The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Texas to play Oregon State in Valero Alamo Bowl
12.02.2012 | Football
Valero Alamo Bowl Tickets | Longhorns Gameweek
Dec. 2, 2012
Austin -- The University of Texas (8-4, 5-4 conference) has accepted an invitation to be the Big 12 representative in the 2012 Valero Alamo Bowl. It will face the Oregon State Beavers (9-3, 6-3 conference) of the Pac-12 Conference on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 5:45 p.m. Central on ESPN at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
"We are excited about the opportunity to play in the Alamo Bowl against a great Oregon State team," head coach Mack Brown said. "I've known [Oregon State head coach] Mike [Riley] for a long time, have tremendous respect for him and am looking forward to a great game."
This will be the third meeting between the Longhorns and Beavers with Texas leading the all-time series, 2-0. Both games were played in Austin with UT winning 35-0 in 1980, followed by a 61-16 victory in 1987. This will also mark Texas' second appearance in the Alamo Bowl's 20-year history. The previous time came in 2006 when Texas defeated Iowa, 26-24.
"The Alamo Bowl folks do a great job, and we had a wonderful experience in the 2006 game against Iowa," Brown said. "It's such a great opportunity for all our families and high school coaches to easily get to the game. We have a tremendous fan base in San Antonio as well, so we know that the game week will be fun, guys will enjoy themselves and the Alamodome will be packed and full of energy on game day."
Texas Longhorn football season ticket holders can request Valero Alamo Bowl tickets through www.TexasSports.com. Football season ticket holders and UT students who are Longhorn All Sports Package holders should log in to their online accounts using their Customer Number or email address and password or PIN in order to request their bowl tickets. Only credit cards will be accepted online (MC, Visa, AMEX, Discover).
Fans may call the UT Athletics Ticket Office at 512/471-3333 or 800/982-BEVO if you have any questions. The Athletics Ticket Office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST.
The 23rd-ranked Longhorns are set to play in their 14th bowl game in Mack Brown's 15 years, including a UT-record stretch of 12 straight from 1998-2009, which bettered the previous mark of nine-straight from 1977-85. The Horns have won eight of their last 10 bowls and have a 9-4 record under Brown. In the 15 years prior to Brown's arrival, Texas went to eight bowls and was 2-6. Brown is the first UT coach since Darrell Royal, who was 8-7-1 in bowl games, to post a .500 or better bowl record. It will be the Longhorns' 51st all-time bowl appearance, which ranks second in NCAA history.
"Playing in a bowl game is such a valuable experience for a young team," Brown said. "The extra practices are critical in the development of our program, and it's a chance to get that ninth win and to finish the year on a good note. We're looking forward to getting back to work, preparing for Oregon State and playing our best game of the season on Dec. 29."
With a 24-21 victory over No. 10 Ohio State in the 2009 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Texas won bowl games in five consecutive years for the first time in school history (2004-08 seasons). The Horns did win five straight previously (1963-64, '66, '68-69), but the streak was interrupted by seasons that did not result in a bowl. Brown's personal string, including time at North Carolina, goes back even further. He has directed his teams to 20 bowls in the last 21 seasons, which is tied for the longest active streak in the nation with Frank Beamer of Virginia Tech.
No. 13 Oregon State ranks No. 22 in the FBS in scoring defense (19.8 ppg) and 17th in pass efficiency defense (110.8 rating). The Beavers are among the best teams in the country in forcing turnovers. They rank tied for sixth in interceptions with 19 and tied for 12th with 30 forced turnovers.
Sophomore quarterback Sean Mannion leads an offense which ranks 15th in the nation in passing yards (316.5 ypg) and No. 38 in scoring (33.0 ppg). Senior wide receiver Markus Wheaton, who ranks 11th in the nation in receiving yards per game, is the school's all-time receptions leader (224).
The Horns rank 24th in the nation in scoring offense (36.1 ppg) and No. 37 in total offense (441.0 ypg). Texas posted more than 400 yards of total offense in nine games this season and scored 40-plus points in five contests.
Junior Mike Davis leads the team in receptions (54) and receiving yards (909), while freshman Johnathan Gray has a team-high 683 rushing yards, which is tops among first-year backs in the Big 12. Davis is seeking to become just the sixth player in school history with 1,000 receiving yards.
