Johnson and Benson go out with huge win

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -- Their final games will be remembered for the plays others made.

Still, Texas tailback Cedric Benson and linebacker Derrick Johnson went out the way they wanted to: with a Rose Bowl win.

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Two of the best players ever at their positions at Texas, neither was the difference maker in the Longhorns' 38-37 win over Michigan on Saturday.

"A lot of teams fought to get here," Benson said, "and we got it done."

Benson, the Doak Walker Award winner didn't score a touchdown and finished with just 70 yards on 23 carries, far below the 129 yards he needed to finish his career as the fourth-leading rusher in Division I history. Benson finished his career with 5,540 yards

He even got a nasty scare early on. His first carry went for nine yards but he left the field limping after his leg took an awkward twist on a cutback. He was out for only one play, but it sent a shudder through the Texas fans at the game.

Benson's biggest contribution was to serve as decoy for Michigan defenders. When they trailed Benson, it helped open things up for quarterback Vince Young to run for 192 yards and four touchdowns.

"We keyed on Benson and stopped him, but the the quarterback ran the game," said Wolverines linebacker LaMarr Woodley.

And Johnson, who won the Butkus and Nagurski awards for a senior season in which he was generally regarded as the best player in college football, was never a factor against a Wolverines offense that had 352 yards of offense and started several drives near midfield.

Johnson had just 1 1/2 tackles in his final college game. Even when he caused a fumble, it simply rolled out of bounds, giving Michigan an extra 10 yards.

"I saw on TV they were calling me Superman," Johnson said. "But I have to give it to Vince -- he's a real Superman.

"It was a dream to end my career by winning a Rose Bowl," Johnson said. "I couldn't have wished for anything better."

The game wasn't settled until another senior, Dusty Mangum, kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired for the final points. Benson and Johnson stormed the field with their teammates to join the celebration.

"We weren't going to let them win," Johnson said.