The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Great Games and Moments: 1990s
GREAT GAME
Texas 14, #4 Oklahoma 13
Saturday, October 13, 1990
Cotton Bowl (Dallas, Texas)
It was a case of lightning striking twice, as for the second consecutive year, Texas mounted a late fourth-quarter drive to beat No. 4 Oklahoma. This time, UT took over at its own nine-yard line with 7:12 left, having mustered just more than 100 yards of total offense to that point. Twelve plays later, sparked by the runs of freshman Butch Hadnot, UT faced fourth-and-seven at the Oklahoma 16-yard-line. After a Longhorns timeout, quarterback Peter Gardere dropped back, and given extra time from a great block by halfback Phil Brown, spotted Keith Cash in the end zone. The 16-yard scoring pass ended the drive that ate up 5:12 off the game clock. Wayne Clements' extra point gave the Longhorns a 14-13 lead with two minutes to go. OU managed a valiant drive to the UT 29-yard-line, but with time running out, the Sooners' R.D. Lashar watched his 46-yard field goal attempt sail wide left.
GREAT GAME
Texas 45, #3 Houston 24
Saturday, November 10, 1990
Memorial Stadium (Austin, Texas)
Undefeated, third-ranked Houston rolled into Austin with its unstoppable "run-and-shoot" offense led by Heisman Trophy candidate David Klingler. In the previous three years, UH had run up 173 points (57.7 per game) on the Longhorns in winning three consecutive games. In 1990, it was a different story. The UT defense, that would go on to finish the season ranked No. 1 nationally in pass defense, grounded the Cougars in impressive fashion. At the same time, Texas rolled up 626 yards of total offense of its own, the most by a Longhorns team since 1969. In all, UT intercepted Klingler four times and held the Cougars to 81 yards on 31 plays when the game was being decided in the second and third quarters. In the meantime, UT quarterback Peter Gardere completed 20-of-28 passes for 322 yards and fullback Butch Hadnot rushed for 134 yards and two TDs to lead the Longhorns. A raucous sellout crowd enjoyed every minute of the win that helped propel Texas into the 1990 Cotton Bowl.
GREAT MOMENT
#15 Texas 17, #16 Oklahoma 10
Saturday, October 8, 1994
Cotton Bowl (Dallas, Texas)
In a game filled with drama surrounding the first career start of UT redshirt freshman quarterback James Brown, the future Longhorns all-time passing leader, the 1994 version of the UT/OU "Red-River Classic" came down to the final drive. Brown's spectacular job (17-of-22 passing for 148 yards and a TD/51 rushing yards and a score) in replacing the injured Shea Morenz, became the side note when the Longhorns defense produced the game-winning stand. With UT leading 17-10 with 43 seconds remaining in the game, Oklahoma lined up for a fourth-and-goal play from UT's 3-yard line. Sooners QB Garrick McGee pulled out on what appeared to be an option right, then, to the Longhorns' surprise handed back to RB James Allen running left. Allen seemed to have a clear route to the corner of the end zone until Longhorns LB Robert Reed met him, turned the play inside and got a piece of Allen's legs. "Something told me," Reed said. "Robert, take a seat right where you are. Wait. The play is coming back to you." Allen still appeared destined for the end zone before UT 343-pound NG Stonie Clark dealt a crushing blow that sent Allen to the turf just one foot shy of a game-tying score. "I saw the reverse, got on my horse and got over there. As soon as I saw him turn it inside, my eyes lit up," Clark said. Brown's first start against the Sooners marked the first time in 30 years a Longhorns QB had his debut as a starter against OU. Andy White filled in for injured Bill Bradley in 1966, but the Sooners won that game, 18-9.
