Forty Acres Insider: November 21

Chris Del Conte head shot

Longhorn Nation,

As we head into a tradition-filled week of giving thanks, I've got to first reflect on the pride and winning tradition of our Texas Longhorns that was on full display in the recent days gone by. Soccer made a thrilling run to the NCAA Sweet 16, Men's Cross Country raced to its best NCAA finish (seventh) in 17 years, then Football went into Ames and imposed its will in a 26-16 triumph over Iowa State to remain alone atop the league standings with a Big 12 Championship Game berth firmly in its sights. We had another sweep from our Big 12 Champion Volleyball squad as it hit the home stretch with its eyes on another NCAA Tourney run, Women's Basketball won a pair of games at Moody Center, and Men's Basketball showed tremendous Texas Fight in the Big Apple. So much to be grateful for, and here's to everyone having a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family, fun and festive cheer! Horns Up to Turkey Day!!

And with that joyous spirit on our minds, it's back to that emphatic Football victory from Coach Sark and our squad. I can't say enough about how our Horns showed up and showed out on offense, defense and special teams. It was truly an impenetrable force at the line of scrimmage as our defense took to shutting down a Cyclones offense that managed just nine yards rushing on the day (YES, you read that right, NINE yards, fewest ever allowed by Texas in a Big 12 game!!). Our guy Bert Auburn continued to drill those field goals with ice water in his veins that matched nicely with those classic icy white unis our squad was donning — count 'em up, that's 14-in-a-row now for the man I've heard the voice of the Longhorns, Craig Way, calling Big Red! So, Hook 'Em BIG RED!! And after the offense overcame some miscues that stalled a few first-half drives, or this thing might have been a blowout, they were efficiently clicking and finished the deal with a pair of TDs and a field goal on five second-half drives to rally to a tremendous finish. I love our culture, love this team!

Building something special 🤘 pic.twitter.com/bAYjXFnQtq
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 21, 2023

That locker room was jumpin' and thumpin' after the game and boy was it a blast to be a part of. And we've got to take a moment to send a huge THANK YOU to y'all that joined us in Ames, because you were loud and proud all night long! Sark said it best on Monday, "I'd be remiss if I didn't thank all our fans that came to Ames Saturday night. Obviously a tough environment to play in, and your support did not go unnoticed. There's nothing like singing the Eyes of Texas on the road, in a hostile environment after a big win. That was a great moment for our players, we all had a heck of a time with y'all, and we really appreciate all the support."

Singing Texas Fight all the way back to Austin, Texas 🤘 pic.twitter.com/1BxrUKioHu
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 19, 2023

Our Horns are hitting on all cylinders, and it's all gas, no brakes in a November to remember as we welcome in Texas Tech (6:30 p.m. CT/ABC) on Friday. We're taking dead aim on our spot in the Big 12 Championship Game and can't wait to see y'all there. It's the final home game of the season and Senior Day, time to celebrate this special group that's leading the way. It's a long-awaited and far-too-few home night game. We have some spectacular fun ready to cap off a day on BEVO Blvd, Smokey's Midway, and Longhorn City Limits with what we know will be a sensational home field environment and advantage once again at DKR. Get there early folks, be loud, wear your Burnt Orange and White best, and let's get riled up and ready to help cheer our hearts out to bring over one more win!

Senior Night in DKR 🤘

🏈 Texas vs. Texas Tech
📅 Friday, Nov. 24 | 6:30 PM CT
📍 DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium
📺 ABC
Presented by H-E-B pic.twitter.com/wCgjuTRK4H
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 20, 2023

It was a historic run for Coach Kelly and Soccer as our Horns set 24 team records (16 individual/eight Team) in a Big 12 Tournament Championship and NCAA Sweet 16 season. Last week's second-round victory over No. 12 Wisconsin on Friday in Tallahassee advanced us to the third-round of the NCAA Tourney — matching the furthest we've ever gone in the NCAAs — and though it ended sooner than we wanted against No. 1 Florida State on Sunday, what an incredible season it was! I'm extremely proud of this team, program and the success they had in 2023, Horns Up ladies!!

