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!
As a fan of the TV show Survivor, I have a couple of Buffs, the bandana-like head coverings contestants wear. Since our Horns were playing the Buffaloes, a.k.a. the “Buffs,” I couldn’t resist the chance to merge my two fandoms.
It was great to be back in San Antonio for yet another Alamo Bowl, but this one was unlike any other. The typically packed stairs and corridors were empty. In the seating bowl, every other row was roped off, and large numbers of seats were zip-tied closed. All spread out, we ended up kinda lonely in the upper deck, but hey, we were there!
And even though we couldn’t go inside, we still made our required family stop by the Alamo.
The other tradition we made sure to follow: Winning our bowl game! This one was never in doubt, and it was fun to kiss this strange season goodbye with a victory. And even though he only played in the first half before Casey Thompson took over, it was nice to see Sam Ehlinger end his Longhorn career with a W.
The next day we celebrated with lunch at Mi Tierra’s, the renowned San Antonio institution that we had never managed to visit previously. We also went to the botanical garden so Katie could see the cool terraces that were used in the 1980s movie Cloak and Dagger.
Whew! It was a wild, weird season, but as always, I never took attending these games for granted. Especially in stadiums that were only a quarter full, it was a privilege to be there to cheer for my team in person!
There are comebacks, and then there are EPIC comebacks. Considering the hate that seeps out of Jones AT&T Stadium, this one qualifies as epic. With our Horns trailing by 15 with 3:13 to go, ESPN gave Tech a 99.9 percent win probability. But Sam & Co. never gave up, and WE NEVER DOUBTED. (OK, maybe just a little.) Two quick scoring drives and a 2-point conversion later, we were headed to overtime. A Texas TD followed by an INT gave us this giant W on the South Plains.
Sept. 14, 2019 • NRG Stadium, Houston
Now THAT’S more like it. The Horns handled the Owls, making Rice as malleable and the Krispie Treats.
The win was great, but the camaraderie was even better. We got to attend the game with our dear friend Wallis, a favorite Houstonian who doesn’t make it to Austin nearly enough.
Great friends + great seats + a W = a great day!
How sweet it is! I’ve always heard that you can’t spell “SUGAR” without UGA, but our Horns showed that they belong among the nation’s elite.
From ESPN: “Sam Ehlinger ran for three touchdowns, the Texas defense largely held Georgia’s offense in check, and the Longhorns earned their first 10-win season since 2009 by beating the Bulldogs 28-21 in the Sugar Bowl.”
The win put a gorgeous burnt-orange bow on what was already a fantastic mother-daughter road trip. And then the post-game festivities on Bourbon Street made this gameday one of the best ever.
December 31, 2018
In spite of the disappointing Big 12 championship game, we still enjoyed a sweet reward for the season: the Sugar Bowl! My friends weren’t going and I thought I’d be fine watching from home, but as Jan. 1 approached, I knew I’d need to be in the Superdome. With Katie home from Lubbock for Christmas break, I had my travel buddy in place—a companion who just happens to LOVE all things NOLA.
Heading east, we found a cool convenience store, complete with longhorns, the Louisiana visitor center, the OG Southern Maid Donuts in Shreveport, and a yummy lunch on the road.
Because hotel rooms in New Orleans are crazy expensive on New Year’s Eve, we spent the night in Baton Rouge. We checked with my cousin who’s married to an LSU grad for restaurant recommendations, and she said we’d love George’s. Alas, George’s took the night off for the holiday, so we settle for her other suggestion: Acme Oyster House. So good!
For the big countdown to midnight, we went downtown for the “Red Stick Revelry.” To pass the time we walked down to a casino boat and enjoyed the super cool laser light show. Then we joined the masses to watch the big red stick drop. It was a fun way to welcome 2019!
Some might’ve called it New Year’s Day, but for us, it was GAME DAY. Before leaving Baton Rouge, we had to visit Bevo’s pal Mike the Tiger. LSU has a gorgeous habitat for Mike just outside their stadium.
Once we arrived in New Orleans, we toured the famous Saint Louis Cemetery Number One, the final resting place of Homer Plessy (as in Plessy v. Ferguson), voodoo queen Marie Laveau, and someday, Nicolas Cage.
