The David Ash Era Has Begun

Joe Bergeron burrowed into the first inch of the end zone with 29 seconds left for a 41-36 victory on the road against a tough Oklahoma State team, keeping the Longhorns undefeated. It was a disputed game-winner, as replays showed Joe the Mole may have fumbled before he crossed the plane (if he did).

But there’s no controversy whatsoever about last night’s greatest revelation at T. Boone’s Farm: Texas has found it’s quarterback!

We've been stuck on the side of the road for a long time, folks, but our ride is finally here. After two long seasons of futility behind center, the ghost of Garrett Gilbert has been exorcised and Colt McCoy has been replaced. A sophomore from Belton, David Ash could be Bell County's greatest gift to Austin since Spoon. Ash made the reads, made the throws and basically grew before our eyes, like Tootie from "Facts of Life."

Captain Clutch gained 304 yards through the air completing 30- 37 passes, none more crucial than a fourth and 6 toss to well-covered tight end D.J. Grant over the middle for 29 yards with under two minutes left. But even if that pass fell incomplete, Horns fans could rejoice.

WE HAVE A QB!

But what happened to the defense? With coach Manny Diaz seemingly drawing up a 5-0-6 defense at times, the Horns were horrif-atrocious when Okla. State had the ball, giving up 576 yards, including 275 on the ground. The Horns were softer up the middle than Cee-Lo with a tub of popcorn in his lap.

But every time OSU punched us, we hit back. Ash never lost his poise, converting third downs with a success rate of Jesse James scoring at an Insane Clown Posse concert.

The Horns also made history. With a 100-yard kickoff return for TD by D.J. Monroe making it 21-14, it marked the first time there were more touchdowns than Geico commercials in the first quarter. Texas didn’t score again until the last minute of the third quarter when Ash hit Jaxon Shipley for their third point-scoring hookup of the night, making the score 28-20.

After Malcolm Brown went out with an ankle injury, highly-touted freshman Johnathan Gray stepped in and gained 45 yards on the game-winning drive. And a Game Ball should go to junior wide receiver Mike Davis, who finally made good on his "Magic" nickname with a Tyree-ian catch at the 3 to keep the game from depending on Nick Jordan’s moody foot.

Next up are new Big 12 rivals the West Virginia Mountaineers, who beat Baylor 70-63 on Geno Smith’s eight touchdown passes and 14 rebounds. With Texas (#11) and WV (#8) both at 4-0, next week should be the most highly-anticipated Texas home game since Ohio State came to Austin in 2006.

Last season, the Horns gift wrapped the Heisman for RGIII. This year, they hope to take it away from unchallenged frontrunner Geno. But if Coach Diaz throws last night’s D-minus onto the field, they can go ahead and have the ceremony at the Downtown Athletic Club next Monday. In Stillwater, Kenny Vaccaro, Quandre Jammer-Diggs, Alex Okafor and Jackson Jeffcoat played well, but 47% of the entitled defense was standing around looking for the offense to bail them out.

They'll play WV tighter than Baylor did. There were vegan food trucks in Appalachia less wide open than Smith's receivers. And how about Geno's delivery? A touchdown pass in 30 minutes or less or tickets to the next game are $3 off.

But none of that matters today. Go to the tiny balconies of your $350,000 condos, Austin, and shout it out for all to hear: Texas has a quarterback! Ten plus win seasons are here again. Cue up the Fleetwood Mac, 'cause after last night, I can't... stop... thinking about the next two and a half years.