by Chuck Carlton, The Dallas Morning News , The Dallas Morning News

For Texas, it doesn't really matter right now. The Longhorns were ecstatic the Valley of the Sun didn't turn into a replay of what happened on the South Plains in November.

This time, Texas was the team that manufactured the improbable drive, behind Heisman runner-up Colt McCoy.

McCoy connected with Quan Cosby on a 26-yard catch-and-run for the winning touchdown with 16 seconds to play, giving the Longhorns a 24-21 victory over Ohio State in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

"This game means we are one of the best teams in the country," Texas coach Mack Brown said. "This team just keeps coming back."

McCoy set Fiesta Bowl records with 41 completions and 59 attempts en route to a career-best 414 yards. He was voted the game's offensive most valuable player.

"I don't think there's anyone in the country that can beat us at this point," McCoy told Fox Sports afterward.

McCoy was 7-of-10 for 76 yards on the winning 78-yard drive, which Brown called a "Heisman-type drive."

McCoy's biggest completion was for 3 yards.

Facing fourth-and-3 at the Ohio State 43, McCoy found James Kirkendoll on a short out. The spot in front of the Ohio State bench gave Texas a first down by three-quarters the length of a football. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel challenged the spot, which stood upon replay review.

Two plays later, McCoy and Cosby combined for the winning score. Cosby finished his UT career with 14 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns.

"Quan hasn't dropped a pass in four years, and that's just amazing to see what he did time and time again," Brown said.

Any chance of a late Ohio State comeback ended when senior Brian Orakpo sacked backup quarterback Todd Boeckman, one of three sacks by the Texas defense.

At various times, Texas looked as if it had mentally checked out of the football season.

It was Brown's worst nightmare.

He had warned throughout the week before the game that the biggest factor in bowl games is motivation. Ohio State, which had been embarrassed two times in the last three seasons on the national stage, wanted all the questions about the meltdowns to end.

The Buckeyes led, 6-3, at halftime, the second time all season Texas had been held without a touchdown in the first half.

The Longhorns' running attack in the first half totaled minus-9 yards. On a late drive in the final minute, McCoy was intercepted at the Ohio State 1-yard line by Anderson Russell.

Running back Beanie Wells was punishing Texas like he will someday punish NFL defenses. After 96 yards rushing on 12 carries in the first half, the Longhorns realized he was the only real threat for the Ohio State offense and held him to 10 second-half yards. He missed a chunk of the game after a hard hit by Roddrick Muckelroy in the second half.

Texas rallied in the third quarter behind McCoy.

He eluded Ohio State All-American cornerback Malcolm Jenkins on a nifty spin move for a 14-yard touchdown run. Then he hooked up with Cosby for a 7-yard scoring pass and a 17-6 lead.

It wouldn't last.

Ohio State freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor saw to that.

Someday, Pryor might fulfill the Vince Young comparisons and win Jim Tressel another BCS national title. Someday. For now, he's a gifted true freshman who is better scampering for yardage on broken plays. His running helped Ohio score 16 straight points in the fourth quarter. Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp marveled at how Pryor seemed to glide and pick up yardage.

Daniel Herron scored from 15 yards out with 2:11 remaining for a 21-17 Ohio State lead, setting the stage for the final Texas drive.

Asked about his mind-set in that end-game situation, McCoy said, "I can't think of a better place to be."

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