Mock or Young? Mack Brown won't say
By JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer
October 6, 2003
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- With the biggest game of the season up next, Texas coach Mack Brown faced the biggest question of the week: Who will start at quarterback against No. 1 Oklahoma -- Chance Mock or Vince Young?
``We're not going to discuss the quarterback situation,'' Brown said Monday. ``Both will play.''
Whether it's gamesmanship with Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops or just wanting to avoid another Texas quarterback controversy, Brown wasn't about to budge on this one.
His non-announcement was sure to fan the flames at a place where who starts at quarterback is debated like a do-or-die situation.
``We told both guys, `We're going to continue to play both of you and we're not going to discuss it during the week. So let's talk about OU instead of getting into a discussion of who should start,''' Brown said.
The 11th-ranked Longhorns (4-1, 1-0 Big 12) face the Sooners (5-0, 1-0) Saturday in the annual Red River Shootout. The Texas quarterback situation is the center of attention as Brown tries to snap Oklahoma's three-game winning streak in the series.
Citing federal privacy laws, Texas won't release details of how Young is recovering after twisting his right ankle in last week's 24-20 win over Kansas State and whether it will limit his effectiveness against the Sooners.
In his postgame news conference, Brown said he was told it was a bad sprain. Young shook it off in the fourth quarter to lead Texas to the win, but said afterward his leg was hurting. The freshman also said he expected to play against Oklahoma.
It was up to Mock to shed some light on the situation Monday.
``Vince is healthy,'' Mock said.
Young was unavailable for comment.
Mock, a junior, has been the starter all season in a rotation that had Young coming off the bench. Mock went into the Kansas State game as the nation's No. 2-rated passer and has thrown 11 touchdown passes, including a 51-yarder against the Wildcats.
But Young may have turned the rotation inside out by rallying Texas to the win. A 52-yard pass to Tony Jeffery set up Young's game-winning touchdown on a fourth-down goal-line quarterback sneak.
Mock is considered the better passer and Young the more mobile scrambler. Brown said he wants both quarterbacks to be able to run the entire offensive package.
Young's play of late suggests he's quickly getting comfortable with the whole playbook.
AP - Oct 6, 2:28 pm EDT
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``Every time he steps up there he seems to make more progress,'' Brown said of Young. ``We're really, really pleased with how he handled the day. He didn't seem to be any different on the last drive than he was on the first drive.''
On Monday, Mock seemed frustrated by the notion that some fans want him coming off the bench.
``It's difficult when your own home crowd doesn't want to see you play,'' Mock said.
Asked who he thinks will start, Mock said: ``We're both going to play. ... Everybody's got an opinion. That's what makes America great.''
Their teammates say it doesn't matter who starts.
``We support whoever is in there,'' offensive tackle Jason Glynn said. ``We just want to win.''
