For one shining moment, Texas head coach John Mackovic could stand and smile.
As he gazed across a room full of the same people who had doubted and praised his decisions all season, Mackovic looked into each camera and reporter's eyes with a hint of triumph.
Not only had his team decimated the Texas A&M Aggies 51-15 in front of 81,887 maniacal fans at Darrell K Royal-Memorial Stadium Friday, but also he stood at the podium flanked by the Big 12 Southern Division trophy on his left and an imaginary hammer on his right--a hammer that Texas (7-4, 6-2 in the Big 12) used to smash the Texas A&M football program back into a rebuilding phase and crush every nay-sayer who had doubted him all along.
After pinning the most lopsided loss on A&M since 1982, the Longhorns are packing their bags for St. Louis to face Nebraska in the inaugural Big 12 Championship game.
"I didn't exactly expect it to go like this," said Mackovic, who leads a team riding a wave of an emotional four-game winning streak.
That statement could have described the Horns' season just as well as the game. After being sidetracked by Notre Dame, dismantled in Virginia, snipped by Oklahoma and heartbroken in Colorado, Texas still finished the regular season with a thrashing of intra-state rival Texas A&M (6-6, 4-4) to clinch the Southern Division.
"We just had something to prove in this game," Texas cornerback Bryant Westbrook said. "We wanted to prove to the world that we deserved to be in that Big 12 Championship, and we're going to hopefully go and beat a good Nebraska team."
Texas quarterback James Brown put the Aggie defense in the dentist's chair, and the junior from Beaumont drilled away at every cavity in the Wrecking Crew's mouth. Brown took advantage of a young secondary and threw for 336 yards and four touchdowns. That total was just two yards shy of eclipsing the mark he set against Houston in 1995.
"They're young. I knew they were young," Brown said of A&M's secondary made up one senior, two sophomores and a freshman. "The two safeties are the quarterbacks of the defense, and they make the calls. They might have known what they we're doing, but in a game like this, you have to know so much more. They weren't ready."
According to the players, the most important drive of the day was the game's first. Looking to set the tone early, it only took the Texas offense one minute and 44 seconds to do just that. Keyed by a 19-yard run by fullback Ricky Williams, the Longhorns cruised down the field for a 77-yard touchdown score that would only be the first of many more to come.
"I didn't think that this game was ever going to be a rout, but the way that the offense scored on that first drive was so impressive," Texas linebacker Tyson King said. "They just moved the ball, and the defense was just stopping everything that they could do to us."
The Aggies were befuddled by the Longhorn defense all day. Preseason coverboy Branndon Stewart was held to a paltry 93 yards while the vaunted A&M running game managed only 134 yards on 37 carries. The loss means that Texas A&M fails to qualify for a post-season bowl game, and head coach R.C. Slocum will be facing an off-season of questions.
"It's been a real frustrating year for everyone connected with A&M football," Slocum said. "We have some rebuilding to do. We've got to work at recruiting and refocus on all aspects of the program."
Slocum will probably have to answer to his decision to try a fake punt on A&M's own 36-yard line at the start of the third quarter. Punter Shane Lechler took the deep snap and tried to run the ball for the first down, but after being stopped short by Texas' Dustin Armstrong, the Longhorns took control of the game and took the Aggies by the throat.
Texas held the ball for eight minutes and five seconds of the quarter and scored touchdowns on all four possessions. Brown hit Derrick Scott in the end zone from two yards out, he hit flanker Mike Adams twice on touchdown passes for 14 and 35 yards and tailback Priest Holmes scored on a drive that bridged the third and fourth quarters.
Texas led 44-9 at that point, and it only took a 55-yard touchdown dash right through the heart of A&M's front seven by Williams to close the freezer on a game that had long been iced.
"Honestly, when we started the game, I didn't see the intensity and physicalness that I expect out of A&M," Texas guard Dan Neil said. "It surprised me a little bit, and that's probably why we put so many points on them."
Texas will now face the No. 4 Huskers in the Trans World Dome in St. Louis at noon on Saturday. Despite the fact that the Longhorns have been up and down all season long, they have still managed to reach their goal of a Big 12 Southern Division championship.
