Forty Acres Insider: November 7

Chris Del Conte head shot

Longhorn Nation,

Raise 'em high, it's a glorious time to be a Longhorn! Show your Texas Pride and get on your Burnt Orange-best my friends, we're stampeding into the week on the heels of a sensational weekend. The Forty Acres was en fuego as Coach Kelly and Soccer put an exclamation point on a Super Saturday, lighting the Tower Orange with a thrilling Big 12 Tournament Championship, just a few hours after a magnificently memorable victory by Coach Sark and the Horns at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.

We'll start with our incredible day at DKR. Y'all sure did get here early, were oh so loud, stayed late, and played a vital role in our Longhorns bringing home one more win. From the pre-game festivities, Big Noon Kickoff crowd, heart-warming Veteran Recognition Day tributes and a couple tips of the hat to our Longhorn Legend Ricky Williams, there was plenty of pomp and circumstance for this one. That only fueled a fired-up and frenzied day that was filled with Texas Fight. Y'all did your part, and how 'bout our Longhorns!? They had their share of adversity and challenges, ups and downs, but were such a reflection of their coach — remaining composed, poised and focused on the task at hand until the crucial, final heart-stopping defensive stand for a 33-30 overtime win over No. 25 and defending Big 12 Champs Kansas State. I know your heart was pumpin', things got a bit anxious, but in the end it was one exhilarating victory for the ages that none of us will ever forget! What a joy it was basking in it with y'all as together we belted out "The Eyes of Texas" and serenaded our tremendous team with a chorus of cheers as they triumphantly charged up the tunnel. We're 8-1 and it feels so good!!

CONFIRMED: Austin knows how to party 🤘🧡 pic.twitter.com/XFo3la3tSj
— Big Noon Kickoff (@BNKonFOX) November 7, 2023

Coach Sark said it best, "what an awesome environment and atmosphere DKR was on Saturday. It was absolutely rockin'. And we needed our fans up until that very last play. To have our stadium sold out, rockin' in a pivotal game in Big 12 play, that's what it's all about and I can't thank our fans, students, and everyone enough for bringing it big-time on Saturday. Y'all had a critical impact on that game. It truly was impressive Texas Fight in every way, and we appreciate Longhorn Nation as we continue on this mission and journey."

DKR-TMS was rockin' 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/WONrWSNal4
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) November 5, 2023

Football's victory Saturday kept us atop the Big 12 standings at 5-1 and ranked No. 7 nationally with the latest College Football Playoff rankings coming out tonight. Before that epic gridiron win, No. 3 Volleyball swept West Virginia on Thursday and Friday in Morgantown to remain perfect and atop the Big 12 as well at 13-0. Meanwhile, Soccer won three matches in six days — including victories over No. 4 Texas Tech in the semis and No. 6 BYU in the final — to raise that Big 12 Championship Tournament trophy right here in Round Rock. It was an epic run to the crown and fantastic way to head into the NCAA Championship tourney. We'll do that as a No. 5 seed in the friendly confines of Mike A. Myers Stadium with Lamar headed here for a first-round tilt on Friday (6 p.m. CT/LHN). Let's pack the house and bring the juice for Coach Kelly and our Longhorns!

We've got Basketball off and running this week too, as our men's squad tipped the season off with an 88-56 victory over Incarnate Word on Monday night. The women take to the home court as their 2023-24 campaign commences on Wednesday against Southern (7 p.m. CT/LHN). The men are back at it at Moody on Friday —right after the soccer match — against Delaware State (8 p.m. CT/LHN), followed by the women on Sunday versus Liberty (2 p.m. CT/LHN). It's time to get in The Mood, so let's do that this week!

There's plenty more action this week as Volleyball hits the stretch run of conference play with a road match at Kansas State on Wednesday (6:30 p.m. CT/Big 12 Now on ESPN+) before returning home to host Cincinnati at The Greg on Saturday (1 p.m. CT/LHN). Spots in the NCAA Championship field are on the line as our Men's and Women's Cross Country squads travel to Fayetteville to compete for bids at the NCAA South Central Regionals on Friday. Rowing travels to the Waco Rowing Regatta on Sunday to hit the water for the first competition of its season.