GREAT GAME
Texas 63, Baylor 35
Thursday, November 24, 1994
Floyd Casey Stadium (Waco, Texas)
In a roller coaster season that saw the Longhorns lose four games in a six-game stretch midway through the year, the Baylor game revitalized the spirits of the UT football program. Led by a splendid quarterbacking performance by redshirt freshman James Brown, the Longhorns manhandled the Bears 63-35 in claiming a share of the Southwest Conference title and earning a spot in the Sun Bowl. Despite a 10 a.m. kickoff on Thanksgiving Day, Brown was hot from the start, completing 18-of-25 passes for 289 yards and a school-record five TDs. With the game tied at 21 with three minutes left in the half, Brown began a 35-0 scoring spree over the next one-and-a-half quarters which put the Bears away. In that span, Brown threw four TD passes as UT mounted a 56-21 lead. With the win, Texas upped its record to 7-4 and claimed a share of its first of three consecutive conference titles. The Longhorns went on to earn their first bowl bid since 1990 and in a stunning 35-31 come-from-behind victory over No. 19 North Carolina at the Sun Bowl, posted their first bowl victory in eight years.
GREAT MOMENT
#16 Texas 17, #14 Virginia 16
Saturday, October 21, 1995
Memorial Stadium (Austin, Texas)
In a pivotal game that ignited a six-game winning streak, a run to the final Southwest Conference Championship and a berth in the Nokia Sugar Bowl, Phil Dawson became the first Longhorns place-kicker to win a game on the final play when he connected on a 50-yard field goal into a stiff 20 mph headwind to lift No. 16 Texas past No. 14 Virginia, 17-16. It marked the first time in history that the Longhorns claimed a victory in a home game on the final play and only the second time on record that UT won a game as time expired. The Longhorns' final series, a 14-play, 47-yard drive, was loaded with dramatic plays. With less than one minute left, UT was faced with a fourth-and-one at its own 43-yard-line. Wane McGarity kept the drive alive by diving over left tackle and barely getting the first down. After three incomplete passes, Texas was faced with a fourth-and-10 with 30 seconds left. James Brown patiently waited, stepped up in the pocket and found Mike Adams on the sideline for 12 yards and the first down. Brown stopped the clock by spiking the ball. With 10 seconds left, on a designed play, Brown then gained 11 yards on a keeper to set up Dawson's dramatic kick.
GREAT GAME
#9 Texas 16, #16 Texas A&M 6
Saturday, December 2, 1995
Kyle Field (College Station, Texas)
No. 9 Texas capped a six-game winning streak, snapped an Aggies 31-game home winning streak (the longest active streak in the nation at the time) and secured the final Southwest Conference Championship with a 16-6 victory at No. 16 Texas A&M. The victory gave the Longhorns a perfect conference record (7-0) for the first time since 1990 and earned them a berth in one of the four Alliance Bowls (Nokia Sugar Bowl). Led by true freshman Ricky Williams' 163 yards rushing and two touchdowns and the courageous effort of junior quarterback James Brown, playing on a badly sprained ankle, the Longhorns claimed their first victory in College Station since 1983 and stopped an Aggies four-game series winning streak. The Longhorns rushed for 246 yards against an A&M defense that was allowing just 91.8 yards per game. On defense, the Longhorns forced six turnovers and were the first opponent to keep the Aggies out of the end zone since 1987.
GREAT GAME
Texas 51, Texas A&M 15
Friday, November 29, 1996
Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (Austin, Texas)
In one of the most lopsided games in the storied history of the rivalry, Texas pounded Texas A&M 51-15 to claim the first-ever Big 12 South Division Championship and earn a trip to the inaugural Big 12 Championship game. James Brown turned in one of his finest personal performances as a Longhorn with 336 passing yards and four TDs as Texas won its fifth consecutive game. Ricky Williams added 145 rushing yards and a TD as the Longhorns rolled up 594 yards of offense and allowed the Aggies just 227 in the most lopsided series win since 1982 (53-16).
GREAT GAME
Texas 37, #3 Nebraska 27
Saturday, December 7, 1996
Inaugural Big 12 Championship
Trans World Airlines Dome (St. Louis, Mo.)
