Forty Acres Insider: October 1

Chris Del Conte head shot

Longhorn Nation,

OCTOBER HERE WE COME! We're so fired up to have the sensational combo of SEC play and Texas Fight off and running in full force. WOW, that scene at DKR on Saturday for our first-ever SEC Football game was truly epic. The pre-game festivities were as awesome as ever, we stampeded with the team to the stadium and y'all were rockin' the house from The Eyes to The Eyes. It was one monumental, memorable & joyous afternoon as we cheered our hearts out and belted out Texas … Fight while flashing our Horns with pride for our triumphant Horns who put over another convincing win. We're 5-0, ranked No. 1 in the country (Coaches poll) and so doggone proud of this team AND beyond grateful for all of Longhorn Nation! As you know, we have a bye week on Saturday, so take a breath and a bow in celebration of where we are this week but believe you me, we can't wait to get back at it. We're just getting started!!

a historic Saturday in ATX 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/YZ6Q5SLbsf
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) September 30, 2024

We were on a roll across all of Texas Athletics as last week — in Longhorn and SEC Country alike — and ALL WE DID WAS WIN. Volleyball and Soccer registered a pair of SEC victories, and both raised the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown trophy high, signifying a defeat of our longtime rivals from College Station. Women's Cross Country traveled to Fayetteville and won the Chile Pepper XC Festival, topping SEC squads from LSU and Arkansas in claiming that crown. It was a sensational finish to September and October starts today, so here we go, let's get those Horns Up and Hook 'Em y'all!

Set it off 🤘 pic.twitter.com/eSq81QrZU8
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 29, 2024

Back to that big-time football atmosphere and our victorious Longhorns. Coach Sark gave y'all a huge shoutout after the game and was so grateful for the impact you had on it, especially in that critical third quarter when your boisterous cheers clearly had our visitors from Starkville rattled! It was another resounding victory in our SEC debut as our Horns took down Mississippi State 35-13. I must say that was a fine display of ALL GAS, NO BRAKES on offense, defense and special teams, and y'all brought the heat too my friends. Together we have established a raucous homefield advantage that has our Horns in the midst of 11-straight victories at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium (the most in 15 years!). We agree with the folks at SEC Network, "this is an SEC atmosphere" (INDEED!). The pride, passion and determination of our outstanding men donning the Burnt Orange & White are putting up epic performances on our field that carries the names of two Longhorn Legends — Earl and Ricky. How about 15-1 (the lone loss a one-point heartbreaker to No. 1 Alabama in 2021) in our last three seasons at DKR and outscoring our foes 194-23 in four home contests this year. The 23 points are the fewest allowed through four home games since 1977. We're rumbling along on a historical run — three straight weeks at No. 1 (20 in-a-row in Top 10) — and we're so darn fortunate to have the best fans in the land along for the ride!! We'll get a break this weekend for some much-deserved rest and recovery, but we all know what's next — the Allstate Red River Rivalry week. Can't wait!

5️⃣-0️⃣#HookEm pic.twitter.com/p3a3W1q3tS
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) September 28, 2024

Now hold your horses folks (I will too!), Football might be getting a weekend respite, but there's been a whole lot of success across all our sports and plenty of Longhorns competing this week as well.

Here's to our FIRST COTTON HOLDINGS LONE STAR SHOWDOWN VICTORY and the hardware Coach Elliott and Volleyball brought back from College Station last Friday. We treated the largest crowd in Texas A&M program history to some patented Texas Fight in our inaugural SEC Volleyball match with an emphatic 3-1 victory over the Aggies. Our Horns quickly took to the road and followed that emotional victory with a win at LSU on Sunday to make it 2-0 in conference play. You can show them some love as they make a triumphant return to Gregory Gym when we host South Carolina on Wednesday (6:30 p.m. CT/SEC Network+). I know y'all will raise the roof for that! Then it's back on the road for a top-25 matchup at No. 18 Florida on Sunday (Noon CT/ESPN) in Gainesville.

bringing some hardware home to Austin 🏆🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/qSjveKpbfN
— Texas Volleyball (@TexasVolleyball) September 28, 2024

Soccer did its thing too! History was made in Oxford on Thursday night as Coach Kelly and our Soccer program notched Texas Athletics' FIRST-EVER SEC VICTORY (in any sport!) taking down Ole Miss, 1-0! And talk about a hero's welcome, 3,140 of y'all showed up and showed out on Sunday — to the tune of the 10th-best crowd in school history — as our Horns followed that up with 2-0 victory over Texas A&M. We can't thank you enough for coming out to support our squad and boy was it fun to make it a Lone Star Showdown victory times two last week! Now it's back to the road for the ladies to face Florida on Friday (6 p.m. CT/SEC Network+) but mark those calendars for Thursday, Oct. 10 when we'll have a Red River Rivalry soccer-style at Mike A. Myers Stadium (8 p.m. CT/SEC Network). Be there or be square!

