ESPN College Football

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- Hunter Lawrence's place in Texas football history was cemented by one play. It’s the kind of moment which meant he wouldn't be buying many drinks in Austin the rest of his life.

Amazingly, Lawrence’s game-winning 46-yard kick against Nebraska was the first time he was challenged to convert a game-winner in the final seconds in his football career.

“I had never tried one in that situation before,” Lawrence said. “And after kicking it, it’s given me a lot of confidence.”

Despite providing one of the most spectacular plays in Texas’ football history, Lawrence’s heroics have a short shelf life. He realizes his legacy will be determined as much by upcoming kicks in Thursday’s BCS National Championship Game as the one that got them to the game.

“That kick was a good thing, but you can’t think about it all the time or dwell on it,” Lawrence said. “You have to put it away and move on.”

Lawrence’s kicking will be critical for the Longhorns in Thursday’s game against Alabama. He’s had the most consistent stretch of his career, converting 22 of 25 field-goal attempts for an .865 career field-goal percentage -- highest in the history of the school.

The late binge was a marked contrast after Lawrence’s rocky start when he arrived at Texas in 2006. Lawrence initially failed to live up to the promise that made him one of the first kickers to receive a full scholarship in the Mack Brown era after a stellar career at Boerne High School in the suburbs of San Antonio.

Lawrence was involved in a tight battle as a freshman and eventually was beaten out for the kicking job by Ryan Bailey during the 2006 season. Bailey made the most of his opportunity, converting all six field goals including the game-winning kick in a howling snowstorm at Nebraska that earned him the Longhorns’ kicking job for most of the his first two seasons.

Instead, Lawrence handled the kickoff duties, waiting for his chance to challenge for the regular place-kicking job later in his career.

“This place is pretty intense and it took me awhile to get used to it,” Lawrence said. “You have to put in the work to win the job. You can’t just walk in here and get stuff handed to you. There’s a lot of work involved.”

Bailey handled the job in the 2007 season and early in 2008 before Texas coaches opened competition again last season. That time, Lawrence claimed the starting job and lived up to his promise by converting nine of his first 10 kicks en route to leading the team with 90 points.

The close competition with Bailey boosted Lawrence’s development.

“It’s helped me a lot,” Lawrence said. “He’s a heck of a kicker and we’ve competed back and forth over the years. We kind of pushed each other to keep getting better and better. And after having done it for so many years, it’s made me better.”

Lawrence reclaimed the starting job in another tight battle that wasn’t settled until shortly before the season.

“He made a lot and I made a lot. Neither one of us missed too many in two-a-days,” Lawrence said. “It could have gone either way. He was kicking really well and so was I. Both of us were only one or two kicks away when it all ended up.”

That constant competition steeled Lawrence’s concentration for the game-winner in the Big 12 title game. Although he hadn’t faced many clutch kicks in games, battling with Bailey made for some similar competitive situations at Texas practices that had him ready for his shot against the Cornhuskers.

“I’ve probably been more nervous in some practices than I have in games,” Lawrence said. “But that’s a good thing. That pressure being kept on you makes it all seem game-like when you finally get the chance in the game.”

ARLINGTON, Texas -- When asked by a reporter this week if he was ready to win the Big 12 championship with a kick, Texas kicker Hunter Lawrence said he would have preferred his team to cruise to a 21-point victory.

Lawrence wasn't quite that fortunate Saturday night, but he still etched his name in Longhorn lore with one of the clutch plays in the history of the school.

His 46-yard field goal as time expired boosted Texas into the BCS national championship game with a 13-12 victory over Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game.

"I was just trying to stay focused and not get too nervous," Lawrence said. "It was a great feeling when it finally went through."

His teammates could joke after the game about Lawrence's excitement to make history.

"Hunter's always wanted to be on that stage," Texas quarterback Colt McCoy said. "He's been asking me all year to get there."

