McCoy-to-Sweed: Two of a kind Page 1 of 2 LONGHORNS FOOTBALL McCoy-to-Sweed: Two of a kind Texas tandem expected to be among best in nation. Click-2-Listen By Alan Trubow AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Wednesday, August 15, 2007 A little over a year ago, after he found out Vince Young was turning pro, Colt McCoy started calling some of his older receivers, establishing rapport. He wanted to stand out. He wanted to reach out. One, in particular, reached back. "Limas Sweed really reached out to him," offensive coordinator Greg Davis said. There's a reason. When it comes to personalities, McCoy and Sweed are fairly similar. McCoy is from Tuscola, a town of 716. Sweed is from Brenham, bigger but still a small town of 13,000. McCoy enjoys riding horses, hunting and other outdoor activities. Sweed also enjoys riding horses and outdoor activities. "I don't think people realize just how much the two of us are alike," Sweed said. "We're both good, old-fashioned country boys. We both talk with accents. He asked me to go (raccoon) hunting once, but that was a bit too much. I would like to go horseback riding with him. We like doing a lot of the same stuff. " Especially connecting on big passing plays. The duo opened Texas' scoring last season with a 60-yard touchdown against North Texas and continued dominating opponents. Sweed and McCoy connected for 11 touchdown passes and made every defense take notice. One year later, they're considered one of the best quarterback-receiver combinations in the country. "I don't know if you can say that or not," Sweed said. "I live in a small world. If people say that we're the best quarterback-receiver combination in the nation, then that's an outstanding compliment." They've got company. There's Michigan's Chad Henne and Mario Manningham, Louisville's Brian Brohm and Harry Douglas, Hawaii's Colt http://statesman.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=McCoy-to-Sweed%3A+Two+of+a+ki... 8/15/2007 McCoy-to-Sweed: Two of a kind Page 2 of 2 Brennan and Davone Bess and Oklahoma State's Bobby Reid and Adarius Bowman. But do any of them have the upper hand on McCoy-Sweed? "I don't think so," Longhorns wide receiver Nate Jones said. "Limas is so strong. Colt is so accurate. It's hard to beat that combination." It's not that the two claim to know exactly what the other is thinking. It's not that they're always on the same page. They're just two talented players. "We respect each other and have a good feeling for each other," McCoy said. What is it that makes Sweed, who had 46 catches for 801 yards and a single-season record-tying 12 TDs, so special? "Honestly, he's a great blocker," McCoy said. "I think he gets overlooked a lot because he's a great receiver — he has such great hands. When we have running plays, anytime we make a big play, it's because Limas is down there making a block." And what does Sweed think of McCoy? "A great quarterback," Sweed said. "He's accurate and always puts the ball where it's supposed to be. He makes good decisions and has good pocket presence." This year, the duo hopes to have one more thing in common. "Hopefully we'll both win another national championship," Sweed said. "Then after, we can go ride horses in Red McCombs' ranch." atrubow@statesman.com; 445-3959 Find this article at: http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/08/15/0815texfoot.html Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article. http://statesman.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=McCoy-to-Sweed%3A+Two+of+a+ki... 8/15/2007