Texas Longhorns 49, Florida Gators 17
Surely you know by now that if I can choose a great tight end photo, it is going to be in that week’s Dispatch. Gunnar Helm into the endzone to put the Horns up 14-0 in the first quarter. Heck of a play, actually.
What an ass-whipping. Our first half against the Gators was as good as our first half against the Dawgs was bad. But, more important than the game, it was Papa’s grandchildren’s day at Juan Heisman and the game. More pictures below, and even more online. But maybe one of the happiest games ever.
Kathryn with Helen Kate, Mark, Micah, Papa, Peter, and Parker with Lottie. First Texas game for Helen Kate and Lottie. They loved it.
Quinn Ewers was a touchdown shy of tying the record (6) held by Cole McCoy (Baylor, 2006) and Casey Thompson (Kansas, 2021).
Best play of the game, which was probably one of the best plays in college football last weekend, if not so far this season. Commentators saying they have never seen anything like it, and that Steve Sarkisian is a genius. And I would add, a play executed to perfection.
https://x.com/TexasFootball/status/1855788712833007623
And on insta, for those not on X.
Highlights in Español. ¡Simplemente significa más!
https://x.com/TexasFootball/status/1856778604224409798
The Monday Morning Highlights, on X:
https://x.com/TexasFootball/status/1855975403636101529
The Monday Morning Highlights, on Instagram:
College Football
We are coming off quite a weekend in college football. Especially for the Family. Texas, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Virginia, and W&L all won. A rare sweep. Life is good.
No. 3 Texas Longhorns v. Arkansas Razorbacks
The Longhorns and Razorbacks play for the 80th time in Fayetteville on Saturday, an historic series which began in 1894 with a 54-0 Texas win and which Texas leads 56-23. Kickoff is at 11:00 a.m., and once again, Joe Tessitore with the play-by-play, Jesse Palmer providing analysis (and advice on buying furniture and reality TV), and Katie George reporting from the sidelines. The game can be heard around the world on the Longhorn Radio Network with the Voice of the Longhorns Craig Way, joined by Roger Wallace in the booth and by Will Matthews on the sidelines. Listen in Austin on the Flagship, KVET 1300 AM and 98.1 FM. In Texarkana on KCMC 740 AM and K300DW 107.9 FM. Carthage, KGAS 104.3 FM and 1590 AM. Join Mr. McLaughlin listening in San Angelo on KKSA 1260 AM. Across North America, SiriusXM Channel 82. Dr. Rubén Pizarro-Silva and Jesus Mendoza with the call in Spanish on certain Longhorn Radio Network affiliates and streaming on the Longhorn apps.
This is a big game for Texas. This is the biggest game for Arkansas. As Coach Sarkisian observed this week “I don’t know what Coach Royal did to Arkansas back in the day, but they absolutely hate our guts. We learned that the first time around when we went there.” Well, Coach beat them a lot, but I suspect this still hurts for some of hillbillies.
Also, we have a lot better jokes than they do. You know how we know the toothbrush was invented in Arkansas? Because if it was invented anywhere else, we would call it the teethbrush.
I have to tell you, when I started work on this edition Monday night, with the raw stats summary and comparison, I started getting nervous. I am no less anxious late Thursday night as I am wrapping up. The Hogs have a very good rushing offense, and we have a defense coming off a game in which the Gators rushed for 204 yards (197, net of Warner’s sacks), and Ja’Kobi Jackson averaged 6.1 yards per carry with a long of just 11. Jackson and Baugh each had 19 rushes for a combined average of 5.37 yards per carry. I have no doubt that in addition to the usual keys to a road win in a rivalry game (turnovers, penalties), Coach PK and the defensive brain trust will have to have a game plan ready for the Razorback rushing attack. More on the game below but suffice to say that I believe that Saturday will be our second biggest challenge thus far this season (the first was Georgia).
On Sunday, Texas was favored by 16.5 points. Early Friday morning, the line is Texas minus 12 (it dropped another point and half on Thursday). The Texas moneyline is –500, Arkansas is +360. The total is 56.5. Lot of money getting laid on this game, I think, for the line to be moving like that. Sure hope the bettors are wrong.
Texas Longhorns Soccer
The Texas women’s soccer team won The University’s first Southeastern Conference championship on Sunday, beating No. 14 South Carolina 1-0. That was after a crazy double overtime 2-1 win over No. 5 Arkansas in the semifinals.
Texas plays the Boston University Terriers Friday night at 6:00 p.m. at Mike A. Myers Stadium and Soccer Field. Broadcast will be streamed on ESPN+.
These are going to look real pretty in The Frank Denius Family University of Texas Athletics Hall of Fame. More to come!
The 2024 Arkansas Razorbacks
Game 1: Arkansas opened the season with a 70-0 blowout of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. QB Taylen Green (No. 10, 6-6, 230 lb Junior from Lewisville) was 16/23 for 229 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he rushed 6 times for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns. QB Malachi Singleton (No. 3, 6-1, 225 lb freshman) was 8/10 for 120 yards and rushed for 6 yards and a TD. RB Ja’Quinden Jackson (No. 22, 6-2, 233 Senior from Duncanville, quarterback, who was here in Austin in 2020 and didn’t play and then was at Utah for 2 years, where he moved to running back) rushed 8 times for 101 yards and 2 scores.
Game 2: Oklahoma State 39, Arkansas 31. Bet Pig Coach Sam Pittman is looking back at this one and scratching his head. Okie A&M beat Tulsa the next week 45-10, and since then have lost 7 in a row. Taylen Green was 26/45 for 416 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception, and he rushed for 61 yards. Ja’Quinden Jackson carried 24 times for 149 yards and 3 touchdowns. All told, 648 yards of offense. Meanwhile, the Pig D held Ollie Gordon II to 49 yards on 17 carries, and that included a long of 12 (so 37 yards on 16 other rushes for 2.3 ypc outside of his long). Alan “Horns Down – oops” Bowman threw for 326 yards and a score, was intercepted once. Arkansas fumbled twice and had 7 penalties for 71 yards. Did not go research to see if that was Kevin Mar’s Big 12 Keystone Cops Crew.
Game 3: Arkansas beat the UAB Blazers 37-27. The pigs were actually down 2 touchdowns early, tied it at the half. Green was 11/26 for 161 yards, 17 carries for 96 yards and 2 rushing TDs. Jackson rushed for 147 yards and a score on 15 carries. UAB passed for 235 and 3 TDs and ran for 119 yards.
Game 4: Arkansas beat Auburn on the Plains, 24-14. Green was 12/27 for 151 yards, 1 TD, 2 interceptions, and ran for 80 yards on 18 carries. Jackson rushed 22 times for 75 yards and 2 scores. Auburn had 285 yards and 2 scores passing, but Arkansas had 4 interceptions (!). Tigers rushed for 146 that day, no scores. Arkansas DB Doneiko Slaughter had 7 tackles, all solo, 1 sack, and 2 TFL.