Lawrence's time at Texas has been star-crossed throughout his career. He was one of Mack Brown's first scholarship kickers, but lost his starting job to Ryan Bailey in 2006. In one of Bailey's first clutch kicks, he beat Nebraska in the snow on a late kick.

Despite losing his job, Lawrence never lost his faith. He rebounded to reclaim the starting job midway through last season and converted 21 of 24 kicks before his last-second attempt.

There was some doubt he would receive a chance Saturday night. Game officials originally ruled that the clock expired, before huddling and placing another second on the clock to give Lawrence his opportunity.

"When we saw Colt talking about it, we saw time left, but it's never good when you have something in somebody other than your team's hands," Texas defensive end Sergio Kindle said. "So hopefully, we were thinking the Lord saw the clock on one, and that the refs was going to stay true to his morals and give us our second."

To soothe Lawrence during two Nebraska timeouts that preceded his kick, holder Jordan Shipley calmed him with a Bible verse as a nod to routine.

"We've been kind of doing that before practice and every time we warm up," Shipley said. "So I gave him Jeremiah 17:7, that says that 'blessed is a man who trusts in the Lord whose confidence is in him.'

"We all had faith in Hunter and his ability and I think everybody on our sideline was full of faith and confidence that he was going to make that kick. I just tried to ease his mind because I'm sure he was feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders at that time."

It was the fourth game-winning kick on the final play in Mack Brown's coaching tenure at Texas. Lawrence's first game-winning attempt enabled him to join Dusty Mangum (2005 Rose Bowl against Michigan) and Bailey (2006 against Nebraska and 2007 against Oklahoma State.)

With the rest of his team playing so hard in its bid for its first Big 12 title since 2005, Lawrence was determined to make the kick -- even if he had to battle through nerves.

"We went out there and knew we had to make it, because their defense had played so well and our offense did an amazing job in the last minute to give us a chance," Lawrence said. "I just had to make it for them."

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Texas coach Mack Brown has beaten Oklahoma State 11 straight times, often thanks to late comebacks that enabled the Longhorns to claim improbable victories over the Cowboys.

Texas at Oklahoma State coverage Can Texas stay undefeated in the Big 12? Will Oklahoma State be able to slow down Colt McCoy and gain an edge in the South race? Our experts take a closer look at the matchup. • Griffin: Horns battle for playing time • Griffin: Cowboys contend despite adversity • Griffin: OSU's Robinson not fazed by Horns • McShay: How to stop Texas • Scouts' edge: Longhorns at Cowboys

As Brown prepared his Longhorns to play the Cowboys Saturday night in Stillwater, he reflected about the reasons his team often needed those dramatic comebacks to win.

“I wondered about the slow starts, like a lot of our fans have, up in Stillwater over the last couple of years,” Brown said. “I think that their coaches just probably did a better job than I did of getting them ready to play.”

Brown might deflect some of the blame from his players, but he knows that his No. 3 Longhorns must be ready Saturday night -- even with the long winning streak over OSU.

“They are very talented and they are very well coached,” Brown said. “This is a national game with national implications and it has our full attention and full respect.”

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has been a part of the last four losses, including dramatic collapses the last two times the Longhorns have visited Stillwater. The Cowboys squandered a 19-point lead at home in 2005 and a 21-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter in 2007.

Despite the Longhorns’ repeated success, Gundy said he doesn’t consider the Cowboys as “snake bit” in their recent games against Texas.

“That question comes up every year,” Gundy said. “I’m not so sure it’s snake bit, but the fact that when we played Texas, they have had some good football teams. If you look back over the last four years and see what their record is, it’s probably good.”

Texas’ traditional success will make the Cowboys especially attentive of factors that have led to their collapses over the years.

“When you are competing in a team sport against teams that are really good, you have to be sound in all areas,” Gundy said. “You have to have a good plan and your players tuned in to what you have to do to win. There’s some credit for putting players in position to win and then, you’d like to find a way to get it done.”

