Texas scores rare one-point safety after missed PAT

AUSTIN, Texas -- No. 6 Texas scored a rare 1-point safety early in the third quarter of Friday's victory over rival Texas A&M.

Longhorns defensive back Bobby Tatum returned a blocked punt 10 yards for a touchdown, setting up what would have been the game-tying extra point kick.

But Texas holder Matt Nordgren dropped the snap, Dusty Mangum kicked the ball into the line and it rolled away just shy of the goal line. In the ensuing scramble for the football, officials ruled that A&M had gained possession of the ball then fumbled it into the end zone.

A&M safety Jaxson Appel recovered the fumble just before several Texas defenders pounced on him.

Game officials conferred for about a minute before ruling that the Longhorns would get a point for downing Appel in the end zone. The mostly orange-clad crowd of 83,891 exploded into cheers once the scoreboard recorded the point, tying the game at 13-all.

"I don't know that I've ever seen a one-point safety," A&M coach Dennis Franchione said. "That was a unique call."

The two-point safety rule is listed under Rule 8, Section 3, Article 2, in the NCAA football rulebook