Last year's debacle in Lawrence was avenged in dominating fashion on Saturday, as the Horns racked up over 600 yards in total offense in a one-sided dismantling of a highly touted Kansas defense, 66-14.
The game was over at half-time. Actually, the game was over at the end of the first quarter. After opening the game with two three-and-out drives, the Texas offense kicked in to a season best gear and rattled off three straight touchdowns. After Aaron Ross returned a punt 71 yards for a touchdown, Texas led 28-0 and the rout was on.
The Horns added 24 more points in the second quarter, while the defense completely shut down the Jayhawks, building a ridiculous 52-0 halftime lead.
In the process, Vince Young became UT's all-time leader in total yards, passing Major Applewhite on the chart. Young finished an efficient 19-27 with 287 yards through the air, including 4 TDs and 0 INTs.
I pointed out last week that the Kansas defense had earned its reputation against some pretty lousy offenses, but even I underestimated just how much better Texas' attack was. The Horns even ran the ball at will, amassing 336 yards on the ground on 53 rushes. Had the starters stayed in the game for the entire four quarters, a 100 point showing would not have been out of the question.
The only reasonable debate one could have about Saturday's game was whether it was Vince Young's most impressive first half of the year. While I would say that Young was better in his first half performance against Colorado, as a team, the Horns haven't played a better half all year.
Kansas finally got on the board early in the second half to end one of the most dominating stretches of football ever played by a college football team. Their touchdown in the third quarter ended a 152-0 stretch by the Horns dating back to the first half of the Oklahoma State game.
With Alabama's loss, USC and Texas remain the two only unbeaten teams, and fans can safely put away any and all debates about which two teams should be in the Rose Bowl if the Trojans and Longhorns win out. USC beat rival California 35-10 on Saturday.
All that's left for the Longhorns is a road game at flailing Texas A&M and the Big 12 championship game against Iowa State or Colorado. The Cyclones handled the Buffs on Saturday to stay alive for the North Division race. The way Texas is playing these days, though, it's merely a formality.
--PB--