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Texas warms up in cold to rout Kansas

Nov 15, 2008 - 10:44 PM LAWRENCE, Kansas (Ticker) -- It took awhile for Colt McCoy to get acclimated to the elements. But once he did, Texas rolled to an impressive victory.

McCoy threw two touchdown passes in a 21-point third quarter and rushed for another score as the fifth-ranked Longhorns stayed in the national championship picture with a 35-7 win over Kansas on Saturday.

Texas (10-1, 6-1 Big 12 South) also remained in contention for the Big 12 Conference championship game, although the Longhorns need help.

If Oklahoma defeats No. 2 Texas Tech next week, the Longhorns could forge a three-way tie in the division by beating Texas A&M in their regular-season finale. In the event of a three-away tie, the division winner would be determined by the team with the highest BCS ranking.

Long before the Longhorns could start looking ahead to their game against Texas A&M on November 27, they found themselves in a rare defensive struggle in the Big 12.

The high-powered offenses of both teams were affected by winds gusting up to 30 miles per hour and wind chills in the 20s.

"In these conditions, as an offense I thought we played great," McCoy said. "When the wind is blowing 30 miles per hour in your face, it's hard to complete passes. Give credit to the receivers. They caught the ball and the offensive line blocked well."

Through 29 minutes, the game's only score was a 14-yard touchdown run by Texas' Vondrell McGee midway through the first quarter.

But the Longhorns grabbed a 14-0 halftime lead on McCoy's 4-yard TD run with 44 seconds left in the second quarter, and Kansas could not stop the Longhorns in the third quarter.

"Colt McCoy has done amazing things since he has been at Texas," Longhorns coach Mack Brown said. "Coming north this time of the year is tough. Today was a tough day for offenses, both for Colt and for Todd (Reesing).

"There were 20-30 mile per hour wind gusts and it was spitting snow at times. I thought Colt played one of the toughest, grittiest games he has played since he has been at Texas."

The Jayhawks (6-5, 3-4 Big 12 North) lost for the fourth time in five games, likely ending their conference title hopes. Missouri can clinch the Big 12 North crown with a win over Iowa State later Saturday.

Kansas reached the Longhorns' 26-yard line on its third possession, but turned the ball over on down as Reesing's pass on 4th-and-2 was incomplete.

The Jayhawks marched to the Longhorns' 38 on their next possession, but once again couldn't convert as Reesing failed to complete a 4th-and-1 pass.

"Our defense was physical," Brown added. "They just knocked people down and were knocking balls loose. We had some great fourth down stops."

McCoy's TD run capped an seven-play, 67-yard march and gave Texas momentum entering the second half.

Texas opened the second half at its 40-yard line after the kickoff sailed out of bounds. The Longhorns took advantage of the favorable field position, increasing its lead to 21-0 lead on Chris Ogbonnaya's 10-yard TD run.

The Jayhawks answered on Reesing's 7-yard TD strike to Dexton Fields, but Texas put away the contest with a pair of scores in a 2:18 span late in the third quarter.

McCoy tossed a 9-yard TD pass to Quan Cosby with 2:38 remaining. Three plays later, Texas recovered a fumble, and McCoy found Brandon Collins for a 36-yard score.

It was McCoy's 31st TD pass of the season, breaking his own school record. He also won his 30th game, matching Vince Young's Texas mark with still two games remaining in his junior campaign.

McCoy finished 24-of-34 for 255 yards with no interceptions. He also paced the Longhorns on the ground with 78 yards on 16 carries.

"I just did what they told me to do," McCoy said. "We took care of the ball. That's important when you go on the road against a tough team."

Forced to play catch-up, Reesing attempted 50 passes, but completed only 25 for 258 yards.