AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -One second.
So much of Texas’ 2008 season – of what it was and what it wouldn’t be – can be wrapped up in one second.
One second was all that remained when Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree scooted into the end zone to beat the then-No. 1 Longhorns 39-33. That one second ultimately stood between Texas getting a chance to play for the Big 12 title and, perhaps, a national title.
Ten months later, with the now-No. 2 Longhorns (2-0) and Red Raiders (2-0) set to clash again Saturday night, all conversation goes back to one audacious throw and catch, fans rushing the field (twice) and the one second that was left on the clock as the Longhorns stood in stunned silence.
“One second better,” Texas quarterback Colt McCoy said. “We’ve got to finish the game.”
m.
“That’s one of the greatest plays that’s ever happened. It’s on like every commercial,” McCoy said. “Put it in the past … I’ve never been a revenge-type guy.”
Oh, but it may the only thing that matters for about 101,000 Texas fans at Royal-Memorial Stadium. Up in Lubbock, Red Raiders fans were at a fever pitch from the opening kick to their victory party.
“I expect our fans,” Texas coach Mack Brown said, “to be the best they’ve ever been.”
Texas Tech coach Mike Leach seemed unconcerned about the reception that awaits.
Always the contrarian, Leach suggested Texas is more likely to be looking ahead to upcoming games against ranked opponents Oklahoma and Oklahoma State than worried about his unranked Red Raiders.
“I imagine we’re probably another game to them,” Leach said.
Texas and Texas Tech were originally scheduled to meet Nov. 7, a more traditional time slot for an intense Big 12 South rivalry game. But after last year’s nail-biter and with a television schedule needing a big game this weekend, ABC asked it be moved to a prime-time slot this week.
History suggests the change will not help Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders’ spread offense requires extreme precision between the quarterback and receivers, and Leach usually has more time to get it in gear for games like this.
all four games played against ranked teams in August and September.
And this time, they face Texas with a new quarterback, junior Taylor Potts.
Potts has looked good so far. His 861 yards passing leads the nation and he threw for seven touchdowns last week in a 55-10 win over Rice. Still, Saturday night will be his first start on the road.
Leach was either protecting his quarterback or just teasing the media when he didn’t make Potts available to talk with reporters this week. Texas expects him to be latest great gunslinger in Leach’s plug-‘n-play offense.
“They had seven touchdown passes last week and that’s nearly unheard of,” Brown said. “Tech gets the credit for coaching on offense, I’ve never felt like their kids get credit for being really good players.”
For McCoy, last season’s loss stalled his Heisman Trophy campaign and he finished runner-up to Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford.
With Bradford out with a shoulder injury, the Heisman could come down to a two-man race between McCoy and Florida’s Tim Tebow, the 2007 winner. A big game in front of a revved-up home crowd with a national television audience could be a big boost.
McCoy has been solid his first two games, passing for 654 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions. His 67.1 percent completion rate is well off last season’s 76.7 that set an NCAA single-season record.
ing to be perfect.
“Everybody who has walked up to that young guy for the last year in the state of Texas has said, ‘Win the Heisman for me. Win the national championship for me.’ That’s all he’s heard,” Brown said.
“He’s trying to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. I had a long talk with him (Sunday) and told him, ‘You need to relax and go back and have fun.”’
Dishing out a little revenge would be a start.
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