ESPN

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Longhorns' defense forced another three-and-out, giving Colt McCoy plenty of time to move his team into field goal range. Hunter Lawrence nailed a 47-yard field goal to extend Texas' lead to 27-6 at the half.

The Longhorns will get the ball first in the second half.

Texas played a solid second quarter on offense and defense to take control. Texas has 268 yards at the half and has held Kansas to 136 total yards, including 21 rushing.

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Longhorns have separated themselves from the Jayhawks a bit at 24-6.

Texas marched down the field and Cody Johnson had a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:21 left in the first half. The possession came after the Longhorn defense got a quick three-and-out to give Texas good field position (Texas 41-yard line).

The crowd is into it now as the Texas offense has some rhythm.

Texas has all three timeouts and may try to use them to get the ball back one more time before the half.

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Jayhawks, following a 26-yard field goal, were hoping to catch the Longhorns off guard with an onside kick. But the ball didn't travel 10 yards (the kicker tried to kick it to himself) and Texas took over at the Kansas 36-yard line.

Texas was stopped, but Hunter Lawrence hit a 49-yard field goal, a career-long for him, to make it 17-6 with 5:45 left in the second half.

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Longhorns went to the no-huddle offense and it caught Kansas off-guard. After a couple of quick passes and a few runs, Colt McCoy rolled to his right and hit Jordan Shipley coming across the field.

It was a nice touch pass and Shipley did the rest, scampering down the sidelines for a touchdown. It's 14-3 Texas with 11:34 in the second quarter.

McCoy also had a run himself up the middle and he was hit hard. McCoy jumped up and got the crowd going before throwing the TD pass.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Kansas converted a 3rd-and-long and ended up kicking a 27-yard field goal to cut the deficit to four points with 13:49 left in the second quarter.

Texas had 109 yards of offense to Kansas' 49 in the first quarter. But Kansas did have the edge on time of possession. Colt McCoy's fumble helped, as Kansas got three points off it.

This crowd does seem a bit restless with the score close here in the second quarter. We'll see if the offense can get things going for the Longhorns.

AUSTIN, Texas -- The pressure goes back on the Longhorns defense as Colt McCoy was rolling to his right and tried to throw the ball, but was tackled from behind and fumbled.

Kansas took over at the Texas 47-yard line with two minutes left in the first quarter. Texas leads 7-0.

The Texas defense has done the job in this situation all season. Here's a chance to make sure Kansas doesn't grab some momentum.

Meanwhile in the Big 12 North...

Nebraska has a 10-3 lead over Kansas State midway through the second quarter. Assuming the Longhorns take care of business, they will play the winner of that game in the Big 12 championship game.

AUSTIN, Texas -- It took Texas just 4 plays to go 76 yards, capped with a 41-yard touchdown pass to James Kirkendoll to take a 7-0 lead over Kansas.

Rowlett freshman Marquise Goodwin also had a long pass completion on the drive. It came after the Texas defense held Kansas despite the Jayhawks beginning their possession at midfield.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas stopped Kansas on a 4th-and-4 at the Texas 42-yard line to give the Longhorns the ball for the first time tonight. It's still 0-0.

Kansas managed to get 10 offensive plays off in the first drive, but the Longhorns defense held when it mattered. Lamarr Houston wrapped Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing up on the fourth down play.

Texas' drive stalled and they are punting the ball back to Kansas with 9:22 left in the first quarter. Kansas got a good return and will have the ball at midfield.

That seems even more likely now that the Mustangs fell to Marshall, 34-31. SMU needed to win its last two games to host the Conference USA title game. Now, SMU would have to win next week and Houston would have to lose for the Mustangs to play in the league championship game.

Still, SMU has something to play for next weekend. A win over Tulane gives the Mustangs a winning season and seven wins, which guarantees them a bowl berth. As a 6-win team, the other 7-5 teams must have a spot before they do if they lose next weekend. But they still look like good bets to make it to Hawaii even if they lose next weekend.