Texas gets a big scare but earns 35-32 win

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Thanks to Central Florida, it might be a while before Texas accepts another offer to open someone’s stadium.

Jamaal Charles scored on a 46-yard run Saturday to clinch a 35-32 victory for Texas, whose first trip to Florida in 34 years was anything but smooth.

The jaunt started with a long delay at the Austin airport Friday; then one of the team buses broke down in Orlando. Things didn’t get any easier against an opponent excited to be showing off its new home on national television.

“There was a tremendous atmosphere. I told the kids today I didn’t think they understood what they were about to get into,” Texas Coach Mack Brown said. “It was a trap game for us and a buzz saw.”

Colt McCoy threw for 259 yards and two touchdowns and Ryan Bailey kicked five field goals for Texas (3-0), which trailed, 24-23, early in the fourth quarter. Bailey put the Longhorns ahead for good, then tied a school record with a fifth field goal that made it 29-24 with 5 minutes 19 seconds left.

Charles, who had 153 yards in 22 carries, put the Longhorns up 35-24 with his long run after cornerback Marcus Griffin recovered a fumble.

Kyle Isreal’s seven-yard touchdown pass to Kamar Aiken and a two-point conversion had trimmed the Central Florida (1-1) deficit to three points with 35 seconds left.