Sun Dec 01 02:10:00 UTC 2024: ## Former Texas Longhorns Holder Recalls Pressure-Packed 2011 Game Against Texas A&M
**Austin, TX** – Cade McCrary, former holder for the Texas Longhorns, relives the intense pressure he felt during the final seconds of the 2011 Thanksgiving Day game against Texas A&M. With the Longhorns trailing by a point, McCrary’s precise snap to kicker Justin Tucker secured a game-winning field goal, etching his name – albeit subtly – into Texas-A&M rivalry history.
McCrary, who held for the Longhorns from 2010 to 2013, vividly remembers the final drive and the weight of the moment. Aware of the high stakes and the intense rivalry, he feared a disastrous snap, comparing the potential fallout to the infamous Steve Bartman incident. The pressure was immense, but his experience and practice with snapper Alex Zumberge paid off.
The successful kick proved to be a pivotal moment, not just for the game, but for McCrary’s personal narrative. Though his role is largely forgotten, he carries the unique perspective of being intimately involved in one of the most memorable plays in the rivalry’s history. While he went on to a successful career in coaching, culminating in a state championship appearance, the exhilaration of that winning kick remains unparalleled. McCrary’s story serves as a reminder of the unsung heroes and the immense pressure faced even in seemingly minor roles within high-stakes collegiate athletics.
First Piper 