AUSTIN, Texas — Jamaal Charles has cried twice this season.

The first time was when Texas running backs coach Ken Rucker walked into a team meeting upon his return from prostate cancer. They were tears of joy for a sick mentor's recovery.

The second was when the player and coach embraced on the sideline after Charles ran for 216 yards and three touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a win over Nebraska. Television cameras captured the tears of relief washing away a season's worth of frustration over fumbles and unmet expectations.

There's no tears anymore, just big yards and touchdowns. The junior tailback needs only 134 yards in the next two games to join Ricky Williams, Earl Campbell and Cedric Benson as the only Longhorns to rush for 1,500 in a season.

Considering his 215-yard average the past three games, Charles could reach the mark Friday when No. 13 Texas (9-2, 5-2 Big 12) plays rival Texas A&M (6-5, 3-4) in their annual showdown.

Charles' late charge has helped him forget the biggest busted play of the season for the Longhorns.

Tied with Oklahoma early in the third quarter, Charles was running for the end zone when a Sooner linebacker stripped the ball and recovered it at the 5.

It was a huge mistake that became even worse in the fourth quarter when Charles let a pass slip through his hands for an interception.

Texas left the field with a 28-21 loss and has been playing catch-up to the Sooners in the Big 12 South ever since.

Charles began the season with huge expectations. Blessed with sprinters' speed and an elusive running style, he was no longer sharing the starting role and Texas fans had high hopes for the next great Texas back.

Bad news struck right away.

Rucker announced he had cancer the day Texas reported for training camp. He would need surgery and would not be with the team for a while.

Tight ends coach Bruce Chambers, who used to be the running backs coach and had tutored Williams and Benson in previous years, took over in Rucker's absence.

Without his mentor, Charles was putting up decent numbers but struggled with fumbles. Even as Texas started 4-0, he frustrated his coaches by running sideways looking for the big play instead of plowing ahead for 4 yards to pick up first downs.

Charles said he missed Rucker every day.

When Rucker walked back into a team meeting in late September, Brown looked at Charles and saw tears streaming down his face.

"I realized then he had really missed him," head coach Mack Brown said. "It was a powerful moment."

Rucker's return didn't fix things right away. After the fumble and dropped pass against Oklahoma, Charles was getting fewer carries as backup Vondrell McGee attacked defenses with speed and power.

It would take a fourth-quarter burst against Nebraska to turn things around.

His 216 yards in the fourth quarter was the second-most in a single quarter in major college history. When Charles finally went to the bench, Rucker came over and took a knee and both men wiped tears from their eyes.

"I was breaking down crying," Charles said. "It was my time to show everybody what I can do."




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