever had, a national title winner, and routinely brings in the best recruits in a talent-rich state — is to address swirling rumors that Brown was leaning toward retirement, which Brown himself denied. From the same story:

"The rumors have all been wrong, and this is just a way of addressing that," Dodds said. "And it's treating a coach the way he should be treated."

If there's a more Texas way to address rumors than throwing another $11 million or so at a football coach, I don't know of it.

For more on Brown and the Longhorns, visit Texas blog Burnt Orange Nation.

Texas Vs. Cal, Holiday Bowl 2011: You Like Defense, Right?

Quite a few bowl games will be decided by which explosive offense is able to make one more play than its opponent. For the Bridgeport Education Holiday Bowl, that is not the case. Which limited offense can make more noise against a superior defense? Which team better avoids disaster?

Holiday Bowl 2011, Texas Vs. Cal: Time, TV Schedule, Odds And More

The Texas Longhorns try to get their first bowl win since their loss in the 2010 BCS Championship, and they'll try to do it against Zach Maynard and Cal in San Diego in the Holiday Bowl.

Holiday Bowl 2011, Cal Vs. Texas: Storied Programs Battle In San Diego

This year's Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl features two storied programs as the California Golden Bears of the Pac 12 and the Texas Longhorns of the Big 12 will square off at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

Jeff Tedford is the winningest coach in Cal football history and led his squad to a 7-5 overall record in 2011. The Golden Bears had big wins over Utah and Arizona State and took Stanford to the wire in a 31-28 battle. California won three of its last to finish 4-5 in the new look Pac 12 Conference.

Tedford is 1-1 in Holiday Bowls with the Golden Bears, who are 10-9-1 all-time in postseason play. California's last bowl game appearance came in the 2009 Poinsetta Bowl, a 37-27 loss to Utah, snapping a four-game bowl win streak for the Golden Bears.

Texas had a good season by most standards, but it was a letdown due to the high expectations Mack Brown has established since taking over in Austin in 1998. Texas is happy to be playing a postseason game after last year snapped an 18-year streak of being invited to the bowl season. During his tenure, the Longhorns set a record with nine straight seasons of 10 wins or more, including winning the 2005 BCS National Championship.

This marks the fifth all-time meeting between these two teams on the gridiron. Texas has won all four previous matchups, with the last one coming way back in 1970.

This will not be the first Holiday Bowl appearance for Brown and Texas, as his team played in the postseason matchup in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2007. Brown is 2-2 in Holiday Bowls. Texas is 25-22-2 in bowl games overall, with its last one being a 37-21 loss to Alabama for the 2010 BCS Championship.

California's late season burst can be attributed to the development of its offensive stars Zach Maynard and Isi Sofele. Tedford commented on Maynard's progression

Maynard threw for 763 yards and five touchdowns with just one interception in his last four games. He did throw three or more interceptions in two games this season, but seems to have grasped the offense better with experience. Maynard's top target this year was his brother Keenan Allen. The sophomore wideout finished the regular season with 1,261 yards and six receiving touchdowns. Allen's 7.4 catches per game ties for 12th in the nation. The duo will have his its work cut out as it faces the Big 12's top passing defense.

For more on the California Golden Bears visit SB Nation's Cal blog California Golden Blogs. For more on the Texas Longhorns visit SB Nation's Texas blog Burnt Orange Nation. Also stay tuned to SB Nation's 2011 college football bowl game coverage.

Texas Vs. Cal, The Historical: The Wishbone Meets The Bear Minimum In 1969

Texas and Cal have history beyond just Mack Brown's 2004 politicking. Let's head back to 1969. Yes, this means Richard Nixon is involved.

Holiday Bowl 2011: Cal Looking To Rectify 2004 Rose Bowl Snub Against Texas

The California Golden Bears are looking forward to taking on the Texas Longhorns in the 2011 Holiday Bowl. There is still a bit of bad taste in the mouth of the Bears for what they felt like was a snub in the 2004 Rose Bowl, that saw Texas take on Michigan. Cal dropped from fourth to fifth in the final BCS rankings that year.

