Associated Press
COLLEGE STATION, Tex. ó Texas spoiled Texas A&Mís going away party.
Justin Tucker kicked a 40-yard field goal as time expired to give the Longhorns a 27-25 victory over Texas A&M on Thursday night in the likely end of a more than century-old rivalry.
Texas A&Mís last Big 12 game and the 118th meeting between these bitter rivals before the Aggies depart for the Southeastern Conference next season was a thriller befitting one of college footballís oldest and most storied matchups.
The Aggies were down 24-19 before Ryan Tannehill found Jeff Fuller on a 16-yard touchdown pass with 1:48 remaining. But the 2-point conversion failed, leaving A&M (6-6, 4-5 Big 12) ahead 25-24.
The Longhornsí winning drive was helped by a 15-yard personal foul penalty and a 25-yard run by quarterback Case McCoy.
McCoy started Thursday after being benched after a loss to Oklahoma in favor of David Ash.
McCoy struggled to move the offense for much of the game, but he was able to do just enough to get the Longhorns in position for Tuckerís winner.
Texas players spilled onto the field as soon as the kick sailed through the uprights. At the same time, thousands of dejected Aggies fans streamed to the exits in the end of this holiday tradition in this football-crazy state.
Receiver Jaxon Shipley threw a touchdown pass on a trick play in the first half and the Longhorns took advantage of two interceptions in a 17-point third quarter to send the Aggies off with a loss.
Carrington Byndomís interception return for a touchdown early in the third quarter cut Texas A&Mís lead to 16-14.
The Longhorns (7-4, 4-4) took a 17-14 lead on a 23-yard field goal later in the third.
Tannehillís third interception led to a 1-yard touchdown run by Cody Johnson to extend the Longhornsí lead to 24-16
At times the end of this bitter rivalry felt like a goodbye between longtime friends. The Longhorn band spelled out ëThanks A&Mí while playing ěThanks for the Memories.î Earl Campbell, who the Heisman Trophy at Texas in 1977, and Texas A&Mís John David Crow, winner of the award in 1957, watched the game sitting side by side in golf cart in the corner of the stadium.
Texas A&Mís collie mascot, Reveille, didnít share in the goodwill. She showed her dislike for the Longhorns by chewing on a small stuffed version of Bevo, the Texas mascot during the game.
Texas A&Mís official fight song bids adieu to the Longhorns with the line ěso long to the orange and white.î But the Aggies didnít really want to say goodbye.
Theyíd hoped to continue the game, which began in 1894 and has been played every year since 1915, but the Longhorns said their schedule is full through 2018.