Oklahoma State has never done that when Brown was coaching the Longhorns. Here are some of his most memorable victories that he’s engineered over the years.

1998: Texas 37, Oklahoma State 34 -- Texas won the game only when Kris Stockton’s 29-yard field goal glanced off the left upright before sliding through the goal posts with three seconds left. “Shoot,” Brown said after the game. “This is a hell of a way to make a living.”

2002: Texas 17, Oklahoma State 15 -- The Longhorns jumped to a 17-3 lead before Oklahoma State charged back with 4:04 left on a 33-yard TD pass from Josh Fields to John Lewis. But their two-point conversion play was denied when Rod Babers tackled Rashaun Woods at the 1-yard line. Babers provided the clincher moments later with an interception that killed the Cowboys’ final drive.

2003: Texas 55, Oklahoma State 16 -- After trailing 16-7 late in the first half, the Longhorns blew the game open by running off 48 straight points. Cedric Benson rushed for 180 yards and Roy Williams snagged six receptions for 162 yards to key the comeback. Earlier, Oklahoma State took the lead after three field goals by Luke Phillips, including kicks of 52 and 53 yards.

2004: Texas 56, Oklahoma State 35 -- The Cowboys jumped to a 35-7 lead in the second quarter, only to have the Longhorns charge back for the biggest comeback in school history. Cedric Benson rushed for 141 yards and five touchdowns. The Longhorns blew the game open by scoring on six straight possessions as they limited the Cowboys to only 105 yards in the second half.

2005: Texas 47, Oklahoma State 28 -- The Longhorns’ national championship season was marked by this game, where they charged back from a 19-point second-quarter deficit against the Cowboys. Oklahoma State had lost four conference games in a row before this game, but jumped on the Longhorns fast after two long TD passes from Al Pena to D’Juan Woods. But Vince Young engineered the comeback rushing for a career-high 267 yards and two TDs and passing for two more scores.

2007: Texas 38, Oklahoma State 35 -- Ryan Bailey kicked a 40-yard field goal as time expired to give the Longhorns a victory to cap a comeback from a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit. Jamaal Charles rushed for 180 yards and provided two of his three rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter. And Oklahoma State kicker Jason Ricks misfired on a 34-yard field goal attempt with 1:13 left for the Cowboys that would have given them the lead. “The mind is a powerful, powerful thing, especially in sports,” Brown said after the game. “When we put pressure back on them, I think that question arises again, ‘Uh, oh. Here we go again.’”

2008: Texas 28, Oklahoma State 24 -- Colt McCoy passed for 391 yards and two touchdowns, but the Longhorns’ defense paved the way for the victory with two huge stands late in the game. Jordan Shipley provided 15 receptions for 168 yards to spark Texas’ offensive attack. But the game wasn’t preserved until Curtis Brown swatted away a desperation heave from Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson on the final play of the game near the Texas end zone.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

I received more e-mails and correspondence this summer from fans about my Big 12 most memorable moments series than I have in a long time. This letter was typical of the missives.

Robert Godfrey from Olathe, Kan., writes: Tim, I really enjoyed the recent series on the Big 12's most memorable plays. How hard was it to settle on those 25 plays, and what are some others that almost made your final cut? Thanks again for the stories. They really got me excited about the coming season and how great this conference has been during its brief history.

Robert, you wouldn't believe the number of selections that I considered before I settled on my 25 most memorable Big 12 moments. It was one of the toughest assignments I've had in a long time, trying to cull those memories into a coherent list.

The only ramifications I had were that the moments had to make me go "wow" and every team had to be represented at least once. I think I was able to carry those out.

But there were about 25 more memories I wished I could have included, but just couldn't because of the list number. Here are the ones that just missed my cut, in no specific order.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

AUSTIN -- Colt McCoy doesn't have the weapons surrounding him that Sam Bradford or Graham Harrell do.

It's why I think he deserves the Heisman Trophy as much as anybody in the country. And he's showing why tonight.