In one of the biggest upsets of the 1996 college football season and one of the greatest wins in recent UT football history, the unranked and three- touchdown underdog Longhorns stunned No. 3 Nebraska 37-27 to claim the first-ever Big 12 Championship. A career-best 353 yards on 19-of-28 passes by James Brown and 120 yards rushing and three touchdowns by fifth-year senior Priest Holmes helped lead the Longhorns to the stirring win against the two-time defending National Champions in St. Louis. The pivotal play of the game came on a fourth-and-inches call with 2:48 remaining from the Longhorns 28-yard-line. Brown faked the run, rolled left and tossed a pass that TE Derek Lewis took for a 61-yard gain to set up the game-clinching touchdown. Holmes scored from 11 yards out on the very next play and UT pulled off the upset and earned a spot in one of the four Alliance Bowls for the second year in a row (Tostitos Fiesta Bowl). That was the first time since 1972-73 that the Longhorns advanced to back-to-back New Year's Day bowl games. It also secured the Longhorns' third consecutive conference title, marking the first time since 1971-73 that a UT team had accomplished that feat.
GREAT MOMENT
Texas 37, #3 Nebraska 27
Saturday, December 7, 1996
Inaugural Big 12 Championship
Trans World Airlines Dome (St. Louis, Mo.)
"Roll left" was a staple of the Longhorns' goal-line and short-yardage offense. Leading two-time defending National Champion Nebraska 30-27 with 2:40 left in the inaugural Big 12 Championship game and the ball sitting at its own 28-yard-line, Texas put "roll left" to work in turning out one of the most courageous fourth-and-inches plays in college football history."I was prepared to punt, but when they stretched the chain and we needed two inches, I thought, heck, if you're going to be a champion you have to go for it. You have to seize the day," head coach John Mackovic said. "Come to run," QB James Brown was told, meaning his first inclination should be to dive the two inches necessary for the first down and let the Longhorns'offense try to run out the rest of the clock. Brown quickly stepped under center and received the ball immediately. He was prepared to run after faking a handoff to Priest Holmes and pivoting to his left. The hole seemed plenty big enough, especially after Ricky Williams knocked down linebacker Ryan Terwilliger. But the junior signal caller stunned everyone when he stopped and lofted a pass downfield to a wide open Derek Lewis for what turned into a 61-yard completion. "It was sitting there as big as the sun, so long that I swear I said, 'Come on, get here,'" Lewis said afterward. "You can't stop that play if we execute it," Brown added. "The defense doesn't have enough people to cover everybody." The play, later voted College Football's Play of the Year, set up Priest Holmes' third TD run of the game and allowed the three-touchdown underdogs to claim their first Big 12 Championship with a 37-27 victory.
GREAT MOMENT
Ricky Williams announces he will return for his senior season
Thursday, January 8, 1998
After leading the nation in rushing and scoring, winning the Dr Pepper Doak Walker Award (nation's outstanding running back) and finishing fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting, Ricky Williams made a startling announcement that he would wait on NFL riches and return for his senior season at Texas. On January 8, 1998, in Bellmont Hall's Carpenter-Winkel Centennial Room, Williams stunned the press conference crowd and kicked off a history-making season with his declaration that he would pass on a certain top five selection in the NFL Draft to return to Austin. "When I came to Texas three years ago, I set personal and team goals. I also wanted to get my degree from The University of Texas and that's why I'm staying another year." Williams' went on to say he delayed becoming a millionaire for his love of the college experience and that he hoped his decision would set a good example for kids in emphasizing the value of education. "There's certain things money can't buy, like camaraderie and the team being together and loyalty," Williams added. "Money can't buy those things." Mack Brown praised the decision of what he said assured a successful recruiting class. "What a great statement for college football, that a guy would turn down all that money to stay in college."
