Young Could Be Difference

After a lengthy Christmas break, Texas returned to practice Sunday morning and one of the sharpest-looking players was third-year sophomore quarterback Vince Young.

Young led the Longhorns’ offense through a crisp morning workout at the Home Depot Center and said he was impressed with how the unit responded after a long layoff.

“Everyone looked good,” said Young, who is 16-2 as a starter. “We were getting out of the huddle fast, running plays ... we looked really good out there, excited and motivated.”

Young is expected to be the difference-maker against Michigan in the Rose Bowl on Saturday. He’s 6 feet 5 and 225 pounds and can run. In the regular season, the Wolverines had problems with such mobile quarterbacks as Michigan State’s Drew Stanton and Ohio State’s Troy Smith.

“Whatever the defense gives me, whatever they try and do, I’m just [going to try] to get the ball into the guys’ hands,” Young said. “But if there is good coverage, I will take it down [and run].”

The Longhorns’ calling card is their running game, led by Doak Walker Award winner Cedric Benson, who rushed for 1,764 yards and 19 touchdowns during the regular season.

But Young gives defensive coordinators headaches as a two-way threat. He completed 59.5% of his passes for 1,669 yards with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 887 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Offensive coordinator Greg Davis said Young has done an excellent job of working with the talent around him this season.

The turning point for Young’s development may have been in two late regular-season games. In come-from-behind victories over Oklahoma State and Kansas, Young passed for nearly 300 yards and rushed for more than 100 yards in each game and showed the big-play ability under pressure that makes him a team leader.

“He can do things with his feet most people can’t do,” Davis said.

“Early in the year, he hung in the pocket and hung in the pocket. But with each week, he’s gotten more comfortable and now doesn’t hesitate to make plays with his legs.”

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A year ago, Texas was the odd team out in the bowl championship series mix and played in the Holiday Bowl, losing, 28-20, to Washington State. Young said the Longhorns are determined to avoid another season-ending loss in California.

“We want to put the icing on the cake from having a great season,” Young said.

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Texas running back coach Michael Haywood will join Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis’ staff after the Rose Bowl. Former Arizona coach Dick Tomey, assistant head coach and defensive end coach for the Longhorns, is considered a finalist for the San Jose State head coach opening.