McCoy's grit was shown in a strong first-half performance as he directed the Longhorns to a 21-3 halftime advantage over Texas A&M.

The junior quarterback accounted for all Texas touchdowns, running for one score and passing for the other two in a vintage first-half effort.

It's wasn't always been pretty. McCoy has been hammered by a surprisingly strong A&M pass rush, including one play late in the first half when he was smashed by Von Miller that left him gasping for breath.

What did he do after that play? He rebounded to hit his final three passes of the first half, including a pair of dramatic improvisational plays capped with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Quan Cosby for Texas' last touchdown with 12 seconds left.

I don't know if Texas is showing that they deserve to play in the BCS championship game.

But McCoy, who completed 18 of 21 passes for 177 yards and rushed for 33 more yards, is making a convincing argument for the Heisman.

Some other things I've noticed in the first half:

• Bad field position has hampered A&M throughout the first half. The Aggies began their first four first-half possessions at their own 12, 20, 20 and 10 yard line. Their offensive struggles and that placement is the main reason why A&M didn't advance the ball into Texas territory until Stephen McGee hooked up with Michael Goodson on a 54-yard screen pass with 4:10 left in the first half.
• And speaking of that drive, was anybody else surprised that A&M coach Mike Sherman didn't try for a first down on a fourth-and-1? The Aggies are not going to a bowl game and have little to play for in this game other than pride. Shouldn't they have at least considered going for the first down in that situation?
• It hasn't been pretty, but Texas has dominated play in the first half. The most telling statistics are Texas' 260-74 edge in total yardage, a 46-17 edge in offensive plays and a 20:49-9:11 edge in time of possession.
• There's something wrong with the turf, even though there hasn't been a hint of rain yet. Maybe it's the humidity, but it seems that the slick conditions are affecting both teams. A couple of McCoy's sacks were helped along by him slipping to the turf. Even Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp slipped when he was trying to chest-bump one of his players after a play.
• It wasn't surprising that A&M inserted McGee into the lineup for a lift. But it didn't work -- at least initially. His first possession early in the second quarter resulted in a loss of 1 yard, a loss of 1 yard and an incomplete pass that easily could have been intentional grounding.
• Texas' kicking game -- usually a team strength -- bit them early in the second quarter when Ryan Bailey misfired on a 36-yard attempt early in the second quarter. Before that kick, the Longhorns were 9 of 11 on field-goal attempts for the season. After that miss, Hunter Lawrence provided the extra points after Texas' next two scoring drives.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Texas coach Mack Brown said that recent struggles by Hunter Lawrence has prompted him to re-open competition for the kicking job between Lawrence and Ryan Bailey, who lost the job earlier this season.

The Austin American-Statesman reported that the kicking competition was a prime discussion point in Brown's weekly press conference.

Bailey was the regular kicker last season, hitting 18 of 22 field goals en route to scoring 112 points. That total was the second-most in Texas school history.

But Lawrence claimed the job when Bailey was injured at the start of the season. He converted his first nine kicks of the season before misfiring on tries of 44 and 20 yards Saturday against Baylor.

Bailey then had his first attempt of the season, converting from 30 yards later in the game.

Texas coaches told the Statesman said that Lawrence was nursing an injury last week. They will determine the Longhorns' kicker Saturday against Kansas by who kicks the best in practice this week.

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.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Video may have killed the radio star, according to the old English new wave band the Buggles. But expanding mediums are providing additional opportunities for reporters to share their insights with consumers in the rapidly expanding marketplace.

The Big 12 is no different, stocked with a boatload of good weekly vlogs.  And work has started early, even before the season starts, at many newspapers.

The spirited competition between the Lincoln Journal-Star and the Omaha World-Herald in the coverage of all things concerning Nebraska football has spilled over into a video war of sorts.

