PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -A few inches taller than Colt McCoy and with a bit more zip on his passes, Garrett Gilbert was all set to take over as quarterback at Texas in 2010.
September 2010, that is.
Gilbert was forced into action on the Longhorns’ first series of the BCS championship game and handled himself as well as can be expected from an 18-year-old novice, showing why he was such a highly touted recruited and why Texas may not suffer much despite having to replace the winningest quarterback in major college history.
Gilbert had two turnovers by halftime and committed turnovers on his final three series, but in between he found a groove, throwing the first two touchdown passes of his career and nailing a 2-point conversion pass. He had Texas within a field goal in the final minutes of what turned out to be a 37-21 loss to Alabama on Thursday night.
Gilbert. “It’s something you’re not going to forget. Guys told me they were proud of me. Throughout the game, Colt was telling me to stay calm. There wasn’t much time to think about it. I got thrown in and knew I was going to be counted on by my teammates.”
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But when McCoy was hurt on the Longhorns’ fifth snap, in went Gilbert for the first meaningful snaps of his career – in the national championship game against No. 1 Alabama and its ferocious defense, in front of 94,906 at the Rose Bowl.
“Here’s a guy standing there on the sidelines cold as can be and, all of a sudden, in the national championship game, it’s like, ‘OK, son, you’ve got it.’ I can’t even imagine,” coach Mack Brown said. “It’s a credit to him, the kids around him and (offensive coordinator Greg) Davis for putting him in a position where he came back and actually had a chance to win.”
Gilbert finished 15 of 40 for 186 yards with four interceptions and a fumble. Most importantly, he had a chance to play on college football’s biggest stage and he showed that he belonged, a feeling that only help when he takes over for good this spring.
“He came into the game and gave us a chance to win,” McCoy said.
replaced McCoy, who replaced Vince Young, on the field where Young had his greatest moments – and with Young watching from the sideline. If Gilbert lives up to expectations, this night could be remembered as an amazing changing of the guard.
And, get this: both of Gilbert’s touchdown passes went to sixth-year senior Jordan Shipley, McCoy’s roommate and best friend, who started at Texas during Young’s sophomore season. That certainly ties together these back-to-back-to-back QB eras.
“We think he has a chance to be a really special player,” Brown said.
McCoy was pretty darn special, too.
Only about 180 pounds when he replaced Young, the kid from tiny Tuscola, Texas, was considered too frail to absorb the pounding of big-time college football. All he did was start 53 straight games, winning an NCAA-record 45 of them. He also set all sorts of school records and finished in the top 10 on various NCAA lists.
McCoy struggled to find words when he was interviewed on the field after his final college game, the emotions overwhelming him. But at least he can take solace in knowing that Gilbert seems ready to pick up where he left off.
“I’ve taught him everything I know,” McCoy said. “I’m extremely impressed – the guy is going to have an outstanding career.”
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