COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- The third-ranked
Texas Longhorns still have their undefeated record and BCS national championship hopes intact.
But the Longhorns found themselves in a much tougher than expected shootout with rival Texas A&M before pulling away for a 49-39 win Thursday night at Kyle Field in their regular-season finale to keep their dreams alive. Texas, which finished 12-0, 8-0 in Big 12, is a win away from a likely BCS national title bid provided the Longhorns make it past
Nebraska in next week's
Big 12 Championship Game.
"It was tough as expected," UT senior quarterback
Colt McCoy insisted. "I'm just thankful to get a win for the seniors."
Even though the Longhorns led throughout most of the game, the
Texas A&M Aggies stayed on their heels most of the night, even cutting the deficit to three points midway through the fourth quarter -- before their inability to make key tackles reared its head yet again.
Moments after a 20-yard pass from A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson to receiver Jeff Fuller pulled the Aggies within three points, 42-39, UT freshman Marquis Goodwin returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown with 6:57 remaining to push the lead back 10 points. It was the final score of the game, and effectively slammed the door on the Aggies.
The 88 combined points by both teams marked the highest output in this storied rivalry.
But the real lure was on the field where the 6-6
Aggies put on an impressive showing that gives hope for next season. A&M put up 531 yards of offense against one of the nation's best defense, while Johnson completed 26 of 33 passes for 343 yards, four touchdowns and one interceptions to get his 2010
Heisman Trophy campaign started early.
McCoy, one of the favorites for the Heisman this season, was steady as he led the Longhorns to 597 yards of offense primarily on the strength of 302 yards (24 of 40 passing) and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 176 yards on 18 carries, scoring on a 65-yard touchdown run.
"We just wanted to do what they asked us to do," McCoy said. "I had no idea I would be running that much, but it worked. It's what we've done all year -- do what we have to [in order] to win."
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Latest College Football Photos
Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (12) is tackled by Texas A&M's Kyle Mangan (18) and Terrence Frederick (7) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Texas coach Mack Brown calls for a time-out against Texas A&M during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Texas A&M linebacker Anthony Lewis (36) recovers a fumble by Texas' Jeremy Hills (25) during a punt return in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (12) is tackled by Texas A&M's Kyle Mangan (18) and Terrence Frederick (7) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson (1) breaks away from Texas cornerback Curtis Brown (3) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Texas wide receiver Malcolm Williams (9) catches a pass for a first down as Texas A&M cornerback Justin McQueen (21) defends during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (12) throws a pass as Texas A&M linebacker Sean Porter (10) pursues during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)
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Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (12) scrambles away from Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller (40) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (12) scrambles away from Texas A&M linebacker Sean Porter (10) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)
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Texas wide receiver Jordan Shipley, right, is hit by Texas A&M's Trent Hunter (1) after catching a pass for a first down during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (12) is tackled by Texas A&M's Kyle Mangan (18) and Terrence Frederick (7) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Josh Nesbitt of Georgia Tech is a better quarterback than Colt McCoy.
Fail
Who is Josh Nesbitt? If he's such a great player, have never heard his name mentioned in the Heisman race? Wonder why? He must be a good quarterback for GT to have done so well.
thats my brother
Texas/Texas AM is another one of those hated rival games, it does not matter who is better coming into the game. All that counts is who survives the game. It's a classic but you people outside of TEXAS would NOT know nor understand this. People say McCoy is not a heisman candidate because his numbers are down this year compared to last year. Colt McCoy deserves the Heisman for what he has done for Texas "in the past 4 seasons." Tell me that isn't an MVP. He already has the most wins (44) and by the time he is done he may end up with the highest passer rating in college career. I am sure Tebow fans will argue his 2 National rings but he does not have as many wins and as high as a passer rating. As far as Ingram and all the other one year wonders, who's to say their numbers won't fall off next season.
My hat is off to UT for their undefeated season, especially the tough win against A&M. However, I am not a Longhorn fan, I really think A&M could really be building something special for the future. They do need to be patient with Coach Sherman though. For a young team to be that productive against a great team such as Texas (rivalry or not) says alot about a team's future and abilities. Congratulations to Coach Sherman and the entire Aggie team for giving Aggie fans such as myself hope for the future.
yesssssssssssss CPEEK89, it was well documented that Texas AM has a bright future with all those freshmen. You have a very good team coming up.
I miss the days of the Southwest Conference when most of the boys stayed in the State of Texas to play for Arkansas, Baylor, Houston, Rice, SMU, Texas, Texas AM, and Texas Tech.