Longhorns Hook Boise State

#17 Boise State – 0
#1 Texas – 14

AUSTIN, Texas - #1 Texas is one step closer to its first ever Final Four after a shutout of #17 Boise State. QB Colt McCoy was an efficient 10-12 for 207 yards and two rushing TDs to lead the Longhorn offense. Texas' defense gave up some big plays, but stepped up in key situations and forced five turnovers to keep QB Kellen Moore and the Broncos off the scoreboard.

Moore was able to move the ball, especially to WR Austin Pettis, but he also threw three picks to squander some scoring chances. Pettis caught five passes for a game high 144 yards. Boise was also victimized by two lost fumbles, one of which occurred while on defense in the third quarter, after forcing and recovering a fumble of their own.

Texas opened the scoring with a 74-yard drive on their first possession, which was capped by an 11-yard TD run by McCoy. Boise State's next drive was short-lived as MLB Jared Norton hit HB Jeremy Avery in the backfield, forcing a fumble that was recovered by DE Sergio Kindle. Kindle also had two sacks in the early stages.

Boise State regained possession on an INT, and slowly made their way down the field thanks to a couple big plays on third down. On 1st and goal from the Texas 10-yard line, though, Moore was picked off by OLB Roddrick Muckleroy, and the much-anticipated halftime showers began with Texas holding a 7-0 lead.

Texas started the second half with the ball and marched down the field for another TD run by Colt McCoy. Boise State's following possession ended once again with an INT, this one by CB Leroy Scott. After that, Texas was able to melt most of the rest of the clock and hang on for the 14-0 victory.

Following the game, the Longhorns seemed optimistic but wary.

"We beat a good team tonight and I think we have a great chance to win this thing if we keep playing Texas football," said Colt McCoy. "But we can't get proud. We haven't done anything yet and our next game will be a huge test. USC will be gunning for us."

The Trojans' win over Oklahoma sets up a rematch of the unforgettable 2005 non-Sensationalizationalism National Championship Game.

"I'm looking forward to playing Texas without Vince Young," mused USC coach Pete Carroll. "This team could be even better though. Their defense is scary. It should be a classic."

Stats:
Texas
QB Colt McCoy: 10-12, 207 yards, 8 rushes, 36 yards, 2 TDs
DE Sergio Kindle: 2 sacks, FR
MLB Jared Norton: FF
OLB Roddrick Muckleroy/CB Leroy Scott/CB Curtis Brown: INT

Boise State
QB Kellen Moore: 10-19, 210 yards
WR Austin Pettis: 5 receptions, 144 yards