Omaha World-Herald beat writers Mitch Sherman and Rich Kaipust talk about the need for increasing sacks and turnovers in their most recent video chat. And Lincoln Journal Star columnist Steve Sipple and beat writer Brian Christopherson discuss freshmen who will play for the Cornhuskers this season. It will continue for both papers throughout the season.

But the most effective use of video by a newspaper that I've seen so far is what the Oklahoman has done for its stellar series on Bob Stoops. A group of Oklahoman reporters provide analysis of Stoops' leadership, done with tight videography in a style much like ESPN Classic has used in its Sports Century documentaries. Despite the lack of live action footage, the use of some memorable still pictures of Stoops and Sooners was still very effective.

More newspapers are going to this synergy using different formats. I'll try to include some of the more notable ones in my upcoming posts.  

But the written word still remains supreme in my mind. And here are some scrumptuous morsels for a Friday morning links collection.  

• Baylor coach Art Briles said that freshman QB Robert Griffin will see action in the Bears' opener against Wake Forest and that TB Jay Finley will average 16 to 21 carries per game this season.
• Denver Post reporter Tom Kensler profiles Colorado long snapper Austin Bisnow, a budding songwriter who has twice won Colorado's on-campus "Idol" competition for his singing abilities.
• Some Kansas players are saying their secondary could be better this season with Chris Harris starting in place of departed All-American CB Aqib Talib.
• Nebraska WR Nate Swift has rebounded from a childhood bout with paralysis brought about after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome 12 years ago in a story by the Omaha World-Herald's Rich Kaipust. Swift has a complete recovery and needs 41 catches to become the school's leading career receiver.
• Lawrence Journal-World beat writer Dugan Arnett writes about the joy of finding former Kansas RB Donte Bean in the cereal aisle at the Wal-Mart late one night.
• Lincoln Journal Star columnist Steve Sipple profiles MLB Phillip "Jelly Roll" Dillard, who has lost more than 30 pounds since last season in preparation for Bo Pelini's aggressive new defense.
• Jake Trotter of the Oklahoman writes about how Bob Stoops has made it a priority to involve his coaching staff's families in all aspects of the program.
• Texas Tech coach Mile Leach told fans at the annual Red Raider Club kickoff luncheon on Thursday in Lubbock that he may finally have the team to fulfill lofty preseason expectations. "I think what I've been impressed with about this group is they work together, they listen to coaching and as a result, since they're very committed to doing the best they can, you can coach them hard," Leach said. "You can ask more of them than some of the other groups I've dealt with. As a result, we're looking forward to seeing where it takes us."
• Later in the evening, Leach, defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill, QB Graham Harrell and WR Michael Crabtree were among those who signed autographs for more than four hours at the team's annual Fan Night.
• Freshman TB Bradley Stephens accounted for 190 yards at Texas A&M's final scrimmage of training camp. But the most notable development could be the pass-catching abilities of backup QB Jerrod Johnson, who snagged five receptions for 47 yards playing tight end, including a 15-yard TD reception.
• Austin American-Statesman beat writer Suzanne Halliburton broke down the crowded kicking and punting competition at Texas, where incumbent K Ryan Bailey and P Trevor Gerland are facing serious challenges to keep their jobs.
• Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Mike Jones blogs about the rules that Texas coach Mack Brown will have to consider if he plays quarterbacks Colt McCoy and John Chiles at the same time.
• Heralded recruit Darrell Scott was listed as Colorado's third-string running back and third-string punter in Coach Dan Hawkins' first depth chart released on Thursday.
• Iowa State will receive a guaranteed total of $1.8 million from their two-game series at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City against Kansas State that was announced Thursday. Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard said the school averages $1 million per game in home revenues. And Pollard told the Kansas City Star's Blair Kerkhoff that both schools might seek a sponsor for the game and develop a traveling trophy for the winner of the game.
• No defensive starters saw action in Missouri's final scrimmage of training camp. But LB Sean Weatherspoon said he's excited heading into the Tigers' Aug. 30 opener against Illinois. "I think we're definitely ready," Weatherspoon told the Kansas City Star. "Guys are really excited about this season. The energy level is up. And enthusiasm is free." With backup QB Chase Patton injured, third-stringer Blaine Gabbert saw most of the action at the scrimmage, overcoming early adversity to finish strongly.
• Missouri fans are irate about a $100 seasona
  l charge for reserved parking in donor lots at Faurot Field - on top of required season-ticket purchase and a donation to the school's scholarship fund. School officials told the Columbia Tribune that the school was the last in the Big 12 to charge for this.
• A sloppy defensive practice on Thursday resulted in extra running for Oklahoma players and no defensive coaches made available to the media after practice. "We're trying to be national champions, not just win the Big 12 and lose a bowl game," DT Gerald McCoy told the Oklahoman. "We're tired of that reputation."
• Senior Richie Bean and walk-on freshman Randy Bullock are vying for Texas A&M's kicking slot after last year's starter, Matt Szymanski, transferred to SMU.
• Texas QB Colt McCoy likened his first two years starting with the Longhorns to his first two years with a driver's license.
• Old-school Oklahoma State offensive line coach Joe Wickline is impossible to please, according to the Tulsa World's Bill Haisten. "All I see are errors that you can correct," Wickline said. "I'll let someone else tell these guys that they're doing a good job."
• Berry Tramel of the Oklahoman says that Oklahoma State is stuck in a rut of mediocrity.
• John Shinn of the Norman Transcript writes that Oklahoma's current collection of defensive linemen might be the best in Bob Stoops' coaching era.
• Missouri freshmen players Rolandis Woodland and Drew Temple are all but assured of redshirting if they are ever cleared by the NCAA Eligibility Center, several Missouri papers reported. Temple is the younger brother of former Missouri leading rusher Tony Temple.
• Veteran Lawrence Journal-World columnist Bill Mayer goes far into his personal "Way Back Machine" to compare Kansas' current football fever to previous seasons.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

