A year ago, most everyone associated with the University of Texas -- players, coaches, administrators, fans, etc. -- viewed the Longhorns' berth in the 1999 Cotton Bowl as a major accomplishment and a tremendous reward. This year, however, it may not be quite as exciting.

	Related Links: Arkansas bowl report Texas season results Texas bowl history Cotton Bowl coverage Cotton Bowl results Bowl matchups Forum: Will the Longhorns rebound from their loss to A&M?
	T O P   N E W S

The Longhorns finished Mack Brown's first season at Texas on a roll, beating Top 10-ranked Texas A&M at home and helping Ricky Williams earn the Heisman Trophy. Texas then went out and destroyed Mississippi State in the Cotton Bowl to conclude the season.

But this year, the Longhorns lost to A&M in the regular-season finale and followed that up with a convincing loss to Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game. The Horns have fallen in the polls and now simply will try to pick up the pieces against Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl. Brown is no longer riding a wave of momentum, but rather, attempting to create some excitement.

"The thing we need to do is win 10 games," Brown said of his team's incentive in the Cotton Bowl. "It's really important for us since this team is a team that wasn't supposed to be very good. There are six teams that have won 10-plus games this year, and we'd like to join that group. If we could finish up with 10 wins, that would be more than I could have ever dreamed of as a head coach for this team to accomplish.

"In fact, when you look back, it's the first time since 1982 and 1983 that we've had consecutive nine-win seasons, which really surprised me. It just shows how inconsistent we've been. It's also been the first time we've finished the regular season ranked in the Top 15 in back-to-back seasons since 1978 and 1979, and the first time we've been to consecutive Cotton Bowls since 1973 and 1974. We've been good at times, but we haven't been consistently good."

The Horns haven't been consistently good on offensive since sophomore quarterback Major Applewhite sat out the first three quarters of the A&M game with a stomach virus. Without Applewhite in top form, the Aggies held the Longhorns to just two second-quarter touchdowns. Texas managed a season-low 272 yards and was held to just 89 total yards and four first downs in the second half.

Then, in a 22-6 loss to Nebraska, the Horns failed to score an offensive touchdown and mustered just 6 rushing yards.

"What we've tried to do after a win or a tough loss is move on," Brown said regarding the loss to the Huskers.

"What we can do on defense is take it as a very positive experience (from the Nebraska game). We played them much better on defense than at any time since I've been here. Our defense gave us a chance to win the game. Offensively, we haven't been on track like we want to be since Major (Applewhite) got sick. We will just try to build on it in a positive way."

Possibly in an attempt to get the offense back on track, Brown has announced that both Applewhite and true freshman Chris Simms will play against Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl. But, while that may mix things up, it has also created quite a stir among Texas fans who see a quarterback controversy brewing. Of course, Brown defuses any talk by saying Applewhite is clearly the starter. He just wants to get Simms some meaningful playing time.

"Some people say you can't play two quarterbacks," Brown said. "Some say you won't know who the starter is. They didn't listen. All we're saying is we want to get the second guy in the game when it matters.

"There's not a question of who starts. There's not a question of who's going to play most of the game. At left guard we have Roger Roesler, an All-American, starting and Derrick Dockery plays some. At quarterback we have Major Applewhite, the Big 12 (Offensive) Player of the Year, and Chris is going to play some."

The Personnel File

TEAM AWARDS: Senior defensive end Aaron Humphrey was selected as the team's Most Valuable Player as well as the Most Valuable Defensive Player at Texas' annual football banquet. Humphrey, who ranks second on UT's all-time tackles for loss list (50.5) and eighth on the school's all-time sack list (24.5), led the Big 12 in sacks each of the past two years. Humphrey received six honors, also claiming the team's award for tenacity, the strength and conditioning award and UT's Outstanding Defensive End honor.

Sophomore quarterback Major Applewhite, junior wide receiver Kwame Cavil and junior running back Hodges Mitchell shared the Most Valuable Offensive Player honor. The trio of first-team all-Big 12 selections headed an offense that was the first in UT history to feature a 3,000-yard passer as well as a 1,000-yard rusher and receiver. Applewhite also received the leadership award and shared the Horns' most consistent offensive player honor with Cavil.

SIMMS EARNS TIME: In his most significant action this season, Chris Simms played reasonably well against a strong, blitz-happy Texas A&M defense. Simms completed 10 of 21 passes for 130 yards with an interception. Applewhite replaced him in the fourth quarter, but after the Horns lost the lead, he was unable to rally them to victory.

"Because of the way (Simms) reacted in the A&M game, we feel he deserves some playing time (in the Cotton Bowl)," Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis said.

