Texas Has Long Wait, but Wins

James Brown passed for two touchdowns as No. 8 Texas converted three early turnovers into scores and kicked off life in the Big 12 Conference with a 40-10, lightning-interrupted victory over Missouri Saturday night.

The Longhorns led, 20-10, at halftime and added a 12-yard touchdown run by Ricky Williams during a third-quarter thunderstorm, going ahead 27-10 before officials delayed the game 45 minutes because of lightning.

Missouri led, 3-0, and pulled within 13-10 midway through the second quarter on a 21-yard touchdown run by Ernest Blackwell, but the Tigers couldn’t overcome three first-half turnovers that led to 13 Texas points.

Texas and Missouri marked the second official Big 12 game, kicking off 4 1/2 hours after Texas Tech and Kansas State took the field at Manhattan, Kan.

Brown, who was 11 for 20 for 104 yards, had touchdown passes of two yards to Derrick Scott and one yard to Priest Holmes. Williams had 14 carries for 112 yards and touchdown runs of 12 and 21 yards.

Texas went ahead, 33-10, with 4:34 left in the third quarter when Bryant Westbrook blocked a punt by Missouri’s Vince Sebo, scooped up the ball and ran 35 yards for a touchdown.

Corby Jones started at quarterback for Missouri, finishing seven for 16 for 65 yards and an interception. Kent Skornia was five for 12 for 47 yards. Devon West led Missouri with eight carries for 63 yards.

Missouri’s Mark Norris opened the scoring with a 30-yard field goal.

The Longhorns were erratic early, but the Tigers helped by fumbling the ball twice inside the 31.

The weather was pleasant during the first half, but changed dramatically in the third quarter as wind gusted to 40 mph and rain came down in sheets. During the lightning delay, dozens of students charged the field to slide on the rain-soaked turf. Eleven were arrested on charges of public intoxication, criminal trespassing and minor in possession of alcohol.