Been Waiting So Long

#8 USC – 24 (2 OT)
#1 Texas – 27

AUSTIN, Texas -- In 2005, Vince Young led the Longhorns to an undefeated national championship in what many remember as the last controversy-free BCS title game. They defeated USC in a classic, 45-42. That same year, Sensationalization was born. What followed was five years of BCS turmoil and five years of sensational heartbreak for Texas.

The Longhorns have the distinction of appearing in every tournament thus far, including twice as the #1 overall seed, and twice more as a top regional seed. None of their high seeds had ever bore the fruit of a final four - until this year. A double-overtime 27-24 victory over #8 USC has vaulted #1 Texas into uncharted territory and put them two wins away from bringing Austin its first TNS title. Texas becomes the first #1 seed to advance to the final four since - you guessed it - USC, who did it in - you guessed it again - 2005, TNS' inaugural season.

But, as in Pasadena, it did not come easy.

QB Colt McCoy led the Longhorns with 273 total yards - 215 through the air - and three touchdowns. He completed passes to six different receivers and had four rushes of ten or more yards.

No star shined brighter, though, than USC HB Joe McKnight. McKnight was a virtual nonfactor running the ball, carrying seven times for just 11 yards. Through the air, he was unstoppable. USC moved him all over the field - at tailback, out wide, in the slot - and cleverly guided him and the Trojans to a huge second half. Trailing during the halftime shower session brought to you by Irish Spring, USC staged a furious rally and tied the game in the fourth quarter on McKnight's second receiving touchdown of the night. By the end of the game, McKnight had amassed 221 yards on five catches with two touchdowns.

After USC tied it, both teams had a shot to take the lead in the final moments. With time winding down in regulation, and the score knotted at 21, USC faced a 4th and 1 at the Texas 28. The Trojans boldly decided to go for it, but McKnight was stopped just short of the first down marker by senior DT Lamarr Houston.

When asked if he didn't trust his defense at the end of the fourth quarter, USC coach Pete Carroll responded "I have tremendous faith in our defense. Obviously, they were moving the ball on us, but I trusted our D to stop them if we didn't get it. I thought going for it would give us the best chance to win the game."

With 12 seconds on the clock and two timeouts, Texas was able to move the ball up to the USC 36 with enough time for a desperate field goal attempt. The 53-yard kick was well short, however, and the game went into overtime.

Both defenses stepped up in the extra period. USC began on offense, and was held to a field goal. A confident Texas was able to pick up a first down on their first play, but was stalled after that and settled for a field goal.

In the second overtime, Texas went backwards. They were forced to kick a long field goal, which they converted. USC went on offense and similarly endured a sack, resulting in a fourth down from the 31. K Joe Houston then came up short on the 48-yard attempt, and Austin rejoiced.

"I couldn't believe it," said WR Jordan Shipley about watching the kick fall short. "I thought we were going to be there all night."

Texas has a date (not literally) with surprising #36 South Florida in the national semifinals.

"We're not taking anything for granted," said coach Mack Brown. "That's gotten us into trouble in years past. Not this time. Not on my watch."

"Mack my words," he added.

Stats:
Texas
QB Colt McCoy – 11-20, 215 yards, TD, 16 carries, 58 yards, 2 TDs
OLB Roddrick Muckleroy – FF
OLB Keenan Robinson – FR
DE Sergio Kindle, DT Ben Alexander, DE Eddie Jones – sack

USC
HB Joe McKnight – 5 catches, 221 yards, 2 TDs
SS Taylor Mays – INT