Vince Young and the Texas Longhorns are headed home from the State Fair with the prize that's eluded them for five years: a victory over Oklahoma.
Showing the poise and leadership he's developed since a miserable performance against the Sooners last year, Young threw for three touchdowns in guiding No. 2 Texas to a 45-12 victory Saturday.
The Longhorns (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) convincingly ended one of the most dominant runs in the 100-game series between the Red River rivals and salvaged the reputation of coach Mack Brown.
The orange-clad throng that filled the Texas half of the Cotton Bowl savored every second -- and even for a long time after the postgame rendition of the "Eyes of Texas." Several thousand remained inside the stadium rather than heading to the fairgrounds outside.
The Sooners (2-3, 1-1) came in not only riding their longest series winning streak since the 1950s, they'd outscored the Longhorns 189-54 along the way, leaving the impression that Oklahoma's Bob Stoops was outcoaching Brown. Even with victories over Michigan in the Rose Bowl and at Ohio State earlier this season, Brown still had something to prove in this game.
The proof came right away.
Young led an 82-yard touchdown drive on the opening series that put Texas ahead for good. Although Oklahoma got within 7-6, freshman Jamaal Charles answered with an 80-yard touchdown run on the Longhorns' next snap and the rout was on.
Young finished 14-of-17 for 241 yards with no interceptions and ran for 45 yards. Charles had 116 yards on nine carries, then left with an injury in the third quarter. Pittman caught four passes for 100 yards.
Adrian Peterson, who had 225 yards against Texas last year, was plagued by a sprained ankle and ran three times for 10 yards and the Sooners ran for only 77 yards.
No. 1 USC 42, Arizona 21
At Los Angeles, LenDale White scored four touchdowns, rushed for 179 yards and USC posted its 27th consecutive victory.
The Trojans (5-0, 3-0 Pac-10) also won their school-record 23rd home game. White and Reggie Bush, who had 110 yards, each ran for 100-plus yards for the third consecutive game. Steve Smith added seven catches for 134 yards.
Syndric Steptoe returned five kickoff returns for 159 yards to lead Arizona (1-4, 0-2). Mike Thomas four catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns.
No. 3 Virginia Tech 41,
Marshall 14
At Blacksburg, Virginia, Branden Ore rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown for Virginia Tech.
The Hokies (6-0) led 14-7 at the break, but got a 19-yard field goal from Brandon Pace, a 15-yard fumble return by Vince Hall and a 48-yard scoring pass from Marcus Vick to David Clowney in a span of 3:29 of the third quarter to lead 31-7.
Vick finished 11-for-16 for 163 yards. He also threw an interception, only his second this season, on a ball that glanced off Josh Morgan's hands to Chris Royal. Ahmad Bradshaw had 99 yards on 22 carries to lead Marshall (2-3).
No. 9 Miami 52, Duke 7
At Miami, Kyle Wright threw for three touchdowns in a 5-minute span of the second quarter, and Tyrone Moss ran for 82 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Ryan Moore made a career-high seven catches for 87 yards and a touchdown for Miami (4-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), winners of four straight.
Wright completed 18 of 31 passes for 255 yards, with three touchdowns and two interceptions before being replaced midway through the third quarter by Kirby Freeman. Ronnie Drummer had an 81-yard touchdown run -- the longest play from scrimmage allowed by Miami in 29 years -- early in the third quarter for Duke (1-5, 0-3), which has lost 29 straight games against ranked opponents.
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