Texas vs. Oklahoma State 2012: Longhorns show backbone in comeback win over Cowboys

The Texas Longhorns survived an upset bid in Stillwater on Saturday night, escaping with a 41-36 win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Two things in particular stood out to the folks over at SB Nation's Longhorns blog Burnt Orange Nation: the play of quarterback David Ash, and the toughness Texas displayed in scoring the game-winning touchdown in the contest's final moments.

On Saturday night in Stillwater, Ash erased all doubts about the validity of his performance two weeks prior. Erased all doubts about whether he is the future of this Texas program. Erased thoughts of an Oklahoma State upset.

On a gutsy late drive to help propel the Longhorns into the endzone following a Cowboy field goal that helped Oklahoma State take the lead, Ash stood calmly in the pocket and delivered a strike to senior tight end DJ Grant to convert 4th and 6 and keep hopes of a victory alive.

Ash was tremendous in the game, completing 30 of 37 passes for 304 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Burnt Orange Nation was also impressed by the backbone Texas displayed on the game's final drive:

The Longhorns hadn't pulled out a last-second victory of this nature since the Big 12 championship game against Nebraska. Whatever happens the rest of the season, the mental toughness it took to pull out such a significant game on the road can't be underestimated.

Texas will host No. 9 West Virginia next Saturday.