GREAT MOMENT
Texas 54, Iowa State 33
Saturday, October 3, 1998
DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium (Austin, Texas)
In a game filled with emotion, Ricky Williams placed a No. 37 decal on his helmet to honor his fallen friend Doak Walker who passed away on Sunday, Sept. 27. After dedicating his season to the memory of Walker, Williams went on to rush for a UT record and match the 11th-best rushing day in NCAA history with 350 yards (eclipsing Roosevelt Leaks UT mark of 342 yards set against SMU in 1973) in a 54-33 victory over Iowa State. The game marked Williams' initial assault on the NCAA record book. The future Heisman Trophy winner, who rushed for 350 yards and five touchdowns on 37 carries and caught two passes for 17 yards, set or tied six NCAA records on the day. Williams' 1-yard TD run with 6:37 remaining in the fourth quarter was his 65th career TD run and 66th career TD overall, pushing him ahead of Anthony Thompson as the NCAA's all-time leader in rushing TDs and total TDs. He also set NCAA records for scoring among non-kickers and rushing yards in consecutive games (668, 318 vs. Rice; 350 vs. Iowa State) and tied the NCAA marks for fastest to 1,000 rushing yards in a season (five games) and TDs in consecutive games (11). Williams set five UT records in the game as well. Including his single-game rushing record, he also eclipsed UT marks for all-purpose yards (367), consecutive 300-yard rushing games (two), career all-purpose yards (6,015) and fastest to 1,000 yards (five games/on 144 carries).
GREAT MOMENT
Texas 34, Oklahoma 3
Saturday, October 10, 1998
Cotton Bowl (Dallas, Texas)
The 1998 season produced a number of touching stories, but none was more important than the tremendous bond formed between the 1997 Doak Walker Award winner Ricky Williams and the man for whom the award was named. Walker, the Heisman Trophy winner at SMU in 1948 and a NFL Hall of Famer, had befriended Williams just prior to being paralyzed in a skiing accident (Jan. 30, 1998) at age 71 that would lead to his death. A week after Walker died (Sept. 27, 1998), Williams wore a No. 37 sticker on his helmet in his honor against Iowa State. The following week against Oklahoma, Williams, who normally wore No. 34, chose to wear 37 in Walker's honor. "I met him and he made a big impact on my life. He was so humble. He kept fighting back through good and bad. He lived the way I want to live my life." Williams said. "When I looked down at his number before the game, I started to get real emotional. It was an extremely special day." The game was against Oklahoma and played in Dallas' historic Cotton Bowl, known as "The House That Doak Built." Williams rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries in Texas' 34-3 victory. After his first scoring run, a 20-yard dash with 4:39 left in the first quarter, Williams pointed to his heart and then to the sky in tribute to Walker. He later repeated the tribute on a 78-yard run, but unfortunately that play was called back for holding. "I wanted that one for Doak," Williams said. Following the victory, Mack Brown and the Longhorns team presented Doak Walker's children and their families, who witnessed the game, with the game ball in an emotional dressing room ceremony and Williams honored the family with his soiled game jersey. "We dedicated this game to Doak Walker and his memory," Brown said. "It was a very emotional game. The team gave the Walker family the game ball and Ricky gave the family his jersey and apologized for it being as blood-stained and dirty as it was."
GREAT GAME
Texas 20, #7 Nebraska 16
Saturday, October 31, 1998
Memorial Stadium/Tom Osborne Field (Lincoln, Neb.)
