Catching a Break

Texas 22, Kansas State 17

November 26, 2021 • DKR

Finally, finally, finally our losing streak came to a halt. Our guys managed a win over the K State Wildcats. Because of our 5-7 record, there was no bowl game for us, so this had to count for a momentum builder heading into 2022. And it was wonderful to send these seniors out with a win after such a disappointing season. 

Ronnie, our tailgate trailer maestro, moved out of state, and after the Kansas game, he took his trailer home with him for the off-season. He was with family for Thanksgiving, so our other tailgate gurus put together a smaller operation so we could still hang out pregame.

After the game, we took our traditional end-of-season photo. Until next season, HOOK ’EM!

Texas Sports recap

Texas Sports box score

Advertisement

Turning into a Pumpkin

Baylor 31, Texas 24

October 30, 2021 • McLane Stadium, Waco

Yet again, we blew a lead. As we headed into the fourth quarter, one Texas fan stood up and proclaimed, “WE ARE NOT BLOWING ANOTHER LEAD IN THE FOURTH.” I guess the team couldn’t hear him from our far corner of the Baylor stadium.

My special guest this week was Ryan! It was a bummer that he didn’t get to see a win, but it was fun having his company!

 

Texas Sports recap

Texas Sports box score

Out to Pasture

Oklahoma State 32, Texas 24

October 16, 2021 • DKR

Once again, we blew a decent lead, falling apart offensively. Coming one week after our disappointing loss to our biggest rival, this game continued the losing streak that would carry us down, down, down through game 11, knocking us out of bowl season. 

This game’s highlights (besides the first half) were Anne’s attendance and the sandwich from Antone’s.

Former MBB coach Tom Penders was honored.

 

 

Texas Sports recap

Texas Sports box score

Doubled Up the Double-T

Texas 70, Texas Tech 35

September 25, 2021 • DKR

Our guys made it look easy, running all over the Red Raiders. It gave us hope for conference play, even if it turned out to be false hope.

It was an all-around glorious day, with plenty of sunshine to light up Bevo Blvd. and Smokey’s Midway.

Posing with AD Chris Del Conte

Texted this one to Katie in Lubbock

On the field, the Horns were rollin’, and Texas Mariachi and Ray Benson were rockin’!

Special appearance from Texas Mariachi

Ray Benson serenades us at halftime

And the pièce de résistance: Southwest Airlines fixed the errant apostrophe that was buggin’ the crap out of me!

So all in all, a great day!

Texas Sports recap

Texas Sports box score

A Sweet Treat

Texas 58, Rice 0

September 18, 2021 • DKR

That’s more like it! JFK famously once asked, “Why does Rice play Texas?” Well, I know why Texas plays Rice! 

Texas Sports recap

Texas Sports box score

Back in Bevo Business

Texas 38, Louisiana 18

September 4, 2021 • DKR

Hey, it’s good to be back home again! As the PR materials proclaimed, “Home is where the Horns are.”

After the weird 2020 season, it was great to get back to tailgating and Bevo Blvd., back to having a full stadium, back to seeing the Longhorn Band at the game. Everybody was in a great mood to be getting back to business, and more than a couple of times, I had to wipe away a tear or two, just so grateful to have this Longhorn family reunion after a year away.

Because of construction on the new Moody Center directly across from our old tailgate, our guys had to find a new hangout. Athletic Director Chris Del Conte himself suggested this patch of grass just north of Bevo Blvd., and it worked out beautifully! It’s super close to Hook ‘Em’s Hangout where all the food trucks are parked, so everyone can grab whatever they want to eat. It’s not far from the alumni center, either, so a restroom is nearby. 

The Ragin’ Cajuns use a pepper for their apostrophe, so I used peppers for this Hook ‘Em!

Our new entrance

Sign o’ the times!

With the Learfield Director’s Cup for the best athletic program in the country

T shows Cory Redding other signatures on Ronnie’s trailer

Cory Redding signs Ronnie’s trailer

The Tailgate Masterminds (with Cory Redding)

New coach Steve Sarkisian knew this was a must-win, and win he did! It took both Hudson Card and Casey Thompson to take Sam Ehlinger’s place, but they threw for three combined touchdowns, and Bijan Robinson again rushed for 100+ yards.

The 2021 season brought us the chance to get back to our old ways while embracing the new.After spending last season in a nearly empty DKR, it was a blast to have seats full again. Speaking of seats, this season took us away from our Section 1 spot near the exit on row 52. With the exception of the COVID year, we had been there since 2002, but the new south endzone made our old seats too close to the edge and Godzillatron. The new standing-room terraces also blocked the view of the scoreboard. John T. asked and received a better place for us, and we ended up on a lower row in Section 2, just a tiny bit to the north but low enough that we could still get an unobstructed view of the screen. Steve and Brian, the father-son pair who had sat beside us for those 18 years on row 52, made the move, too! In our new location, we made new friends of the guys who sat in front of us, and they soon became tailgate regulars. 