Meanwhile in Charlottesville on Saturday, Coach Flo and Men's Cross Country were making historic strides of their own, finishing seventh at the NCAA Championships. That was the eighth top-10 finish in program history, and kudos to the All-American duo of Devin Hart — our top finisher in 11th place — and Rodger Rivera who led the way. Way to go guys!

Volleyball closes out the season hosting Texas Tech at The Greg on Saturday (1 p.m. CT/LHN), so plan on following up the Football Friday Frenzy by raising the roof and celebrating our seven-time defending Big 12 Champs the next day! It will be one special Senior Day for our Longhorns as we celebrate all they've accomplished and meant to the Burnt Orange and White. They'll be back at The Greg for y'all to cheer on in postseason play, so stay tuned on Sunday as the NCAA Selection Show will announce all the seedings and pairings, with NCAA Tourney games on the docket right here on the Forty next week. Nothing like a great homecourt advantage for the postseason, and we know y'all are ready and willing to provide that!

There's plenty of Hoops action too! Coach Terry and Men's Basketball hosts Wyoming to close out a weekend of Texas Fight on Sunday afternoon (2 p.m. CT/LHN), while Coach Schaefer and Women's Basketball travels to the Virgin Islands for three-straight nights of games at the Paradise Jam tourney on Thursday-Saturday (all games at 7 p.m. CT and streamed on ESPN+) before they return for a pair of home games with Oral Roberts on Wednesday, Nov. 29 (11 a.m. CT/LHN) and a big-time visit from UConn on Sunday, Dec. 3 (2 p.m. CT/ABC).

So much going on my friends! Let's get the family gathered, fill up on turkey, stuffing, all the fixings, and your favorite pies and sweets … celebrate the heck out of the holiday, give thanks and get carb-loaded to your heart's desire. We need that energy and juice and y'all charged up to join us on the Forty for a Football Friday and beyond! We are forever grateful for each and every one of you, ready for a smorgasbord of Texas sports, and know you are too. HAPPY THANKSGIVING y'all, let's do this!

🤘🤘🤘#HookEm | @seatgeek pic.twitter.com/EKjsRjiWyD
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) November 20, 2023

What They're Saying:

"Friday night game, it's only our second night game of the year. We know it was a great spectacle the first time, and we're looking forward to another awesome opportunity this week. It will be Senior Night for our seniors, a chance to celebrate them and all that they've done for our program. I've been pretty adamant and pretty clear about what those guys have meant to our program, so a chance to honor them will be great. A chance for us to solidify an opportunity to play in the Big 12 Championship game is obviously exciting, and hopefully for our fans to celebrate this team. I'm so proud of where this team has come … I know what everyone has gone through over the last decade or so … this team has been special and has one more opportunity to play at DKR Friday night. We're looking for a raucous and intense crowd, one that fuels our players with energy. We know we have to do our part to fuel y'all with energy too, so hopefully everybody can make it to DKR for an awesome ball game against a really good opponent as we continue this mission … we still have EVERYTHING to play for!" — Coach Sark encouraging y'all to pack the house on Friday

One last time in DKR for our seniors!

See you Friday night 🤘 pic.twitter.com/SF42ghrgBl
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 21, 2023

Join Coach Sark TONIGHT at Pluckers in west campus

Can't get enough Football talk during the week to get you ready for Friday night at DKR? We've got ya covered. Come join us TONIGHT from 6-7 p.m. at Pluckers Wing Bar in west campus (2222 Rio Grande St.) for "Longhorn Weekly with Coach Sark," our weekly coach's radio show hosted by "Voice of the Longhorns" Craig Way. Last week's show featured an outstanding interview with Longhorn Legend Colt McCoy. It's a great opportunity to show your support for Coach Sark while enjoying outstanding food and drinks from our partners at Pluckers.