"Yes, I'm still upset about it," former Cal and current Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers told the San Jose Mercury News. "We've got 'em now in the Holiday Bowl. Seven years later."

While there are no players on either team remaining from those two teams that season, it still adds a bit of energy to the game, especially from the perspective of Cal fans.

For more on the California Golden Bears visit SB Nation's Cal blog California Golden Blogs. For more on the Texas Longhorns visit SB Nation's Texas blog Burnt Orange Nation. Also stay tuned to SB Nation's 2011 college football bowl game coverage

Holiday Bowl 2011: Longhorns Receiver Darius White Leaves Program

In a year when the Texas Longhorns were starved for offensive playmakers, wide receiver Darius White failed to make an impact. Last Tuesday, he finally confirmed rumors that he would be leaving the program. White had just five receptions for 66 yards on the season. White released a statement through the university:

I sat down and talked to my mother and family and came to the conclusion that I really just need a fresh start. Texas is a great school with great players and great coaches, but I just need somewhere I can get a new start. I've got great teammates - my wide receiver teammates, my teammates on offense and the whole team - and I'm still going to be rooting for them. All the coaches are great and taught me a lot. I learned a lot from coach [Bobby] Kennedy, coach [Darrell] Wyatt, coach [Bryan] Harsin, coach [Mack] Brown and all of the coaches. They all taught me how to be a better man. It's a difficult decision right now, but I'm just looking forward to making a difference at place with a new start.    

White entered the year primed to make an impact in his sophomore season, but apparently couldn't shake off speculation about his poor work ethic. His departure should not affect the Longhorns' offense much for their Holiday Bowl matchup up against the Cal Golden Bears. 

For more on the 2011 Holiday Bowl, head over to Longhorns blog Burnt Orange Nation and Bears blog Cal Golden Blogs.

Texas, Cal, 2011 Holiday Bowl: Bears Still Feel Longhorns Are A Big Deal

While the California Golden Bears and the Texas Longhorns meet in the Holiday Bowl, a game which most people might not think is that big because of Texas being down, it's still a big game to the players in it. "That's huge," Cal quarterback Zach Maynard said. "That was my dream school growing up. I loved Texas. Growing up watching Vince Young play, (he was) the most athletic quarterback I've seen in my life."

Cal Linebacker D.J. Holt said, "Texas is a great program I always watched when I was growing up. It's a lot of history. It's a great opponent to play. Our team has come a long way this season, made great strides. I think it will be a great opportunity to play Texas and see where we stack up in the country. We're all excited."

There is still some bitterness involved with the Bears and Texas, as back in 2004 the 10-1 Cal football team was leapfrogged by the Longhorns to knock Cal out of the Rose Bowl.

For more on the California Golden Bears visit SB Nation's Cal blog California Golden Blogs. For more on the Texas Longhorns visit SB Nation's Texas blog Burnt Orange Nation. Also stay tuned to SB Nation’s 2011 college football bowl game bids coverage.

Holiday Bowl 2011: Texas Heading For San Diego, According To Report

The Texas Longhorns won't fall past the 2011 Holiday Bowl, according to a certain Horns running back, who spread a little holiday cheer on Twitter a few hours before official announcements made their way out. 

@ChipBrownOB Texas' D.J. Monroe just confirmed on Twitter that Texas is headed to the Holiday Bowl.  

Their opponent will be an upper-tier Pac-12 team, perhaps the California Golden Bears or Utah Utes. If the Washington Huskies topple for any reason, surely the Holiday will happily accept them. There's always the chance of a Texas-UCLA rematch, though ... No, I'm pretty sure we've seen enough of that.

Game date, time: 8:00 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011

Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.

TV channel: ESPN

2010 winner and loser: Washington def. Nebraska, 19-7

For more on each bowl game as it's announced, stay tuned to SB Nation's 2011 college football bowl game bids coverage. And visit our many college football blogs.