Dodging the Sucker Punch

Texas 28, Tulsa 21 

Sept. 8, 2018 • DKR

After the disappointing loss to Maryland, the Horns came back in the home opener to beat the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. As mighty winds blow, so did our defense. After shutting out Tulsa in the first half, we gave up 21 points in the second. Thank goodness for Sam & Co. managing to score in the fourth to keep our Horns on top.

The game might not have been the show of power we were expecting, but Bevo Blvd. certainly displayed all that is great about Texas football! With vendors and games and “Longhorn City Limits” music, the pregame party was a fitting celebration of the reunion that is a Longhorns home game.

Texas Sports box score

What the Shell, Take 2

Maryland 34, Texas 29 

Sept. 1, 2018 • FedEx Field, Washington, DC

Surely it wouldn’t happen again. After the 2017 game against the Terps, the Horns were shell-shocked, and head coach Tom Herman’s Texas debut was spoiled. So this time around, surely, SURELY the Horns would be victorious.

Nope.

The loss was a bitter start for a season that would turn out surprisingly sweet.

Texas Sports recap

Texas Sports box score

Gummy Goodness

Texas 38, Baylor 7 

Oct. 28, 2017 • McLane Stadium, Waco

For years we had watched Baylor’s new football home take shape, its skeleton rising above the Brazos each time we passed it as we headed down (or up) I-35. McLane Stadium opened in 2014, but the first time the Horns played there in ’15, we were busy and couldn’t make the drive. Seeing a game in this “House That RGIII Built” was a long time coming.

So was this win. After back-to-back losses against those teams from the land of land thieves, it was good to take this big W from Waco.

Hook ’em!

What a beauty! Our seats in the north end zone gave us a gorgeous view of the Brazos and the Baylor campus just beyond the big scoreboard.

That good ol’ Baylor line

Did he catch it?

He caught it! TOUCHDOWN, TEXAS!

After the game, Dede headed home while I went south for a church reunion the next day. So nice to follow the football truck for part of the way!

 

Texas Sports recap

 

 

 

Cow(boy) Tales

Oklahoma State 13, Texas 10 (OT) 

Oct. 21, 2017 • DKR

Losing in OT was heartbreaking, but what a defensive performance! Led by Malik Jefferson, the Horns’ D held Okie State to just 13 points, well below their season average of 38.3 points per game.

Defense may win championships, but it didn’t win this game.

Getting up early isn’t the only reason I hate 11 a.m. kickoffs.

OSU band

OSU band

Sam’s INT ended our chances in OT, but I stand behind our QB. His name is now my go-to restaurant pseudonym.

We left home before sunrise, and we got to see this great sunset on the way home.

Texas Sports recap

 

 

 

Double the Fun

Texas 40, Kansas State 34 (2OT) 

Oct. 7, 2017 • DKR

In just his third start of his college career, true freshman Sam Ehlinger came through in a big way, leading our guys to this big double-overtime win under the lights at DKR.

Both teams scored in the first OT, but in the second, K State kept moving backwards thanks to holding penalties. Then their field goal attempt clunked off the upright, opening the door for the Horns.

Our young QB was a beast in this game, but the game-winning TD was a team effort. Chris Warren took the ball and looked like he was stopped 3 yards short of the goal, but our big ol’ O got behind him and pushed him across the line and into the win column.

Making this double OT doubly fun? Katie came home from Lubbock so she could accompany me to Austin, where we met up with Ryan for the game. In his time at Texas, Ryan saw enough bad games, and even when we played well, too often we would lose the close ones. It was fantastic that in his senior year, he could see the Horns FINISH.

This was a first for us: enjoying UT’s mariachi band pregame!

Love, love, love when I get to spend time with BOTH of my babies!

Obligatory stadium selfie

Great day for football

TOUCHDOWN, TEXAS!

Under the lights

❤ Austin

Celebratory Eyes

Thrill of victory

Isn’t she lovely?

Magical fun at the Griz house

Charlie loves Katie

Texas Sports recap

What the Shell

Maryland 51, Texas 41

Sept. 2, 2017 • DKR

It’s a brand-new season! We have a brand-new coach! We have a brand-new attitude! Here we goooooo!

Or not. Our D could not stop Maryland, not even when their QB was hurt and freshman came in to take the snaps. Our O couldn’t give Buechele much time in the pocket. And the play-calling? Same ol, same ol.

I spelled Texas with chocolate turtles for the Terrapins, but much like this game, this one ended up looking more like poop.

Pregame Chuy’s

Post-game therapy

Back in our spot!

Tailgate trailer back in action

Co-op chalk wall

\m/

Baby Bevo’s growing up

 

Texas Sports recap

 

 

Frog-tied

TCU 31, Texas 9

Nov. 25, 2016 • DKR

I had the cutest little gummy frogs for this TEXAS, and I was optimistic that our team would really show up for Coach Strong.

But instead, our team was shown up. The gummies were extra-chewy, too.

 

Gummy frogs for the Horned Frogs

Waiting for the team in the rain

Love Hook ’Em’s coach attire

Still waiting for the team

Nice hats

Bevo’s 100th anniversary card

The front of Bevo’s card

The back of Bevo’s card

LOTS of well wishes…

…including one from me!

Longhorn legends

And the legend whose name is on the stadium

LHB

Bertha

TCU band

We’ll miss you!

SWOOOOOOOPES!

Hi, Matthew

LHB’s Bevo

I spy my signature!

Mighty Fine comfort food (while mourning Florence Henderson)

So that’s all she wrote on the Strong era, D’Onta’s Heisman that could’ve been, the loss of all that promise we felt on opening night after beating Notre Dame.

Here’s to fresh starts, stud recruits, and WINS.

Hook ’em.

Mounds of Trouble

West Virginia 24, Texas 20

Nov. 12, 2016 • DKR

I never buy Mounds or Almond Joy. Why would I waste a caloric splurge on anything with toenails, I mean COCONUT, in it? Disgusting! With West Virginia next on the schedule, though, I made an exception.

We Texans are quick to point out that the Mountaineers’ home state’s “mountains” aren’t so mountainous. The highest point in Texas is nearly 4,000 feet higher than West Virginia’s tallest mountain! To rub it in, instead of finding mountains, I spelled Texas with mere Mounds.

Almost as disgusting as coconut? Losing our first home game to the #11 Mountaineers.

Much sweeter? Having Katie surprise her brother when we picked him up for the game. 🙂 She drove in from Lubbock Friday night, and we left at early:30 to get Ryan and head to the stadium.

Why I don’t care for 11 a.m. kickoffs

Aren’t they cute?

I made them pose with their dad’s books. They were thrilled.

Hook ’Em dressed in camo for the armed services tribute.

Big fan of the flyover!

UT System Chancellor William McRaven honored.

Lifetime Longhorn Olympians were honored.

Then the LHB did its armed services medley, one of my faves.

Coast Guard

Army

Navy

Marines

Air Force

The Eyes Have It

Texas 27, Iowa State 6

Oct. 15, 2016 • DKR

After a three-game losing streak, all eyes were on Eye-owa State. Now that the Horns were finally back home, could they get back to their winning ways?

It had been more than a month since we’d won a game, so this victory was sweet! What made it extra special: It was my grand nephew’s first Texas game AND the Alumni Band performance, too!

 

Unbearable

Cal 50, Texas 43

Sept. 17, 2016 • Berkeley, California

And just like that, our season comes crashing to a halt. The Haribo Gold-Bears were good luck last time we beat Cal, but this season, not even the chewy sweetness could overtake the bitter taste of this loss.