Football gets its 10th win at Iowa State

Well folks, what a time it was in the land of corn as our Horns brought the moxie and came away with win number 10 by a 26-16 margin over the Cyclones. We knew it would be a hard-fought one going in, but like they have all year, our squad didn't back down in the face of the wailing cyclone sirens, and they created a storm of their own, thundering to victory to stay atop the Big 12 standings and take one more step toward a berth in that title game in Arlington. What more can you say about that defensive performance, especially in the trenches, other than nine yards. Just nine yards rushing, the fewest in a Big 12 game in program history, is what they gave up, led by T-Sweat, big Byron and the crew down low, while those linebackers and DBs were cleaning it up, as well. And it was needed in a low-scoring, grinding first half that was capped off by Big Red Bert Auburn knocking through a career-long 50-yard field goal at the buzzer for a 6-3 halftime lead. What a streak he's been on with 14 straight he's driven home. In the second half, the offense, not to mention the whole sideline was ignited by seeing my man J-Whitt, who came back for another year for the love of this team and does so much for it, crossing the goal line for the first touchdown of his season, and you know most importantly to him, the first touchdown of the game to extend the lead. You just get the waterworks flowing when you see how happy his teammates were for him and what he means to them. It's things like that, not to mention players like Adonai Mitchell, Jaylan Ford and Jahdae Barron out hugging Bert after his field goals, that really reveal the culture that's going on inside Coach Sark's program right now. It's a beautiful thing to see, my friends. Culture and complimentary football. That's what Texas does. And the complimentary part was on full display right after that, as even though the Cyclones found their way into the end zone for the first time, who was right there to change the momentum again? That's right, folks, make 'em Sweat! T-Sweat put that big paw up on the extra point and 82 yards later Austin Jordan was sliding into the end zone. I thought Austin was gonna start doing snow angels there for a second, but I think his teammates told them even though we're in Iowa in November there's no snow. Ha! That kept it a six-point game at 15-9, and then the defense shined again with Bug (Jerrin Thompson) making an awesome read and break on a pass to pick it off and put it back in the hands of Mr. Ewers and the offense. Three plays later, we were back in the end zone with the Gunnar (Helm) rumbling down the field on a 31-yard pass. That would give us the margin we would need, and although Iowa State got a sneaky long pop pass across to get back within a touchdown, Big Red stayed red hot with another plus-40 field goal to get it back to double digits. And let me say this, how big was our fresh-MAN C.J. Baxter in the first game without Jonathon Brooks? All he did was rush for a buck-seventeen on 20 carries (that's 5.8 per) and catch five passes. He had 32 yards with 20 on the ground and 12 in the air on that field goal drive. Not to mention, he helped run out that clock with a 14-yard dash on the last drive that turned a first-and-15 into a second-and-one after the Cyclones had used up their timeouts. A couple of plays later, it was time for everyone's favorite formation – victory – and our guys kneeled out the clock and turned up the celebration! (I think the music in the locker room was so loud Sark could hardly hear himself in the postgame press conference, but I'm sure that's a problem he loves to have). Then it was off into the dark Iowa night and back to the lights of Austin, and what a glorious sight to see that tower topped with Burnt Orange as we pulled back onto campus in the most a.m. of the a.m.! That leads us into the short week with a job not finished. We've got one more to go in our house against the Red Raiders, and we need every one of YOU to show up there in all your Burnt Orange best and to raise those Horns high and raise your voices to the sky (I know I used that line last week, but I brought it back because we actually felt you all the way up in Ames). So let's take all that energy you're going to build up on Turkey Day and bring it to DKR on Friday and cut it loose!

Monday morning highlights - 10 wins edition ☕🎥 pic.twitter.com/IkqmQqS3so
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 20, 2023

Let's get DKR rockin' this Friday for Senior Night!

I can't believe the home season is coming to an end, but we've got a heck of a gameday lined up for y'all this Friday! Come out early and tailgate with us on Bevo Blvd presented by H-E-B, Hook 'Em Hangout, and Smokey's Midway as the action starts at 2 p.m. The final Bevo Parade of the season will get rolling at 3:30 p.m. followed by Coach Sark and the team at the Stadium Stampede at 4:15 p.m. We've also got some holiday festive activities planned including Hook 'Em Santa photo ops at 4:30 p.m. as well as a mechanical reindeer and inflatable snow globe to enjoy. We need everyone in their seats early as we recognize our 2023 Texas Football senior players, support staff, Longhorn Band, and spirit program members for their dedication and hard work.

