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Closer Look Texas QB controversy renewed after Big 12 title gamePosted: Sunday December 02, 2001 2:12 AMUpdated: Sunday December 02, 2001 2:43 AM
By Travis Richmond, Special to CNNSI.com IRVING, Texas -- Everything Texas quarterback Chris Simms had worked for in the past 12 months came crumbling apart in a little more than 15 minutes of play during the Big 12 Championship. Near the end of the first quarter, Texas led Colorado 7-0 and Simms looked as if he was ready to finally deliver a quality performance in a huge game for the Longhorns. Simms, who claimed the starting job from Major Applewhite at the end of last season, had thrown four interceptions in each of Texas' last two biggest games -- loses in the 2000 Holiday Bowl against Oregon and to Oklahoma this October. But this game was to be different. Simms had thrown 16 touchdowns and only two interceptions in five games since its lone loss this season and was red-hot to start the Big 12 title game. Instead, Simms threw three interceptions and fumbled once in the first half, as his four turnovers led to all of Colorado's 29 first-half points. By the time Simms left the game late in the second quarter with an injured finger on his throwing hand, Texas trailed 29-10. The deficit ultimately proved too large for Texas to overcome, as Colorado claimed the Big 12 title with a 39-37 win and knocked the Longhorns from a probable spot in the Rose Bowl to play for the national championship. "I blew a big opportunity for us. I am stunned with how it turned out," Simms said. "We had a chance to maybe go to the Rose Bowl and I let a lot of people down." Near the end of the first quarter, Texas appeared on the verge of putting on an offensive showcase, as Simms had already completed three passes for more than 20 yards and the Longhorns looked to be on the verge of scoring to go ahead 14-0. Then, disaster struck. Simms dropped back looking for tight end Bo Scaife over the middle, but instead was intercepted by Colorado linebacker Aaron Killion, who returned the pick 73 yards to the Texas 12-yard line. "I threw it behind [Scaife], and it kind of started the onslaught after that," Simms said. Colorado scored three plays later to tie the score, but Simms' troubles were only beginning. Early in the second quarter, Simms again was intercepted on a pass attempt over the middle, this time by Colorado linebacker Joey Johnson. Simms' second turnover lead to Colorado taking a 16-7 lead. Simms' did lead Texas to a field goal on its next possession, but that would be his last positive memory of this game. Simms fumbled the ball while being sacked on his own 38-yard line with four minutes until halftime, which Colorado converted into another touchdown for a 22-10 lead. Then two minutes later, Simms was intercepted for a third and final time, and Colorado safety Medford Moorer intercepted a Simms pass and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown. At this point, the mostly pro-Longhorn Texas Stadium crowd began to chant for Applewhite to replace Simms, but Brown stuck with his starter. Yet on Texas' next offensive play, Simms' throwing hand was hit as he completed a 6-yard pass that would be his final attempt of the game. Simms left the game and was replaced by Applewhite to thunderous applause. Simms never returned, finishing the game 9-of-17 for 130 yards and three interceptions. Applewhite threw a 79-yard touchdown on his second attempt, and Texas head coach Mack Brown stayed with the senior in the second half. "When [Simms] came out, we put Major in, and Major throws a touchdown pass, so that was pretty simple," Brown said. Though Texas ultimately lost the game and with it their chance at the Rose Bowl, Applewhite played admirably. Though he had attempted just 21 attempts this season as Simms' backup (completing 14), Applewhite looked as if he hadn't missed a beat once he entered the game. "The offense did what we had to do to get back in the ball game," Applewhite said. "Even after all the turnovers we still had a chance to win the ball game, but we didn't get it done." Applewhite finished the game 15-of-25 for 240 yards and two touchdowns, but the advantage Colorado build thanks to Simms' turnovers was too large to overcome. "Major was phenomenal in the second half," Brown said. "Coming off the bench, no more than he has played, I am was really proud of him." After the game, Brown refused to say which quarterback would start for Texas in its yet to be determined bowl game. And Simms, who had finally distanced himself from Applewhite with his performance lately, has rekindled Texas' quarterback controversy. "I put myself into that position," Simms said. "The coaches are going to do whatever is best for the team and so will I. It's just part of being a quarterback."
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