The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
09.28.2021 | Forty Acres Insider
Important news happening in and around Texas Athletics compiled by Vice President and Athletics Director Chris Del Conte. [<a href="http://texassports.com/archives.aspx?path=forty_acres_insider">Forty Acres Insider archives</a>]
Longhorn Nation,
Those Horns were held proud & high and far & wide last week as there was much rejoicing on the field, courts and pitch for the Burnt Orange and White. Our Longhorns were taking it to everyone who stood in their way as No. 1 Volleyball swept Rice, Soccer won a pair of road matches at Kansas State and Oklahoma, and of course, Football kept the cannon firing all the live long day with a 70-35 win over Texas Tech. Talk about kicking off Big 12 play in style, that certainly did the job! Amidst it all, we gathered on campus to celebrate the phenomenal leader of our great university in the official inauguration of President Hartzell. What a special Longhorn Friday that was as he inspired us all with his vision and message at his State of the University address, then we were truly thrilled to have him as our honorary captain at the football game on Saturday, as well. Longhorn Nation, thank you for the huge round of applause and the special opportunity we had as we recognized him during pre-game. I'm so fortunate to have Jay as a colleague and a friend, and we are very lucky to have him on the Forty Acres.
And we're so lucky to have all of you, your support, your pride, passion and love of your Longhorns. I do want to take a moment to thank so many of you Football ticket holders who took the time to fill out our survey after last week's game. That is invaluable information for us as we continue to strive to provide the best fan environment and engagement possible. Based on the feedback, it sure looks like we're steadily improving, and everyone is pleased with the smooth transition of getting in (4.54 rating out of 5) and out (4.50) of the stadium, y'all appreciate the cleanliness (4.55) and our efforts there, the Team Shops' service (4.42), and you're getting more and more comfortable with the mobile ticketing (4.45) process. We heard your concerns, as well, and will continue to address those, but all and all, things are getting better each and every week! So with that said, last week was a great one, and we're right back at it as Football hits the road to TCU, Volleyball opens Big 12 play with West Virginia coming to town, and Soccer returns home to host TCU and Texas Tech. I know y'all will be right there riding shotgun with us in this All Gas, No Brakes season of action-packed Longhorns Sports!
But the Forty Acres Insider is always a great chance to not only look ahead, but to reflect, as well. Let's start with Football and that tremendous performance on Saturday. But before we do that, I need to recognize all of you – the best fans in America. The early kickoff didn't deter you one bit as you took to Bevo Blvd. bright and early, ushered in the team like only you can, and once in the stadium, brought the heat from kickoff to the final whistle. And, WOW, that game was a sight to behold as Coach Sark and our Longhorns jumped out to a 35-7 lead, had 42 points by halftime and ran away from the Red Raiders, 70-35, to improve to 3-1 on the year. It was a complete team effort, and on the heels of the 58-0 shoutout of Rice, included back-to-back 600-yard total offense games for just the second time in school history (2005 was the other). The 70 points were also the most since 2005, and get this, we didn't punt for the second straight game. That's a Longhorn first! And when you have team success, individual honors come too, so congrats to Casey Thompson and Xavier Worthy on their well-deserved recognition. Up next is a trip to TCU for an 11 a.m. CT (ABC) kickoff at Amon G. Carter Stadium. I know Coach Sark and the team hope to see a bunch of you there, and I echo the sentiments of gratitude he shared at his Monday press conference for y'all bringin' it big time on Saturday at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.
"It was a great atmosphere Saturday. 11 a.m. kick, I thought DKR was rockin', the fans were here and it was definitely a homefield advantage. We look forward to our fans traveling up to Fort Worth with us this week. For those that can make it, we'd love to have you, it will be a great environment for football." — Coach Sark.
Coach Elliott and No. 1 Volleyball continued their torrid play with a 3-0 sweep at Rice last Wednesday, improving to 9-0 on the season. Our Horns have swept five of their nine matches and were so dominant in the non-conference season that they won 27 of 31 sets during that time. Now it's on to Big 12 play with West Virginia coming to Austin on Thursday (8 p.m. CT/LHN) and Friday (7 p.m. CT/LHN). I know Gregory Gym will be en fuego as usual, can't wait to see y'all there!
Coach Kelly and our Soccer squad are on quite a roll, as well, traveling into enemy territory and triumphantly opening Big 12 play at Kansas State and Oklahoma last week to extend their winning streak to five-straight matches. Freshman Trinity Byars, the Big 12 Freshman of the Week, led the charge for our Longhorns as the forward scored three times this past week and even tied a program record by scoring a goal for the fifth-straight match. As a perfect example to "always be ready when called upon," junior Sydney Nobles came off the bench as a sub late in the match at OU and scored the match-winner in the 88th minute to finish off the Sooners. It's a massive week of home matches ahead in league play as our Horns welcome in No. 5 TCU on Thursday (6 p.m. CT/LHN) and Texas Tech on Sunday (1 p.m. CT/LHN).
And hey, the success this week wasn't just in the realm of our 40 Acres, it was global, as our Longhorn Legends Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth were part of a dominant Team USA 19-9 victory over Team Europe at the Ryder Cup! Just like our Olympic success this summer, it doesn't get much better than being able to combine our pride for our great University with our pride for our great country. And get this, Texas was one of only two schools along with Florida State to have not one, but two selections for this year's Ryder Cup team! Coach Fields, well done my friend, your program has produced some of the best in the world, and we know you've already got more well on their way!