Then, we've got the magic of DKR gameday under the lights. Our team is working hard to make Friday a magical night for Longhorn Nation. Don't forget to the download the Texas Longhorns app on your phone so you can participate in our light show by clicking on the 'Horns Light' tab on the bottom.

back to DKR-TMS with our 🤘🆙#HookEm pic.twitter.com/Um8qj346Ck
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) November 19, 2023

Bob Schneider closes out Longhorn City Limits this Friday!

It's been another incredible year of live music at Longhorn City Limits presented by Still Austin Whiskey Co.! This Friday, we are thrilled to welcome Austin hometown legend Bob Schneider to the Forty Acres as he wraps up Season Five of LCL on the LBJ Lawn. The 59-time Austin Music Award winner will be joined on the lineup by singer-songwriter Scott Ballew. Both Scott and his father David were members of Texas Football national championship teams. Scott will get the live music kicked off at 3 p.m. followed by Bob Schneider at 4:30 p.m. See you there as we close out LCL in style this season!

last LCL of the season 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/filydkx57m
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) November 16, 2023

Here's your complete Friday schedule

7 a.m. – Parking lots open for permit holders

2 p.m. – Bevo Blvd presented by H-E-B, Smokey's Midway, and Hook 'Em Hangout open

2 p.m. – Still Austin Music Lounge and Tito's Tailgate opens at Longhorn City Limits pres. by Still Austin Whiskey Co.

2 p.m. – Hook 'Em Herd signups begin for kids ages 7-12 across from Gate 1 on Bevo Blvd (spots available on first-come, first-served basis)

2 p.m. – Photo ops with Smokey the Cannon on Smokey's Midway until 4 p.m.

2:30 p.m. – Gate 8 Box Office opens for mobile ticketing support and general ticketing issues

3 p.m. – Scott Ballew LIVE at Longhorn City Limits pres. by Still Austin Whiskey Co.

3:30 p.m. – Bevo Parade presented by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance (line up at the south entrance of Bevo Blvd at 3:15 p.m.)

3:30 p.m. – Texas Exes Tailgate open at Alumni Center for Texas Exes Members

4:15 p.m. – Cheer on Texas Football at the Stadium Stampede, the official team arrival (line up at the north entrance of Bevo Blvd at 4 p.m.)

4:30 p.m. – Hook 'Em Santa photo ops on Bevo Blvd (across from Gate 5)

4:30 p.m. – Stadium gates and all in-stadium Longhorn Foundation hospitality areas open

4:30 p.m. – Longhorn Network's Texas Gameday LIVE from Bevo Blvd

4:30 p.m. – Bob Schneider LIVE at Longhorn City Limits pres. by Still Austin Whiskey Co.

4:30 p.m. – Official Texas Football Pregame Radio Show LIVE from Bevo Blvd

4:30 p.m. – Box Offices at Gate 2B, 25, and 32 open for mobile ticket support

5:30 p.m. – Longhorn Band March to the Stadium (located at the corner of Robert Dedman Dr. and DeLoss Dodds Way near Longhorn City Limits)

6 p.m. – Bevo Blvd., Smokey's Midway, Longhorn City Limits, and Hook 'Em Hangout close

6:20 p.m. – Texas Football Senior Night Player Recognition

6:30 p.m. – Kickoff against Texas Tech!

Halftime – Longhorn Band halftime show

For a full list of activities and everything you want to know about all-things gameday, please visit our Football GameDay headquarters page.

