Texas 33, Iowa State 7
Nov. 10, 2012 • DKR
First there were the “rib-I’s” on the grill. Then we had “Eye-owa State.” But this year, it was time to use ISU’s mascot to spell Texas!
What’s that? They’re the Cyclones? Maybe so, but this guy is their on-field mascot:
It’s a bird! With a maniacal grin! And teeth! If I were a crazy grinning cardinal with teeth who’s supposed to represent a weather phenomenon, I’d be pretty angry.
Voila! It’s ANGRY BIRDS!
For this early game, Ryan and I didn’t make it to our tailgate spot, so we spelled Texas at another fitting locale:
Beneath the giant star at the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
Speaking of stars and history, we lost a true Texas icon earlier in the week. Darrell K Royal IS Texas football. Not only did he guide the Horns to three national championships, but he did much to establish the traditions we enjoy today. After Texas jerseys had varied from brighter to darker oranges, it was DKR who decided once and for all that burnt orange would be OURS. Even our familiar Longhorn logo owes its design to Coach Royal. So on this special Saturday, when 100,000+ people would remember Coach in the stadium that bears his name, I felt compelled to spell this:
Yes, it’s silly and trivial, but my motives were sincere. So much of what I love about my Horns I owe to Coach Royal’s influence.
In the first quarter, Coach Mack Brown honored DKR by using Royal’s much-loved wishbone formation on our first offensive play.
Royal was famous for his many sayings, including this one: “I’ve always felt that three things can happen when you throw the football, and two of them are bad.” Well, our play callers decided to double our chances of success by calling a double pass on this opening play!
Here’s video a fan (with much better seats that ours) shot:
Later, the Longhorn Band presented its traditional Veterans Day recognition before honoring Royal in the halftime show:
(Another video I didn’t shoot! Thank you, aramarie1!)
The game was filled with tributes to our legendary coach. Another example: Before the LHB played “Wabash Cannonball” (as it does at the beginning of every fourth quarter), it was explained that DKR loved this song! That’s why the band started playing it all those years ago.
Of course, the greatest tribute was that big ol’ W.
Other highlights:
Spell Texas 
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