AUSTIN – Kenn Kasparek, Texas' 6-10 junior right-handed pitcher known as Big Bird, is the only key contributor remaining from the Longhorns' 2005 national title team.

Heading into a weekend series with first-place Texas A&M, Kasparek might sound wishful when he says he sees similarities between that team and this year's squad. Especially after a stretch in which UT lost six of seven to fall to 23-16 and 8-10 in the Big 12 midway through the conference season.

But Kasparek is a big reason for the team's renewed confidence. Texas has won six of its last seven, including two of three against Baylor, to improve to 31-19 (12-12 Big 12). Kasparek is riding a streak of 21 2/3 scoreless innings and threw the school's 20th no-hitter against Texas State on April 29. His fastball is touching 94 mph, and he's added a slider and change-up this season to go with his curveball.

Kasparek said the 2005 team turned everything around in an NCAA regional at Ole Miss. The Longhorns lost the first game and had to battle back against the Rebels in front of a hostile crowd. He hopes the series starting today can serve as a similar springboard this season.

"Against A&M this coming weekend, this could be the answer we've been looking for," Kasparek said.

"This could be the weekend we turn it all around like we did in 2005 on that trip to Ole Miss. It's a great opportunity to do that."

If Kasparek had uttered those words on April 20, it would have been laughable. The Longhorns had just been swept by Oklahoma State in Austin and had won once in seven games. The Longhorns' defense was terrible, averaging 1.7 errors per game through the first 39 games. And junior Preston Clark injured a shoulder and had to move from catcher to outfield to first base and ultimately to third base.

But now the Longhorns appear to be hitting a groove. The defense settled down after coach Augie Garrido moved junior Travis Tucker from third base to second and Clark from first to third.

Of course, the defense always looks better when the pitching is unhittable.

Kasparek was looking like a solid pro prospect until tearing up his right elbow in summer league ball before last season. He had Tommy John surgery and missed the 2007 season. Then he got off to a shaky start in 2008.

Kasparek and the rest of the pitching staff had to adjust to freshman catcher Cameron Rupp, who took over for Clark. In college baseball, veteran catching can settle down young pitching. Other than Kasparek and junior Austin Wood, UT's top nine pitchers are freshmen or sophomores.

"Preston [Clark] is at third now and he'll say, 'Slow down, you're working too fast or too slow,' " Kasparek said. "That's something Cameron will learn in time."

Kasparek said he, Rupp and pitching coach Skip Johnson, who calls the pitches, have been on the same page the last "two to three games."

Garrido said Kasparek has improved his chances for the Major League Baseball draft.

"If the scouts see those fastballs touching 90-plus miles per hour in a no-hitter even once, they can imagine it happening again," Garrido said.