COLLEGE STATION, Texas (Ticker) -- Cedric Benson's career performance kept Texas in contention for its first BCS bowl bid under coach Mack Brown.
Benson rushed for 283 yards and four touchdowns on 35 carries and Nathan Vasher tied a school record for career interceptions as the sixth-ranked Longhorns closed out the regular season with a 46-15 rout of Texas A&M.
"This is the kind of game any running back would dream about," said Benson, whose total was the most ever allowed by the Aggies, surpassing Ricky Williams' 259 in 1998. "I am glad that the team chemistry is great right now. We are flowing on a good pace."
Benson surpassed his previous high of 213 yards against Kansas during his freshman season and posted the fourth-highest total in school history. He could have had a fifth touchdown but fumbled into the end zone with just under 10 minutes left in the contest.
The junior joined Ricky Williams (1996-98) and Chris Gilbert (1966-68) as the only Texas players with three 1,000-yard seasons. He rushed for 919 yards in his last five games to finish the regular season with 1,287 yards.
"Cedric was in a zone," Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis said. "He was feeling good and the offensive line did a great job."
With Texas holding a 28-15 lead, Vasher turned back the Aggies' last chance to stay in the game by picking off Reggie McNeal in the end zone midway through the third quarter. It was Vasher's 17th career interception, matching the Texas mark set by Noble Doss from 1939-41. It was the Longhorns' oldest record.
Ranked sixth in the latest BCS standings, Texas (10-2, 7-1 Big 12 South) is hoping to secure one of two at-large berths. Receiving a BCS invitation would be a significant accomplishment for Brown, who has been widely criticized during his six-year Texas for an inability to win big games.
"In our conference only two teams can go," Brown. "We got to watch Oklahoma and Kansas State (who will play in the Big 12 title game next week), but we deserve a BCS bowl."
The Aggies (4-8, 2-6) concluded Dennis Franchione's first year as coach with their worst record since going 3-8 in 1972, Emory Ballard's first season in College Station.
"There is a bright future at Texas A&M," Franchione said. "These young guys will get it turned around. They have a lot of fight in them. They know what this feels like and they never want to have it again."
The Longhorns did not allow a sustained drive as the Aggies got their two touchdowns following fumbles deep in Texas territory, one on the Longhorns 8-yard line and one on the second half kickoff.
Texas A&M closed to 20-15 on Courtney Lewis' 15-yard TD run 77 seconds into the second half, but Texas A&M's Tim Van Zant fumbled a punt on the ensuing possession, and the Longhorns became to take control on Benson's three-yard TD run. Benson, who scored on a 21-yard jaunt in the first half, added TDs of eight and 35 yards as Texas pulled away.
Lewis, a leading candidate for Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors, rushed for 89 yards 17 on carries to become the Aggies' first 1,000-yard rusher since Dante Hall in 1998. McNeal completed just 10-of-20 passes for 165 yards with an interception.
