It took more than a second, but Blake Gideon is over crucial play

By Chris Foster

Jan. 6, 2010 12 AM PT

A lot can happen in one second. No one on the Texas football team knows that better than safety Blake Gideon.

A year ago, one second was all that was left when Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree tip-toed into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown that cost Texas a chance to get to the national title game.

Last month, one second was left when Hunter Lawrence kicked a 46-yard field goal to win the Big 12 Conference championship game and send Texas to Thursday’s national title game against Alabama.

Gideon, a sophomore, revels in one second and has moved on from the other.

Gideon nearly won the Texas Tech game in 2008. What seemed like a sure interception on a ricochet was in his hands, then slipped through his fingertips. Crabtree danced around the Texas defense on the next play, giving the Longhorns their only loss of the season.

Coach Mack Brown found Gideon immediately after the game and said, “You’re OK. It wasn’t you.”

Gideon replied, “Coach, I dropped the ball.”

Brown fired back, “It’s over.”

That upset, on Nov. 1, 2008, became bigger a month later when it came time to decide who would go to the Big 12 title game. Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech were tied in the South Division, each with one loss. The tiebreaker favored Oklahoma, which beat Missouri to advance to the Bowl Championship Series title game.

Texas went to the Fiesta Bowl. Yet, the moment didn’t fester.

“I had no choice but to move on with the teammates I have,” Gideon said. “They were not going to wait around for me to feel sorry for myself.”

Said tackle LamarrHouston: “You can’t blame Blake for anything, so much happened in that game. I mean, I missed a sack on the play before, so you can blame me.”

If there was residue from that moment, it was positive. Gideon, who has started every game as a freshman and sophomore, intercepted five passes this season and is a key part of a defense that gives up only 251 yards per game, the third fewest in the nation.

“We joked about that one-second thing after the Nebraska game,” Gideon said. “The one-second monkey was off our backs. Now we can put that all behind us. We don’t have the burden from last year and we can go play this game.”

Tapping a memory

Much has been made about the Texas seniors who were at the Rose Bowl when the Longhorns beat USC to win the national title four years ago. But it is a watershed moment, Texas players say.

“That game was back and forth, but there was no doubt in our minds that we were going to win,” senior wide receiver Jordan Shipley said. “That attitude has stayed with this team ever since.”

Texas has a 45-7 record since, and the victory over USC has been discussed this week.

Said senior center Chris Hall: “Not in an official way, like, ‘Hey, let’s sit down and talk about that game,’ but it’s hard not to relive the memories since we are here. That game shaped my career and it is still a big part of the atmosphere. At Texas, we expect to win.”

Take a seat

Players from both teams will get to select from a bowl gift list. Among the items to choose from are video cameras, iPods and televisions.

Also available is a recliner.

“It even says ‘Specifically for linemen,’ on the list,” Hall said. “Some of the big guys are looking at that.”

Not just the big guys.

Asked what gift he was eyeing, quarterback back Colt McCoy said, “I’m kind of leaning toward the big La-Z-Boy.”

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