"It means we're going to St. Louis, and we feel like we're getting paid for all the hard work that we've put in," Williams, who had 145 yards and a touchdown against A&M, said. "We started off kind of slow, and I guess that we didn't play up to our potential all year. I think now we're showing everyone that we can and we are."
Nebraska (10-1, 8-0) is headed to St. Louis via a 17-12 win over Colorado on Friday. The Huskers' defense is ranked nationally among the top 10 in all major statistical categories, and it is coming off a performance in which it held the Buffaloes to just 51 rushing yards.
"On defense, they're awesome," Mackovic said Sunday. "They have size, speed, they're all over the ball, they play one-on-one with anybody, and they are a great blitz team. We know that we have plenty of work to do."
The Longhorns may not have to add that much to the playbook in preparation for the Huskers. Texas added various new plays, formations and wrinkles against Texas A&M that were simply not used because of the game's blowout situation.
"We had a plan to come in and blitz a little bit like we did last year, but really, we didn't need it," Texas defensive tackle Chris Akins said. "We had them on the ropes, and we just played them aggressively, and that's what put us over the hump."
Now that Texas has the top of the Big 12 mountain in sight, the task is to conquer it. But standing in the Longhorns' way is a team that has knocked off plenty of competition with its option attack led by quarterback Scott Frost and a full-tilt defense that never thinks twice about blitzing.
"Whether they want to admit it or not, they know that we're a dangerous football team," Adams said. "We're going to be ready to play for all the marbles. We're going to be ready to play."
* Tickets for the Texas-Nebraska game are on sale at the UT ticket office located in Theo L. Belmont Hall. Stadium level seats are $60 while terrace level tickets cost $40. The ticket office is open weekdays from 9 a.m-4 p.m. To purchase tickets by phone call (512) 471-3333 or (800) 982-BEVO.
When it was finally over and the demolition complete, Tyson King didn't want to leave the field.
The often-criticized linebacker of the much-maligned Texas defense wanted to soak in the sights and the score after the Longhorns crushed Texas A&M 51-15 in the regular season finale. And most of all, he wanted to revel in the fact that it was the UT defense, not A&M's vaunted Wrecking Crew, that had dominated the game.
"We just kind of sat around and wanted to take it all in one last time," King said.
In a game in which Texas dominated in every aspect of the game, the Longhorn defense played perhaps its most outstanding game in King's four-year career at the University. The Aggies struggled with their traditionally strong running game, and displayed a pathetic passing attack as they managed to scrape out only 227 yards of total offense.
The performance comes at the twilight of a season in which lackluster performances by Texas' front seven defenders have raised serious questions about the job security of UT defensive coordinator Gary Darnell. On Friday, however, the Texas defense completely stymied A&M's offense, whose only touchdown came after a measly nine-yard drive.
"Somehow, some way, we found a way to hold our side up," Darnell said. "This is our third championship in a row. It was one of those [games] where everything works well. Ball carriers didn't squirt loose, and if they did, the linebackers helped us, and there were some outstanding tackles today. We made a couple in open field. ... I just think they did a great job today."
The Texas front seven was led by youth, with sophomore linebacker Dusty Renfro making 13 tackles, and true freshman Casey Hampton grabbing eight, plus 1.5 sacks.
Texas sealed off the running lanes, then when A&M fell behind and was forced to go to the air, the Texas defensive backs prevented Aggie receivers, particularly playmaker Albert Connell, from making any impact. A&M's backfield, which boasts four runners with over 500 yards, ran for just 134 yards on 37 carries.
The passing game was even weaker for the Aggies. A&M quarterback Branndon Stewart capped a highly disappointing year by throwing for a mere 93 yards on 10-of-25 passing. The junior quarterback, who was hailed as the savior for the Aggie offense, seemed confused by Texas' secondary and was easily unnerved by the Texas pass rush.