Texas faced a daunting task in playing their third Top 10 opponent of the season and facing Nebraska's national-leading 47-game home winning streak. However, on the back of their future Heisman Trophy winning running back, the arm of their redshirt freshman quarterback and the heels of their top defensive effort of the year, the Longhorns took a major step toward respectability in a stunning 20-16 upset of No. 7 Nebraska in Lincoln. "The key thing that we did was come in here to win the ballgame," Ricky Williams said. "We didn't come to get a moral victory or to play a good game. We came to win and we believed that we would win. That's the reason we beat them." UT pulled a rare feat in Lincoln, jumping out to a 7-0 lead on its first possession and controlling the game with a 10-3 halftime lead. The Huskers responded by claiming a 13-10 lead in the third quarter, but the Longhorns didn't crater. On the UT's first possession of the final period and facing a third-and-10 play from its own 19-yard-line, Major Applewhite connected with little-used WR Bryan White on a 76-yard pass play. The throw set up Kris Stockton's 19-yard field goal that knotted the game at 13. Nebraska claimed a 16-13 advantage with 8:33 remaining in the game. Facing one of the nation's top defenses, Texas took over at its own 15-yard-line and White again made the big play. On third-and-21 from the UT 35-yard-line, White skirted the sidelines in catching a 37-yard pass that gave the Longhorns a first-and-10 at the Huskers 28. Williams rushed five consecutive times to move the ball to the Nebraska 2-yard-line, where on third-and-goal, Applewhite found Wane McGarity working his way back across the end zone on a 2-yard TD pass with 2:47 remaining. The play was tabbed the College Football Play of the Week. The game served as a significant mark in Ricky Williams run for the Heisman Trophy as he rushed 37 times for 150 yards against Nebraska's vaunted "Black Shirt" defense, which entered the game ranked 17th nationally (106.5 ypg) against the run. Applewhite completed 14-of-26 passes for 269 yards and two TDs, but possibly the most surprising effort came from the Longhorns defense, which behind a 13-tackle, two-sack, five TFLs effort from LB Anthony Hicks held Nebraska to 311 yards of offense, more than 100 yards below its season average (412.5 ypg).
GREAT GAME
Texas 26, #6 Texas A&M 24
Friday, November 27, 1998
DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium (Austin, Texas)
Although the Longhorns' loss to Texas Tech on Nov. 14 prevented the UT/Texas A&M rivalry from being a battle for the Big 12 South Division title, there was no lack of enthusiasm as the two teams met for the 105th time. The atmosphere at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium was electric as a record crowd of 83,687 fans were on hand, a national audience tuned in via ABC Sports and a star-studded cast lined the sidelines as Ricky Williams rushed to history and the Longhorns waged war with the No. 6 Aggies. Leading 23-7 at one point, the Longhorns saw their rival come charging from behind to take a 24-23 lead with only 2:20 remaining in the game. Texas made one of the most dramatic drives of the season as it took over at its own 23-yard-line. The drama began as Major Applewhite converted on a 6-yard strike to TE Derek Lewis on third-and-two pass with 1:22 left in the contest. Again facing third-and-two, Applewhite moved the ball to midfield on a 4-yard pass to Bryan White with less than a minute left. Then, following a 7-yard toss to Wane McGarity, Applewhite found Kwame Cavil on a 25-yard pass which moved the ball to A&M's 19-yard-line. Williams 7-yard run set up Kris Stockton's second game-winning field goal of the season. Stockton's 24-yarder split the uprights and secured the Longhorns' 26-24 upset victory. Williams led the way, breaking Tony Dorsett's 22-year-old NCAA rushing record in style. The senior running back, who entered the game needing just 62 yards to break Dorsett's mark of 6,082 yards, rushed for 259 yards and a touchdown on 44 carries. That effort came against an Aggies defense that was allowing just 250.8 yards of total offense (No. 2 nationally) and 104.8 rushing yards per game (No. 13 NCAA) on the year. Applewhite completed 24-of-35 passes for 232 and a score, but it was the Longhorns defense that may have saved the game. UT held the Aggies to minus-seven rushing yards on 25 attempts (the lowest output by a Longhorns opponent since SMU had minus-23 yards on 28 attempts in 1991) and held A&M to just 173 yards of offense on the day.
