QB's drawing comparisons to Young

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ It seems like every Big 12 team wants to compare its quarterback to Vince Young these days. <br/><br/>Colt McCoy has earned it with four come-from-behind wins the last month, firing

Friday, November 3rd 2006, 12:55 pm

By: News On 6

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ It seems like every Big 12 team wants to compare its quarterback to Vince Young these days.

Colt McCoy has earned it with four come-from-behind wins the last month, firing touchdown passes for No. 4 Texas like Young did for the Longhorns the last two seasons.

Oklahoma State's Bobby Reid is hearing it because he can help the Cowboys score by pass or run, like Young could for Texas.

The two quarterbacks match up Saturday night when Oklahoma State (5-3, 2-2) and Texas (8-1, 5-0) meet in Austin.

Young, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound defensive player's nightmare from Houston, ran and passed Texas to the national championship with a mind-boggling performance in the Rose Bowl.

McCoy, the baby-faced kid from Tuscola, is throwing TD passes at a record pace and has led Texas to rallies over Oklahoma, Baylor, Nebraska and Texas Tech in the last month.

He's only two touchdowns away from tying the Texas season record of 26 held by Young (2005) and Chris Simms (2002).

``He is a gamer,'' said Texas receiver Quan Cosby. ``That's my definition of it. He doesn't hit the panic button.''

Young saw it himself two weeks ago, standing on the sideline in a Nebraska snowstorm and freezing temperatures when McCoy drove Texas to the winning field goal.

All of this must sound like a nightmare to Oklahoma State, which let two huge upsets over Texas slip away the last two seasons.

In 2004, the Cowboys led 35-7 in the first half and lost 56-35. Last year, a 28-9 lead turned into a 47-28 loss. Young led both Texas rallies with big plays running and passing.

``I'm not going to lie. I'm happy to not see No. 10 back there, but Colt McCoy is a very good quarterback,'' said Cowboys defensive end Nathan Peterson.

Oklahoma State's Reid is emerging as next great dual-threat QB in the Big 12. He's the third-ranked passer in the country with 19 touchdowns and has run for 311 yards and three touchdowns.

Texas players see similarities to Young, too.

``He has the same running ability Vince did,'' said Longhorn defensive end Brian Orakpo. ``Everybody knows that he is a great passing quarterback, but to be that dual-threat quarterback, it forces teams to defend both options.''

Reid is 6-3, 226 pounds and fast.

He leads a diverse offense that averages 431 yards and 38 points that will be looking to throw against a UT secondary that ranks among the worst in the country. Reid ran 56 yards to set up the first touchdown in the Cowboys' win over Nebraska.

``When people compare Bobby and Vince, Bobby is probably ahead of where Vince was at this time,'' Texas coach Mack Brown said.

Defending the pass has been a huge struggle for Texas, which ranks 112th nationally. The Longhorns' secondary has been hobbled by injuries and has given up at least 300 yards the last three games.

Last week, Texas Tech passed for 519 yards, although the Red Raiders didn't find the end zone in the second half.

``Last year we were lucky not to have any injuries,'' said Longhorns senior safety Michael Griffin, who has limped nearly all season on a sore ankle. ``This year it started with the second game. The list goes on but you've got to keep playing.''