FIRST QUARTER
Dropping a nickel: Texas A&M went to a nickel package on Texas' second play from scrimmage, a second-and-7. Steve Terrell came in at cornerback, and Matt Featherston gave the Aggies three DEs on the line.
Blitzes, blitzes, blitzes: A&M sent almost every Aggie defender who played in the first quarter at some point in the period. It didn't phase UT QB Colt McCoy, though, who found the open lane to run or sat in the pocket and found the open receiver.
Key stat: A&M QB Jerrod Johnson's first incompletion didn't come until his seventh pass. It was batted down at the line of scrimmage.
SECOND QUARTER
Ground game: Texas came in No. 1 against the run defensively, allowing just 50 yards a game. The Aggies got 42 yards rushing on one drive in the second quarter.
McCoy's record run: McCoy broke free for a 65-yard touchdown run -- 55 of it with Aggie defensive backs in tow. It was his longest run and third longest by a Longhorn quarterback. The top two belong to Vince Young, including a long of 80 against Oklahoma State.
Key stat: A&M had more yards (245) by the half than UT gives up per game (238).
THIRD QUARTER
Fool me once ...: For the second time on a fourth-and-short, UT tried to catch A&M off guard with a quick quarterback sneak. It worked in the first half, but the Aggies were ready the second time, getting the ball back at their 43.
Sobering moment: Texas's Deon Beasley and A&M's Anthony Lewis collided away from the play on a kickoff return, and both went down. Lewis stayed on the ground for a couple of minutes while Beasley had to be tended to by paramedics and taken off on a stretcher. During the 8-minute delay, nearly all the Longhorn players surrounded Beasley, while about 25 Aggies took a knee 15 yards out on the field and said a long prayer. Beasley was given a hand as he signaled to the crowd while being carted off the field.
Key stat: UT's Earl Thomas' interception of Johnson in the end zone was his eighth of the season, breaking a 69-year-old Longhorn record.
FOURTH QUARTER
6 turns into 6: On a third-and-12 for Texas, the Aggies sent six after McCoy, who threw underneath to James Kirkendoll. Kirkendoll broke through the arms of freshman Steven Terrell and raced 38 yards for a touchdown.
Caught leaning: A&M running back Christine Michael broke free for a 32-yard run, but it was called back because Michael leaned forward ever so slightly just before the snap.
Key stat: The 88 points was the most scored in the UT-A&M rivalry, topping the 85 in the 1977 game, a 57-28 UT victory at Kyle Field.
-- Richard Croome
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