If it wasn't for the burnt orange jerseys, one might have had trouble figuring which team had earned the nickname of the Wrecking Crew. "I think they put a lot of pressure on [Stewart] earlier in the season," Westbrook said. "He's a great quarterback and I think he's going to do great things at A&M. But I don't think he's going to do many great things against Texas."
Stewart can thank Westbrook for many of his troubles on Friday. For the second game in a row, Texas implemented a man-to-man coverage scheme in the secondary and kept seven defenders near the line. This forced Westbrook, a likely first-round pick in the NFL draft, to line up across from Connell for much of the game. Connell entered the contest with 56 receptions for 864 yards. Against Texas, Connell only caught one pass for eight yards. And with their star receiver being limited, the A&M offense sputtered for most of the game.
"I could not be more proud of our defense," Texas head coach John Mackovic said. "They dominated the entire second half and a good part of the first half. ... The defense played one of those games that we knew they had to play and we expected them to. They came through for us."
Early in the season, Texas' largest weakness, tackling, was exposed against Notre Dame in the Horns' 27-24 loss. With the departure of all-SWC defensive end Tony Brackens and injuries to nose guard Chris Akins, the Texas defense has been forced to step it up with several true freshmen. The inexperience was again evident when the Horns were upset by an Oklahoma team that had failed to win a game.
But five games later, it is the freshmen whom the Longhorns have looked to for stability up front.
Hampton and linebacker Aaron Humphrey have been catalysts for a defense that appeared to be in disarray. Against the Aggies, both players had huge impacts. Hampton spent much of his day in the Aggie backfield, while Humphrey continued his campaign to be named Big 12 Freshman of the Year by batting down a pass and recording five tackles.
"It's just phenomenal that a team has depended on freshmen like we have," Darnell said. "We have literally started four freshman in the front seven for about the last four games, and they're winning. ... I want to tell you, that's a feat. I think that is highly unusual."
Now the Horns' defense gets a bigger test when it travels to St. Louis to meet defending national champion Nebraska for the conference title. Nebraska offers a far more serious challenge with its large offensive line and dominating rushing attack. But for the Texas defense, its performance against A&M was the perfect end to the regular season.
"It was unbelievable," King said. "The guys were talking about the seniors going out with a bang, and we went out with a bang. If you wanted to end your career, this is the way to end it."
For most of the past decade, Texas guard Dan Neil has cringed to the sounds of victorious Aggie fans. Now he can relish their silence. And perhaps a switch in roles between the two schools.
With Texas' 51-15 pasting of the Aggies Friday at Darrell K Royal-Memorial Stadium, the Longhorns have re-established themselves as the top football program in the state. For the first time since 1983, Texas has a two-game winning streak in the series.
"I don't like [Aggies] whatsoever," Neil said. "I've had to listen to them for a long time. I finally found out how to shut them up and that's to beat them. I didn't hear their band the whole second half and I really didn't hear their fans at all. Every other game I've come to, they won't shut up. They finally shut up and I'm glad."
The Aggies have reigned supreme in Texas since 1984, winning 10 of the next 11 games. During that time, Texas A&M has six conference championships to Texas' one, and annually outrecruited Texas. Though the Horns have a dominating 66-32-5 record in the series, the Aggies had all the glory of the '80s and early '90s.
Even Texas' 16-6 victory in College Station wasn't enough for some Texas players, who said they didn't get the respect they felt was deserved after the game. The 1995 Texas win ended a 31-game Aggie home winning streak and gave the Longhorns the final Southwest Conference championship.
"When they didn't act like last year was a fluke, we got kind of pissed off," Texas inside linebacker Tyson King said. "Last year, I heard people say it was all [Aggie quarterback] Corey Pullig's fault, or that it was a fluke that we won. This year, we wanted to make them understand. They got a little butt-whipping."
Said Texas cornerback Bryant Westbrook: "Now we can get a little respect in the state of Texas. I think last year, everybody was still a little skeptical. But beating them 51-15, we'll get pride back to this University."
Texas A&M head coach R.C. Slocum, who is 5-3 against the Longhorns, said he doesn't think Texas' winning streak constitutes a Longhorn dominance in the state.