Game 5: Arkansas lost 21-17 to No. 24 Texas Agricultural & Mechanical at Jerry World. The New Wrecking Crew held Jackson to 37 yards and 2 scores on 10 carries. Green was 23/41 for 279 with 1 TD and 1 Pick, a 58.7 QBR, and he netted 6 yards on 13 attempts. Landon Jackson (No. 40, 6-7, 280 lb senior D-line from Texarkana, Texas), led the pigs with 8 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 TFL. Aggie QB Marcel Reed was a pedestrian 11/22 for 163 and 2 scores and had 10 rushes for 13 yards and a score – with a long rush of 13 yards (even I can do that math!). Aggies rushed for 134 yards.
Game 6: Arkansas handed then No. 4 Tennessee what is thus far the Volunteers’ only loss this year, 19-14. Taylen Green was 19/27 for 266 yards, no scores, was minus 5 rushing. Braylen Russell (#0, 6-1, 253 lb freshman from Benton, AR) led the Hogs with 62 yards rushing on 8 carries, while Jackson had 57 yards and a score on 20 rushes. QB Malachi Singleton also had a rushing touchdown. The Arkansas defense held Vol QB Nico Iamaleava to 158 yards on 17/29 passing. Tennessee totaled 174 yards rushing. Doneiko Slaughter and Pig linebacker Xavian Storey Jr. (No. 10, 6-3, 225 lb Junior) each and 8 tackles.
Game 7: No. 8 Louisiana State beat the Razorbacks soundly, 34-10, in Fayetteville. Turnovers hurt the hogs. LSU scored a field goal after a Pig fumble in the first quarter, and an interception deep in Arkansas territory turned into a 1 play 2 yard touchdown for the Tigers in the third. Green was 21/31 for 240 yards, 1 TD, 1 pick, minus 10 yards on the ground. Jackson had 5 carries for 26 yards before injuring his ankle. Rashod Dubion carried 4 times for 15 yards, as the Razorbacks ended up with just 38 yards rushing against the Tiger defense. Meanwhile, Nussmeier was 23/34 for 233 yards, and LSU rushed for 158 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Game 8: Arkansas waltzed through Starkville, beating the Bulldogs 58-25. 31-10 at half. Taylen Green went off – 23/29 for 314 yards and 5 scores (1 INT), and he rushed for 79 yards and a score on 8 carries. With Jackson out, Braylen Russell stepped in and stepped up, rushing for 175 yards on 16 carries (long of 75). Dubion added 98 yards and a score, as the Hogs posted 359 rushing yards in an ass-kicking. Interestingly, Mississippi State (Van Buren) had 309 yards passing and 2 TDs (2 picks), and the Bulldogs rushed for 162 yards. Against Texas, Van Buren had 144 yards passing and the Bulldogs rushed for 150.
Game 9: Ole Miss Rebels 63, Arkansas 31. Green was 10/14 for 158 yards, no score. Singleton played too and was 11/14 for 207 and a score and rushed for 44 yards and a score. Dubinon carried 12 times for 49 yards and a score. Jaxson Dart and the Rebel offense feasted on shredded pork. Dart was 25-31 for 515 yards and 6 touchdowns. That included touchdown passes of 62, 66, 3, 11, and 62 yards to Jordan Watkins, who had 8 total catches for 254 yards. Dart led the Rebs in rushing with 47 yards, and Ole Miss had a total of 132 yards on the ground. I think the Ole Miss offensive game plan and the LSU defensive game plan might be part of the recipe for Texas success. Texas vs. Ole Miss in Atlanta or the CFP would be lit.
This week’s injury report:
Taylen Green has thrown for 2,214 yards and 11 touchdowns, 7 picks, and been sacked 21 times. He is also the second leading Pig runner, with 522 yards and 5 scores. Green is an explosive runner – 23 10+ runs, seven 20+, and four 30+. He is probable, and I bet he plays. I just hope he’s a little hobbled. If he can’t, then Malachi Singleton will play (21/28, 358, 1 TD).
Ja’Quinden Jackson is the leading Pig runner with 592 yards and 10 scores on 104 carries. He has 20 runs over 10 yards and 5 over 20. Braylen Russell has 47 carries for 304 yards, but 75 of that was on 1 run. 2 TDs.
Wide Receivers: Andrew Armstrong has 55 catches for 857 yards and a score, Isaiah Sategna has 29 catches for 407 yards and a score, and Isaac TeSlaa has 16 catches for 335 yards and a score. One other big wideout – Tyrone Broden – he is 6-7 and 200 pounds. Not a lot of catches, but that height makes me nervous.
The main pig tight end is Luke Hasz (#9, 6-3, 241 sophomore from Bixby, OK). 19 catches, 267 yards, 4 touchdowns.
No. 3 Texas Longhorns v. Arkansas Razorbacks
The Statistics
TCT Note: I do the stats on Sunday and Monday, before any of this week’s games are played. So if you look today, the rankings will have moved.
Offense
Statistic |
Texas |
Arkansas |
| Rushing Offense | # 61, #9 – 164.1 ypg | #32, #4 – 191.2 ypg |
| Passing Offense | #10, #3 – 301.1 ypg | #11, #4 – 292.3 ypg |
| Total Offense | #9, #4 – 465.2 ypg | #5, #2 – 483.2 ypg |
| Scoring Offense | #10, #2 – 38.9 ppg | #34, #5 – 33.0 ppg |
| First Downs | #47, #5 – 21.7/game | #3, #1 – 25.6/game |
| Sacks Allowed | #70, #7 – 18, 125 yards | #107, #13 – 25, 161 yards |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed | #85, #11 – 53, 215 yards | #106, #13 – 58, 255 yards |
| Third Down Conversions | #21, #4 – 46.4% | #13, #2 – 47.9% |
| Fourth Down Conversions | #103, #11 – 43.8%, 7/16 | #66, #7 – 53.3%, 8/15 |
| Red Zone Attempts | #12, #3 – 43 | #15, #4 – #42 |
| Red Zone Offense | #80, #10 – 84% / 72% | #82, #11 – 83% / 69% |
| Long Run Plays | #85, #13 – 40/10, 20/20, 7/30, 5/40 | #6, #1 – 68/10, 20/20, 7/30, 3/40 – |
| Long Pass Plays | #21, #4 – 100/10, 49/20, 21/30, 10/40 | #8, #3 – 116/10, 40/20, 13/30, 5/40 |
| Long Punt Returns | #14, #3 – 4/10, 2/20, 1/30, 1/40 | #56, #9 – 1/10, 1/20, -0- |
Texas has scored 31 redzone touchdowns, Arkansas has 29. But overall, the Texas offense has 47 touchdowns, while the pigs have 37
Defense
Statistic |
Texas |
Arkansas |
| Rushing Defense | #28, #7 – 115.7 ypg | #36, #8 – 121.2 ypg |
| Passing Defense | #1, #1 – 135.3 ypg | #125, #16 – 266.2 ypg |
| Total Defense | #2, #1 – 251.0 ypg | #90, #14 – 387.4 ypg |
| Scoring Defense | #4, #1 – 12.1 ppg | #78, #14 – 26.3 ppg |
| First Downs Allowed | #3, #2 – 14.8/game | #80, #14 – 20.2/game |
| Sacks | #40, #8 – 21, 123 yards | #60, #14 – 19, 121 yards |
| Tackles for Loss | #39, #6 – 59, 212 yards | #116, #15 – 40, 166 yards |
| Third Down Conversions | #13, #4 – 30.0% | #63, #11 – 38.3% |
| Fourth Down Conversions | #46, #5 – 47.4%, 9/19 | #52, #6 – 50%, 9/18 |
| Red Zone Attempts | #2, #1 – 19 | #75, #14 – 32 |
| Red Zone Defense | #16, #5 – 74% / 47% | #47, #10 – 81% / 156% |
| Long Run Plays Allowed | #8, #2 – 25/10, 1/ 20, 1/30, 1/40 | #2, #1 – 23/10, 9/20, 5/30, 1/40 |
| Long Pass Plays Allowed | #1, #1 – 44/10, 14/20, 4/30, 2/40 | #106, #14 – 90/10, 29/20, 16/30, 10/40 |
Texas, Arkansas, and 40 other teams are tied for first, with no punt returns over 20 yards.
