Texas Longhorns LB Jaylan Ford Reveals When Big 12 Title Berth 'Clicked'

The Texas Longhorns have clinched a spot in the Big 12 Championship matchup after defeating Texas Tech on Friday.

For the first time since 2018, the Texas Longhorns are making an appearance in the Big 12 Championship matchup. The Longhorns secured their spot with a dominant 57-7 victory over the Texas Tech Red Raiders in their last game at DKR Stadium while part of the Big 12 Conference.

It was a triple-win night for the Longhorns - Texas was able to avenge Texas Tech from their win over the Longhorns last year, the Longhorns were able to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive and they clinched their spot to play in Arlington next Saturday at AT&T Stadium.

The Longhorns have the ability to make history for their program by claiming titles and trophies before shifting conferences. 

Texas Longhorns linebacker Jaylan Ford / © Scott Wachter, USA TODAY

During the wildest play of the game on Friday, Texas linebacker Jett Bush snagged an interception after the football bounced off of a Texas Tech player's foot and he ran it back for a touchdown in the third quarter to increase Texas' lead to 50-7. At that moment, Texas linebacker Jaylan Ford knew that the Longhorns had secured their spot in the championship game.

"It clicked in my mind when Jett got that wild pick six," Ford said. "That was really my last drive out there, and just seeing all the excitement the guys had on the sideline waiting for him, and just seeing how excited everybody was, I loved it. Especially being a senior and being my last game at DKR, man it doesn't get any better."

Texas has shown confidence this season like no other. Although some games this season ended a bit too close for comfort for the Longhorns, Texas was able to finish their regular season the way they had hoped for all year in preparation for the championship game and the SEC shift. 

"Week in and week out we just build on each other," Ford said. "I know everyone understands how good we are... I feel like today we played that sound game we've been waiting for all year. We were able to go out there and kind of dominate through all four quarters."