In the highest scoring game ever between Texas A&M and Texas, the two rivals traded punches back and forth as the Longhorns narrowly left Kyle Field with their undefeated record intact.
Texas quarterback Colt McCoy passed for 304 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 175 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown run, to lead his team to a 49-39 road win Thursday.
The loss ended the Aggies' season with a 6-6 overall record and a 3-5 Big 12 record.
"This team has done everything I have asked," A&M Head Coach Mike Sherman said. "These guys are giving everything they've got. I'm most disappointed for our seniors. They gave us everything they had. They are disappointed, but they can hold their heads high, because they gave us everything they had."
Aggie quarterback Jerrod Johnson kept pace with McCoy, passing for 342 yards and four touchdowns and rushing for 97 yards.
Johnson's four touchdowns raised his career passing touchdowns to 51, breaking a 23-year-old record held by Kevin Murray, who had 48.
"We feel we can match up with anyone in the country," Johnson said. "We have some great guys and coaches who can recruit. We don't take this as a moral victory because we expect to win."
A&M went on top early, scoring on a 70-yard touchdown reception by sophomore Jeff Fuller, who led the Aggies with 132 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
The 70-yard pass was both Johnson's and Fuller's career high long play. It was also the longest passing play since Stephen McGee connected with Martellus Bennett on a 75-yard play in 2006.
"Our mindset was on winning," Fuller said. "I was disappointed. We wanted to win this for our seniors and the whole Aggie nation."
The Longhorns answered in their second offensive drive, tying the game when McCoy connected with receiver Jordan Shipley from 14 yards out.
The biggest breakdown of the A&M defense, which gave up 597 yards of total offense, was in Texas' next drive, when it allowed McCoy to run 62 yards up the middle, giving the Longhorns the lead.
The rivals traded scores before halftime, ending the second quarter with Texas leading 28-21.
The Longhorns took advantage of the opening possession of the third quarter to extend their lead. A&M was unable to answer quickly, settling for a field goal almost seven minutes later.
The Aggies opened the fourth quarter with a touchdown and a two-point conversion to cut the Texas lead to three points, but they could not contain the Longhorns offensive attack.
After recovering from a Texas touchdown to again cut the lead to three points, A&M allowed Longhorn Marquise Goodwin to return a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.
On the ensuing drive, the Aggies had a chance to stay in the game with a 23-yard field goal attempt, but Randy Bullock missed it to the right.
Texas ran out the clock for its 12th win of the season. The Longhorns will play Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship and is one of the favorites to play for the National Championship.
"It hurt, especially losing tonight," senior safety Jordan Pugh said. "Walking off the field, I thought about the four years I've had here, and the great times I had here. I remembered all the things I went through here, but as far as tonight, it did hurt."
