In a year of close contests for Penn State, some might tend to forget the Texas game remembering instead the drama of matchups such as Alabama or Pittsburgh.
A battle of defenses, the 1989 Texas matchup wasn't particularly exciting. With a subpar performance from the Lions, and it being an away game, it's no wonder why some fans don't remember the 16-12 Penn State win.
In the Lone Star state, however, such games are not forgotten.
"We feel we could've won," running back Adrian Walker said. "It was a learning experience. We thought we had it won and we let down."
For those who forgot last year's come-from-behind win, a reminder:
Texas gave Penn State a tough battle, especially in the second half, when they held the Lions to only 82 yards of total offense. The Longhorns led, 12-9, with time winding down in the fourth quarter when All-American linebacker and Butkus Award finalist Andre Collins broke through the line and blocked Bob Lilljedahl's punt at the Longhorns 17. Cornerback Leonard Humphries picked up the ball and rushed into the endzone with 6:52 left, spoiling Texas' hope of an upset.
Texas is once again hoping for a major upset as well as avenging last season's defeat when the two teams kick off their 1990 schedules today at 1 p.m.
"Of course we're psyched up," quarterback Peter Gardere said. "More psyched up than last year. We're just going in and looking forward to playing them."
Although Texas has gone 9-13 the past two years, it is hoping ifs experience at just about every position will provide the spark needed to win today's game. The Longhorns have nine returning starters on each side of the ball.
One of the Longhorns' biggest strengths is the passing game. Texas returns Gardere, fully recovered from last season's shoulder injury. Gardere has a number of quality receivers to throw to, including senior tight end Kerry Cash and senior split end Johnny Walker.
Gardere, who was a redshirt freshman last year, took over the starting position and led the team to dramatic victories over Rice (31-30), Oklahoma (28-24) and Arkansas (24-20), completing 86.7 percent of his passes in those three games. In the Arkansas game, he completed 16-of-20 passes for 247 yards to hand the Razorbacks their only regular-season loss. He suffered a shoulder injury in the following game against Houston and his performance suffered. For the season, however, he completed 107-of-186 passes for a 57.5 percent completion rate.
"Peter was outstanding last year as a redshirt freshman," Texas Coach Dave McWilliams said. "Peter came back totally healed in the spring and seemed to pick right up where he had been before the injury. You can tell how much more poised and comfortable he is."
"We're ready to get going," Gardere said. "We're ready to start and get this first game out of the Way."
Gardere's main target is Johnny Walker, a consensus all-Southwest Conference selection. Walker caught a school-record 55 passes for 785 yards last season, including a 25-yard touchdown pass with 1:33 to play in the upset of Oklahoma. Last year he caught eight passes for 120 yards against Penn State.
"He made a lot of big catches, but the one against Oklahoma was as big as we've had here in a long time," McWilliams said. "Johnny is a tremendous athlete, very smooth and with great jumping ability."
Cash returns at tight end as the other target for Gardere. Last year, he had 28 receptions for 391 yards and also caught two touchdowns.
If the passing game is shut down, Gardere can go to his experienced backs to establish a running attack.
McWilliams said he has worked more with a one-back formation, and redshirt sophomore Adrian Walker returns at that position. Walker was the team's leading rusher last season, rushing for 814 yards on 193 carries, even though he shared time with Chris Samuels.
Samuels, a senior, has played in every game since coming to Texas. He has 1,526 career all-purpose yards. Last year, he rushed for 410 yards on 89 carries.
"The running (back) spot is much improved," McWilliams said. "Adrian Walker had a good year last year, and he was even better in the spring. I think Samuels is a great all-around player. He is probably as good a receiver as he is a running back. I think he gives us a threat and adds a dimension to our throwing game."
"I'm looking forward to going out and being the No. 1 running back," Adrian Walker said. "But I have to perform because the backup (Samuels) is just as good as I am."
Texas also returns an experienced offensive line. McWilliams said he has made his line leaner and quicker in the offseason to adjust to today's era of faster and stronger pass-rushing defensive linemen. All five starters have seen playing time.
"Our entire off-season program and spring were based on quickness and agility," McWilliams said. "I think we are coming into the fall two-deep across the offensive line. Our run blocking was much better and the pass protection was coming along."
"Our offensive line is looking really good," Gardere said. "The line got stronger and quicker. It helps."
Texas, playing in a league in which four teams use the run-and-shoot offense (Houston pioneered the concept and averaged 53.5 points per game with it last season), also stressed quickness with the defense in the off-season, McWilliams said.
"I think we are coming in with a solid defense," McWilliams said. "We have some good experience . . . We will pursue better, we have a better pass rush, and we will be better in the secondary."
The Longhorns return their top three tacklers, including middle linebacker Brian Jones. Last season, Jones was a candidate for all-conference and all-America honors with 108 tackles, and also had a team-leading seven sacks.
"(Jones) has tremendous strength and has the speed to make plays from sideline to sideline," McWilliams said. "He's a good, tough tackler who will really stick you. I look for him to be one of the top linebackers in the country this fall."
On one side of Jones will be weakside linebacker Tony Carl, the team's No. 2 tackler (91) last season. Curl also broke up six passes and had two sacks.
Strong safety Lance Gunn was third on the team in tackles last season with 85. He recorded four sacks during the year and grabbed an interception against the Lions.
The Longhorns also have experience on the defensive frontline, returning all four starters: James Patton and Tommy Jeter at the tackle positions, and Oscar Giles and Shane Dronett at the end spots. Giles is an excellent pass rusher, with seven sacks (tying the team high from last season).
"There is talent and experience coming back, and I really look for us to be improved up front," McWilliams said.
In the secondary, the Longhorns return three starters. Free safety Stanley Richard was the team's fourth-leading tackler (71) last season. Richard, a fifth-year senior, is in his third year as a starter.
"(Richard) had a great spring," McWilliams said. "I feel he is of the mold of some of those great safeties we have had."
Grady Cavness will be making his debut as a starter at right cornerback with junior Mark Berry patrolling the left side. Cavness had 35 tackles and three interceptions as a freshman last year. Berry, who has started each of the last two seasons, recorded 49 tackles with four interceptions last year.
