Austin, Texas ? Even Texas coach Mack Brown admits his passing game has hit the skids.

But with Cedric Benson’s hard-nosed running, combined with a slew of Missouri mistakes, the No. 9 Longhorns were able to shake off a post-Oklahoma hangover Saturday with a 28-20 victory.

Benson rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns as Texas (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) won despite more shaky throwing from Vince Young and Chance Mock, who produced just 58 yards and two interceptions.

“We cannot (pass) it any worse than we did today, and we won,” Brown said of a team that came in ranked No. 102 nationally in passing. “For us to throw that poorly and win says something about the spirit of this club.”

Benson overcame three fumbles — he recovered two himself — to score Texas’ last two touchdowns and pound out critical yards in the fourth quarter.

“I knew my number would be called more,” Benson said. “We came out playing smash-mouth football trying to send a message.”

The Tigers (4-2, 2-1) pulled within 28-20 on Brad Smith’s one-yard TD run on fourth down, but missed the extra point when Smith dropped the snap. They could get no closer.

Smith led the Tigers with 185 yards passing and one touchdown as the Tigers outgained Texas 358-299 in total yards. But he also threw two costly interceptions.

Texas defensive end Brian Robison returned the first 2 yards for the game’s first touchdown, and the second set up Benson’s first TD.

“They only had two drives on us the whole day and a couple of great plays on defense,” said Missouri coach Gary Pinkel.

In each of the last five years, Texas has rebounded to win its first game following a loss to Oklahoma. But Brown will face a slew of new questions about his quarterbacks over the next few days.