Defensive end Alex Okafor and safety Kenny Vaccaro, two of just nine scholarship seniors on the squad, headline a defense, which has improved over the second half of the season. Texas has allowed an average of 330.4 yards over the last five games, more than 140 less than the first seven contests. Vaccaro leads the team in tackles (99) and is tied for first in forced fumbles (three). Okafor also has three forced fumbles and is among the best in the nation in sacks (0.67 pg/tied for 33rd).
Coaches/player quotes
Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Manny Diaz
On the announcement that Texas will face Oregon State in the Valero Alamo Bowl: First of all, we're just delighted to be invited to the Alamo Bowl. It's a great bowl. The opportunity to be able to play in our own state, we have a bunch of fans in San Antonio - they'll be there rooting for us. It will be an important step for building this program. And then to play a program like Oregon State, a 9-win team out of the Pac-12 Conference. They're 6-3 in that conference, which is very strong this year. It will be a great challenge for our guys.
On how playing in a bowl game helps prepare for the 2013 football season: Our mentality is that next year starts today. We just watched the Big 12 Champions celebrate within 50 feet of us. That's an image that we want to keep in our minds this entire offseason, until we get to play again. The work to doing that starts now. Everything will be built through these practices for this bowl game, to use as a springboard for a run at the championship next season.
On playing in a bowl game in the state of Texas: We're excited to be able to play in the state of Texas and to be able to play in San Antonio and the [Alamo] dome down there, which is a very special place. It will be a great atmosphere for our guys to be able to play close to home, where their family can come see them. And to have the ability to stay in San Antonio for the week for the holidays, it's going to be a great atmosphere with the fans from both sets of teams. It's a week we're really looking forward to.
On facing a high-powered offense such as Oregon State: It's going to be a great challenge for our football team. You look at their scores - they've hung some big numbers on some quality opponents. It will be another step in the process for us defensively, of trying to improve and get better week in and week out. I think our guys will be up for the challenge.
Senior S Kenny Vaccaro
On playing in the Alamo Bowl against Oregon State: I'm just excited to go back to a bowl. A couple of years ago we didn't get to do that, so you can't take these opportunities for granted. It's going to be [like] a home game.
On playing in a bowl close to home: I think a lot of people's families will get to go the game and will enjoy seeing their kids play in their last game, as far as the 2012 season. I know all my family will be there, and it will be exciting.
On the goals the team will try to accomplish playing in the Alamo Bowl: I think we just need to win for those guys next year to create momentum for them and just go out with a bang, go out with a win.
On Oregon State: I think they have great offenses in the Pac-12, and I think it will be a great challenge for the defense, and the offense, too.
On being able to spend more time with his teammates during bowl practices and bowl week: Bowl practices are always fun, not just on the field, but also off the field. You get to do a little bit of team bonding by going to a couple of places and just chill and relax and have fun with your teammates one last time, for me. I'll enjoy that and be thankful for the opportunity to play in a bowl.
On the importance of finishing the season with a win: I just want to set these guys up for next year and let them have momentum just like we did last year.
Sophomore RB Malcolm Brown
On how exciting is it to play Oregon State in the Alamo Bowl: It's very exciting. It will be great for us, and we're just excited to play in the game and have that opportunity to be there.
On thoughts on playing in his hometown: I will definitely be looking forward to it. I know a lot of friends and family are going to be there for me, and we have a couple other guys from San Antonio also on the team. It's going to be a great family atmosphere for us, and anybody else who lives here in Texas, I know their families will be there also.
On the importance of getting a win: It means a lot. We want to send these seniors out right with a win, and we want to create that momentum going into spring ball and then the next season for us younger guys. Playing in a bowl game, like I said, we just want to take these seniors out right, get them a win before they leave us. Just for us younger guys we want to focus in on that game, prepare, and take that momentum to the next season.
On thoughts about two powerful offenses playing each other: It's going to be very exciting. I know our defense loves a challenge. So I'm excited to see them play against a fast-paced team like those Pac-12 teams.
On how bowl practices help the team progress: It helps out a lot. Those bowl practices, the coaches kind of emphasize that we are taking these practices into spring practice. So you begin to think about what the team is going to be like next year. We are just working and focusing in on everything we have to do during bowl week.
On the proximity making it special for Texas fans: Oh, definitely. I believe the place will be filled up. There are Texas fans all over the country and since we are right here in Texas, I know the fans are going to be out and are going to be really excited.