WATCH: Vince Young, Matt Leinart break down iconic fourth down run during 2006 title game
Vince Young and Matt Leinart linked to break down the iconic fourth down run that captured a championship for Texas over USC in the 2006 title game.
Elaborating on the play during the latest episode of Eli’s Places with Eli Manning, Young and Leinart revisited one of the most famous moments in college football history.
Check out the video below, where the quarterbacks reminisce over the play.
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“We’ve been in those situations before,” stated Young, regarding what he told his team as the drive began. “That team had an identity that we’ve been through adversity together. So at that moment, buckle up your chinstrap and let’s go try to win the ballgame.”
After watching some highlights of Young cutting up the USC defense en route to the fourth down, Leinart only had complimentary things to say about the former Texas quarterback.
“That’s vintage Vince Young,” Leinart said. “He did that his whole career. Vince was, I always say now, one of the best college football players of all time. I don’t think there’s really a debate.”
Of course, Young was thankful for the kind words, responding, “Thank you sir” to Leinart.
Then, Young and Leinart finally got to the fourth down play after rewatching the entire drive, but the wounds remain fresh for the former USC quarterback. He said, “I’ve seen that play 100 times” before Manning and company played the footage.
Obviously, Young was more than happy to oblige in explaining what happened during the legendary play that sealed a title for Texas.
“It was menu two, what we call it. Basic pass play. But I was kind of looking for David Thomas. Then they blitzed it. Brought everybody,” explained Young. “Then Selvin [Young] did a really good job of being my third option. His third option was to get out, and that’s where (the USC defender) kind of paid attention to him. That hole just opened like the Red Sea.”
There’s nothing better than two legends like Vince Young and Matt Leinart recounting one of the best plays of all time, even if it still stings for the latter. Almost twenty years later, the memory still lives on, one of the most memorable moments in college football history.