| Texas DE Alex Okafor gets one of his Alamo Bowl-record 4.5 sacks in a victory over Oregon State. (US Presswire) |
Remember David Ash's fourth in the Alamo Bowl. That should give Texas fans some hope heading into 2013.
A season that had promise but mostly disappointment down the stretch and in the days leading to the Alamo Bowl ended on a good note for the Longhorns (9-4) on Saturday night in a 31-27 comeback win over Oregon State.
Coach Mack Brown was forced to stick with Ash because of the suspension of Case McCoy, who, along with LB Jordan Hicks, was sent home after an alleged sexual assault at a San Antonio hotel. Not having an alternative worked out for Brown as Ash finally gained confidence and made plays with his feet and his arm in the fourth quarter. He completed his final seven passes, played Houdini on a touchdown throw to Johnathan Gray and then threw a perfect 36-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Goodwin to cap an impressive comeback.
Oregon State (9-4), much like Texas, spent the build-up to the Alamo Bowl figuring out who should play quarterback, and Cody Vaz didn't exactly make coach Mike Riley's decision look like a great one. Vaz, who had one interception coming in, threw two interceptions, fumbled once and was sacked seven times.
Vaz and the Beavers still did enough to lead by 10 points heading into the fourth quarter, but the Oregon State offense quit moving as UT's pressure started to get to Vaz. Texas DE Alex Okafor, who forced Vaz's fumble, also had an Alamo Bowl-record 4.5 sacks.
When the game turned: When Ash led the Longhorns on a nine-play, 83-yard drive early in the fourth quarter that he capped off by escaping what looked like a sure sack for Anthony Watkins, running to his left and hitting Gray for a 15-yard touchdown pass that cut Oregon State's lead to 27-24.
Highlight moments: Goodwin took a reverse 64 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, showing off his Olympic speed on his way to the end zone. ... Ash's three touchdowns in the second half should all make the highlight reel. On his first, a 11-yard run, he lept over defenders at the goal line. Ash's touchdown pass to Gray was his best play of the game and gave Texas the momentum it needed to take control.
Significance of Texas' victory: In a season that had many questioning whether Brown still had it, this win was something to feel good about and a 9-4 record isn't too shabby, although it isn't what UT fans have come to expect. Ash showed promise at times this year and the Longhorns will need him to be the guy he was in the fourth quarter to work their way back to the top of the polls.
Significance of Oregon State's loss: This isn't a terrible loss for Oregon State, especially considering where the game was played. It was still a great season for Riley's team. The Beavers won only three games last season, so they have plenty of reasons to feel good about this year.
Top Shelf performances:
- Texas WR Goodwin -- 4 receptions for 68 yards, TD; 64 rushing yards, TD
- Texas QB Ash -- 22 of 31 for 241 yards, 2 TDs, INT; 22 rushing yards, TD
- Texas DE Okafor -- 4.5 sacks, forced fumble
- Oregon State RB Storm Woods -- 21 carries for 118 yards, 2 TDs; 1 reception for 22 yards
Numbers you should know:
-9 -- Total yards for Oregon State in the fourth quarter.
-81 -- Rushing yards for Vaz.
3-13 -- Conversion rate for Oregon State on third and fourth downs.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big 12 bloggers C.J. Moore and Patrick Southern, follow @CBSSportsBig12 on Twitter. You can also follow C.J. (@cjmoore4) and Patrick (@patricksouthern).