The Texas Longhorns finished the year on a sour note, dropping the final regular season game on Saturday in a disappointing 42-24 loss to Kansas State.
The Longhorns led 10-7 at the half thanks to a strong defense and a surprising performance by quarterback Case McCoy. Starting in place of David Ash, McCoy tied a school record with 17 straight completions yet tossed two very costly interceptions that led to 14 points for Kansas State.
The Wildcats pulled away from a tight game in the fourth quarter, scoring 28 unanswered points thanks to missed opportunities, poor defense and two turnovers. In the end, the Longhorns finished the season 8-4, 5-4 and left many fans frustrated by another letdown season.
In all seriousness, the Longhorns played a tough game against Kansas State on Saturday that was closer than the final score, which was aided by a late fumble from Quandre Diggs when Texas was still in the game and another interception from Case McCoy an out route, this time to the opposite side of the field than his first pass that was nearly taken for at touchdown the other way, providing the final 42-24 margin to a game that was much closer than the final score appeared.
With the loss, the Longhorns will likely play in Alamo Bowl, although there is a chance Texas earns a bid to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
The No. 18 Texas Longhorns lead No. 6 Kansas State, 10-7, at halftime as the Wildcats attempt to earn the Big 12 Championship with a victory on Saturday night.
Case McCoy got the start at quarterback over David Ash and opened the game in shaky fashion, tossing an interception deep inside Longhorn territory on the second drive of the game for Texas. Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein scored on a 1-yard run on the very next play, giving the Wildcats a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
The Longhorns recovered, taking the next drive 60 yards before Nick Jordan's 37-yard field after Klein was intercepted at the tail end of a long drive. McCoy and Texas took the lead midway through the second quarter when he connected with Jaxon Shipley for a 14-yard touchdown pass, as the Texas quarterback nearly set a school record with consecutive pass completions following his interception.
A fake field goal by Texas failed in the final seconds of the half.
McCoy is 17-of-20 for 204 yards, one touchdown and one interception as the Longhorn passing game took over the second quarter. Klein, under consideration for the Heisman, is just 4-of-10 for 72 yards and an interception in the half.
Collin Klein has fallen behind Johnny Manziel in the Heisman race after a disastrous defeat in Waco juxtaposed with a heroic A&M win in Tuscaloosa. But will Manny Diaz's defense anoint a Big 12 QB as the Heisman for a second consecutive season?
