Longhorns make stand in OT to avert upset against Wildcats
AUSTIN, TEXAS » Texas was dominant for most of three quarters against Kansas State, building a comfortable 20-point lead behind a suffocating defense.
Then the No. 7 Longhorns found themselves in overtime, clinging to a three point lead with just six yards between the No. 25 Wildcats, the end zone and a loss.
“These are the moments you live for. Everybody wants to be the person to make that play,” Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron said. “Trust one another. And that's what we did.”
With a chance to win and all the momentum, Kansas State gained just two yards in three plays before Texas' Barryn Sorrell pressured
Will Howard into a desperate, off-balance pass that fell incomplete, as the Longhorns made Bert Auburn's 42-yard field goal stand up for a 33-30 win that keeps them atop the Big 12.
Texas (8-1, 5-1 Big 12, No. 7 CFP) matched last season's win total and stayed on track for a possible berth in the Big 12 championship game. Texas hasn't won the league since 2009, and this is the last chance before the program leaves for the Southeastern Conference next season.
“Versatility, resilience, perseverance ... those are all qualities championship teams have,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “They can make plays at critical moments.”
That was Kansas State (6-3, 4-2, No. 23 CFP) when the Wildcats came storming back from a 27-7 deficit late in the third quarter. Kansas State rallied behind three touchdown passes from Howard in less than three minutes.
Kansas State forced overtime on Chris Tennant's 45yard field goal with 1 second left. Tennant had earlier missed a short chance to tie with just under two minutes left.
Texas went nowhere on its first possession of overtime before Auburn's goahead kick, his fourth field goal of the game. Kansas State was then quickly inside the Texas 10.
Facing fourth down, the Wildcats went for the win instead of another field goal to tie and more overtime. Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said he didn't hesitate to make the call and would do it again if given another chance.
“Our kids always believe we have a shot,” Klieman said. “I'm upset that we lost, but watching what our guys were able to do in the second half was pretty special.”
Jonathon Brooks ran for 112 yards and a touchdown for Texas, which also got a 54-yard scoring run early from C.J. Baxter. Howard passed for 327 yards and four touchdowns for the Wildcats, two of them to Phillip Brooks.
Kansas State's rally was helped by consecutive Texas turnovers — an interception and fumble — that set up two quick Howard touchdown passes. A blocked punt set up Kansas State's only touchdown in the first half.
“It tested us. It tested our resilience,” Sarkisian said. “It tested our culture to stick together.”