Freshman Gilbert Nearly Steers Longhorns to Win

PASADENA, Calif. -- Colt McCoy stood in front of his locker, trying to explain and fathom how fate works at times. McCoy didn't have an answer but he wouldn't dare question his faith. No way.

Yet, Texas' senior quarterback -- composed and steely-eyed confident -- honestly believed in his heart he had the answer to an obvious question: Yes, he would have been the difference in Thursday's BCS National Championship game won by top-ranked Alabama, 37-21, at the Rose Bowl. No question.

The Crimson Tide figured to have a much easier time than they did when they knocked out McCoy five snaps into his final game. McCoy couldn't help but imagine what it would have happened if he played in the Longhorns' remaining 65 plays.

"It would be so easy to question why -- Why things happen the way they do," said McCoy, who suffered a nerve injury to his right throwing shoulder when he was sandwiched into center Chris Hall when tackled by Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus on a keeper down the line.

"Why did they have to happen at a time when I am most needed. I worked and played my whole career to be on this stage and be given this opportunity. I know what it would have been like if I played that game. To know that is tough.

"To handle my emotions right now is very tough."

In the near corner of the locker room, a red-eyed Garrett Gilbert, the Longhorns' heralded freshman backup, also struggled with his emotions. Sitting on a stool, Gilbert talked in hushed tones, refusing to make excuses yet seemingly knowing full well the underdog Longhorns could have still won the game.

"I just told myself this is it, the opportunity I've been waiting for," Gilbert said when he noticed McCoy signal and head to the sidelines.

"Obviously, God forbid, Colt got hurt like that and it was an unfortunate situation and I had to step in because my teammates were counting on me. Colt was great out there. He was in a lot of pain but he was really helping me and encouraging me. He told me to keep on fighting and believe in my teammates and don't try to play outside myself."

Gilbert couldn't find himself initially, and it appeared the Crimson Tide had an easy path to victory.

However, Gilbert rebounded from a shaky start and rallied the Longhorns within 24-21 midway in the fourth quarter. But blitzing Alabama linebacker Eryk Anders made sure the Crimson Tide wouldn't lose the handle on their first national championship since 1992.

Anders forced a fumble on his blindside sack of Gilbert with 3:02 left to negate one of the most improbable comeback stories in college football history. The Tide scored two late touchdowns to capture the storied program's 13th overall national title.

Though he was regarded as the Longhorns' quarterback of the future -- he had thrown only 26 college passes coming into this game -- Gilbert steered Texas back into the game and in position to somehow have a chance to win their second national title in five years.

"I had to step in and make some plays and it took awhile for us to get rolling," Gilbert said.

"You can't determine your circumstances, I just had to deal with it and do with what I was given."

Gilbert led the Longhorns on a five-play, 59-yard drive to make it 24-13 late in the third quarter, then 60 yards for the second score as the Texas contingent in the crowd of 94,906 erupted. McCoy would have given Gilbert a high-five if he could have lifted his right arm.

"To step in and play like that, throw two touchdowns and play against a tough defense like Alabama, I am extremely impressed," McCoy said.

"The guy is going to have an outstanding career. There's no reason for him to hang his head. I thought he came in and gave us a chance to win."

Often a one-man show in leading the Longhorns to 13 straight wins, McCoy was confident in their preparation. He also initially thought he'd be able to return to the game following his injury, but he didn't have the strength or accuracy in his passes.

"There was nothing painful. It wasn't a pain situation," said McCoy, whose arm wasn't binded or in a sling.

"There was no toughness that didn't allow me to play the game. I can throw a ball. I can throw a ball but I have no idea where it's going. My arm is weak. My shoulder is weak. In talking to the doctors, it takes a week or so for it to really come back to where you want it to be. I guess he just caught me the right way.

"But it was exactly what I studied, exactly what I prepared for. I would have given anything to been out there because I know it would have been different."

Texas head coach Mack Brown praised McCoy's toughness, saying the quarterback wanted to return to the game. McCoy was on the sidelines in full pads in the second half, listening to the play calling on a headset

"He has played so tough and so hard all year, and he was trying at halftime to get back in," Brown said.

"I knew he wasn't healthy, and he wanted to play, and he shouldn't have. But that's how tough he is."

The Longhorns defense, ranked third in the country in yards allowed, kept things close while Gilbert found his rhythm. He completed 1 of 10 passes with two interceptions in the first half, including an errant shovel pass that was returned for a score with three seconds remaining before intermission.

Gilbert looked much more comfortable in the second half, going 14 of 30 for 182 yards, two touchdowns and pair of interceptions.

"The guys were patting me on the back and telling me keep my head up," Gilbert said.

"We were able obviously to fight back and the defense did a great job of keeping us in it. Offensively, we were able to get rolling in the second half. I had all the confidence in the world in our offense as a unit and we were moving the ball. We got into a rhythm late in the third quarter and early in the fourth quarter.

"Obviously, I can't turn the ball over like I did."

McCoy, meanwhile, entered the game with an NCAA record of 45-7 as a starter. He was hoping to end his career with another victory and a national title. Instead, he was trying to come to grips with ending his career on the sidelines and feeling helpless.

"I am disappointed that I couldn't be out there to help my team," McCoy said.

"To win 13 games and find a way each week and then to come here and it be taken away from you, I just don't understand."