	Julie Scheidegger-US PRESSWIRE
	Missouri Tigers returner Jeremy Maclin is the Big 12's top special teamer.

Special teams are becoming more important across the Big 12 because of increased parity in the conference. And it could be even bigger this season as coaches believe the conference will be more tightly packed than in any previous season.

Want an idea how important some coaches consider this facet of the game? Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is seriously considering using Biletnikoff Award winner Michael Crabtree as a kick returner because of his big-play abilities.

Iowa State coach Gene Chizik already has stocked his special teams with starters after the Cyclones were repeatedly burned in that facet last season.

It should make key producers on special teams even more valuable. Here's my choice of the 10 best special teams players in the conference.

1. Missouri KR/PR Jeremy Maclin: Produced more all-purpose yards than any freshman in history last season and could be poised for an even bigger season as a sophomore.

2. Oklahoma KR DeMarco Murray: Led the conference in kickoff returns and could be emerging as the Sooners' top rushing threat.

3. Missouri K Jeff Wolfert: Former scholarship diver who has never missed a kick in Big 12 conference play.

4. Kansas State PR Deon Murphy: Led the conference in punt returns last season and should be ticketed for more use as a receiver in 2008.

5. Texas Tech CB L.A. Reed: Devastating special teams player earned himself a defensive starting position after starting his career at wide receiver because of his head-hunting propensity in covering kicks.

6. Texas A&M P Justin Brantley: Conference's leading returning punter boomed kicks for an average of 44.2 yards per kick last season.

7. Kansas State K Brooks Rossman: Best long-range kicker in the league after hitting career-long 52-yarder against Colorado.

8. Texas K Ryan Bailey: Reliable kicker who earned back-to-back Big 12 special teams player of the week honors last season.

9. Texas KR-PR Quan Cosby: Veteran player who is adept at returning kickoffs and punts.

10. Texas Tech P Jonathan LeCour: Seldom used because of the Red Raiders' explosive offensive attack, but still averaged 43.2 yard per kick in conference games to lead all returning players.