Texas star QB Colt McCoy leaves BCS title game with injury on Longhorns’ opening drive

Texas QB McCoy hurt on his 1st drive in BCS game

PASADENA, Calif. — Texas quarterback Colt McCoy left the BCS championship game with an injury to his passing shoulder during the Longhorns’ first drive and was taken for X-rays.

Team officials did not immediately have any other details. While being treated on the sideline, trainers had McCoy try lifting his right arm, then decided to take him to the locker room for further examination.

McCoy was injured on just his fifth snap in the final game of his record-setting career. He kept the ball on an option to his left and was hit square by lineman Marcell Dareus for no gain. McCoy got up and appeared to be OK, but then went to the sideline and backup Garrett Gilbert ran in and called timeout.

Throughout the break, McCoy was being examined on the ground. Several minutes later he went to the bench and consulted with trainers.

The drive ended with a Texas field goal for a 3-0 lead.

McCoy is the winningest quarterback in NCAA history, with 45 victories in his 52 starts. He’s been durable, too, never missing a game with an injury despite weighing only 185 pounds when he first took over as a redshirt freshman. He’s filled out to 215 pounds, but has also taken a beating as one of the team’s top runners.

He was sacked nine times in the Big 12 championship game, yet still led a winning drive in the final minute.

McCoy was third in Heisman Trophy voting this season after finishing second the year before.

Gilbert is the son of former NFL quarterback Gale Gilbert and was a prized recruit, winning several national high school player of the year awards in 2008.

Texas has been grooming him to replace McCoy, using him in nine games this season. He went 15 of 26 for 124 yards. However, the four games he didn’t play were against the Longhorns’ toughest foes: Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Texas A&M.