ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Texas kicker Ryan Bailey has learned that injury sometimes open the door to somebody else's opportunity.

Bailey, a former walk-on, was the toast of the Longhorns two seasons ago after beating Nebraska with a game-winning field goal. He also added a game-winning 40-yard kick with no time left that beat Oklahoma State on the road last season, part of an 18-for-22 season that earned him honorable mention status for all conference.

But Bailey struggled with a groin injury before the season started, allowing heralded prospect Hunter Lawrence to have his chance.

And Lawrence has run with it.

Mack Brown made a ticklish determination when he told reporters of his decision about the change after Wednesday's practice.

"As long as Hunter is kicking well we'll stay with him," Brown said. "We've put Ryan in the end of two of the three games where there was a kicking situation. We're proud of Ryan, he's already earned his scholarship here, but we also want to be fair. When you say competition is out there every day, you can't say that and not do it. Each day, everybody has to compete to win their spot."

And Bailey, whose 117 points ranked eighth in Texas' all-time scoring list last season, can feel something akin to Wally Pipp.

That former New York Yankee had the most celebrated injury that allowed his replacement a playing opportunity. Pipp sat out one day with a headache, providing the opportunity for Lou Gehrig's 2,130-consecutive game playing streak.