Game Grades: Cal vs. Texas: Game Grades, Analysis for the Longhorns

It doesn't get much more brutal than that.

Following a miserable third quarter, the Texas Longhorns battled back from 21 down against the California Golden Bears in the final frame to get within an extra point of overtime. Then kicker Nick Rose shanked it to the right, and the Horns were to forced to watch Jared Goff kneel it out for a 45-44 win.

But there were positives in this one. Jerrod Heard played like an absolute star, throwing for 364 yards and running for 163 and three touchdowns, including what should have been the game-tying score.

Charlie Strong has his quarterback. Now it's time to fix that defense.

Positional Unit	1st Half	Final Grade
Passing Offense	B+	A-
Rushing Offense	C	A
Passing Defense	C+	C
Rushing Defense	D+	D
Special Teams	C-	F
Coaching	B+	C+

Texas Longhorns Grade Analysis

Passing Offense

Heard's performance is one of the best things to happen to this program since 2009. Not only did he efficiently put up big numbers, but he shook off a couple of turnovers and did everything necessary to bring his team back. He almost won this game as a one-man show, and he's only going to get better.

As for the pass-catchers, four Texas players had at least four receptions for at least 65 total yards each. Daje Johnson led the way with a career-high 145 yards, and John Burt made yet another big play on the outside.

The new offense has created a lot of space for these guys, and they're taking advantage of it.

Rushing Offense

Heard's an absolute nightmare in the open field. He's fast, he's quick and he knows how to set up defenders once he breaks contain. He has 259 rushing yards through two starts, and he's showing no signs of slowing down.

At running back, Johnathan Gray has yet to look like the 1,000-yard-caliber back he was in 2013, and he's starting to lose work to D'Onta Foreman. Whoever shows the most burst should have big games as Heard's mobility opens up some extra room.

Passing Defense

Goff didn't put up the gaudy numbers we're used to seeing, but he was incredibly sharp per usual. Texas continues to miss sacks, and the defensive backs were really no match for the Cal receivers. Moving John Bonney back to the nickel spot improved the tackling and made the comeback possible.

Rushing Defense

For the third-straight week, backup running backs have torn the Longhorns to shreds. This week it was Khalfani Muhammad and Vic Enwere, who combined for 239 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries. The tackling at the second level was abysmal for most of the game.

As noted above, the effort level picked up in the fourth quarter enough to keep things interesting. Had that been the case for the first three frames, the Longhorns probably pull this one off.

Special Teams

This one needs no explanation. You have to be able to get one point to force overtime, and that's all there is to it. 

Coaching

The decision to throw the ball at the end of the first half will haunt this staff, as will the flat performance in the third quarter. Otherwise, the offense has rallied around Heard, and the play-calling is getting the team's best athletes into space. That's all you can ask.

Right now, defense is this team's biggest concern. This unit has been unable to slow down a single offense that it's faced this season, and a lot of it has to do with finishing tackles. Let's see if the fourth-quarter showing carries over, but it's on the staff to pull more consistent effort from its players.