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So many gut-wrenching thoughts and emotions flowing through Kyle Field -- and they hadn't played a down yet in one of America's most intense college football rivalries. But this game between Texas and Texas A&M, played before the largest crowd to watch a game in the state of Texas, began and ended like more of a memorial service. It was all about the 12 A&M students and alumni who died constructing a bonfire that has been a tradition for 90 years.

"What happened at the bonfire, that just fueled us," said offensive lineman Chris Valetta. "We didn't have the bonfire this year, but there was a fire burning in our hearts today."

That was evident by the way the No. 24 Aggies torched No. 7 Texas with an inspired second-half comeback en route to a 20-16 victory before a crowd of 86,128.

Valetta wore the names of the victims on the T-shirt he wore beneath his maroon jersey, six names hand printed on each side of his burly chest. There was a cross in the middle and a bible verse beneath it.

"A bunch of guys did that to keep them close to our hearts and minds on every down, every minute of the game," Valetta said. "This town, this entire country, got a large dose of reality this week. Today was just a football game. What happened out there at the bonfire, that was a tragedy, a disaster.

"The Aggie spirit really helped us today, and I think we honored that. Hopefully, this will ease the pain a little bit."

Texas A&M (8-3) salvaged its otherwise disappointing and grief-stricken season by overcoming a 10-point halftime deficit. The Aggies "wrecking crew" defense shut down a Longhorns offense that had moved the ball almost at will in the first half in freshman Chris Simms' first career start after Major Applewhite was stricken with the flu. A&M got its winning touchdown with 5:02 remaining when quarterback Randy McCown hooked up with his roommate, Matt Bumgardner, for a 14-yard touchdown reception.

"It's something you just can put into words," said McCown, fighting back tears. "With all that's gone on this week, to make a big play like that and beat Texas.... That's something you wish for your entire life."

The game was otherwise meaningless, but don't try and tell that to players and fans on either side. Texas already had clinched the Big 12 South title and will play Nebraska for the conference championship on Dec. 4 in San Antonio.

"They played their hearts out today," Texas defensive end Cedric Woodard said, "and I take my hat off to them."

A&M got untracked in the second half by unleashing tailback Ja'Mar Toombs, who had 82 of his 126 yards rushing after the intermission. He simply imposed his will on a Texas defense that had held seven of its previous nine opponents below 100 yards on the ground.

"It started out kind of somber," said Toombs, who also scored two touchdowns, "but we knew we had to win today to show our gratitude for those 12 people who gave their lives helping us win this game."

A dozen doves are released as part of a tribute before the Texas A&M-Texas game. (AP)

The memory of the victims was honored even at halftime with a stirring tribute by both bands. In a very brief ceremony, the Texas band took the field, played Amazing Grace, then Taps, and marched off. Then the A&M band marched through a series of formations before leaving the field in a moving, silent tribute that hushed the crowd.

But its roar was deafening when linebacker Brian Gamble pounced on a fumble after Applewhite, playing in relief of Simms, was stripped of the ball as he dropped back to pass with 23 seconds remaining.

"If I could conjure up a word to explain it, I would. But I can't," Gamble said. "We put our hearts and souls into this game, and so did every other Aggie in the stands or watching it on TV around the country. I know God and those 12 Aggies were looking down on us today."

And what has Gamble learned in this stressful week?

"I think we all learned that life is precious, that at any moment you can lose it," he said. "We've been doing that (Bonfire) since 1909. And football players, we face it, too. We have a chance to die out there on every play if something goes wrong. One day, you might just slip out of the room. ...''

Twelve Aggie students slipped away, but they didn't leave unnoticed.

"It just put the whole thing in perspective for us," said punter Shane Lechler, whose thunderous foot continually pinned the Longhorns deep in their territory. "Football takes up so much of your time, and with classes and everything you don't get to enjoy all the traditions as much as you'd like. This showed all of us how much pride people have in our school. It made us realize how truly special Texas A&M University is to so many people."

Even to those on the other side of this bitter rivalry -- and this is the good part. With the Aggies unable to have their traditional bonfire, Texas canceled its annual "Hex Rally" and instead held a unity gathering in memory of the victims.

The outpouring of love and support didn't seem to affect at all a football rivalry that has produced some of the meanest, most wicked three hours of battle throughout 106 years of the rivalry.

"Unfortunately, this has been a hated rivalry," Valetta said. "This week, a lot of that hatred was killed, too. And that's a good thing. Hatred doesn't have to be there for this to be a great rivalry."