"I don't feel that the rivalry is turning," he said. "They just beat us today. They've got a great football program."
The series, however, has a history of long winning streaks. Prior to Texas A&M's total domination, the Longhorns lived on top. They have had two 7-game winning streaks, two 8-game streaks and a 10 game winning streak from 1957 to 1966. Former Texas head coach Darrell Royal went 17-3 against his nemesis.
Much of that has to do with the games' impact on recruiting. Starting in 1984, the Aggies arguably won every year's recruiting battle except 1991 and 1996 -- the only two years following Texas victories. Big-time recruits, such as tight end Mike Jones and middle linebacker Grant Irons, attended the this year's game.
Tyler defensive end David Warren, who is among the top recruits in the entire country, has said that if he stays in Texas, it will come down to Texas and Texas A&M. Each school has its share of players who narrowed their choices down to Texas and Texas A&M during recruiting, like Longhorn defensive linemen Casey Hampton and Cedric Woodard and Aggie linebacker Trent Driver.
"Its the biggest win for our program this year," King said. "It gives us bragging rights in the state and vaults us to the championship. Recruits will see that and it will help us in everything. A&M will be sitting home on Christmas day and recruits will see that."
Not that the winning streak constitutes any "Texas is back," announcements. The Longhorns still have four losses and are ranked fourth in the Big 12 Conference.
"[The win] establishes our program solidly," Texas head coach John Mackovic said. "But there are a lot of teams in their league we're after."
One of those teams is Nebraska, Texas' opponent in the Big 12 Championship this Saturday. But for now, Texas is king of the state. It is Texas' rightful position after years of playing second fiddle, according to Neil.
"Obviously you look at the record and I think we're 66-32 now," Neil said. "I think that's why [Aggie fans] are so loud. It's because we beat them for so long. And then in the '80s they got a run on us and they wouldn't shut up. Now we've gotten two wins and I think it might scare their fans that it's going to be like it was before the '80s."
Texas A&M 0 9 0 6 -- 15
Texas 10 7 20 14 -- 51
Texas P.Holmes 4 run (Dawson kick), 1:44
Texas FG Dawson 44, 7:03
TAMC Hardeman 2 run (kick failed), 1:26
TAMC FG Bryant 33, 4:42
Texas McGarity 53 pass from J.Brown (Dawson kick), 12:27
Texas D.Scott 2 pass from J.Brown (Dawson kick), 5:33
Texas M.Adams 14 pass from J.Brown (kick failed), 7:52
Texas M.Adams 36 pass from J.Brown (Dawson kick), 12:18
Texas P.Holmes 2 run (Dawson kick), 1:54
Texas Williams 55 run (Dawson kick), 6:36
TAMC Parker 100 kick return (pass failed), 6:53
A--81,887.
Texas A&M Texas
First Downs 10 25
Rushes-Yards 37-134 50-235
Passing 93 359
Comp-Att-Int 10-28-0 20-32-0
Return Yards 14 35
Punts-Avg 11-44.0 6-36.0
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 2-1
Penalties-Yards 8-48 6-55
Time of Possession 26:37 33:23
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING
Texas A&M - Hall 14-108, Hardeman 8-22, Bernard 9-12, Lechler 1-3,
Stewart 5-(-11).
Texas - Williams 22-145, Mitchell 8-25, Butcher 6-24, J.Brown 4-17,
P.Holmes 4-9, R.Brown 4-9, Walton 1-5, Coleman 1-1.
PASSING
Texas A&M - Stewart 10-25-0-93, McCown 0-3-0-0.
Texas - J.Brown 18-30-0-336, Cherry 1-1-0-8, Walton 1-1-0-15.
RECEIVING
Texas A&M - Hodge 2-11, Bernard 2-2, B.Johnson 1-32, Hall 1-19,
Broyles 1-9, Connell 1-8, Campbell 1-6, Spiller 1-6.
Texas - M.Adams 6-153, McGarity 3-82, Fitzgerald 4-69, D.Scott 2-17,
Davis 2-15, Williams 1-8, Armstrong 1-8, Lewis 1-7.