We also have to give emphatic Hook 'Em Horns to our Longhorn Legend, three-time Olympic medalist and amazing professional softball star Cat Osterman as she heads into retirement. What a long and illustrious career it has been for our awesome Texas Ex. She's got many more wonderful things ahead as she steps away from the field with her legacy as one of the greatest softball players ever securely intact. Congrats Cat, you're the absolute best!
Longhorn Band and Longhorn Pep Band pausing activities
Out of an abundance of caution, the Longhorn Band and Longhorn Pep Band are pausing their practice sessions this week due to COVID-19 protocols and will not be able to perform at Texas Athletics events. The Longhorn Pep Band was scheduled to perform at volleyball matches on Thursday and Friday, and the Longhorn Band was scheduled to perform at UT's football road game at TCU on Saturday, but neither band will be able to attend those events.
3-Game Football Mini Plans still available
With Saturday's resounding victory over Texas Tech, we have officially hit the midpoint of the home football season. If you don't already have your seats secured, it's not too late to join the party for the rest of the season. Three-game mini plans are available and guarantee your spot for the Oklahoma State, Kansas and K-State games at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mini Plans start at $165 and can be purchased online at TexasSports.com/Tickets.
In closing, I want to give another shoutout and emphatic Hook 'Em to President Hartzell. We are so fortunate to have such a tremendous man leading our great university. He has such wisdom, vision and grace and is doing just a brilliant job leading us into the future. I feel so fortunate to not only work with him each and every day, but to have him as a confidant and friend. Not a day goes by that I'm not inspired by the manner in which he leads, the way he handles any and all challenges, and his passion and pride for The University of Texas. Thank you for all you do, your love and support of Texas Athletics and we're grateful for all you've done, all you're doing and the great things you'll do for Longhorn Nation today, tomorrow and long into the future!
When you're All Gas and No Brakes, there's no time to rest. We just keep on keepin' on and that's the joy of sports and being a Longhorn. We're always competing and taking on each and every challenge with that world renowned Texas Fight. And with Longhorn Nation providing the wind beneath our wings, we know we've got this. Keep those Horns Up and let's Hook 'Em!
Hook 'Em Horns,
Chris Del Conte
Chris Del Conte
P.S. — Justin Tucker, 66 yards, you can't be serious! People like to use the term G.O.A.T. a lot, but is there ever a time (or two!!) it was more appropriate?! So proud of our Longhorn Legend!!!
P.S. II — This is indeed an epic image! Our future home for Men's and Women's Basketball is coming along nicely.
P.S. III — Okay, this is awesome! Thank you to the Red Bull Air Force Jumpers!!
HEADLINES
Presidential Inauguration and State of the University Address
Truist, UT Athletics and Moody Center announce premier partnership
Truist is now "Official Bank Sponsor of the Texas Longhorns" and Moody Center.
Longhorns in the NFL: Week Three
Baltimore's Justin Tucker kicked an NFL-record 66- yard field goal as time expired to defeat Detroit.
Kickoff time set for Football vs. Oklahoma
The Longhorns and Sooners will square off in the 2021 AT&T Red River Showdown at 11 a.m. on ABC.
Scheffler, Spieth help Team USA to dominant Ryder Cup victory
Scheffler posts an impressive 2-0-1 mark in his Ryder Cup debut.
Video: Steve Sarkisian press conference
Head coach Steve Sarkisian previewed Saturday's game at TCU.
Video: Vic Schaefer media availability
Women's Basketball head coach met with the local media on Thursday.
Video: Men's Basketball media availability
Head coach Chris Beard and junior Tre Mitchell met with the local media on Wednesday.
Soccer's Trinity Byars again reaps Big 12 and Top Drawer Soccer accolades
Texas becomes just the second school to earn four consecutive Big 12 Soccer Freshman of the Week honors.
Soccer gets 88th minute Nobles goal to fight off Oklahoma, 4-3
Freshman forward Trinity Byars scored a brace (two goals) to give her seven goals in UT's last five matches.
Soccer opens Big 12 Conference play with 2-0 road win at Kansas State
Trinity Byars and Julia Grosso each scored first-half goals for the Longhorns in the victory.
Soccer's Byars reaps trio of Big 12 Conference & national weekly honors
The freshman forward scored three goals and dished an assist for seven points during UT's 2-0 week.
Men's Tennis closes play at Southern Intercollegiates
The Longhorns added one singles and one doubles victory against players from Ohio State on the final day.
Women's Cross Country wins Concordia Classic
For the second time this season, the women of the Texas Cross Country team claimed the top seven finishes and helped the Longhorns win the Concordia Classic.
Texas Lottery Veteran Recognition: Lee Leffingwell
The retired Navy pilot, Vietnam veteran and former Austin Mayor will be recognized when Texas Football hosts Texas Tech.
Ray Benson's special halftime performance at Texas vs. Texas Tech Football Game
The 10-time Grammy Award winner is celebrating 50 years of Asleep at the Wheel.
