UT could have use time-killing drive in Lubbock

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Time was winding down as Colt McCoy was firing passes and Texas was marching down the field.

Quan Cosby hauled one in, broke a tackle and dived into the end zone for the go-head touchdown with only 16 seconds left to give Texas a 24-21 Fiesta Bowl win over No. 10 Ohio State.

It was just the kind of drive Texas needed two months ago against Texas Tech: One that left the Buckeyes no time to recover.

Had Texas done that on a chilly night in Lubbock in November, the Longhorns probably would be playing this week for a shot at the national title.

Instead, McCoy's go-ahead drive that night left the Red Raiders with more than a minute to rally make the play of the season: Michael Crabtree's touchdown catch with one second left that jumbled the Bowl Championship Series title chase and ultimately knocked Texas out it.

Despite slim hopes of finishing No. 1 in The Associated Press rankings, the No. 3 Longhorns probably will have to settle for a thrilling 12-1 season led by a junior quarterback who has etched his name into the school record books and the hearts of Texas fans.

Splattered with dirt and sweat and smeared with grass stains after beating Ohio State in his 10th career second-half comeback win, McCoy still thought his team was the best in the country.

``We're No. 1,'' McCoy said after passing for 414 yards against the Buckeyes in Texas' fifth straight bowl victory. ``I don't think there's anybody who can beat us. No one expected us to be this good.''

No one expected McCoy to be this good. The heir to the Texas offense after Vince Young led the Longhorns to the 2005 national championship, McCoy was solid in 2006 and 2007 before maturing into one of the best players in college football.

When Texas reported to training camp, McCoy laid out a goal for the team to win more than 10 games. His brash confidence that Texas could challenge for the Big 12 and national titles played out on his slender shoulders and legs as he passed for a school record 3,859 yards and 34 touchdowns and led the team with 579 rushing and 11 more TDs.

At midseason, when Texas was rolling through wins over Oklahoma, Missouri and Oklahoma State, McCoy was the favorite for the Heisman Trophy. That too, was dashed by the loss in Lubbock and he eventually finished second to Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford.

The loss dropped the Longhorns into a three-way tie that ultimately sent the Sooners to the Big 12 title game and on to the BCS title game against Florida. It frustrated Brown enough that he's considering dropping out of the USA Today coaches poll that makes up part of the BCS standings.

On the field after beating Ohio State, Brown said he would vote Texas No. 1, even though the BCS title automatically goes to the winner of Thursday's title game.

If nothing else, the Longhorns may have set themselves up as the favorites for a title run in 2009.

It will start with McCoy, who has pledged to return for his senior season.

``He never thinks he is going to lose,'' Brown said. ``The last drive, I mean, to me, that's a Heisman-type drive.''

The Longhorns lose eight senior starters, three on the defensive line, including All-American defensive end Brian Orakpo. Other seniors who won't be there in 2009 include Cosby, Texas' leading receiver who caught 14 passes against Ohio State and team leaders defensive tackle Roy Miller and tailback Chris Ogbonnaya.

Brown acknowledged on Sunday that leaves the Longhorns with some unknowns.

``A lot of people say this team will be great next year. That's not necessarily true. When you lose some ingredients like a Brian Orakpo and his leadership or Roy Miller and you don't have those guys, my experience is you just don't waive the wand and say we've got a lot of good players coming back and it works again.''

After the Fiesta Bowl, several Longhorns sounded confident they can win the Big 12 and national titles in 2009.

``I think we have a lot of talent coming back and if work had like the team this year did then I think it (the national championship) is ours next year,'' linebacker Sergio Kindle said.

Kindle himself is a question mark. The junior linebacker-defensive end was one of Texas' top pass rushers and must decide if he will return for next season or head to the NFL.

``I'm going to talk the coaches and do what's best for my family,'' Kindle said.

There will be some speculation about Brown's future as well. In November, Brown and Texas officials announced that defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will take over the program when Brown retires.

Brown insists he's not ready to quit and noted he still has eight years left on his contract. Muschamp says there's ``no timetable'' for him to take over that he's willing to wait.

But the Muschamp deal was about getting Texas set for the future, one that could look very bright for McCoy and Co. in 2009.