It was, as we all know, the revered Mack Brown's final game as the head coach of the Texas Longhorns, even though he didn't want the focus on the game to be on that fact. For most of the Texas fans in the audience, Mack Brown has been the only coach they've ever known. Now it's over, and here's how it went down.

First Half:

Texas's first drive of the game was, simply an absolute disaster. A major penalty on Jaxon Shipley, and an embarressing pick 6 thrown by Case McCoy really was exactly what the Longhorns were hoping would not happen to start the game. McCoy's toss was completely errant, egregiously high. The ball was picked off by Avery Patterson for the Ducks. It was also McCoy's 3rd interception returned for a touchdown this year, and his 19th interception in his career.

After another drive where the Horns were stuck in the mud, Oregon took possession, putting Marcus Mariota and DeAnthony Thomas on the field for the first time, and simply got chunk yardage out of Texas. Texas looked like they had no chance of stopping the offense, which looked like classic Oregon. The Longhorns have had trouble all year stopping mobile, athletic quarterbacks. Their loss to BYU and Taysom Hill earlier this season was a testament to that. Mariota was following in suit, with some fine runs on this drive. Shockingly, after being virtually unstoppable, some penalties on the Ducks offensive line greatly moved the Quack Pack backwards. After a dropped snap, the Ducks had to settle for a field goal, which is rare for their offense. However, the team was obviously filled with momentum after the opening parts of this game.

The running game for the Longhorns started to heat up on the next drive, but a few more bad throws by McCoy made the Longhorns come down to 4th down. Then big and bold Mack Brown made the right call. Go for it. And that they did, and perfect short strike for a first down. More Malcolm Brown runs for the Horns made the Oregon defense quite tired, and the drive ended in a touchdown: A one yard rush by McCoy. It was shocking that Texas could eat up chunks of yards like that, ripping and roaring to the end zone. It rested their defense, and it showed, as Peter Jenkins made some impressive plays for the Texas defense, stopping Oregon on the next drive.

Or so it seemed. It looked like Oregon was going to have to punt, but Mariota and Co. pulled off another late-down stunner of a play, and the fire in their bellies became stoked again. However, as they were nearing the goal-line, Jackson Jeffcoat started to get hungry for the football. He caused a fumble, but sadly for Texas couldn't haul it in before it bounced out of bounds. The Ducks still were able to manage a field goal, but it was probably a nice little victory for the Boys From Austin, to have halted the Oregonian offense to field goals twice in the game.

Then, same old Texas: Stuck in the mud. The Texas Longhorns could remind one of how the Cincinnati Bengals are this year in the NFL. Many, many class talents, but can't ever seem to put it all together due to goofy plays here and there. That is a testament to inept coaching staffs both teams have.

But Mack Brown's bunch on defense at least kept taking advantage of the Oregon Ducks follies on offense. Oregon's offensive line just looked befuddlingly horrible, committing multiple penalties on each drive. As we neared halftime, the lunchpail Burnt Orange defense kept on trucking on, with some very timely negative plays.

However: Texas's offense, even with the occasional big runs by Malcolm Brown, couldn't keep their team's defense off the field. Oregon had the most time of possession, and it did wear down the Longhorn defense. Finally, near the end of the quarter, Oregon broke through for their first offensive touchdown of the game.

Texas's defense could not be to blame for the deficit at the half. It was the inept nature of the offense. Case McCoy just couldn't get it going, and they can't rely on that depleted rushing corp all the time. Both teams had problems going into halftime, which was a 20-7 Oregon lead, and I'm sure the kids had some coaches hollering at them during the break.

Second Half:

It was pretty obvious to most that, if Oregon scored on the first possesion of the 2nd half, the game would be mostly over. Texas really needed one big turnover for things to swing in their direction again. Well, they didn't get the turnover, but they did get the stop. The Ducks started off strong, but the Horns toughened up, and stopped Mariota from ripped up any more turf in that drive.

The first Texas drive of the half needed to be the turning point. It needed to be where they sent a statement that the game was far from over. Case McCoy needed to show the viewers that he is still a great quarterback, and can be the one to lead the Texas crew to victory.

Nope. Nada. Nothin.

Worthless drive. You know, it is a sad state of affairs when a team's most important player on the night is your punter. That is exactly what Texas's Anthony Fera became.

Mariota, for Oregon, continued his miraculous escapability manuevers, especially on late downs. But, it seems that Mariota contracted some cramping issues, and coach Mark Helfrich made sure that they didn't run any QB draw plays. The Ducks couldn't do any more damage, and Texas had another shot at redemption.

It was once again time for the turning point. It needed to be that statement Texas needed to send out. It was time for Case McCoy to show his stuff to planet earth.

Nope. Nada. Nothin.

Boy, Texas misses David Ash. Let's just say that Case McCoy needs a whole lot of work. No rhythm, no big plays, no anything. David Ash has his problems, but is a much better quarterback than McCoy, period. Texas fans will be pleased to see Ash back on the field for sure next year.

After that, we all knew that Oregon wasn't going to dilly dally anymore. But they did. They once again stalled in the red zone, just completely out of character for the team, and the Ducks field goal kicker hit the upright on a 32 yarder. How's that for clutch.

So, Mack Brown decided to take Case McCoy out of the ball game, and replace him with Tyrone Swoopes. Swoopes has a big arm, and can throw very deep, but on the drive, Texas went (guess what) 3 and out. He got no help from his recievers. Swoopes unloaded a long throw down the field, attempting the big play that Texas needed. He hit his reciever, Mike Davis spot on, but Davis simply dropped it. There were many drops from Texas recievers in this game, including from Davis, Jaxon Shipley, and Kendall Sanders.

It is becoming quite a bit cliche to say this, but Oregon goofed up for their 4th drive of the game, not even getting much past midfield. One could say the layoff between this game and the last game they played was the reason for the lack of explosiveness in the Ducks offense, or them just not being interested in winning this game, which of course is a non-BCS bowl. Neither one should have happened, and Mark Helfrich and the coaching staff probably could have done a better job preparing the team for this game.

So, Mack Brown decided to put Case McCoy back in the game, and guess what he did? Yep, you guessed it!!! Pick Six. Now, the game was over, with an insurmountable deficit starting the Longhorns in the face.

It really wasn't a surprise that the game ended in defeat for Texas. Vegas, and every humans brain told them this would be a blowout. But, deep in our hearts, we at least thought it would be close, with the Texas crew being fired up to send Mack Brown out with a win. That didn't happen. The way the team lost shows that they have fell far from being an elite college football team. But the way the team lost also shows how Mack Brown was loved by his players. Case McCoy was just killing himself on the sideline for throwing those interceptions. They wanted a win for Mack Brown. That didn't happen. However, in closure, Mack Brown can be proud of something as he goes out:

People love him. He is a good, classy man, and is respected. That is his lasting legacy on college football. For now, so long folks. Goodnight.