Austin, Texas ? With fireworks and a final send-off for quarterback Vince Young, more than 50,000 Texas fans turned out Sunday night to celebrate the Longhorns’ national championship.

Texas’ 41-38 victory against Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl gave the Longhorns their first outright title since 1969. Stepping onto the podium on the field of Royal Memorial Stadium, head coach Mack Brown flashed the two-fingered “Hook ’em” sign as fans cheered.

“This is one night we can hook ’em and hold down the little finger, because we’re No. 1,” Brown said.

The ceremonies included highlights of the undefeated 2005 season, plus the national-championship seasons of 1963 and 1969. Brown also paid tribute to the coach of those championship teams, Darrell Royal.

Young, who was named MVP of the Rose Bowl for his 200 yards rushing, 267 yards passing and three touchdowns, used the one-hour event as a chance to thank fans who watched him compile a 30-2 record as a starter.

Texas quarterback Vince Young celebrates at Royal Memorial Stadium. More than 50,000 fans turned out Sunday in Austin, Texas.

Young, who announced four days after the game that he’d skip his senior season to enter the NFL Draft, cradled the Bowl Championship Series trophy before thanking Texas’ “beautiful” fans and his teammates.

“We thank you a lot,” Young said as the crowd chanted his name. “I love y’all and thank you for your support.”

Joining Brown and players on stage were U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, and Gov. Rick Perry.

Perry, who wore a burnt-orange shirt beneath his blazer, told the crowd that even an Aggie like him could be proud of the championship.

“University of Texas went to California and beat the hell out of Southern California,” Perry said. “Mack Brown, you are the man.”

The Texas campus took on a game-day atmosphere hours before the event, with thousands of fans arriving early to tailgate and stake out a place in line outside the stadium.

At least 3,000 fans began the “Texas Fight” chant more than two hours before the official celebration started. Lines quickly grew so long that officials decided to open the gates earlier than expected because the revelers were impeding traffic.