Other
Statistic |
Texas |
Arkansas |
| Turnovers | #91, #11 – 15, 7F, 8I | #91, #11 – 15, 8F, 7I |
| Turnover Margin | #30, #5 – 20:15 +5 | #87, #13 – 12:15 -3 |
| Penalties | #90, #8 – 62, 524 yards | #95, #10 – 63, 567 yards |
*Based on total number of penalties.
Match-up Comparison
Texas Offense |
Arkansas Defense |
| Rushing Offense – 164.1 ypg | 121.2 ypg – Rushing Defense |
| Passing Offense – 301.1 ypg | 266.2 ypg – Passing Defense |
| Total Offense – 465.2 ypg | 387.4 ypg – Total Defense |
| Scoring Offense – 38.9 ppg | 26.3 ppg – Scoring Defense |
| First Downs – 21.7/game | 20.2/game – First Downs Allowed |
| 3rd Down Offense – 46.4% | 38.3% – 3rd Down Defense |
| 4th Down Offense – 43.8% | 50% – 4th Down Defense |
| Red Zone Offense – 84%/72% | 81%/56% – Red Zone Defense |
| LRP – 40/10, 20/20, 7/30, 5/40 | 23/10, 9/20, 5/30, 1/40 – LRP Allowed |
| LPP – 100/10, 49/20, 21/30, 10/40 | 90/10, 29/20, 16/30, 10/40 – LPP Allowed |
Texas Defense |
Arkansas Offense |
| Rushing Defense – 115.7 ypg | 191.2 ypg – Rushing Offense |
| Passing Defense – 135.3 ypg | 292.3 ypg – Passing Offense |
| Total Defense – 251.0 ypg | 483.2 ypg – Total Offense |
| Scoring Defense – 12.1 ppg | 33.0 ppg – Scoring Offense |
| First Downs Allowed – 14.8/game | 25.6/game – First Downs |
| 3rd Down Defense – 30.0% | 47.9% – 3rd Down Offense |
| 4th Down Defense – 47.4% | 53.3% – 4th Down Offense |
| Red Zone Defense – 74%/47% | 83%/69% – Red Zone Offense |
| LRP Allowed – 25/10, 1/20, 1/30, 1/40 | 68/10, 20/20, 7/30, 3/40 – LRP |
| LPP Allowed – 44/10, 14/20, 4/30, 2/40 | 116/10, 40/20, 13/30, 5/40 – LPP |
BCF Toys
The Florida game and our offensive production really moved the needle on a lot of these categories and associated rankings.
| FEI | OFEI | DFEI | SFEI – Adj | |
| Texas | No. 3: 1.31 | No. 11: 0.47 | No. 1: 0.80 | No. 46: 0.04 |
| Arkansas | No. 60: 0.14 | No. 56: 0.01 | No. 51: 0.15 | No. 69: -0.01 |
| NAY | OAY | DAY | |
| Texas | No. 1: 0.320 | No. 13: 0.580 | No. 1: 0.260 |
| Arkansas | No. 73: -.007 | No. 36: 0.525 | No. 101: 0.532 |
Texas moves up to No. 1, largely on our defensive strength. No. 1 in DAY, DAS, and DAV. Arkansas’ 101 ranking in DAY surprised me.
| NPD | OPD | DPD | |
| Texas | No. 3: 2.36 | No. 8: 3.29 | No. 1: 0.92 |
| Arkansas | No. 70: 0.00 | No. 51: 2.40 | No. 81: 2.39 |
Florida was No. 72 in NPD, 64 in OPD, and 74 in DPD, for comparison.
| NPP | OPP | DPP | |
| Texas | No. 1: 3.15 | No. 14: 6.88 | No. 1: 3.72 |
| Arkansas | No. 68: -0.03 | No. 27: 6.41 | No. 104: 643 |
Texas defense: No. 1 in DPP, D4+, and D7+, and No. 4 in D10+. Arkansas is 113th in D10+.
Possession Efficiency. Possession Efficiency (PVE) is unadjusted scoring value calculated from the results of non-garbage possessions (NP) in FBS vs. FBS games.
| PVE | OVE | DVE | SVE | |
| Texas | No. 3: 1.18 | No. 13: 0.35 | No. 1: 0.85 | No. 75: -0.01 |
| Arkansas | No. 84: -0.13 | No. 60: -0.06 | No. 81: 0.00 | No. 102: -0.05 |
In BCF’s F+ ratings (Brian Fremeau’s FEI ratings combined with Bill Connelly’s SP+ ratings), Texas is No. 3. Offensively, Texas is No. 6; defensively, Texas is No. 2. Arkansas is No. 47, No. 45 offense, No. 47 defense.
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Texas | Arkansas | 0.956 | 22.9 | 37.2 | 14.3 | 51.5 |
Pretty damn good. But the one thing the mathematricians© cannot factor in is hatred. That probably cuts the projected margin of victory in half if not more. And, interestingly, the CFI/CFBGraphs has a Texas with a projected 12.31 margin.
ESPN Analytics:
College Football Insiders:
Trying a new feature: Each team’s results against all of the teams they have played this year, and the record of those opponents. Kind of very rudimentary tabular strength of schedule graphic. Let me know what you think.
Texas Opponents & Records |
Arkansas Opponents & Records |
| W- Colorado State: 6-3 (MW) | W – Arkansas-Pine Bluff 3-7 (SWAC) |
| W- Michigan: 5-5 (Big 10) | L – Oklahoma State: 3-7 (Big 12) |
| W- UTSA: 4-5 (American) | W – UAB: 2-7 (American) |
| W- Louisiana Monroe: 5-4 (Sun Belt) | W – Auburn: 3-6 |
| W- Mississippi State: 2-8 | L – Texas A and M: 7-2 |
| W- Oklahoma: 5-5 | W- Tennessee: 8-1 |
| L – Georgia: 7-2 | L – LSU: 6-3 |
| W- Vanderbilt: 6-4 | W – Mississippi State: 2-8 |
| W- Florida: 4-5 | L- Ole Miss: 8-2 |
Advance Stats Preview from Nik Patel.
