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NEW ORLEANS — Way back in August when the Texas football team first gathered for summer workouts, the offensive line made no secret about its ambitions.
Right tackle Christian Jones said the team wanted to win the Big 12 and put itself in position for the College Football Playoff. Mission accomplished for Texas, which faces Washington in a CFP semifinal Monday evening in the Sugar Bowl.
Jones also said his unit wanted to win the Joe Moore Award as the nation’s best offensive line. The Longhorns fell short of that goal despite powering the offense to 476 points and 476 yards a game. To rub some Cajun seasoning on that wound, the award went to Washington.
Like Jones, Washington left tackle Troy Fautanu values what the award embodies. He said the Huskies’ offensive line has hung up a replica of the award in its weight room as a reminder of the unity, production and dedication it takes to claim the coveted prize.
More: Happy he’s back in New Orleans, Texas edge rusher Barryn Sorrell preps for the Sugar Bowl
“It means everything,” said Fautanu, one of college football’s elite pass protectors. “When we were being awarded it, it was just one of those surreal moments you just never really ever forget. So we’ll try and celebrate that a little bit more down the road. We’ve got to make sure to become prepared for this game because Texas doesn’t care that we won the Joe Moore Award, you know what I mean?”
Byron Murphy II certainly knows that. The defensive tackle helps anchor a Texas run defense that gave up 80.8 yards a game, which is tied for second among all Division I football teams behind Penn State at 69.7 yards allowed per game.
“Congrats to those guys (Washington) for winning the O-line award and all that, but in my eyes, my guys (on the Texas offensive line) are better,” Murphy said. “They (Washington)…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/yes-washingtons-offensive-line-nations-130113331.html
Author : Austin American-Statesman
Publish date : 2023-12-29 13:01:13
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