In 2014, Texas played three non-conference games and nine games against teams from the Big 12 during theregular season. Of these twelve games, six will be played at home, four will beaway games, and two will be played at neutral sites, including theRed River Showdown againstOklahoma,[1] which is traditionally and annually played at theCotton Bowl inDallas, Texas.[2] The other game to be played at a neutral site is againstUCLA, which took place at theAT&T Stadium inArlington, Texas on September 13. Two of Texas' games were broadcast on the university'sLonghorn Network – games againstNorth Texas andIowa State.[1]
Coverage of Texas' game against North Texas was sponsored bySouthwest Airlines and was broadcast on the Longhorn Network.[1] The Longhorns won the pregamecoin toss and elected to defer, thuskicking off the football to the North Texas Mean Green to begin the game. Following aninterception bydefensive back Dylan Haines of North Texas quarterback Josh Greer, the Longhorns had an opportunity to score, but ended up missing a 38 yardfield goal. The first quarter remained scoreless until Texas scored on a rushing touchdown byMalcolm Brown. Towards the beginning of the second quarter, Josh Greer was intercepted by the Longhorns for a second time, leading to his benching and subsequent replacement by Andrew McNulty. Texas scored on two rushing touchdowns in the second quarter by Malcolm Brown and quarterbackDavid Ash. At the end of the first half, the Longhorns led the Mean Green 21–0.[4]
Texas began the second half with a 75 yard drive which culminated in an eight yard touchdown pass from David Ash towide receiver John Harris and featured a 26 yard run by Malcolm Brown. The rest of the third quarter remained scoreless from both teams, though North Texas failed to capitalize on afumble recovery. In the fourth quarter, a long punt by North Texas punter Blake Macek led to the Longhorns beginning a drive at their own one yard line. A second fumble on asnap by David Ash was recovered by the Mean Green in the end zone, resulting in North Texas' first and only score of the game. On Texas' subsequent drive, kicker Nick Rose scored a 34 yard field goal. The following North Texas drive ended with Texas' Demarco Cobbs returning an interception for a touchdown. This was the team's final score, and the game ended 38–7 with Texas winning.[4]
The Longhorns defense allowed only 94 yards of offense, registering as the twelfth least in school history, while the 15 yards of offense allowed marked the eighth least in school history. The defense also caught four interceptions; this was the team's highest since2009 againstOklahoma State.[5] Texas' record for the football season was 1–0 following the win.[1]