Texas Homer
The official Game Notes from The University of Texas:
https://texaslonghorns.com/documents/2024/11/11/Week_11_-_Arkansas.pdf
TCT Thoughts
A lot of people of talked about what Arkansas did to Texas last time we went to FayetteNam. It was fugly. It was also Steve Sarkisian’s first year, it was the first time Texas had played Arkansas in a while, and that 2021 team finished 5-7. The Texas defense finished the season 114th overall, 114th rushing, and 62nd passing. Texas offense was better, 26th rushing, 71st passing, 47th overall. The 2024 Texas Longhorns are an entirely, completely different football team. This will be a hard-fought game, but Texas is going to win.
The Arkansas offense is coached by Bobby Petrino. He’s a good offensive coach. Relationships, not so much. Like last week, the health of our opponent’s quarterback is a critical factor. Unlike last week, the best quarterback is probably playing, and even if he can’t, the next guy is not a freshman transfer from Yale. But I am assuming Taylen Green is playing. Texas is going to have be ready to defend a big, athletic, running quarterback. He also turns the ball over. 11 fumbles (most in nation) and those 7 picks. The Horns are forcing turnovers, and it would be really useful to force four or five in Fayetteville.
Green is very good, tied with Quinn at 4th in the SEC with 246 ypg. Green has thrown for 500 more yards (2 more games). But Ewers has 19 TD passes in his 7 games, Green has 11 in 9 games. The Arkansas pass offense is ranked No. 11 nationally, just behind Texas. The best air attack we have faced this year.
If Ja’Quinden Jackson is healthy, the Hogs will have a heady rushing game. Texas had some issues against Florida, maybe. But we are still at top quartile run defense, and our defense is pretty healthy.
It seems to me that Arkansas’ greatest offensive strength is explosive plays (6th run, 8th pass). Fortunately, Texas is among the best in the nation at stopping them (8th run, 1st pass).
All in all, the Arky offense is, on paper, reasonably comparable to Texas, even better in spots. That makes me anxious.
What relieves that anxiety, in addition to cabernet, Pol Roger, and blue agave, is the Texas Defense. Top to bottom, the best. I believe the best will be tested on Saturday. I also believe Texas is going to pass that test. If – if – Texas contains Taylen Green. That’s going to be the key. If he breaks containment, he’s going to grind out some yards. I trust in PK and this defensive unit to, overall, get the job done. It just might get scary at some points on Saturday.
The Arkansas defense mostly runs a nickel defense, and their strongest suit by far is run defense – 36th in the country. But pass defense is 125th. Against the 10th best passing attack. One key that we need to watch is that part of the Hogs strength against the run is their run support from their secondary. One of our great strengths in the pass game is yards after catch. This will make schemes and downfield blocking all the more important. But they are most susceptible to big passing plays (106th, and 72nd against 20+, 106th 30+, 120th 40+, and 133rd against 50+ yard passing plays (9 allowed), and 130th against 60+ (5 allowed). If there was ever a game where we need Quinn to be accurate deep – and garden seed, don’t drop passes – it is this game. I think a close game, but gosh I would love a wood-shedding. And Ewers Great Game could deliver that.
I think Texas wins this. If. The Texas offensive line has to be disciplined – like better than any game this year. No false starts, no holds. Do not put Texas in third and long. Just be the smart, quality football players we know they can be. Quinn has to protect the ball, Blue has to hold on to the ball, and play smart football. We are playing Arkansas – smart gives us an edge.
Look for a big game from Quinn Ewers. 400 yards. Bond, Helm, and Wingo combine for 275 yards of offense.
Texas wins 39-24.
History of The Hate
Looking back over the decades between 1969 and the Razorback departure, the rivalry was one which regularly featured nationally ranked teams. The game often determined the outcome of the season for one or both of the contestants, including ending hopes of a national title or conference championship. I include this especially for the younger generation, who never knew this rivalry and how much it means in the History of the Texas Longhorns.
The nickname for the George-Georgia Tech game is “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate”. We could easily give our rivalry with the Ozark Pigs the name “Mean Old-Fashioned Hate”.
| Year | Longhorns | Hogs | Score |
| 1969 – Fayetteville | No. 1 Texas | No. 2 Arkansas | W – 15-4 |
| 1970 – Austin | No. 1 Texas | No. 4 Arkansas | W – 42-7 |
| 1971 – Little Rock | No. 10 Texas | No. 16 Arkansas | L – 7-31 |
| 1972 – Austin | No. 15 Texas | No. 17 Arkansas | W – 35-15 |
| 1973 – Fayetteville | Texas | Arkansas | W – 34-6 |
| 1974 – Austin | No. 16 Texas | Arkansas | W – 38-7 |
| 1975 – Fayetteville | No. 8 Texas | No. 20 Arkansas | W – 24-18 |
| 1976 – Austin | Texas | Arkansas | W – 29-12 |
| 1977 – Fayetteville | No. 2 Texas | No. 8 Arkansas | W – 13-9 |
| 1978 – Austin | No. 8 Texas | No. 3 Arkansas | W – 28-21 |
| 1979 – Little Rock | No. 2 Texas | No. 10 Arkansas | L – 14-17 |
| 1980 – Austin | No. 10 Texas | No. 6 Arkansas | W – 23-17 |
| 1981 – Fayetteville | No. 1 Texas | Arkansas | L – 11-42 |
| 1982 – Austin | No. 12 Texas | No. 6 Arkansas | W – 33-7 |
| 1983 – Little Rock | No. 2 Texas | Arkansas | W – 31-3 |
| 1984 – Austin | No. 3 Texas | Arkansas | W – 24-18 |
| 1985 – Fayetteville | Texas | No. 4 Arkansas | W – 15-13 |
| 1986 – Austin | Texas | No. 14 Arkansas | L – 14-21 |
| 1987 – Little Rock | Texas | No. 15 Arkansas | W – 16-14 |
| 1988 – Austin | Texas | No. 17 Arkansas | L – 24-27 |
| 1989 – Fayetteville | Texas | No. 7 Arkansas | W – 24-20 |
| 1990 – Austin | No. 19 Texas | Arkansas | W – 46-17 |
| 1991 – Fayetteville | Texas | Arkansas | L – 13-14 |
The Game of The Century
TCT Note: I rarely recycle my writings, but I went back and looked at my edition of the AHFD for the 2021 game. This is what I wrote, and I decided it was good (with some minor edits). Lots of new readers since then.
I don’t know how many times I have watched the 1969 clash between Texas and Arkansas. I am guessing it is about even with the VY Rose Bowl, maybe even ahead. I still get chills. The voices of Chris Schenkel and Bud Wilkinson will forever be tied to that game in my memory. The sight of Marine 1 landing and President Richard Milhous Nixon arriving to watch the game.
To the left of President Nixon in the photo are Arkansas Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt and Arkansas Governor Winthrop Rockefeller, to the right Arkansas Senators J. William Fulbright and John Little McClellan, and that is Texas Congressman George H.W. Bush looking toward the camera.
In the Centennial Year of College Football, this game was pushed to the first weekend in December, and the American Broadcasting Company got to televise the National Championship game on a cold (38 degrees) rainy day in “the foothills of the Ozarks”.