So, so much going on y'all and we can't wait to see you, with your patented Texas passion and pride on full display. WE GOT THIS, HOOK 'EM!

🤘🤘🤘#HookEm | @Seatgeek pic.twitter.com/omKETSkOfS
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) November 6, 2023

What they're Saying

"When I took this job, I envisioned us being a championship-caliber team and competing for championships, year in and year out. I also envisioned having one of the most intimidating places to have to play in the country. To have these two things really happening in year three — it's pretty special. I'm very grateful for our fans and the support they give us. I'm grateful for our players and what they put in, week in and week out. It's an awesome time to be part of Texas Longhorn Football. It's an awesome time to be supporting Texas Longhorn Football. I know it's been a long time coming, so to be in this position in November, I couldn't be prouder to be leading this program and more thankful for everyone that is supporting us. I'm hopeful we continue this and I'm looking forward to seeing a sea of burnt orange up in Fort Worth on Saturday supporting our team." — Coach Sark

Gameday in DKR 🤘 pic.twitter.com/LtY4vqQ3JS
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 6, 2023

Football brings it home in OT against K-State

If you're anything like me, I'm still waiting for the old ticker to settle down from that awesome and dramatic win over a ranked K-State team in DKR. With their backs against the wall, what a stand our defense made, once again showing the resiliency of this team under Coach Sark. With the ball down at the 6-yard line against the Big 12's best red zone and rushing offense, our guys didn't blink, and they delivered the W. The runs were stuffed, the pass coverage was locked in, and I saw a group of players who weren't going to let that game go on their watch. From big T-Sweat blowing up the middle to Ryan Watts being spot on and giving the quarterback nowhere to throw, it was pure team play followed by pure team joy as they streamed onto the field when it was over. And I mentioned that rushing offense for Kansas State – fifth best in the nation coming in at over 225 yards per game – they finished with 33. Wow. There were so many big plays. Mr. Built Ford Tough being Johnny on the spot to grab that fumble – one of two turnovers on the day created by Westlake's finest with that one knocked free by Ethan Burke, and then Michael Taaffe grabbing yet another INT. Meanwhile, the offense was doing its thing too for most of the game. JB cleared the century mark again on the ground and "call me Adonai" had a career-high 149 in the air to be named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week, and both got into the end zone. Once again, Maalik steered the ship, and even though there was some adversity in the second half, he did so many positive things in just his second start as a redshirt freshman. Some of those passes out there were just darts, and when we needed a late fourth-down conversion, he delivered big time. Speaking of fourth-down conversions, shoutout to CJ Baxter for his 54-yard jaunt. He needed one for the first down, but why not house it while you're at it? All-in-all, the ground attack went for 230 yards, more than doubling what the Wildcats were averaging in run defense coming in. With all that said, it's not a win without a man called Bert having ice water in the veins and being a perfecto 4-for-4 from downtown, including getting us the lead back both in the fourth quarter and in OT to set up the defense for the win. That'll get you Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors, and it surely did! It was another all-around team win, and that's what it's going to take every week, starting with a trip this week to face the Horned Frogs on Saturday (6:44 p.m. CT/ABC). We need y'all to make your way up I-35 in your best Burnt Orange and help us bring it home! And if you can't, then be sure we can still hear you all the way up in Fort Worth!

Monday morning highlights - K-State edition ☕️🎥 pic.twitter.com/szrRwkJE5A
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 6, 2023

On the road. Under the lights 🤘

🏈 Texas at TCU
📅 Saturday, Nov. 11 | 6:30 PM CT
📍 Fort Worth, TX | Amon G. Carter Stadium
📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/IhadJL6e2l
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 7, 2023

Deadline approaching for Football postseason tickets!

