Coverage and insight from Austin.

UT football: Why the “Wild Horn” can work


AUSTIN — In the annals of Texas football lore, the words “Q Package” rank slightly ahead of phrases like “66 to 3″ and “Ron McKelvey” when it comes to pleasant memories.

The first time the Longhorns tried to line up John Chiles at quarterback and keep Colt McCoy on the field at the same time — the 2008 experiment known as the “Q” — it was a disaster. Head coach Mack Brown and offensive coordinator Greg Davis still bristle at every mention of the “Q,” and both agree their first attempt to jump on the latest football trend of using two quarterbacks at once was something they’d rather forget.

So why did the formation re-emerge last Saturday against Texas Tech, this time under the guise of the “Wild Horn?” The explanation is surprisingly simple:

The “Q” hasn’t really changed. But the context has.

Last year, Chiles was still a backup quarterback. Every time the Longhorns ran the “Q,” he would have to enter the game from the sideline and substitute for a wide receiver. The defense saw this coming, and could substitute accordingly.

Now, though, Chiles is already on the field as a wide receiver. So when he lines up behind the center and McCoy runs out to the slot position, it comes as more of a surprise. Additionally, Chiles does not feel the pressure of having to make something happen with limited opportunities. He’s already making plays at wide receiver, which means he can use a more even-keeled approach in the “Wild Horn.”

The Longhorns used the “Wild Horn” four times against Tech, with the best play coming on Chiles’ 34-yard keeper. Most of the plays in the package are based off the idea that Chiles can either keep the ball or hand to speedster D.J. Monroe, but there are a multitude of run-pass options built into it, including flea-flickers involving McCoy.

The “Wild Horn” certainly isn’t threatening to become UT’s base offense any time soon, but defenses should expect to see it a few times per game. And McCoy said giving those defenses something to think about is the point.

“It’s just a little thing in our offense that might be a momentum changer,” McCoy said.

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Mike Finger

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