Austin, Texas ? Again and again, the Oklahoma Sooners ran a draw play. Time after time, Texas couldn’t stop it.

Unbeatable two weeks ago, the Longhorns defense suddenly looks suspect heading into today’s pivotal game at No. 17 Kansas State.

Texas defenders are still having nightmares about the fourth quarter of last week’s 35-24 loss in which Oklahoma running back Quentin Griffin churned out nearly half of his 248 yards rushing.

What frustrated Texas is that they knew what was coming but were powerless or just too darn tired to tackle him.

“The whole day, they ran one play,” said coach Mack Brown. “We just couldn’t stop it.”

That doesn’t bode well against K-State (5-1, 1-1 Big 12), which will mix a power running game with a passing attack that can strike for big plays.

Eighth-rank-ed Texas (5-1, 1-1) has called this week a gut check. Win, and the ‘Horns are still in the national title chase. Lose, and they’re out.

While most of the public blame of last week’s loss has been directed at quarterback Chris Simms and the ‘Horns’ anemic offensive effort, Brown has consistently deflected that criticism toward the defense’s inability to make a stop.

“When you give up 248 yards rushing to one guy, you’re going to get beat,” Brown said. “We missed 15 tackles.”

Texas went into the OU game ranked No. 2 in the nation in total defense. But the unit that had already shut out two of its first five opponents was already showing some flaws.

Against Oklahoma State a week earlier, Texas gave up a 99-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter of a 17-15 win. The drive was punctuated by three plays of 25 yards or more. The Cowboys also ran for more than 100 yards.

Brown said his team wore down against Oklahoma. The offense couldn’t gain first downs and left the defense on the field too long.