AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -Every Big 12 defense knows Colt McCoy to Jordan Shipley is practically unstoppable as a pass-catch combo for No. 2 Texas.
Their latest worry is Dan Buckner, who has emerged as a big target for the Longhorns with two touchdowns in the last two weeks. His fourth-quarter touchdown against Texas Tech helped put the game away in a 34-24 victory over the weekend.
At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Buckner has moved from wide receiver to what Texas calls its “flex” position lined up closer the ball. Shipley occupied a similar spot last season and caught 89 passes for 1,060 yards.
The move means Buckner is often matched up against linebackers or safeties instead of speedy cornerbacks. He’s got the speed to outrun linebackers, the height to outjump safeties and the strength to break tackles.
“We took advantage of that in the second half” against Texas Tech, McCoy said. “I kind of felt like Dan was going to have a big game.”
is second with 17 receptions for 223 yards.
Buckner was an All-American wide receiver in high school. He played in 12 games as a freshman last season but had only eight catches.
He moved to the flex spot in spring practice, then saw his role expand as the Longhorns lost four tight ends to injury. Buckner said making the move was about getting a chance to play.
“It gets me on the field,” Buckner said. “I just want to play, contribute and win
After five catches in the season-opener against Louisiana-Monroe, he had six for 86 yards and a touchdown against Wyoming. The score against Wyoming came as McCoy scrambled to his left to avoid a rush, then found Buckner in the middle of the field for an easy TD.
Against Texas Tech, Bucker caught a 20-yard pass to the Red Raiders’ 1 to set up Texas’ second touchdown. By the fourth quarter, McCoy and Buckner were clicking so well that McCoy told coach Mack Brown he specifically wanted to run the play to Buckner.
Buckner got open in the back of the end zone and the 3-yard TD gave the Longhorns a 14-point cushion with nine minutes to play.
“Colt really suggested to throw to Dan because he trusts him so much,” Brown said.
Also Monday, Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp defended the hit defensive end Sergio Kindle made on Texas Tech quarterback Taylor Potts in the fourth quarter.
The sack knocked off Potts’ helmet, causing a fumble that set up Buckner’s touchdown. Kindle appeared to make helmet-to-helmet contact, raising questions whether he should have penalized with a personal foul.
“It’s a bang-bang play. It’s a judgment call for an official,” said Muschamp, who called it “a great hit.”
The Big 12 reviews all helmet-to-helmet hits and can suspend a player if it deems necessary. The conference announced no discipline by late Monday, suggesting the play had been cleared by league officials.
“It’s about as helmet to helmet as you could get,” Texas Tech coach Mike Leach said. “There’s a lot of blind people that can tell by hearing that it was helmet to helmet.”
Kindle said his facemask hit Potts in the chest and any helmet contact was incidental. Kindle called it “a perfect shot.”
“I didn’t intentionally try to hit him in his helmet,” Kindle said.
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