After the cemetery, we walked around Congo Square and then made our way to the Voodoo Shop to catch our haunted city tour. We enjoyed getting to see some spooky sights around the French Quarter, but by the time we checked into our hotel, we were pooped! It was good to take a break before the big game that night.
Ever since Katie moved to Lubbock for college, I’ve been fortunate to attend several Tech games on the South Plains.
Pregame we feasted on the ATX original, Chuy’s, and relied on bona-fide Lubbock tortillas to spell Texas. Then we joined a friend’s tailgate and tried to keep warm in that West Texas wind.
Once inside the stadium, we found our seats on row 42. That’s when we discovered that the Longhorn Band went up to row 37! Being that close to so many sousaphones—yes, all 21(!!!) of them—meant we were all about that bass.
This time, the Horns were the ones with the late TD to secure the win. Sam hit Lil’Jordan Humphrey for the game-winner with 21 seconds left, saving many tortillas in the process. (After witnessing the flinging throughout the game, we were amused to see this dire warning on our way out!)
It’s not every game that the MVP award goes to the punter, but man, did Michael Dickson deserve it! Ten of his 11 punts pinned Mizzou inside their own 15, and the Horns made the most of that. Our D score 9 points and forced four turnovers in this big win, which we hoped would send us into 2018 with big MO on our side.
It was great to get back to our bowl game ways, and beating Mizzou? That was SWEET.
Even sweeter? Getting to spend time with our Houston family while we were there.
On the road for Houston
Playing dominoes with Aunt Berniece and cousin Susan
So good to finally meet sweet Baby Benjamin!
Not bad seats
Always good to have a view of this guy (the four-legged one)
Horns score!
Selfie snap with my girl
Fight!
Raise that trophy!
He IS the GOAT! Dickson was a most-deserving MVP.
Another selfie snap
My babies at bowl games: Alamo Bowl 2006 and Texas Bowl 2017
Hey! We’re famous!
Hook ’em!
Nov. 5, 2016 • Lubbock
After a couple of unpleasant fan experiences in Lubbock, I thought my days in Jones AT&T Stadium were over. Then my Katie Bug ended up at Lubbock Christian, and suddenly, I was all for an excuse to see a game on the South Plains!
The rainy/cool “football weather,” a rare but big win on the road, and time with my girl made for a fantastic day!
Even though it’s been 11 years, I can still remember XIV’s introduction to the Longhorn faithful. It was historic, after all. Two Bevos presiding over the same game? Unheard of. Pretty darn cute, too, to see the elder statesman Bevo XIII beside the 2-year-old upstart. You know, if giant steers can be “cute.”
Sept. 4, 2004: Bevo XIII passes the torch to XIV. (photo found on Pinterest)
On that day in September 2004, we never could’ve dreamed of the great games Bevo XIV would see: the dramatic win over Michigan in the 2005 Rose Bowl, the heart-pounding, thrilling national championship the next year, that close call against Nebraska at Jerry World, the wins over arch-rivals Oklahoma and A&M.
We also never dreamed his reign would end so soon.
Aug. 30, 2008: As the south endzone stands evolved, so did Bevo’s corner.
I know it’s silly to get weepy about an animal I don’t even know. Thing is, I feel like I do. He sat just 52 rows below my seat in section 1, so he was a constant part of my DKR experience for more than a decade. I’ve seen him in his trailer, I’ve spotted him at bowl games, I’ve “met” him at special events, and I’ve taken bunches of pictures of him. So yeah, I feel a little attached.
When we got the word that he’d be missing this year’s Red River Shootout Rivalry Showdown, we knew it had to be bad. Rumors of the “C word” circulated, and dire prognoses were predicted. Then news of his retirement came. Still, I was stunned to hear he’d passed so quickly.
I’m dreading that empty corner in the south endzone this Saturday and for the rest of this season. I hate that our gentle giant won’t be chomping on his birthday hay at the Thanksgiving game this year (the 99th anniversary of our Bevo tradition). And I especially hurt for the Silver Spurs and the Bakers, his real family, as they mourn their loss.
Sure, we’ll be welcoming Bevo XV into our stadium as well as our hearts next fall, but I’ll miss this giant puppy dog of a steer. I delighted in the stories from his ranch home, of how he loved to have his belly rubbed and would come to the door when called. And I loved the oddly gentle look he’d give passersby. The dude could kill you with one swipe of those massive horns, but he had such a docile, endearing demeanor that was downright adorable. But he was all things Texas, too. Pride. Strength. Majesty.