The Game lived up to the hype. If for some reason you have not seen the documentary of the 1969 season and team on the Longhorn Network, watch it. The interviews with the players are magnificent.
I am fortunate to have met some of those players. The late James Street sat in front of us for several years at Memorial Stadium, and I watched James watch Huston pitch at the Disch many times. I have had the privilege to meet and get to know Ted Koy, Bob McKay, Tom Campbell, Bobby Mitchell, Bill Bradley, Bill Hall, and Randy Peschel. Bill Hall is member of the Juan Heisman Tailgate Crew, and Tom, Bill, and Super Bill are regulars at JHT. I met Jim Bertelsen many years ago. In 2020, I had the honor of interviewing Bill Atessis. I have included my piece on that interview in this email (again).
And this book is about 2 feet from me on my bookshelf as I type.
It was a pretty impactful book on a boy growing up in Tyler, Texas who idolized the Longhorns.
There are many videos you can find on the internet, but this is a good one, and just 6 and a half minutes.
All of the game, and better quality, but condensed down to an hour and a half
I won’t go back through the game. I can’t do it justice. Watch it. Find the documentaries and watch them. Listen to narrations by Bill Little. Watch and listen to Tom Campbell talk about the interception and look at that smile on his face. Those players were heroes in the eyes of little boys and grown men all over Texas. Still are today. Humbling to call some of them my friend.
Texas Longhorns v. Arkansas Razorbacks
We are just better. Better at everything except calling the hogs and making moonshine, and I am happy to concede that.
Texas Longhorns 49, Florida Gators 17
The Plays, but the first one, just wow.
https://x.com/SEC/status/1855309384978452870
What a game. Quinn Ewers, 19/27, 333 yards, 12.3 yards per catch, 5 touchdowns, no turnovers, a QBR of 90.1, and a quarterback rating of 235.1. When Quinn is good, he is very, very good. Both ratings the highest of the season. We need that Quinn in FayetteNam on Saturday!
Jerrick Gibson with a tremendous 100-yard rushing day, a touchdown and averaged 6.3 ypc. Jaydon Blue a solid 60 yards on 5 carries (albeit 45 on that one great run). Blue also led the Horns with 67 yards receiving (on 3 catches). Golden had 3 catches for 64 yards and 2 touchdowns. Wisner didn’t gain a yard running the ball, but picked up 59 on pass plays (and a score). Blue, Golden, Wisner, Bond, and Helm each had 3 receptions. I believe of Texas 352 receiving yards, over 275 were yards after catch. Some good running, but some great downfield blocking too. And think what all those number might have been but for a few dropped balls (including the score).
Texas ran 66 offensive plays (Florida 64), so I am skipping the play-by-play recap this week. Here are my highlights, in addition to the Bond play above:
Anthony Hill’s forced fumble in the first, recovered and returned by Trey Moore to the Florida 12. Set up the second score.
The quick pass in the second to Quintrevion Wisner that went for 50 yards and a score. A 1 play, 9 second drive. 21-0 Texas, at the 5:54 mark.
The 2-minute drill Texas ran at the end of the second quarter, started on Texas 20. Took Texas four plays and 25 seconds to go 80 yards. Blue caught a pass at the Texas 21 and rumbled 45 yards. Two plays later, 32 yard touchdown pass to Golden. 28-0 Texas.
2 plays later, Ty’Anthony Hill picked off Aidan Warner. 58 seconds and 45 yards to score. 20 yards pass to Bolden, 20 yard pass to Blue, 5 yard touchdown run to Blue. A 35 second drive. 35-0 Texas.
A Thirty-Five point first half, 21 of those points coming in less than 6 minutes.
Second Half
Texas started the third quarter like they ended the second, by intercepting Warner on the second play of the possession and scoring. In this case, it took Ewers 4 plays to get the Longhorns in the endzone, mainly because of a false start. But 128 seconds into the second half, Texas was up 42-0, and it was over. Chomp Chomp.
Florida had some nice drives in the second half, and they did gain a lot of rushing yards, in chunks. But I am not going to dwell on that. 6 minute drives that end in field goals when you are up 6 touchdowns, well, kind of like the great Longhorn said when asked if Texas wanted to receive after winning the coin toss. If you know that reference, you are a Longhorn.
This play was great:
https://x.com/WillBaizer/status/1855677387800756727
I predicted Texas 38-17. I like it when I am back to underestimating. I did say that Texas was going to cover (they did, by nearly 10 points) and to bet the over (Texas covered the total (47.5) by itself.
But most importantly, this:
Recognize the hat Hawley?
Highlights from ESPN College Football:
Every play in 49 minutes from @TexasClips:
College Football Playoff Rankings
AP Top 25 & Coaches Poll
Massey Ratings
Oregon, Ohio State, Alabama, Indiana, Texas, Notre Dame, PSU, Ole Miss, Georgia, and Brigham Young.
College Football Insiders
Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, Georgia, and Alabama are the top 5. Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Tennessee, PSU, and Miami (Florida) round out the top 10. Southern Methodist at No. 13.
PFF
Oregon, Ohio State, Brigham Young, Texas, and Penn State are the top 5. Indiana, Tennessee, Miami (FL), Alabama, and Ole Miss out the Top 10. Texas Agricultural & Mechanical dropped to 13th.
College Football Rankings: Top 25 entering Week 12 (pff.com)
ESPN College Football Power Index
ESPN’s analytics now have Texas with a 36.7% chance of winning the SEC, 84.8% of making the playoffs, a 29.5% chance of making the championship game, and a 17.7% chance of winning it all (highest).
2024 College Football Power Index – ESPN
ESPN SP+ from Bill Connelly
The University of Arkansas
The Arkansas Industrial University was founded in 1871 as Morrill Land-Grant college. Hear it is pretty. Don’t care much for Arkansas.
[Note: A lot of schools don’t publish all of their rankings, and I cannot find the national rankings for some of the international systems for these other schools. Suffice to say, you can usually extrapolate. (I will explain what that long, multisyllabic word means for the aggies in 2 weeks.)]
Academic Rankings |
||
National |
||
Texas |
Arkansas |
|
| Forbes | 46 | 158 |
| U.S. News & World Report | 30 | 189 |
| ARWU | 25 | |
| Washington Monthly | 98 | 295 |
| THE | 21 | |
| QS | 19 | |
Global |
||
| ARWU | 45 | 501-600 |
| QS | 66 | 1001-1200 |
| THE | 50 | 501-600 |
| U.S. News & World Report | 56 | 784 |
Famous alumni include a bunch of the Walton family (the store, not the TV show), Senator J. William Fulbright (the wonderful Fulbright Program), James O. McKinsey (founded McKinsey & Company), and Jerry Jones. Lots of athletes.
Texas Longhorns Basketball
Texas has won their last two games easily, 90-59 over Houston Christian and this past Tuesday night a 105-58 beating of the Chicago State Cougars. I mean it when I tell you to go see this team play and most especially Tre Johnson. The young man is phenomenal. Horns play again Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. against Mississippi Valley State. Then they are in New York next Thursday (Syracuse) and Friday (Saint Joseph’s or the Sand Aggies) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Have had several Longhorns in New York City subscribe in the last year. Hope y’all go support the Horns!
