Justin Tucker’s game-winning kick remains a defining moment in the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry. He doesn’t subscribe to ranking systems or debates about the greatest of all time, whether it’s Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, or LeBron James. Instead, he prefers to savor the unforgettable moments that sports create.
“I’d have to put it up near the top,” Tucker recently shared with a small group of reporters.
On Thanksgiving night, November 24, 2011, in College Station, Texas, the air was thick with anticipation. This was the last clash between the fierce in-state rivals, Texas and Texas A&M, before the Aggies departed the Big 12 for the SEC. Although neither team was in contention for a conference title, the stakes were high for bragging rights.
“Nothing else mattered,” said Emmanuel Acho, a former Texas linebacker and current FOX Sports college football analyst, emphasizing the rivalry’s intensity.
With just three seconds left on the clock, Texas A&M led 25-24 when Tucker prepared to kick. Players from both teams knelt, linking arms and offering prayers. After being temporarily frozen by A&M’s timeout, Tucker took a deep breath, crossed himself, and unleashed the kick. The ball soared through the uprights as time expired, igniting a celebration as Tucker’s teammates piled onto him on the Kyle Field turf.
That moment has etched itself into the memories of fans and players alike for over a decade.
The rivalry is set to reignite on Saturday night when the No. 3-ranked Longhorns face off against the No. 20-ranked Aggies (7:30 p.m. ET) in College Station. Texas A&M (8-3) seeks redemption after a recent upset by Auburn, while Texas (10-1) hopes to capitalize on a strong start from quarterback Quinn Ewers and the offense.
“This is as big as it gets in college football,” Acho remarked.
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While Tucker’s kick saved the Longhorns that night, the drive leading up to it is often overlooked.
The game was fiercely contested, with Texas managing only 12 first downs and less than 100 rushing yards. A&M, led by future NFL star Ryan Tannehill, took the lead with 1:48 remaining.
In that crucial moment, quarterback Case McCoy, Colt’s younger brother, rallied his teammates to drive the length of the field.
“Case gave this ‘Friday Night Lights’ type of speech,” former Longhorns running back Jeremy Hills recalled with a chuckle. “You can barely hear him because it’s so loud, but he was determined to string together one play at a time.”
The Longhorns methodically moved down the field, reaching near midfield with about 40 seconds left. On first down, McCoy aimed for wide receiver Jaxon Shipley, but Shipley slipped. With the Aggies in a Cover 2 defense, McCoy seized the opportunity to scramble for 25 yards.
“I’m wide open,” Hills said, laughing. “I thought he would throw me the ball, but he yelled, ‘Go block!’ and took off running. And Case is not fast at all.”
Hills sprang into action, lead blocking for McCoy as he zig-zagged through defenders. The QB eventually went down at A&M’s 23-yard line, setting up Tucker for the potential game-winning kick.
“Case had this little grin like he just pulled off a heist,” Hills said. “He knew he might have just won us the game.”
Then came Tucker’s moment. At that time, he was a reliable kicker, boasting an 83% accuracy rate that still ranks among the best in Texas history. However, he wasn’t yet the “Mr. Automatic” he is known as today in the NFL.
“I had no idea if he was going to make it or miss it,” Acho commented. “I knew Coach Mack Brown had spoken to him, but the outcome was uncertain.”
As he prepared for the kick, Tucker reflected on the struggles of college kickers nationwide during that season. Despite the cacophony around him, he focused on executing a clean kick.
“I decided that no matter what, I would kick it cleanly, strike the ball in the sweet spot, and give it a chance,” Tucker said, noting that this mindset has guided him throughout his professional career.
As soon as the ball left his foot, he knew it was on target. An “explosion of emotion” followed.
His teammates rushed toward him, tackling him to the ground before lifting him in celebration.
However, it wasn’t until they returned to the locker room that Tucker grasped the significance of the moment.
“We really just hit the dagger in this rivalry for many years to come,” Tucker reflected.
“Looking back, if I hadn’t made that kick, I might not have had the opportunity to pursue an NFL career,” Tucker, a seven-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, stated. “That kick was pivotal for my future.”
Upon returning to campus, Tucker didn’t experience the grand welcome often reserved for sports legends. He was a senior studying recording technology in the music school, attending smaller classes with only a handful of students who weren’t always focused on sports.
“It felt cool to walk through campus and think, ‘I’m part of what makes this university what it is,'” Tucker said.
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“Words can’t capture the atmosphere,” Acho stated. “You hear about Midnight Yell Practice, but it’s not until you’re there at night, looking up at the swaying stadium, that you truly understand. It feels like an earthquake, and the crowd is waving towels, creating an incredible spectacle.”
“It’s something else entirely.”
Although the teams have not faced each other in 13 years, this matchup marks the 119th meeting since 1894. Texas leads the all-time series, 76-37-5. Ticket prices for this game may reach record highs, averaging around $1,000 according to TickPick.
“It’s going to be an electric atmosphere,” Tucker predicted.
For players from the 2011 Texas team, the revival of this rivalry is welcomed, even if it means the last word won’t always be theirs.
“Texas and Texas A&M is special for college football,” Tucker noted. “The return of this game, with its implications, promises great entertainment.”
Hills echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that this game embodies the spirit of college football’s rivalry week.
Tucker plans to watch the game from his basement with his wife and son, all dressed in Texas gear, while their Christmas tree glows in burnt orange. He won’t place any bets, especially not with Ravens teammate and Aggie alum Nnamdi Madubuike.
“I won’t even think about wearing anything with that Texas A&M logo,” Tucker joked.
He does have advice for Longhorns kicker Bert Auburn, should he find himself in a similar high-pressure scenario.
“He told me in his deep Texas drawl, ‘Justin, just kick the damn ball.’ I’ve made it my motto: See the ball, strike the ball, just kick the damn ball. Everything will work out as it should.”
