Late in a performance last month that awakened observers to the intriguing possibilities ahead for Texas, USC marched 52 yards in the final 39 seconds of regulation to kick a game-tying field goal.
The Trojans won in overtime, a crushing setback for Texas despite the progress shown in just two weeks after a season-opening loss to Maryland that warned of a lengthy adjustment in this first season under coach Tom Herman.
But following a 17-7 win at Iowa State on Thursday behind a smothering defensive effort, it sure seems like a lot more than a month has passed.