Texas One
The Texas One Fund is the official NIL collective that supports The University of Texas athletics. Texas One provides opportunities to Longhorns use their name, image, and likeness to promote charitable causes. Contributions to Texas One now count toward your Longhorn Foundation loyalty points. It is critically important to support Texas One and NIL for Longhorns. Consider a monthly donation. It makes a difference.
Week Twelve in the Southeastern Conference
For several schools, this is a non-conference week. One of the things that is definitely different about the SEC schedules.
Louisiana Monroe (5-4) at Auburn (3-6), 11:45 a.m. on the SEC Network. ULM coming off a 38-17 loss to the Texas State Bobcats. Auburn’s season is done, as they would have to beat the Warhawks, then beat Texas Agricultural & Mechanical, and then win at Alabama to get bowl eligible. Tough year on the plains. Tigers favored by 25.5, over/under is 46.5.
Murray State (1-9) at Kentucky (3-6), 12:30 p.m. on ESPN+/SECN+. With four straight losses, the Wildcats are in the same leaking boat as Auburn. Their other remaining games are Texas and Louisville, and I know they are not going to beat the Longhorns. But it is basketball season.
Mercer (9-1) at No. 10 Alabama Crimson Tide (7-2), 1:00 p.m. on ESPN+/SECN+. The Bears’ only loss is to Samford, 55-35. Florida beat Samford 45-7.
No. 22 Louisiana State (6-3, 3-2) at Florida (4-5, 2-4), 2:30 p.m. on ABC from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Tigers favored by 3.5, over/under is 55.5.
No. 23 Missouri (7-2, 3-2) at No. 21 South Carolina (6-3, 4-3), 3:15 p.m. on the SEC Network. Gamecocks favored by 14, total is 41.5. Both teams having good seasons. The Tigers lost to Texas Agricultural & Mechanical 41-10, and South Carolina beat Texas Agricultural & Mechanical 44-20.
No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers (8-1, 5-1) vs. No. 12 Georgia Bulldogs (7-2, 5-2), 6:30 p.m. on ABC. Huge game between the Hedges. This is one of those odd Southeastern Conference series, where despite both schools being founding members of the SEC (1935), they have only played 53 times (and they played 11 times between 1899 and 1935). A close series though, which the Bulldogs lead 28-23-2. Georgia has won the last seven games. Tough to be against Tennessee, but Go Dawgs. Georgia favored by 9.5, total is 47.5
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Georgia | Tennessee | .675 | 6.6 | 24.0 | 17.4 | 41.4 |
South Carolina (5-3, 3-3) at Vanderbilt (6-3, 3-2) 3:15 p.m. on the SEC Network. Gamecocks coming off the huge win over Texas Agricultural & Mechanical. Commodores are 4.5 point home dogs, total is 45.5.
New Mexico State (2-7) at No. 15 Texas Agricultural & Mechanical (7-2), 6:45 p.m. on SEC Network. Bet this gets good ratings. The Texas Aggies favored by 39 over the New Mexico Aggies. Total is 54.5.
Week 12: Service Academies
No. 25 Tulane (8-2, 6-0) at Navy (7-2, 5-1), 11:00 a.m. on ESPN2. Huge game for the Midshipmen and the conference title hopes. Tulane favored by 7, over/under is 51.5.
Oregon State (4-5) at Air Force (2-7), 2:30 p.m. on CBSSN. Beavers favored by 3.5, over/under is 45.5.
Army has the week off as they prepare for a huge game the next week with Notre Dame.
Top 25 – Week Twelve
No. 2 The Ohio State University (8-1, 5-1) vs Northwestern (4-5 2-4), 11:00 a.m. on BTN from The Friendly Confines at 1060 West Addison, Sweet Home Chicago. I can’t believe I didn’t get to Wrigley Field this last year. 2024 will be the last time that happens. My third favorite place in the world to sit and be happy, sports wise. Buckeyes favored by 28.5, total is 43.5.
Utah (4-5, 1-5) at No. 17 Colorado (7-2, 5-1), 11:00 a.m. on FOX. The Big Noon Kickoff game. Going to be a chilly morning for the Buff fans for the TeeVee show. About 34 degrees at 8:00 a.m. Mountain time. Utah coming off a tough loss to Brigham Young (see below, important, Kevin Mars Alert) and angry. Coach Prime and his kids playing for a chance to be in Dallas on December 7. Don’t have a dog in this one, but some close friends do. Go Buffs. Colorado favored by 11, over/under is 45.5.
No. 20 Clemson (7-2, 6-1) at Pittsburgh (7-2, 3-2), 11:00 a.m. on ESPN. ACC is getting interesting. Dabo and the Tigers hanging onto to a thread of hope to make the CCG, and Pitt falling out of contention (most likely) thanks to Parker’s and Wesley’s Cavaliers getting the big upset at Scott Stadium last Saturday (Wahoo Wa!). Clemson favored by 11.5, over/under is 52.5.
No. 4 Penn State (8-1, 5-1) at Purdue (1-8, 0-6) 2:30 p.m. on CBS. How is this the feature college football game on the Columbia Broadcasting System this Saturday. About 5th on my list of Big 10 games that I would have slotted for this window. Nittany Lions favored by 28.5, total is 50.5.
Virginia Cavaliers (5-4) vs, Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-1), 2:30 p.m. on the National Broadcasting System from Notre Dame Stadium. A big game for the family. Will be watching with the Dean’s and the Fleming’s and having some very high-quality family time. Irish favored by 23.5, over/under is 50.5. May the best team win. But, in case Peter is reading this, Go Irish.
Boston College (5-4, 2-3) at No. 14 Southern Methodist (8-1, 5-0). 2:30 p.m. on ESPN. What a season for the Mustangs. Southern Methodist favored by 19.5, over/under is 53.5. Dick, pulling for the Ponies!
No. 19 Louisville (6-3, 4-2) at Stanford (2-7, 1-5), 2:30 p.m. on the ACC Network. Pretty sad that Tuesday night the ESPN “Tickets as low as” was $2. Two Dollars. Tough year on the Farm. Cardinals favored by 20.5 over the Cardinal. Total is 57.5,
No. 13 Boise State (8-1) at San Jose State (6-3), 6:00 p.m. on CBSSN. I have not watched the Broncos yet this year. I used to watch a lot of Boise State (and Fresno State) back in the day when they would be the 10:00 Saturday night game. Going to tune in this week to see Ashton Jeanty, the Bronc running back, who is the best in the nation by a wide margin. Averaging 192.67 ypg (next closest is 132.80) and has 1,734 yards total (2nd place is 1,328). He is good. Boise favored by 14.5, over/under is 62.5.
Arizona State (7-2, 4-2) at No. 16 Kansas State (7-2, 4-2), 6:00 p.m. on ESPN. Wildcats favored by 7.5, total is 51.5.
No. 1 Oregon (10-0) at Wisconsin (5-4), 6:30 p.m. on NBC from Camp Randall Stadium. Really surprised to see the line at Ducks minus only 14, Total 51.5. Go Badgers.
