Texas kicker Hunter Lawrence was carried off the field following a Big 12 title game-winning 46-yard field goal to beat Nebraska, 13–12, at Cowboys Stadium.

But the real star of the game was Cornhuskers defensive tackle Ndamakong Suh, the leader of a Blackshirt defense that kept constant pressure on Longhorns Heisman hopeful quarterback Colt McCoy, who struggled to complete 20-of-36 passes for 184 yards and three interceptions.

Unlike the title character in Johnny Cash’s song “A Boy Named Sue,” Nebraska’s 6’4”, 300-pound Suh was a man among boys against Texas. The senior recorded 4.5 of the Huskers’ 9.0 sacks on McCoy, further establishing himself as the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and possibly even as a Heisman Trophy candidate.

“I think he’s the best football player in his position in the country. If that means the Heisman Trophy, so be it. But, you know, what are you going to do?” said Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, following a difficult loss.

Suh’s Huskers had McCoy rattled and on the run until the final second — or until the clock hit zero, depending on who tells the story. On the next-to-last play of the game, a carefree McCoy rolled right and threw the ball out of bounds as time expired.

Nebraska stormed the field in celebration before the officials put one more second back on the clock following a booth review video replay. And on the final play of the game, Lawrence hit a 46-yarder just inside the left upright for a one-point win.

“As far as I’m concerned, I thought the time was over. But obviously it wasn’t,” said Suh. “So, they had an opportunity to kick a field goal. And from that point on, our job as defensive lineman was to block that field goal. Obviously we didn’t do that, so they ended up winning the game.”

The son of a Jamaican mother and Cameroonian father — whose name means “House of Spears” — had 12 tackles, including six for a loss and a career high 4.5 sacks against the Longhorns. Suh is nominated for nearly every award possible, following a senior season that included 82 tackles, 12 sacks and 22 tackles for a loss, while leading Nebraska to a Big 12 North title.

“We thought (Gerald) McCoy at Oklahoma was as good as we’ve seen in years. And Ndamukong did the same tonight,” said Texas coach Mack Brown, who won his second Big 12 Championship Game (2005, 2009).

“He was all over the place. And we just couldn’t handle him. I tried to find him after the game to wish him good luck in the NFL, because I don’t want to see him again. He is really, really good, and played hard all night.”

Despite Suh’s best efforts, however, Texas was able to win the Big 12 title and earn a ticket to Pasadena — where V.Y. and the Horns won it all against USC at the Rose Bowl — for the BCS National Championship Game against Alabama.

“I’m really proud of the guys and excited about playing Alabama for the national championship,” said Brown. “This bunch, the five-year seniors were at the Rose Bowl with the National Championship in 2005. So, it’s only fitting that they’re going back to try to win again.”