Both Applewhite, the Associated Press Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, and Simms, the USA Today high school Offensive Player of the Year last season, downplayed the potential for controversy. "It's a reward for Chris," Applewhite said. "He played well in the A&M game. I hope everyone has a chance to play in the bowl game."

JONES GET A LOOK AT END: Sophomore strongside linebacker Tyrone Jones, whom the coaches consider one of their top pass-rushing linebackers, has gotten some work at defensive end during practices for the Cotton Bowl. Jones, a rangy 6-foot-4-inch, 230 pounder, arrived in Austin as a safety last year.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Major Applewhite, So., QB. While Cavil and Mitchell were impressive, Applewhite was undeniably the man who made Texas' high-powered offense go. Cool, composed and always seemingly in control (the Big 12 title game notwithstanding), Applewhite completed 271 of 467 passes for 3,349 yards, becoming just the second quarterback in Longhorn history to post back-to-back 2,000-yard passing seasons.

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: The entire Texas defensive front. While the play of the linebackers and secondary improved, the key to Texas' defense was the front four of Casey Hampton, Aaron Humphrey, Shaun Rogers and Cedric Woodard. That foursome combined to make 49 tackles for losses during the regular season and stuffed many opposing running games. Only three running backs managed to produce 100 yards rushing against the Longhorns -- including Nebraska's Correll Buckhalter in the Big 12 championship.

COACH UPDATE: Mack Brown (18-7 in two years at Texas; 104-81-1 overall). Since his arrival, following the Longhorns' bitter 4-7 season in 1997, Brown has had a magical touch. He not only has brought the Longhorns back into contention for the Big 12 title in each of his first two seasons, he's also been a masterful recruiter. Brown's 1999 recruiting class was widely considered the best in the nation, and judging by early indications, Texas is headed for another banner haul in 2000.

STRENGTHS: The Longhorns can hurt opponents in so many ways offensively. The trio of Applewhite, Mitchell and Cavil is one of only three nationally that features a 3,000-yard passer and a 1,000-yard rusher and receiver. The Longhorns also are remarkably strong in stopping the run.

CONCERNS: Texas has been susceptible to big plays by opponents in the passing game and major breakdowns in its own special teams.

Noteworthy

ANNIVERSARY REMEMBERED: Although none of the current Arkansas or Texas players were even born when Frank Broyles and Darrell Royal coached those two teams in a historic 1969 game -- known as the "Big Shootout" -- the current coaches of the two schools remember.

"We had Coach Broyles speak to our team. He was all fired up in his Southern drawl. It was good for them to hear," Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said. "I think (the players) are going to learn a great deal (about that game). I think they are going to be educated."

In 1969, top-ranked Texas came from behind for a 15-14 victory at No. 2 Arkansas. President Richard Nixon declared Texas as the national champions following the contest.

"Houston and I grew up in an age where those two guys (Royal and Broyles) were two of the guys in college football that if you wanted to coach you wanted to be like," said Texas coach Mack Brown. "We know where we were and we saw the games. Our players weren't even born."

Texas and Arkansas haven't met since a 14-13 Razorbacks victory in 1991. Arkansas then left for the Southeastern Conference, ending the series after 60 straight years and 73 overall meetings dating to 1894. The series wasn't scheduled to be revived until the two teams trade home games in 2003 and 2004.

GOVERNORS PLACE THEIR BETS: Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee have participated in some good-natured "ribbing" about the Cotton Bowl and have wagered ribs on their respective schools. Huckabee put pork ribs on the line with the Razorbacks, while Bush wagered beef ribs on the Longhorns.

"What a great way to start off the new year -- watching the Horns hook the Hogs," Bush said. "Governor Huckabee can plan on sending extra sauce with those pork ribs."

Starters to replace

OFFENSE: Three. Unless wide receiver Kwame Cavil decides to forego his senior season, the Longhorns shouldn't miss a beat in 2000. Losing left guard Roger Roesler, fullback Ricky Brown and split end Ryan Nunez should impact the Horns a great deal.

DEFENSE: Two. Senior defensive end Aaron Humphrey was the emotional leader of the '99 defense. But even without Humphrey and fellow defensive end Cedric Woodard, Texas should be much improved defensively in 2000. With the return of its outstanding tackles (Shaun Rogers and Casey Hampton) and all of their starting linebackers and secondary, the Longhorns should be dominating on D.

SPECIAL TEAMS: None. Both punter Ryan Long and kicker Kris Stockton return, as do kick returners such as Hodges Mitchell and Victor Ike.