Colt McCoy: BCS National Title Game's Most Impressive Player

Alabama beat Texas Thursday night to win the 2010 BCS Championship.

Although some expected more spectacular offensive plays, there were at least enough to show the fans that indeed both teams had impressive players.

Alabama's Mark Ingram displayed his Heisman Trophy winning talents and the Longhorns' Jordan Shipley and Sergio Kindle once again showed college football why they were All-Americans.

But the most impressive player of the game wasn't on the field most of the night.

On the fifth play of the Citi BCS National Championship Game, senior Colt McCoy, the quarterback and leader of the Longhorn team, was injured after being hit from behind by Alabama's 296-pound defensive end Marcell Dareus.

McCoy was rushed to the Texas locker room for x-rays of his right shoulder.

Thousands of Longhorns fans kept one eye on the field and the other on the tunnel leading to the Texas locker room anxiously waited for McCoy to return.

Shortly after the second half had begun, McCoy made his way back on the field level of the Rose Bowl.

X-rays showed no broken bones or shoulder separation, but McCoy's right arm was numb. McCoy was in a great deal of pain during halftime. While he desperately wanted to continue to play, McCoy, his father and the team doctors thought the risk was too high.

The Texas quarterback was never to return to the game of his life.

McCoy, the winningest quarterback in college football history, did what he does best; lead and motivate his team. Only this time from the sidelines.

The Longhorns made a game of it by scoring twice on passes from Garrett Gilbert to McCoy's favorite receiver, Shipley, to bring Texas within three at 24-21.

But that was as close as Texas would come to beating Alabama.

The game was sealed by Alabama when the Tide's Eryk Anders put a crushing blindside hit on Gilbert, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Alabama's Courtney Upshaw.

Following the game, McCoy sucked up his emotions and faced the cameras for an interview shown around the world.

McCoy graciously thanked his teammates, the coaches and the loyal Texas fans for all they had done for him during his days as a Longhorn.

You knew it was heartfelt.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban showed his class when asked about McCoy following the game.

"Colt McCoy is a great player. As much as I enjoy winning, you hate to see a great competitor who's had a great career not be able to participate in a game he's probably worked his entire life to play in. It's heartfelt for us that he wasn't able to compete. Marcell got that hit, and it certainly changed the game" Saban said.

When asked how he felt about not being able to play after the injury, McCoy was clearly fighting his emotions again as he responded.

"I love this game. I have passion for this game. I've done what I can to contribute to this team. We made it this far, and it's unfortunate to not be able to play. I'd have given everything I have to be out there with my team. I always give God the glory. I never question things. God is in control of my life, and if nothing else, I know I'm standing on the rock" McCoy said.

McCoy ended the interview by saying "congratulations to Alabama. They are a tremendous football team."

Pure class.

As a young boy Colt McCoy no doubt dreamed of playing for the national championship.

He visualized leading his team to victory with long touchdown passes and daring runs.

McCoy could see himself clearly. There he was, holding that crystal football high in the air as a national champion.

As McCoy grew older, the dreams never stopped.

When he was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Texas, McCoy could finally see those dreams could come true.

And then there it was…right in front of him.

The game was going to be just as it was in those thousands of dreams he had as a young boy growing up in Texas.

Undefeated Texas would face Alabama for the 2010 BCS national championship.