GREAT MOMENT
Texas 26, #6 Texas A&M 24
Friday, November 27, 1998
DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium (Austin, Texas)
Needing only 11 yards to break Tony Dorsett's 22-year old NCAA rushing yardage record, Ricky Williams surpassed the mark in dramatic fashion, breaking three tackles and sprinting 60 yards for a touchdown on a run that was voted The College Football Play of The Year. With 1:13 remaining in the first quarter, the Longhorns lined up for a first-and-10 from their own 40-yard-line. With Dorsett among a star-studded cast of sideline witnesses and a then-UT record crowd of 83,687 looking on, Williams displayed all of the traits that established him as one of the greatest players in college football history as he rushed to NCAA history. Offensive coordinator Greg Davis signaled the play, 'L King Zin 53' and quarterback Major Applewhite made the call. Williams took the handoff on the isolation play over left guard, slipped past lunging Aggies linebacker Warrick Holdman and darted through the hole formed by left tackle Leonard Davis and left guard Roger Roesler. Following the lead block of fullback Ricky Brown, Williams charged toward the left sideline and broke through the tackle of A&M strong safety Rich Coady. "I had a smile after I broke that one tackle," Williams said. "I knew I had broken the record." The future Heisman Trophy winner then sprinted down the sideline, and at the 12-yard-line, set up the block of wide receiver Wane McGarity and overpowered cornerback Jason Webster's tackle attempt at the goal line as he plunged into the end zone. "I was standing on the sideline saying, 'Go, go, go!'" Dorsett said. "What a way to break a record that has been standing for so many years. Before the game I thought 'Wouldn't it be great if he broke it on a long run' and he did." After being mobbed by his teammates and receiving Dorsett's handshake, the action was halted to present Williams with the historic game ball. "He got it the right way," head coach Mack Brown said. "That's a run that I will remember for the rest of my life." "I've just seen something that people will be talking about for a long time," said five-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens, who was on the sidelines. "What a way to end it." Later Williams surpassed another major record as he racked up 295 all-purpose yards to break Napolean McCallum's NCAA career all-purpose yardage mark. He did that, astonishingly, without returning a kick. Williams, who finished his career with 21 NCAA marks and 46 UT records, was honored with a video tribute and a presentation on the field following the game. "It has been a special year because of Ricky Williams," Brown said. "He's the greatest player that I have ever seen. I think he's one of the best, if not the best, college football player ever." "I hope I'm considered one of the best," Williams said. "I'm just happy that I can make people proud, but I never thought when I was a freshman that things would turn out this way."
GREAT MOMENT
Ricky Williams wins the Heisman Trophy
Saturday, December 12, 1998
The Heisman Room - Downtown Athletic Club (New York, N.Y.)
Upon his arrival at Texas, Ricky Williams said that Earl Campbell's Heisman Trophy looked lonely in a trophy case and vowed to fill the void. Many thought the opportunity was lost after Williams felt shunned and disappointed in finishing fifth and failing to even earn a trip to New York after leading the nation in rushing and scoring as a junior. Instead a motivated Williams, who was a big fan of the college experience, stunned everyone by passing on NFL millions to return for his senior year. He followed with a dramatic and emotional record-setting season that was rewarded with the 64th Heisman Memorial Trophy. In a storybook season that couldn't have been scripted better in Hollywood, Williams claimed the coveted trophy in a landslide victory. He captivated the country with a dramatic return to college. He honored his fallen friend Doak Walker, who was being recognized for his 50th anniversary of winning the Heisman Trophy in 1998. Williams also broke Tony Dorsett's 22-year old NCAA rushing record en route to eclipsing 21 NCAA marks as well as 46 UT standards while transforming a struggling 4-7 Longhorns team in 1997 to one of the nation's top turnaround seasons in 1998. The first player in UT history to finish among the Heisman Trophy's top five vote getters twice, Williams' route to the trophy featured the greatest percentage of votes cast (43% of 920 voters) in the prestigious award's history. He also secured the third-most points (2,355) and first-place votes (714), as well as the fourth-largest margin of victory (1,563 points) in history. Although the ceremony appeared to be a formality, it didn't put a damper on the enthusiasm. As Williams nervously awaited the announcement in New York, his teammates' reaction was being fed from the Moncrief-Neuhaus Athletic Center team meeting room live via satellite to ESPN. When their teammate's name was called, the room erupted. Williams was quick to thank his teammates, coaches and family in his acceptance speech. "This is a team award," Williams said. "You can't become a finalist without the effort and hard work of the whole team. The best part of this entire season is that I was a part of a Texas team that won eight games." UT later went on to post its ninth victory of the season against No. 25 Mississippi State in the 1999 Cotton Bowl (38-11).