The Sunday after the game, Dede and I got to see our volleyball team beat Stanford in Gregory Gym. We have seen volleyball play TCU in Fort Worth bunches of times, but it was a thrill to see them in the rockin’ Greg, their home court.

Texas Sports recap

Texas Sports box score

Letting the Chips Fall

Texas 38, Utah 10

December 31, 2019 • Alamodome, San Antonio

No secret that I love bowl games! I love the travel, I love the hoopla, I love the let’s-get-one-more-chance-to-see-our-team-play of it all. And when we win? It’s the best!

Ryan, Katie, and I headed to the Alamo City the day before the game, just in time to visit Fiesta Texas. The next morning, we were up early to tour Mission San Jose, taking lots of photos for Ryan, our Texas history teacher. Then we made it to the Riverwalk where we feasted on the traditional pregame meal at Casa Rio and did the river taxi tour.

And then gametime! We had great seats in the lower bowl, so we got some great views of Sam’s touchdowns. Our defense really put this one away, though, holding the favored Utes, ranked #11 at the time, to just 10 points.

And that’s a wrap on the 2019 season! As we looked forward to seeing our Horns back in DKR the next fall, we had no idea how different games would be in a pandemic. But we knew no matter what, we’d be there!

The day before the game, stopped at Buc-ee’s on our way, naturally. At Fiesta Texas we took in the Holiday in the Park decorations, and we got to ride the new Wonder Woman coaster. With its single-rail construction, it makes you feel like you’re really flying!

The morning of the game, we headed out to the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. This time we visited Mission San Jose. Out of all the times we had been to San Antonio, this was our first trip to one of the famous missions (besides Mission San Antonio de Valero, a.k.a. the Alamo). 

From there we went downtown to park for the Riverwalk, Alamo, Tower of the Americas, and the game, of course. For lunch we ate at Casa Rio, and when I recognized the brick wall next to our table, I got Ryan and Katie to recreate their pose from 2006.

Thanks to an Alamo Bowl hashtag, we also got this pic on the big screen at the game!

We also did the river cruise, visited the Alamo (it’s a law), and went up to the Tower of the Americas observation deck. Did I mention how much I enjoy being a tourist on these bowl trips? After all that exploring, we were ready to settle in for the game.

Texas Sports recap

Texas Sports box score

Cowtown Contest

Texas 60, Texas A&M 50

Dec. 8, 2019 • Lone Star Showdown • Dickies Arena, Fort Worth

“They’re playin’ basketball… We love that basketball…”

I don’t get to as many Longhorn basketball games as I’d like, thanks to many of them happening during the work week, but when the Horns are in my hometown, I try to be there! That was the case for this “Lone Star Showdown” that was really a showcase for Fort Worth’s new arena.

Dede, Brett, and I had a great time welcoming our team and spirit groups. And Varsity’s horns remained in place, thankyouverymuch, since Texas had no trouble saying goodbye to A&M.

Tech-nically Back

Texas 49, Texas Tech 24

November 29, 2019 • DKR

Sam had 432 yards of offense, and Roschon Johnson scored THREE touchdowns. Now THAT’S worthy of some tossed tortillas!

Dede couldn’t make it to this one, so Katie accompanied me. Before the game, we had fun along Bevo Blvd. and stopped by the tailgate for a bit.

The weather was dreary, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying this last go-’round in DKR for the season. We said goodbye to our seatmates and met Section 1 legend Larry, the guy who all season long would yell through every single defensive play. We didn’t know it then, but that turned out to be our last game in Section 1. Row 52 had been our home for 14 years, but COVID would make us change our seats in 2020, and the stadium expansion pushed us into Section 2 starting in 2021. Inspirational! 

And what a fun game! It was great to let the Raiders get out to a 14-0 lead before coming back to crush them.

After the game, Katie and I walked over to the Tower and then to the Co-op to see the annual McConaughtree. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon!

Texas Sports recap

Texas Sports box score

Unbearable

Baylor 24, Texas 10

November 23, 2019 • Waco

Another away game. Another L.

Baylor was ranked #13, and our Horns were unranked. Still, Sam Ehlinger threw for 200 yards, so it was disappointing that our guys couldn’t pull off the upset in front of the Baylor crowd.

Texas Sports recap

Texas Sports box score