By Jim Vertuno
The Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas - Chance Mock wasn't great in his first start for No. 5 Texas. He didn't have to be.

After a rugged first quarter that included a sack, broken plays and misfired passes, Texas' defense and special teams each scored a touchdown in the second to blow open the game on the way to a 66-7 win over New Mexico State in the season opener for both teams.

With Selvin Young scoring on two kick returns and the defense adding a pair of interception returns for TDs, Mock provided a workmanlike performance - 7-of-15 passing for 156 yards and two touchdowns. He didn't play in the fourth quarter as backup Vince Young ran for two late touchdowns.

It was a solid if unspectacular start for a quarterback taking over a team after three years of watching the Chris Simms-Major Applewhite saga swirl around the Longhorns.

"I felt like Chance did a great job," said Selvin Young, who scored Texas' first TD with a 97-yard kickoff return and its last with a 39-yard punt return.

"He stayed in and kept his composure, even when things weren't going well," Young said. "He had first game jitters but everybody has those."

The jitters were obvious as Texas stumbled through a first quarter of pratfalls.

Mock was sacked on his first pass attempt, tailback Cedric Benson had a rare fumble and Young fell down behind the line of scrimmage on his first carry. Mock misfired when he had time to throw and the running game that was supposed to be revamped and more intimidating than last year rushed for a meager 35 yards in the first half.

Mock finally got untracked after Texas built a 21-7 lead on Derrick Johnson's interception return for a touchdown. After a New Mexico State fumble, Mock found Roy Williams with a 15-yard scoring pass and the pair connected for a 53-yard TD in the third quarter.

"It was a challenge early on," Mock said. "We came through and showed what we're capable of."

But will it be enough to satisfy Texas fans who debated Simms' entire four-year career? The late-game flash provided by Vince Young is sure to spark a lot of water-cooler conversation before Texas plays Arkansas on Sept. 13.

Young ran for a team-high 61 yards and broke several tackles on his two TD runs. He also hit Sloan Thomas for 60 yards with a deep pass on his only attempt.

"I felt as though both quarterbacks did a good job," coach Mack Brown said. "I also felt like we needed to let Vince Young play."

Offensive coordinator Greg Davis was more specific in his praise for Mock.

"The best thing he did was take care of the football," Davis said. "I thought he was in total control, even early when things weren't going good. I was pleased with the way he managed the ball game."