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STILLWATER, Oklahoma (Ticker) -- Hodges Mitchell ran for 149 yards and three touchdowns to lead 11th-ranked Texas to a 34-21 victory over Oklahoma State in a Big 12 Conference South game. The Longhorns (8-2, 5-2 Big 12 South) scored two touchdowns in a 4:39 span early in the third quarter to break open a close contest and win their fourth straight game. "(Mitchell's) a good back," said Oklahoma State coach Bob Simmons. "They blocked for him perfectly." Texas received another strong performance from quarterback Major Applewhite to remain in control of the South Division race. The Longhorns play their remaining two games against Texas Tech and Texas A&M, which entered the weekend in second and third place, respectively, in the division. "I think this is probably one of the most important games," said Texas cornerback Ahmad Brooks. "This game really established something as far as the team and our confidence. They're competing for a bowl game and we're competing to stay in the hunt for the Big 12 Championship. We had to come back and establish ourselves as one of the best teams in the Big 12." Quarterback Tony Lindsay returned to the Oklahoma State lineup but his presence was not enough to prevent the Cowboys (3-5, 1-4) from dropping their third straight game. Lindsay, who has missed most of the season due to injury, completed just 10-of-21 passes for 155 yards. He accounted for two touchdowns before yielding to B.J. Tiger, who has started the balance of the schedule. "We did move the football," said Cowboys tight end Marcellus Rivers. "We pounded down the field on them, and then we would have a breakdown -- either a penalty or a fumbled ball. We can't have that." Texas led 14-7 at halftime and the Cowboys began the third quarter will the ball. But the game changed just 65 seconds into the second half when safey Greg Brown picked off Lindsay and raced 31 yards for a score. "I was just happy and excited to get the interception," said Brown. "At first I thought it was just going to be a clean hit, but (defensive end Aaron) Humphrey wound up tipping it, so I started bobbling it. It just felt great when I crossed the goal line." The Longhorns quickly stuffed Oklahoma State on the ensuing possession, then mounted an eight-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Mitchell scampering 12 yards for a score. The drive took just 2:36. "We haven't got enough turnovers this year and we definitely haven't gotten enough interceptions," Brown said. "(But) we're making plays. We're just trying to focus and bat all the rest of the teams out and not only try to win the Big 12 Championship, but also to get a good bowl bid." Mitchell, who also ran for touchdowns of 80 and 17 yards in the first half, carried 20 times and accounted for all but 28 of Texas' rushing yards. After Lindsay hit Terance Richardson for a 50-yard touchdown pass that briefly gave Oklahoma State life, Applewhite took over. The sophomore signal-caller led fourth-quarter drives of eight and 15 plays that resulted in field goals of 22 and 36 yards by Kris Stockton. He completed 23-of-44 passes for 242 yards and was intercepted once. "That's been one of our problems this year -- untimely turnovers," said Oklahoma State coach Bob Simmons. "That's been our nemesis." Tiger, who was 5-of-8 for 60 yards, found Marcellus Rivers for a 24-yard touchdown with 41 seconds left but it was too late for Oklahoma State to mount a comeback. Mitchell's 80-yard touchdown jaunt came on the first play from scrimmage and Texas maintained its 7-0 lead until Lindsay tied it with an eight-yard scoring scamper almost six minutes into the second quarter. "Did we want that to happen, no," Simmons said of Mitchell's 80-yard run. "That's why we deferred. I think other than that, our defense for the most part played a pretty good football game." Almost seven minutes later Mitchell broke free for a 17-yard touchdown that put the Longhorns on top for good. While Mitchell was controlling the game, Texas was clamping down on Oklahoma State's rushing attack, which managed just 84 yards. Jamaal Fobbs led the way with 57 yards on 10 carries.
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