We need to provide a friendly reminder to all eligible Longhorn Foundation members and Football season-ticket holders that the deadline for postseason tickets is quickly approaching. The deadline to request Dr. Pepper Big 12 Championship Game tickets is this Friday at 5 p.m. CT, and the deadline to request bowl game tickets is Monday, Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. CT. Please understand that requesting tickets does not guarantee fulfillment, as all requests will be filled in loyalty points rank order within priority limits based on your annual gift.

Join Coach Sark on Wednesday at Pluckers in west campus

Can't get enough Football talk during the week to get you ready for Saturday night in Fort Worth? Got ya covered. Come join us on Wednesday 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. It's a great opportunity to show your support for Coach Sark while enjoying outstanding food and drinks from our partners at Pluckers.

Here's our interview with @JermichaelF88 on this week's Longhorn Weekly with Coach Sark show🤘🏻https://t.co/QNTexKh8uZ
— John Bianco (@UT_Bianco) October 27, 2023

Men's Basketball season is off and Running!

How awesome was opening night on Monday in Moody Center? The festivities started with a beautiful tribute to Longhorn Legend Lance Blanks. From there, RT and our No. 18 Men's Basketball team had the fans in The Mood rockin' from tip to buzzer with an 88-56 victory over Incarnate Word on Monday night. Five Longhorns reached double figures in scoring, and the 'D' was on point holding UIW to under 30-percent field goal shooting. That stifling defense led to some excitement in transition, as our Longhorns recorded a 29-0 margin in fast-break points on the night. A huge shoutout to The Corral and our season-ticket holders, as it was another sellout crowd and electric atmosphere in The Mood! D-Mitch was cleared for takeoff on a few occasions, IT Horton threw down a hammer, and Chendall Weaver blew the lid of the arena with an unreal follow-dunk! Be sure to come back to The Mood on Friday, as our Longhorns host Delaware State (8 p.m. CT/LHN). Please note the game time change to 8 p.m., as we'll have Soccer hosting its NCAA first-round match at 6 p.m. before our basketball game.

Horns Win! 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/iTd27rT5SF
— Texas Men's Basketball (@TexasMBB) November 7, 2023

GAME TIME UPDATE‼️

Friday's home game against Delaware State has been moved to 8 PM 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/PZlwkItBvR
— Texas Men's Basketball (@TexasMBB) November 7, 2023

Women's Basketball set for season opener on Wednesday!

Let's get it started! Your 2023 Big 12 Champion Women's Basketball team tips off the 2023-24 season with its home opener on Wednesday (7 p.m. CT/LHN) against Southern. In their final tune-up, our Longhorns claimed a 124-52 victory over Midwestern State in an exhibition game last week. Taylor Jones scored 22 points, and Khadija Faye posted a double-double with 19 points and 11 boards, and how about that second quarter when we outscored Midwestern State by a 41-5 margin. Wow!

Now it's time for the real thing on Wednesday. Get your tickets for the opener at this link. Come early for the Longhorn Kids Court that opens at 6 p.m., and be in your seats ready to get loud for tipoff at 7 p.m. Then be sure to come out again as we host Liberty on Sunday (2 p.m. CT/LHN). We'll see you in The Mood!

see you on Wednesday for the real thing 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/NWPPqfGF6U
— Texas Women's Basketball (@TexasWBB) November 3, 2023

Soccer wins Big 12 Tournament title and will host NCAA tourney match on Friday!

Well, how about that Texas Fight from Coach Ange Kelly and our Longhorns! To knock off West Virginia (3-1), No. 4 Texas Tech (1-0) AND No. 6 BYU (3-1) in a span of four days to win the Big 12 Conference Tournament Championship is what Texas Athletics is all about! In addition to that trophy coming back to the Forty Acres, Lexi Missimo and Mia Justus brought back plaques in recognition of being the top offensive and defensive players of the tournament. Oh, and the team had FIVE of the Big 12's 11 All-Tournament selections, too. I couldn't be happier and prouder of our ladies and coaching staff for being able to set the tone and begin our collection of Big 12 Championships in our final year in the league.

