AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - 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.

``I'm getting close,'' Charles said. ``I'm not done yet.''

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.

Head coach Mack Brown expected a seamless transition. In hindsight, he now realizes the close connection Charles and Rucker had and the difficulty the separation caused.

``He (Chambers) didn't know Jamaal. He hadn't been around Jamaal,'' Brown said. ``As minor as it seems like it would be, I think it was a huge thing.''

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.

``You're just thinking about him hoping he's all right, hoping he's doing OK, getting well,'' Charles said. ``He's been there since my freshman year. Having him believe in me and trust me - he treats me like a son. Having Coach Rucker back was really important to me.''

Campbell, who is around the Texas weight room a couple days a week, offered some advice, including how to avoid fumbles. Charles appreciated the mentoring from a Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Hall of Famer, but nothing replaced his day-to-day relationship with Rucker.

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,'' 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.

Texas trailed 17-9 when Charles ran 25 yards for a touchdown. Then he went 86 yards for another. He followed it with one more covering 40 yards.

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. Coach Rucker came by my side and he told me he was happy for me, that I got over all that adversity and that I just needed to go out there and play like that.''

A week later, Charles ran for 180 yards against Oklahoma State, including a 75-yard touchdown that helped Texas rally from 21 points down in the fourth to win 38-35.

In a 59-43 win over Texas Tech, Charles ran for 174 yards and a touchdown despite missing most of the second half with a tweaked left heel.

A month ago, his fumble against OU had Texas accepting that he could not be the next great Texas tailback. Today, he's averaging 6.4 yards per carry to go with 15 touchdowns rushing.

He's a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award given to the nation's top running back and he's close to writing his name just below Williams, Benson and Campbell among the greatest rushing seasons in school history.

``Everybody goes through adversity,'' Charles said. ``I've got to overcome it and take it and be a better person about it. I've been praying to God and He's been blessing me after the Oklahoma game. The bounces are going the right way and I hope they stay that way.''