Rest in peace, old friend, and hook ’em forever.
9/4/2004: Bevo XIV makes his debut alongside his predecessor, Bevo XIII. This was the first time two Bevos had ever appeared together. (photo via statesman.com)
10/8/2005: Texas-ou game, Cotton Bowl, Dallas
12/3/2005: After the Big XII championship game over Colorado (that confirmed the Horns were going to the national championship), Reliant Stadium, Houston
9/1/2007: In his new corner by the south endzone stands, DKR
Sometime in 2007: Ryan and Katie pose with the Big Guy, DKR
8/30/2008: Bevo’s spot evolves as the south grandstands change
9/27/2008: Bill Murray (dark shirt, light hat) pays a visit
9/26/2009: The rock star arrives (as spotted on the Drag)
12/6/2009: On the big screen at Jerry World for the Big 12 championship game against Nebraska, Cowboys Stadium, Arlington
1/7/2010: On the Rose Bowl grounds before the 2009 BCS championship game, Pasadena
9/26/2010: In his trailer before the UCLA game, DKR
11/26/2010: Posing for our tailgate crew before the aggy game, DKR
3/11/2011: Resting beneath the Tower during Explore Texas, UT campus
5/7/2011: Waiting for fans at the Fort Worth Co-op
5/7/2011: Showing off those puppy-dog eyes at the Fort Worth Co-op
5/7/2011: Waiting for fans at the Fort Worth Co-op
5/7/2011: Posing with fans at the Fort Worth Co-op
5/7/2011: Posing for fans at the Fort Worth Co-op
9/3/2011: Chillin’ with his personal Chill Zone at the home opener versus Rice, DKR
11/19/2011: Stretching his legs at the K State game, DKR
11/22/2012: Celebrating Bevo’s 96th anniversary at the Thanksgiving game, DKR
11/22/2012: Celebrating Bevo’s 96th anniversary at the Thanksgiving game, DKR
11/22/2012: Celebrating Bevo’s 96th anniversary at the Thanksgiving game, DKR
12/29/2012: Greeting “his people” at the Alamo Bowl versus Oregon State, San Antonio
12/29/2012: Greeting “his people” at the Alamo Bowl versus Oregon State, San Antonio
4/21/2014: Posing with his fans at the Texas Strong Tour visit to Joe T’s, Fort Worth
4/21/2014: Getting ready for his close-up at the Texas Strong Tour visit to Joe T’s, Fort Worth
4/21/2014: Posing with fans at the Texas Strong Tour visit to Joe T’s, Fort Worth
4/21/2014: Looking as handsome as ever at the Texas Strong Tour visit to Joe T’s, Fort Worth
4/21/2014: Posing with his fans at the Texas Strong Tour visit to Joe T’s, Fort Worth
9/13/2014: Starring in his “Get Your Game On” video during the UCLA game at AT&T Stadium, Arlington
9/13/2014: “You are looking live” at Bevo XIV, UCLA game at Jerry World, Arlington
10/11/2014: Bevo’s last Texas-ou game to attend, Cotton Bowl, Dallas
11/27/2014: Celebrating Bevo’s 98th anniversary during the Thanksgiving game against TCU, DKR
11/27/2014: Celebrating Bevo’s 98th anniversary during the Thanksgiving game against TCU, DKR
11/27/2014: Celebrating Bevo’s 98th anniversary during the Thanksgiving game against TCU, DKR (One of the great things about sitting 52 rows above him was getting to watch him work on those anniversary hay bales! Long after the cameras cut away, he’d still be chowing down.)
12/29/2014: Texas Bowl, NRG Stadium, Houston
12/29/2014: Texas Bowl, NRG Stadium, Houston
9/12/2015: Home opener versus Rice, DKR
9/26/2015: My last pic of Bevo XIV, taken during the Oklahoma State game, DKR
10/13/2015: We’re so glad Bevo got to try on the Golden Hat one last time. (photo via UT Athletics)
10/13/2015: Bevo’s retirement was announced shortly after the Horns’ 24-17 upset victory over ou. The Spurs brought the Golden Hat trophy to his ranch so Bevo could celebrate in style—with hay! (photo via UT Athletics)
2015: RIP, Bevo XIV. (photo via UT Austin)
Spell Texas 
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