AUSTIN, Texas—The last time Charlie Strong's team took the field, the beating it took was so thorough that the opposing coach called the victory "borderline erotic" months later. Texas gained 59 yards in a 31-7 Texas Bowl loss to Arkansas. On the ground, the Longhorns traveled a net of six feet. Bret Bielema's satisfaction was certainly understandable.
The debacle weighed heavy on the Texas program this off-season. The shame of it helped push players through workouts. The Longhorns didn't want to dwell on the performance, but they also didn't want to forget.
And heaven forbid they repeat it.