Texas vs. Kansas: Longhorns overcome Jayhawks for 21-17 victory

The Texas Longhorns were almost a victim of one of the biggest upsets of the season but were able to come-from-behind late in the fourth quarter to beat the Kansas Jayhawks, 21-17, in Lawrence, Kan. on Saturday.

The 23rd-ranked Longhorns used two big throws by backup quarterback Case McCoy to set up a short 1-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Grant with 12 seconds left to steal the win and send a disappointed Jayhawks team to the locker room in defeat.

Jayhawks running back James Sims was able to rush for 176 yards on 28 carries to carry a Jayhawks offense that depended on a dominant running game to keep the Longhorns offense off the field as much as possible.

Running backs Tony Pierson and Christian Matthews both scored touchdowns for the Jayhawks and were instrumental in adding to the Jayhawks 234 total rushing yards. Running backs Marquise Goodwin and Joe Bergeron scored for the Longhorns who also got 107 yards on 17 carries from Johnathan Gray. But two interceptions thrown by quarterback David Ash didn't help the Longhorns.

McCoy came in for Ash late in the fourth quarter and promptly went 5-for-7 for 68 yards and the winning touchdown.

The Longhorns are now 6-2 overall, 3-2 in the Big 12 and the Jayhawks are 1-7 overall, 0-5 in the Big 12.

Box Score Hero: The Jayhawks' James Sims may not have touched the endzone but his 176 yards on 28 carries dominated the game and gave the Jayhawks the ability to keep the Longhorns' offense off the field.

Rankings Ramifications: The Longhorns may fall out of the rankings even with the win due to how they got it but it depends on what the other teams do around them.

But Did They Cover?: Um, no. The Longhorns were 23-point favorites and ended up barely beating a 1-win team.

For More On The Game: Check out Burnt Orange Nation to discuss the game with Longhorns fans and Rock Chalk Talk for the Kansas perspective.

Next Scheduled Games: The Longhorns visit No. 14 Texas Tech Red Raiders on Nov. 3 and the Jayhawks will travel to face the Baylor Bears.

This post first appeared on SB Nation.