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The Texas Longhorns seemed to find their running game in an unusual place: the clunky, effective feet of quarterback Garrett Gilbert.
Was Gilbert's rushing - 71 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-13 win at Nebraska - the missing piece of the offense or a one-game wonder unveiled just for the Cornhuskers?
Even the Longhorns don't seem too sure where to go with it and coach Mack Brown suggested he had a dual-threat quarterback.
About 40 minutes later, however, Gilbert said: ''I'm wouldn't consider myself a dual-threat quarterback.''
Without question, Gilbert's scrambling and lumbering on called runs in the first half was effective enough that opposing defenses now have to respect that he can pick up a first down, or even score, with his feet. No. 22 Texas (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) plays Iowa State (3-4, 1-2) at home this week.
Brown said the Longhorns will have to be smart in how they call rushing plays for Gilbert.
''He's not going to be our leading rusher like Colt (McCoy) and Vince (Young) were, but I think he can do a lot of things with his legs,'' he said. ''He's so much bigger and quicker than people give him credit for. Garrett is an effective runner and we knew that.''
Nobody else did through the first five games.
Gilbert ran four yards on the first play against Nebraska. He then scrambled for 25 yards to set up Texas' first field goal. On the next drive, he scampered into the end zone untouched for the game's first touchdown.
Texas had faked a reverse to the other side. Gilbert rolled back to his right with the option to pass or run and scored easily.
Texas nearly scored on a similar play in the third quarter. This time, Nebraska moved in to stop the run, forcing Gilbert to throw to Malcolm Williams, who dropped the ball in the end zone and Texas ended up kicking a field goal.
Those plays should be a warning to Texas opponents the rest of the season, Brown said.
''That means that he's getting it now. He was a double threat and that has not happened very much,'' Brown said. ''A couple of them were (called plays), but a couple were him seeing an opening and taking off.''
Gilbert led Texas rushers on a day the Longhorns were able to grind out 205 yards on the ground against one of the best defenses in the country. As a passer, Gilbert was just 4 of 16 against the Huskers.
''We talked to him during the week that we felt he could make plays with his feet that he was not making earlier in the year,'' offensive coordinator Greg Davis said. ''Like all competitors, he said, 'Great, coach, I'll be ready.' I think it's something that we can continue to use and build on as the season progresses.''
Texas knew it could take advantage of Nebraska not expecting Gilbert to run. Film study showed the linebackers and defensive backs would turn their backs to the ball in passing situations once the play started.
''I do feel comfortable running,'' Gilbert said. ''It just depends week to week on the game plan and what we decide to do.''
There could be more of it this week. Iowa State ranks No. 114 against the run, giving up 219 yards per game.
Gilbert said don't expect to see him thinking run first on Saturday. Called runs are one thing, but he'll still go through all his reads on passing plays before turning upfield.
''I'm still going through my progressions,'' Gilbert said. ''I'm not going to tuck the ball under any quicker.''
Gilbert couldn't be a more different runner than McCoy or Young. McCoy was quick and elusive and constantly surprised defensive backs with his moves in the open field.
Young was strong enough to break tackles at the line of scrimmage, yet fast enough to have breakaway speed. Once he got started, Young's long stride quickly left tacklers behind.
Gilbert has more of a lumbering gait. But he also showed deceptive speed on his first touchdown against Nebraska and also showed he can take a hit.
''It gets you sore,'' he said. ''But it feels great.''
