Throwback Thursday: McCoy, Texas survive Suh, Nebraska in 2009 Big 12 Championship

Texas and Nebraska produced one of the greatest Big 12 Championship games in 2009.

Texas and Oklahoma meet in this year’s Big 12 Championship Game for round two of the Red River Rivalry. For only the second time in almost a decade, this title game will be played. For years this matchup was one of the highlights of conference championship week until the Big 12 began to dissolve after 2010. Nebraska and Colorado left, followed by Missouri and Texas A&M shortly after.

For Texas, this is their first trip back to the title game since 2009. In what was one of the most memorable Big 12 Championship games in history, the Longhorns faced a talent Nebraska Cornhuskers team looking to play spoiler.

Just four years after Vince Young stunned the No. 1 USC Trojans in Pasadena for a national championship, Mack Brown had his Longhorns back in the conversation that season. Texas was ranked No. 2 in the preseason polls and would alternate between two and three throughout the season. After a 12-0 regular season finish, Texas was ranked No. 3 heading into the Big 12 title game.

Bo Pelini and Nebraska were flying under the radar entering the season. The Cornhuskers began ranked No. 24 in the polls, but fell out entirely after starting 3-3 and losing an ugly 9-7 game to Iowa State. However, led largely by star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, they rallied to win five straight. Suh was a dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate and Nebraska checked in at No. 21 to end the regular season.

For fans watching this game hoping for a lot of explosive plays, they were in for a surprise. Defense ruled this game as Suh and Nebraska pressured Colt McCoy early and often, forcing two interceptions in the first half. The Cornhuskers only managed two field goals and the Longhorns scored the game’s first touchdown on a McCoy run to go into halftime up 7-6.

The second half was more of the same as both teams’ offenses were held in check. Late in the fourth quarter, Texas was clinging to a 10-9 lead, but McCoy threw another interception setting up Nebraska with a chance at an upset. Zac Lee drove his team 43 yards in eight plays, setting up a go-ahead field goal for Alex Henery. The kick was good and Nebraska led 12-10 with 1:44 to go.

On the ensuing possession, McCoy drove Texas to the 29-yard line with seven seconds left. Already in field goal range, Brown decided to run one more play. McCoy dropped back but was forced to roll out to his right. With it being third down, he lofted the ball out of bounds, but the game clock expired saying “:00”. Pelini and the Huskers jumped for joy thinking they had just pulled off the upset.

Rightfully so, the officials decided to review the play to see if the ball went out before the clock ran down. They determined McCoy’s pass went out with one second left on the clock. Texas still had life. Hunter Lawrence lined up for a 46-yard field goal and drilled it as time expired.

The win gave Texas their first Big 12 title since 2005 and a national championship berth. Their luck ran out in Pasadena this time around as Alabama defeated them 37-21 due in large part to McCoy leaving the game with an injured shoulder. The Longhorns finished 13-1 No. 2 in the final AP and coaches’ polls.

Nebraska’s championship loss was heartbreaking, but they climbed up one spot in the Top 25 to No. 20 and faced No. 22 Arizona in the Holiday Bowl. It was no contest as the Huskers shut out the Wildcats 33-0. Their shutout victory vaulted them to No. 14 in the final AP and coaches’ polls.

Last year’s championship game was an Oklahoma domination over TCU. The Big 12 Conference always has its share of surprises with good teams battling for the title. With rivals Texas and Oklahoma meeting again after a great regular season contest, this may be one championship game to remember for years.