An Emotional Win In Texas

Tragedy struck the campus of Texas A&M eight days ago, when a log bonfire built to rally support for a big football game against a traditional rival collapsed. That game was played Saturday, and everywhere in the stands, on and even above the field, tributes were made to those who died.

There's seldom been such a somber mood to the Texas A&M and University of Texas rivalry, CBS News Correspondent Bob McNamara reports.

"There's a tranquility here that usually doesn't happen on game day," notes Texas A&M alumnus Don Brogdon.

But after some moments of silence to remember 12 young people killed in the collapse, the quiet was shattered by jets flying the missing man formation.

It was the largest crowd in Texas football history. Underdog Texas A&M set out to upset nationally-ranked Texas -- and to begin a measure of healing. According to one woman in the stands, "This game is really good, and it's pumping everybody up."

Meanwhile across campus, a shrine now rings the site where the 12 students were killed.

And though questions remain as to whether safety precautions were ignored, many still believe the 90-year-old bonfire tradition should not be cancelled. "We don't quit doing things because there may be a lawsuit, we keep doing things because they're right," thinks Arno Krebs, Texas A&M alumnus.

The rituals unique to Texas A&M have changed little over the years, but understanding them all seems a mystery only students and alumni understand. "Everybody says from the inside looking out you can't explain it and from the outside looking in you can't understand it," says alumnus Christine Reeves."And it's so true."

As the game clock moved into its last seconds -- and maybe as football fate would have had it -- Texas A&M defeated Texas, 20-16.

One woman thinks,"We did it as a team and all the fans willed them to win."

And if last week's tragedy broke many hearts, perhaps this game has begun to mend them.