But the show doesn't stop yet! On Friday night (6 p.m. CT/LHN), we will play host to a NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship first-round match against Lamar. Tickets can be purchased online now for adults ($8) and youth ages 12-and-under ($3), so come pack Mike A. Myers Stadium and cheer on our team!

one for the road 🤘#HookEm | #RunWithTexas pic.twitter.com/icJvPXClxY
— Texas Soccer (@TexasSoccer) November 5, 2023

home sweet home 🤘#HookEm | #RunWithTexas pic.twitter.com/EW58kxc19a
— Texas Soccer (@TexasSoccer) November 6, 2023

Volleyball continues unbeaten run in league play

Our Volleyball team made quick work out in West Virginia last week, sweeping all six sets on Thursday and Friday over the Mountaineers to remain undefeated in Big 12 Conference play. Our Longhorns have just five regular season matches left, starting at Kansas State on Wednesday (6:30 p.m. CT/Big 12 Now on ESPN+) before returning back home to The Greg on Saturday (1 p.m. CT/LHN). Please note our match time on Saturday was moved to 1 p.m., so all of our fans can enjoy the Volleyball match before rooting on the Football team later that night at TCU.

🚨 TIME CHANGE 🚨

See y'all at Gregory Gym on Saturday at 1 PM 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/wOjuuybywi
— Texas Volleyball (@TexasVolleyball) November 6, 2023

Swim & Dive completes busy week

Boy were our Swimming and Diving teams busy last week! Head Diving coach Matt Scoggin led our Longhorns to a successful Texas Diving Invitational, as our group swept all six events during the three-day meet. Hailey Hernandez and Nick Harris both swept the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard events, while our talented freshmen Caroline Kupka and Tanner Braunton took on those tall platforms and brought home another pair of first-place finishes.

Back in the pool, our Swimming teams traveled to College Station and took on Texas A&M and Georgia Tech in a tri-meet on Friday night. Our No. 2 Women's team took home a clean sweep of both opponents with a 148-114 win over the Aggies and a 186.5-74.5 victory against the Yellow Jackets. Our No. 7 Men's squad split the meet with a 157.5-104.5 win over Georgia Tech. You can come out and support our Longhorns at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center, when we host the Texas Invitational on Wednesday, Nov. 15 through Saturday, Nov. 18. Prelims are set for 10 a.m., while finals are scheduled for 6 p.m. each day.

Caroline Kupka wins the Texas Diving Invitational Platform event with 295.35 points 🔥 #HookEm pic.twitter.com/3PCxMhRxM2
— Texas Women's Swimming & Diving (@TexasWSD) November 3, 2023

BIG DUBS 🤘

Texas picks up 🤘 wins in College Station against Texas A&M and Georgia Tech! #HookEm pic.twitter.com/w6lhNnHMQF
— Texas Women's Swimming & Diving (@TexasWSD) November 4, 2023

Next up, Texas Invitational 🤘 pic.twitter.com/WieusWmDWq
— Texas Men's Swimming & Diving (@TexasMSD) November 5, 2023

An emotional weekend for Men's Tennis

There was a wide range of emotions this past weekend related to the Men's Tennis team. It began with the sad news of the passing of an icon in former head coach Dave Snyder. For almost three decades, he was the face of the program as the coach who would become one of the winningest in the history of college tennis. More than that, though, it was who he was as a man. You can't find a person who knew him who didn't have the utmost respect for him. I couldn't say it any better than the great DeLoss Dodds, who worked so closely with him: "He epitomized what we all would like to see in a coach, not only producing great teams and players, but having a huge impact on their lives while they played at Texas and beyond. He was a fierce competitor as a player then as a coach, a father figure to his student-athletes, and always a gentleman." It doesn't get any better than that. And those aren't just words. You don't have to look any further than just last year when his former players came together and funded an endowed scholarship in his name. What a man he was, and all of us in the athletics department send our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.