No. 18 Washington State (8-1) at New Mexico State (4-6). Cougars, like the Beavers, left behind. But salute to Wazzu, as they do the only thing they can do, which is keep winning. Cougars favored by 10 over the Lobos. Total is 72.5!
Kansas (3-6) at No. 6 Brigham Young (9-0), 9:15 p.m. on ESPN. KU better hope Kevin Mar is somewhere other than Provo and that Bob Bowlsby goes to bed early, otherwise, they will not have a prayer. Love that the Cougars are only 2.5 point home favorites. Maybe Vegas knows something. Total is 56.5. Rock Chalk!
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Brigham Young | Jayhawks | .725 | 8.8 | 31.1 | 22.3 | 53.4 |
Other Games of Interest – Week 12
Wednesday night, the Miami Redhawks defeated Kent State 34-7. Miami now in a 3-way tie for first in the Mid-American, with the Ohio Bobcats and the Bowling Green Falcons. MACtion!
Friday
North Texas (5-4, 2-3) at UTSA (4-5, 2-3), 7:00 p.m. on ESPN2 from the Alamodome. Should be a good football game. The Elf’s Mean Green favored by 1, and the total is 72.5.
UC Los Angeles (4-5, 3-4) at Washington (5-5, 3-4), 8:00 p.m. on FOX. “Pac 12 After Dark in the Big Ten on Fox”. Really doesn’t have the same ring. Doubt Bill Walton would approve. But I think Dr. Seuss could work with it. Huskies favored by 4, total is 46.5.
Houston (4-5, 3-3) at Arizona (3-6, 1-5), 9:15 p.m. on FS1. 6:15 a.m. in Baghdad. Wildcats favored by 1.5, total is 46.5.
Saturday
Nebraska (5-4, 2-4) at Southern Cal (4-5, 2-5), 3:00 p.m. on FOX from Los Angeles Memorial Stadium. This is a big game for both teams. Huskers still have Wisconsin and Iowa, both of which will be tough. Trojans have UCLA and Notre Dame, both of which are rivalry games and one of which will be tough. Southern Cal favored by 7.5, total is 51.5. BCF Toys:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Southern Cal | Nebraska | .714 | 8.3 | 30.3 | 22.0 | 52.3 |
Baylor (5-4) at West Virginia (5-4), 3:00 p.m. on ESPN 2. Bears favored by 2.5.
Southern Miss (1-8) at Texas State (5-4), 6:00 p.m. on ESPN+ at Bobcat Stadium, for any Austin folks who need to see some live college football on Saturday. Kitties favored by 28.
Wake Forest (4-5) at North Carolina (5-4), 7:00 p.m. on the ACC Network. Tarheels favored by 11.5, total is 63.5. Good luck Coach!
The Juan Heisman Tailgate
We had a wonderful Juan Heisman Tailgate party. For a lot of reasons. Beautiful weather, great bunch of friends. But most importantly, I had all of my grandchildren there other than little Talley Fleming, born October 13, plus Kathryn & Mark, Parker, and Claudia. I have a bunch of photos, and I put them all on the blog online edition of the Austin Horns Fan Dispatch. Thanks to all the guys on the Crew who helped make it a great day, especially Brad Laughlin, Judd Messer, Scott Ferguson, and Hunter Wilcox & the Early Crew.
Mark and Kathryn Dean, Lottie Fleming with Papa, Micah and Peter Dean, Helen Kate Dean with her Aunt Bunny (Claudia), and Parker Fleming.
I encourage you to check out the photos in my special post:
Juan Heisman Tailgate – Taylor Family – Austin Horns Fan Dispatch
Uncle Buck, Sarah Jane, Claudia, TCT, and Helen Kate Dean
Steve Martens, TCT, Bryan Birkeland, and David Moran. Three great friends and law partners. Steve supplies all the fine Lee County oak we use for our smoker. Same wood that Aaron Franklin uses.
Jeff Zlotky. One of my 2 best friends from Texas Law. We endured studying for and taking the Texas Bar Exam together. Lots of adventures through the years. Remember several of them.
Tom Campbell, Bill Hall, and Bill Bradley. Hook Em.
Washington & Lee University
The road trip north to Bridgewater was good, as the Generals beat the Bridgewater College Eagles 23-7. A solid 253 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground and good defense (including 2 interceptions) secured the conference win for W&L.
The Generals close the regular season at home with Shenandoah, 1:00 p.m. Blue Ridge Mountain time at Wilson Field. The Hornets are 7-2 and 4-2 in ODAC play. Wins over Methodist, Rhodes College, and Juniata. ODAC opener was a 21-22 loss to Randolph-Macon. 42-20 win over Ferrum, 21-22 loss to Bridgewater, three straight big wins over Guilford, Averett, and Hamden-Sydney. Hornets are a pretty good team, averaging 194.1 yards per game rushing and 231.7 passing, while holding opponents to 127.2 and 189.1 respectively. Scoring average is 36.89 to 17.44.
W&L averages 293.4 ypg rushing, 82.8 ypg passing, while allowing opponents 121. And 198.6. Generals scoring average is 30.11 to 18.67.
It will be Senior Day in Lexington. Harrison Donovan and Tommy Holstead from Houston on the O Line, RB Jacob Romero, RB Marcus Payne, leading receiver Andrew Bland, tight end Evan Novak, LB Jalen Todd, and DBs Charlie Fleming and Connor O’Malley among W&L Class of 2025.
We had a nice crew of Generals at the Florida tailgate.
Bob Jungman, Gus Fritchie (NOLA), Ty York (Chattanooga) both Class of ’78.
Honor Flight Austin
On Monday at The Headliners Club, we held our annual Frank Denius Memorial Veterans Day luncheon. Our keynote speaker was Lt. Gen. (Reg.) Lawson Magruder III. General Magruder is an extraordinary American soldier, and I commend to your reading a little about his life history and his contributions to the United States of America. And a great Texas Longhorn!
Our program also included a Minute for Mission, and my friend former Austin Mayor, Navy Pilot, and Texas Longhorn Lee Leffingwell talked about Honor Flight Austin. It is an extraordinary gift and way to honor our veterans. Veterans are taken to Washington, at no cost, to visit their war Memorials and bond and heal. This is a 15 minute documentary and includes the great lawyer and U.S. Marine Jack Maroney. Jack passed last May at the age of 99.
Please join me in supporting Honor Flight. If you are interested in sponsoring a flight, please contact me directly, and I will connect you with the right people.
I have deep admiration and respect for the British observance of Remembrance Day, also still sometimes called Armistice Day. Almost every post includes these words from Laurence Binyon’s poem, For the Fallen:
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Week Eleven in the Southeastern Conference
No. 16 Ole Miss Rebels 28, No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs 10. Georgia was favored by 2.5, BCF Toys projected the Rebels to win by 2.1, and CFI projected Ole Miss to win by less than a point. Quite a win for Lane Kiffin and the Rebs. Neither Dart nor Beck had particularly great games, both with a pick, neither passing for over 200 yards. But Dart did get a TD pass, and remarkably was the leading rusher for Ole Miss with 50 yards. Georgia, who ran for 108 on Texas, mustered just 60 net in Oxford. But in the end, it was Beck’s turnovers (fumble and interception) that doomed the Dawgs.
