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McCoy looks to lead Texas vs. Iowa in Alamo Bowl

Dec 30, 2006 - 4:36 PM No. 18 Texas (9-3) vs. Iowa (6-6) December 30 Alamo Bowl 4:30 pm EST

SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- Texas coach Mack Brown certainly is pleased to have the injured Colt McCoy back in the lineup.

McCoy has been cleared to lead the 18th-ranked Longhorns into their Alamo Bowl matchup against Iowa on Saturday.

A redshirt freshman, McCoy had a sensational season, completing nearly 69 percent of his passes for 2,262 yards and a school-record 27 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. McCoy suffered a severe pinched nerve in his neck in the Longhorns' 12-7 loss to Texas A&M in their regular-season finale, but he has been given the OK to play the Hawkeyes.

"Colt has looked better and better everyday in practice," Brown said. "We've all seen what he can do when he's healthy, and we're really excited to have him back at 100 percent."

The defending national champion, Texas (9-3) appeared on the verge of winning the Big 12 Conference South Division title for a second straight year before ending its regular season with losses to Kansas State and the Aggies, allowing Oklahoma to reach the league title game.

Iowa was an even bigger disappointment this year. Expected to contend for the Big Ten Conference title, the Hawkeyes went just 2-6 in league play and 6-6 overall.

In the only previous meeting, Iowa routed Texas, 55-17, in the 1984 Freedom Bowl.