With that said, no one would have been happier than Coach Snyder to see current player Micah Braswell hoist the trophy as the singles champion of the ITA Fall Nationals (one of the two fall majors) on Sunday, which is just what he did. You know Coach Snyder was smiling down, and although he would never take the credit, he laid the foundation of this program for things like that to happen. Micah, we're so proud of you for that incredible accomplishment, especially coming off winning the Texas Regionals just before this, and it gave our Horns the sweep of the two majors after Eliot Spizzirri brought home the ITA All-Americans title last month. How about that?! It's just the second time ever Texas has swept both after the great Yuya Ito won them in 2019. Speaking of 2019, I have to add one more note on Coach Snyder. Even though he retired in 2000, no one loved this team more than him. Coach Berque mentioned it, but it's one of my favorite stories, too, that when we were in Orlando for the National Championship match that year, there was no way Coach Snyder was going to miss it, and he made the special effort to fly down to be there with us. Coach Snyder, you're the best, and although we'll all miss you, you'll never be forgotten.

🏆🏆 What a double for Micah Braswell and Eliot Spizzirri! For just the second time, the Horns have swept the singles titles at the @ITA_Tennis Fall Nationals and All-Americans in the same year! Yuya Ito pulled the double in 2019! #HookEm 🤘🎾 pic.twitter.com/XACaBcGS8w
— Texas Men's Tennis (@TexasMTN) November 6, 2023

Men's Golf concludes fall season with runner-up showing in Pebble Beach

Have to hand it to Coach Fields and our Men's Golf team, as these guys sure know how to schedule well! Our Longhorns concluded an impressive fall campaign with a second-place showing at the Cypress Point Classic, a prestigious eight-team Ryder Cup style event that took place at beautiful Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach. Last Monday, the team earned a 2-1 victory over No. 5 Georgia Tech during foursomes play in the quarterfinals and returned to record a 2-1 win against Pepperdine during fourball action in the semifinals later that afternoon. Then on Tuesday in the championship match, our group claimed a 3-3 tie against No. 4 Arizona State during the six singles matches but the Sun Devils earned the title by virtue of a tiebreaker based on most holes won. In addition to its runner-up showing at Cypress Point, our Longhorns won the Big 12 Match Play Tournament and earned a runner-up finish at the Olympia Fields Country Club/Fighting Illini Invitational this fall. Gentlemen, we can't wait to see what's in store on the links in the spring!

T-Mo on the iconic 16th hole at Cypress Point 🤘@T_morrison_88 | #TakeDeadAim pic.twitter.com/zyImCg7kqp
— Texas Men's Golf (@TexasMGolf) October 30, 2023

Baseball wraps Fall World Series

Coach Pierce and Baseball wrapped up their annual Fall World Series last week and the program announced their exciting 2024 schedule. The Longhorns will play 37 home games at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, and we're already looking forward to Opening Day at The Disch on Feb. 16 against San Diego. We'll also have a midweek game against rival Texas A&M and host Big 12 Conference series against Baylor, BYU, TCU, Oklahoma State and Kansas.

It's gonna be a fun year, Horns fans.https://t.co/xvGFA8cuCm | #HookEm pic.twitter.com/ZqPcRo7YQd
— Texas Baseball (@TexasBaseball) November 2, 2023

Hook 'Em Horns,

Chris Del Conte

P.S. – Legendary!

25 years of being the 🐐🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/GgicS2fl1p
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) November 4, 2023

P.S. – Congrats to our newest Distinguished Alumnus Award recipients!

We were so grateful for the chance to honor our newest Distinguished Alumnus Award recipients this weekend. This year's class is made up of Longhorns who truly prove that what starts here changes the world. Learn more about our recipients here → https://t.co/e0oizZRClz pic.twitter.com/XfkTmH2u2l
— Texas Exes (@TexasExes) November 6, 2023

P.S. – Gold looks great on Janae!

nothing but the best for the best 🤘#HookEm | @JanaeJefferson4
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) November 5, 2023

P.S. – This guy is still crushing it!

Arizona's Own

Diamondbacks prospect Ivan Melendez (@ivanmelendez_30) finishes with 14 HRs in the #AFL23 HR Derby! pic.twitter.com/6lJO08jHqi
— MLB's Arizona Fall League (@MLBazFallLeague) November 5, 2023

P.S. – Iron sharpens iron!