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1/6/09Last-second drive goes Horns' way
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- More than two months ago, Texas had its heart ripped out when Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree scored on a winning 28-yard touchdown catch with one second to play in the Red Raiders' 39-33 victory.
"That was one of the worst feelings ever," Longhorns receiver Quan Cosby said. The Longhorns' only loss of the season knocked them from No. 1 in the rankings, and that defeat ultimately cost them a chance of playing for a Big 12 Conference title and likely the BCS National Championship. So there No. 3 Texas was against No. 10 Ohio State in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on Monday night, desperately trying to persuade voters across the country that it was worthy of winning at least a share of college football's national championship. Instead, the Longhorns were staring at another gut-wrenching defeat in the final seconds. A loss to the Buckeyes, who had been the SEC's punching bag in each of the last two BCS Championship Games, would surely have sullied Texas' remarkable and unexpected season. "It wouldn't have been the way to go out," said senior defensive end Brian Orakpo. The Longhorns instead turned the tables on the Buckeyes. Cosby caught a short pass from quarterback Colt McCoy and turned it into a 26-yard touchdown with only 16 seconds to go in the Longhorns' 24-21 victory.
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Kirby Lee/US Presswire Quan Cosby caught 14 passes for 171 yards and 2 TDs in the Fiesta Bowl win. "With the heart and character of this team, I don't think there's anybody in the country who can beat us," said McCoy, who completed 41 of 59 passes for 414 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Texas' victory certainly won't be enough to earn it a share of a national championship. In fact, undefeated Utah and Southern California were more impressive than the Longhorns during the postseason. The Utes beat Alabama 31-17 in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, and the Trojans defeated Penn State 38-24 in The Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi. And honestly, regardless of what the Longhorns did against Ohio State, they weren't going to finish No. 1 in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll. Texas can only hope it was good enough Monday night to finish No. 2 behind the winner of Thursday night's BCS National Championship Game between No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 2 Florida. "We knew with the pride they've got and the tough games they've had in the BCS, they'd come in here and play tough and play great," Texas coach Mack Brown said of the Buckeyes. Brown said he'll still vote his team No. 1 in his final ballot for the coaches' Top 25 poll. He might have an argument if the Sooners beat the Gators. Texas defeated Oklahoma 45-35 in the Red River Rivalry during the regular season.
I thought tonight, under a tremendous amount of pressure, he
played as well as any quarterback can possibly play, especially
on that last drive. I mean, to me, that's a Heisman-type drive.
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