Longhorns survive Aggies' upset bid

UNDATED (AP) _ It was closer than expected, but Texas remains on course for a trip to the Rose Bowl. <br/><br/>Ramonce Taylor ran for 102 yards and two touchdowns and Cedric Griffin returned a blocked

Friday, November 25th 2005, 5:17 am

By: News On 6

UNDATED (AP) _ It was closer than expected, but Texas remains on course for a trip to the Rose Bowl.

Ramonce Taylor ran for 102 yards and two touchdowns and Cedric Griffin returned a blocked punt for a score as the second-ranked Longhorns held off Texas A&M 40-to-29.

The Aggies led 22-to-21 in the third quarter when quarterback Stephen McGee scored on an eleven-yard run. The redshirt freshman was making his first career start in place of Reggie McNeal who missed the game with a sprained left ankle. He finished with 108 rushing yards and two scores.

Texas quarterback Vince Young struggled against an Aggies defense, ranked 109th nationally. The Heisman Trophy candidate threw for 162 yards, rushed for 19 and committed two turnovers that led to two Aggies touchdowns. He also threw for a score.

The Longhorns improve to 11-and-0 and their 18th straight win keeps them on track for a berth in the Rose Bowl and shot at the national championship. Texas will play in the Big 12 title game next Saturday against the winner of the North Division.

Texas A-and-M lost four straight to finish the season 5-and-6.