No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide 42, No. 15 Louisiana State 13. I knew it was going to be tough game, but I thought it would be tough for both teams. Milroe went off, rushing for 185 yards and 4 touchdowns (only passed for 109), while Nussmeier threw 2 interceptions
South Carolina was favored in Nashville (4.5), but the 28-7 win over Vanderbilt was pretty easy.
Mississippi State 14, No. 7 Tennessee 33. Bulldogs covered!
Oklahoma Land Thieves 23, No. 24 Missouri 30. As predicted.
Week 11: Service Academies
Navy 28, South Florida 7. Midshipmen win and cover.
No. 25 Army stayed perfect in Denton, but Eric Morris’ Mean Green gave the Black Knights a game, as Army won a 14-3 battle with North Texas. Chandler Morris passed for 214 (145 below average) and was intercepted twice. Army QB Bryson Daily won the game with his legs, 36 carries, 153 yards, 2 touchdowns. North Texas rushed for 69.
Air Force wins! 36-28 over Fresno State, to get their first Mountain West win of 2024.
Top 25 – Week Eleven
No. 1 Oregon 39-18 over Maryland. Good.
No. 2 The Ohio State University 45. Purdue nothing.
Georgia Tech 28, No. 4 Miami 23. Yes!
Virginia Cavaliers 24, Pittsburgh 19. Another ACC upset! And a Win in the Fam! Hook Em Hoos!
No. 20 Colorado 41, Texas Tech 27. Vegas spread was 4, BCF said 2, and CFI said 3.9. The Sanders family “said 14 points and we don’t need a road to get back to Boulder”.
Notre Dame 52-3 over Florida State. Line was 26.5 and total was 42.5. The Irish played like Champions on Saturday.
No. 8 Indiana 20-15 over Michigan. That is now the Hoosiers fourth win over Michigan in my lifetime.
No. 6 PSU 35, Washington 6.
No. 17 Iowa State 36, Kansas 45. All of sudden, in the 9th game of the season (and after basketball season has started; coincidence?) the Jayhawks are playing respectable football. Jalon Daniels a solid 12/24 for 295 and 2 TDs, and ran for 68 and a score. Devin Neal rushed for 116 and 2 scores in the big upset of the Cyclones.
No. 23 Clemson 24, Virginia Tech 14.
Nevada gave No. 12 Boise State a game, but Broncos win 28-21.
No. 9 Brigham Young 22, Utah 21. Holy War, and holy cow. Kevin Mar’s crew “refereed” the game, and shockingly made a questionable call that arguably changed the outcome of the game. Utes AD was not happy. You decide.
Washington State 49-28 over the Utah State Aggies.
Other Games of Interest – Week 11
Rice stuck with Memphis but the Tigers pulled out the 27-20 win.
UTEP 43, Kennesaw State 35. Miners get their second win of the season. In double overtime.
Central Florida 31. Arizona State 35. Sun Devils won.
Texas Christian 38-13 over Oklahoma State.
Music
It was Doug Sahm’s birthday last week. So some real Texas music.
Is Anybody Goin’ To San Antone
Nuevo Laredo:
Groover’s Paradise
Texas Tornados, Hey Baby Que Paso
Adios Mexico
Bill Atessis
The week before the Kansas game in 2019, I had a great visit by telephone with Bill Atessis and his wife when they were driving up to Austin for the 1969 national champions team reunion and the Kansas game. Here are the highlights from my call with Bill:
On DKR: Coach Royal expected you to know how to do your job and to do it. There was no compromising on what he expected of you.
Great DKR Story: “He did apologize to me once in front of the whole team after a game. I was on punt return as a defenseman, because defense played punt return [no special teams], and I peeled back on the punt. As the offense’s left tackle was coming down the field I laid him out, rolled up on him, and I was flagged for clipping. When I went to the sideline Coach Royal greeted me, and he was mad. He benched me for a couple of series as my punishment, to make sure I understood that there was a consequence of my action [the clipping penalty]. Well, on Sundays we watched film. As we are watching the film from that game, Coach Royal stopped the projector, and he apologized to me in front of the whole team. He said it was a good block and a bad call.”
We talked about the 1969 game with Arkansas, the Game of the Century, and Bill shared this memory: “Coach Royal wasn’t real big on emotional pep talks. But before the Arkansas game he had told the team that “I want to let you guys know we asked Arkansas that if the game was tied at the end, could we have a playoff. We checked with the conference, and they are okay with it. However, Arkansas declined.” We all knew that if they were scared of a playoff [what would now be overtime], then they’re sphincters were so tight that they couldn’t pass a pumpkin seed.”
I asked about the great Coach Mike Campbell. “He was a different kind of animal. He made me the player I was. You have to remember that Coach Campbell and the other coaches fought in World War II. They had a nerves of steel. Being in a tight football game was nothing compared to what they had seen and been through in the War.”
Coach Campbell had his defense spend a lot of time practicing goal line stands, and as we know, that Texas defense was very good at it. Bill said “If they drove down the field and were on our 2 or 3 yard line, we felt like we had them right where we wanted them”. The Texas defense made a number of goal line stands that year, and the strength of that defense is not remembered as well as the prolific wishbone offense, but it should be.
Great stuff: “On defense we all had position responsibilities. I loved the option because the quarterback options off the defensive end [the position Bill played], and the quarterback was always watching me. If I sat on the line and didn’t create a gap, then that forced the quarterback to make the decision quick. If he kept it, I tackled him, and if he pitched it, I was in position to make that tackle.”
Great example of the discipline on Coach Royal’s team and Coach Campbell’s defense, and what I have heard the great Bob McKay emphasized over and over: you just went out and did your job.
Texas Longhorns Baseball
My good friends know my main love is Texas Baseball. Being in the SEC is going to be amazing. Texas signed the number 2 recruiting class (as of signing day). Look at the top 10. Top 6 are SEC plus Ole Miss at 9. Going to be huge!
Jim Nicar
1969: More than 26,000 UT Austin fans filled the west side of Texas Memorial Stadium for a “Beat Arkansas” football rally. The Longhorns went up to Fayetteville and won 15-14 to claim UT’s second national title.
From Jim’s Post on November 12, 2024
Follow Jim on X
Picture of the Week
From Austin photographer JType’s Instagram post on October 25, 2024
Quote of the Week
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12
God Bless Texas
God Bless America
Dios y Tejas,
Tim Taylor
Member, Football Writers Association of America
Tailgating before Home Football Games
The Juan Heisman Tailgate
Lot 38, East of Sid Richardson Hall
HOOK EM HORNS!
The Austin Horns Fan Dispatch
Vol. XXI, No. 13
© Timothy C. Taylor, Sr. 2024. All Rights Reserved (as to original material).
On Twitter: @tctayloratx
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and: www.Facebook.com/Juan.Heisman
You can contact me by mail:
Tim Taylor P.O. Box 5371 Austin, Texas 78763-5371