Men's Basketball splits pair of games in Madison Square Garden

It was all about the bright lights and big stage for our No. 15 Men's Basketball team earlier this week, as RT and our guys split a pair of contests in the World's Most Famous Arena as part of the Saatva Empire Classic. On Sunday, our Longhorns earned a heart-stopping 81-80 win over Louisville. Kadin Shedrick turned heads with a career-best 27 points, and Mid Court Max showed off his mid-range game by knocking down the game-winning jumper with 0.4 seconds left. How cool was that moment?! We returned the following night and despite playing without Kadin (and Dylan Disu who I hear is making outstanding progress in his recovery), our team and staff showed tremendous Texas Fight in battling the defending national champs and No. 5 UConn before falling 81-71 in the championship game. D-Mitch had a career night with 21 points, and our point guard Tyrese Hunter added 13 points and seven assists without a turnover. Now our guys return home and we need you to continue to pack The Mood, as we'll host Wyoming on Sunday (2 p.m. CT/LHN).

MAX ABMAS EVERYONE 🤘#HookEm | @maxabmas pic.twitter.com/qBLBo66Z3x
— Texas Men's Basketball (@TexasMBB) November 19, 2023

career high 27 points for @kcshedrick last night 💪🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/kdcuqGz5yO
— Texas Men's Basketball (@TexasMBB) November 20, 2023

Women's Basketball is rolling and headed to the Paradise Jam

Coach Schaefer and our Women's Basketball team is 4-0 and No. 12 in the latest AP poll. Six Longhorns scored in double figures during the 110-64 home victory last Tuesday over UTA, and we returned to dominate from start-to-finish in a 96-44 on Sunday against Louisiana Tech. While the rest of us are relaxing and enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday break, our Longhorns are headed to the Virgin Islands for three games in three days at the Paradise Jam. We'll face Arizona State on Thanksgiving Night (7 p.m. CT, ESPN+), High Point on Friday (7 p.m. CT, ESPN+) and conclude the tourney by facing South Florida on Saturday (7 p.m. CT, ESPN+).

had herself a night 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/7C84yraZxw
— Texas Women's Basketball (@TexasWBB) November 15, 2023

welcome to the Taylor Jones show 🤩

Performance State x #InvescoQQQ #HookEm pic.twitter.com/sS4R4fm8kM
— Texas Women's Basketball (@TexasWBB) November 19, 2023

Volleyball wins seventh-straight Big 12 title!

Volleyball locked up its seventh-consecutive Big 12 Conference Championship last Wednesday with a 3-1 win over Iowa State at The Greg. The Longhorns then went back on the road and took down UCF with a clean sweep in our final road Big 12 match. Coach Elliott and our ladies will close out the regular season with the Senior Day match against Texas Tech on Saturday (1 p.m. CT/LHN). We'll then turn our attention to the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday (5 p.m. CT/ESPN), where we'll find out our postseason match-ups.

Call us Champs. Again. 🤘🏆#HookEm pic.twitter.com/sbl65Jf7YG
— Texas Volleyball (@TexasVolleyball) November 16, 2023

Soccer ends historic season in NCAA Round of 16

The 2023 Soccer season was one for the record books, literally! In 24 matches played this season, our Longhorns set 16 different individual program records and eight team school records before falling to a top-ranked Florida State team in the Round of 16 on Sunday. In knocking off No. 12 Wisconsin, 2-1, on Friday afternoon to reach the third round of the NCAA Tournament — matching the furthest postseason run in the program's history — Lexi Missimo became the first student-athlete in the Big 12 Conference's women's soccer history to record a 20-goal, 20-assist season. To say she has been the best Division I women's soccer student-athlete this season might be an understatement! 26 goals and 20 assists in just 24 matches is absolutely remarkable! What a talent! And to think, with Lexi, Trinity Byars and Mia Justus all having eligibility remaining, EmJ Cox returning from injury, AND an incoming top-10 recruiting class, momentum in our Soccer program is at an all-time high as we transition into the SEC in 2024.

thank you for the memories this season 🫶#HookEm | #RunWithTexas pic.twitter.com/4k8sSeNy2v
— Texas Soccer (@TexasSoccer) November 20, 2023

Raised as a legacy and forged by the Texas heat, No. 1⃣0⃣ burnt her own path along the way

📰: https://t.co/gPRoNesA4C #HookEm | @MissimoLexi pic.twitter.com/AtdWVv2sYH
— Texas Soccer (@TexasSoccer) November 17, 2023

Men's Cross Country earns seventh-place finish at NCAA Championships!

