Longhorn's healthier than expected for this week's critical game

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas freshman quarterback Colt McCoy, who was knocked out of the 11th-ranked Longhorns' loss to Kansas State with a shoulder and neck injury, has been cleared to play this week

Monday, November 20th 2006, 2:15 pm

By: News On 6

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas freshman quarterback Colt McCoy, who was knocked out of the 11th-ranked Longhorns' loss to Kansas State with a shoulder and neck injury, has been cleared to play this week against Texas A&M.

McCoy sustained a stinger while scoring a touchdown in the 1stquarter of the 45-42 loss. He has a school-record 27 touchdown passes for the 9-2 Longhorns, who are 6-1 in the Big 12 and must win Friday to secure a berth in the conference championship game.

Coach Mack Brown also says offensive lineman Justin Blalock, who has started 49 consecutive games, has been cleared to play against the Aggies.

He left Saturday's game in the 3rd quarter with a knee injury.