GREAT GAME
#20 Texas 38, #25 Mississippi State 11
Friday, January 1, 1999
Cotton Bowl (Dallas, Texas)
The remarkable success of the 1998 Texas Longhorns was marked by a burning desire of a team to erase a bad memory of the previous season by "being champions." They accomplished that with a rousing 38-11 victory against No. 25 Mississippi State in the 1999 Southwestern Bell Cotton Bowl. The much-anticipated return to Dallas by the No. 20 Longhorns marked their first New Year's Day bowl victory since the 1982 Cotton Bowl and climaxed a 9-3 season that found UT winning eight of its final nine games and rebounding from a 4-7 season in 1997. The enthusiasm surrounding the Longhorns program was evident as Texas fans helped sell out the Cotton Bowl Stadium in 48 hours after the pairings were announced.
GREAT GAME
#18 Texas 24, #3 Nebraska 20
Saturday, October 23, 1999
DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium (Austin, Texas)
With a record crowd of 84,082 on hand at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium and the ESPN GameDay set on location, No. 18 Texas upset No. 3 Nebraska 24-20, marking the third consecutive victory for the Longhorns against the Huskers. UT overcame a 13-3 halftime deficit to out score Nebraska 21-7 in the final 30 minutes and deliver the Huskers what would be their only loss of the season. The game-winning play came with the Longhorns trailing 20-17 midway through the fourth quarter. Two plays after Major Applewhite connected with Ryan Nunez on a 39-yard strike, UT capped its victory-clinching drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Applewhite to Mike Jones with 5:51 remaining in the game. Texas' defense pressured Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch into three consecutive incomplete passes on the final drive and the Longhorns secured their first victory over a Top Five-ranked opponent in Austin since 1990. The Longhorns scored 14 third-quarter points in the win. Texas' first score came after the Longhorns pinned the Huskers deep in their own territory and forced a short punt. Taking over at its own 35, UT drove for a score in four plays capped by a Chris Robertson 1-yard TD plunge. Two possessions later, UT took over at its own 42-yard-line and Applewhite connected with Kwame Cavil three times in a row, including a 13-yard scoring pass to give the Longhorns their first lead (17-13) since the opening quarter. Nebraska reclaimed the lead with just less than eight minutes remaining, which set up UT's game-winning drive.
GREAT MOMENT
#12 Texas 44, Iowa State 41
Saturday, October 30, 1999
Jack Trice Stadium (Ames, Iowa)
Fresh off of its dramatic victory against No. 3 Nebraska, No. 12 Texas' battle at 4-3 Iowa State came down to the final play. As time expired, PK Kris Stockton capped a nine-play, 71-yard drive with an 18-yard field goal that allowed the Longhorns to escape with a 44-41 victory. The win marked just the third time in school history that the Longhorns won a game on the final play. It was just the second time on UT record that a field goal as time expired secured a UT victory. Texas, which held a 41-27 fourth quarter lead, saw Iowa State charge back to tie the game at 41 with 3:20 remaining. On the Longhorns' final possesion, Major Applewhite connected with Ryan Nunez on a 38-yard strike on the first play from scrimmage. Then, Hodges Mitchell carried the ball seven times for 33 yards to take UT to the 1-yard line and set up Stockton's game-winning kick.