What an incredible performance from our guys in Charlottesville over the weekend! Coach Metcalf led our Men's Cross Country team to a seventh-place finish - our highest team finish since 2006. It marked the eighth time in school history that our men's team has posted a top-10 finish at the NCAA Championship. Devin Hart was our top finisher for the sixth time this season, placing 11th as an individual and earned his first USTFCCCA Cross Country All-America honors alongside Rodger Rivera who finished 23rd. The pair became the 22nd and 23rd Cross Country All-Americans in school history.

The Texas men finish 7th with 262 points at the NCAA Championships to match its best finish since 2005 and 2006🤘🔥#FloKnows x #HookEm pic.twitter.com/WrCOLWO4RQ
— Texas T&F/XC (@TexasTFXC) November 18, 2023

Men's and Women's Swimming post wins at Texas Swimming Invitational

Our Men's and Women's Swim and Dive programs played host to a successful Texas Swimming Invitational last week during a four-day event that featured six top-25 teams. Will Modglin led the men with five events wins, while Emma Sticklen was part of three wins, including a program record in the 200 free relay with teammates Grace Cooper, Ava Longi and Kelly Pash. Make sure you stay tuned in next week for updates at the Diving Winter Nationals and US Open from our talented crews.

DOWN GOES THE 5-YEAR 200 FREE RELAY PROGRAM RECORD 😤🤘

Grace Cooper, Ava Longi, Emma Sticklen & Kelly Pash go 1:26.31 to win it led by Cooper's program record 50 time of 21.66 🔥#HookEm pic.twitter.com/62jhdqyngx
— Texas Women's Swimming & Diving (@TexasWSD) November 18, 2023

Hook 'Em Horns,

Chris Del Conte

P.S. – This speaks volumes of the season Jonathon had and the respect he has across the country, congrats my friend!

Jonathon Brooks - Doak Walker Award semifinalist 🤘@2brookss x @DoakWalkerAward pic.twitter.com/wfHhD5WLZY
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 21, 2023

P.S. – Learning, Growing and Changing the World!

learning, growing and changing the world 🤘

check out our @be4evertexas trip to Washington D.C.!#HookEm pic.twitter.com/IajyEpY5ET
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) November 20, 2023

P.S. – The G.O.A.T earns another well-deserved honor!

Congrats to the legend himself who was awarded the Golden Goggles Impact Award last night 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/MrkoOS13hF
— Texas Men's Swimming & Diving (@TexasMSD) November 20, 2023

P.S. – Congrats to Coach Pierce and staff!

Next up for the Horns…

Read all about the No. 3 signing class in the country: https://t.co/CuNrFN0YTY #HookEm pic.twitter.com/DWiGUa2CuR
— Texas Baseball (@TexasBaseball) November 16, 2023

P.S. – Lydia defines Texas Fight!

What a journey for the Queen in the North 👑#GoldenGoggles pic.twitter.com/JtQCc5ti4Q
— USA Swimming (@USASwimming) November 20, 2023

P.S. – Can't wait to see this new campus holiday initiative!

Join us as we light the town burnt orange 🤘
We are excited to announce the inaugural Longhorn Lights, a free community holiday light show along Guadalupe Street between 21st and 24th streets.

Learn more at https://t.co/T7ymvrHv2x pic.twitter.com/GJvLtolaiX
— UT Austin (@UTAustin) November 21, 2023

HEADLINES

Spizzirri named to Team USA for 2023 Master'U BNP Paribas Championships

Brooks named Doak Walker Award semifinalist

Kwiatkowski named Broyles Award semifinalist

Video: Steve Sarkisian press conference (Nov. 20)

Video: Football at Iowa State highlights

No. 7/7 Football preview: Texas Tech

Video: Steve Sarkisian post-game press conference (Nov. 18)

Big second half vaults No. 7 Football to 26-16 victory at Iowa State

Modglin of No. 13 Men's Swim and Dive wins third event at Texas Invitational

Sticklen leads No. 2 Women's Swim and Dive on final night of Texas Invitational

Hobson, Modglin lead No. 13 Men's Swim and Dive at Texas Invitational