3,140 of y'all! Thank you Longhorn Nation! 🤩🤘#HookEm | #RunWithTexas pic.twitter.com/8Gftn6Fn4B
— Texas Soccer (@TexasSoccer) September 30, 2024

Campus is abuzz these days! We're OFF AND RUNNING here in Texas Athletics folks as virtually all our sports are either deep into training and prep for their upcoming seasons or in competition as the ol' calendar flips to month 10. Swimming and Diving is in action hosting the Sam Kendrick's Classic (Men) and Dust off Your Boots Invitational (Women) this weekend. Men's Golf is in action at the Ben Hogan Collegiate invitational and Beach Volleyball travels to TCU to compete as well. Women's Cross Country is in Chicago at the Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational. Men's and Women's Tennis are in action, and Softball hosts Fall Ball games at McCombs Field, too. It's all Longhorns, all the time!

let's have a great week, y'all 🤘#HookEm | @Seatgeek pic.twitter.com/G9dUzHfbPh
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) September 30, 2024

While I've got you, here's hoping you had a chance to checkout our incredible social media team's coverage of the new digs we unveiled for our Beach Volleyball squad. We couldn't be more excited about the future of that program and are so grateful for the incredible support of Longhorn Nation that helped make this happen!

nothing but the best for our newest longhorns - stay tuned for our locker room reveal 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/d7MRULsSse
— Texas Beach Volleyball (@TexasBeachVB) September 27, 2024

Talk about WHAT STARTS HERE CHANGES THE WORLD! The images of Julien Alfred Day in her home country of St. Lucia were so heartwarming. Julien became St. Lucia's first-ever Olympic medalist and her gold medal in the 100-meters in Paris this summer was the first-ever by a Longhorn in that event. She added a silver in the 200-meters to register one of the finest Olympic Games performances by a Longhorn ever. We're so proud of you JuJu!

Happy Julien Alfred Day to all who celebrate 🎉🇱🇨 pic.twitter.com/4xoJ7DppvJ
— Texas T&F/XC (@TexasTFXC) September 27, 2024

every day should be Julien Alfred day 😂🥹 pic.twitter.com/15enuSBy25
— Texas T&F/XC (@TexasTFXC) September 27, 2024

Before we get to the notes, I want to send our most sincere condolences to the family, friends and teammates of Eileen Vanisi who passed away last week. A three-time National Champion in the shot put, member of the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor and a Longhorn Legend in every way, Eileen leaves an incredible legacy and will be dearly missed.

Deeply saddened of the passing of UT legend Eileen Vanisi. Our thoughts & prayers are with her family at this time. pic.twitter.com/JBWhbtyl73
— Texas T&F/XC (@TexasTFXC) September 27, 2024

Football makes history in the SEC

What an afternoon we had on Saturday when history was made and our first ever football contest in the Southeastern Conference got checked into the win column! What better place for that to happen than right here in front of Longhorn Nation to complete what Coach Sark has called the first phase of the season that included four of our family reunions in five weeks, including three in a row! Those were capped with our 35-13 victory over Mississippi State in what's now an answer to a trivia question for years to come in the beginning of our SEC journey. Arch once again stepped in for Quinn and, oh, only completed 26-of-31 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns, and showed off those wheels again before diving in for another. And talk about showing something off? How about those dance moves? I thought I was watching Snoop out there at QB! It's so special that we have the best quarterback room in the nation, not only on the field, but in the bond they have off the field. They help each other grow and develop and push each other to get better, and it's so great to hear both them and Coach Sark talk about the relationship they have. Speaking of bonds, 007 was doing his thing again with five catches for 74 yards and a rushing touchdown, while one of the most famous Bond names – Moore – in this case, DeAndre Jr., had a career day (as young as his career his) with four catches for 103 yards and two scores, and he was just a foot shuffle away from a third! Meanwhile Matthew Golden(Eye) hauled in five himself, and so did Gunnar Helm (which kind of sounds like it could be a Bond name right?), with Arch spreading the ball around all over the field, all behind a line that was led by none other than the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week, himself, Kelvin "take it to the" Banks. Plus, call him "Quintrevion" came close to a 100-yard game with 88, and I gotta say, even though he had a couple of fumbles that I have no doubt he'll fix, the leadership Jaydon Blue showed by going up and talking to the media after to hold himself accountable, that's just so impressive for that young man. What's also impressive is a true freshman picking up seven tackles from his edge position with two sacks, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble for youngster Colin Simmons. Meanwhile grandpa David Gbenda was getting it done with eight tackles, as was Mr. Guilbeau, while the old married man got himself an impressive sack-strip-recovery trifecta. It was another beautiful game of complimentary football from a team that's built its culture around that, and we can't wait for phase two on the other side of the bye week!

Monday Morning Highlights - SEC opener edition ☕️🤘 pic.twitter.com/qIY8RFjigD
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 30, 2024

Volleyball starts 2-0 in SEC play!

A new era of Texas Volleyball got started last week with the first two SEC matches AND first two SEC wins! First up, our Longhorns were thrown right into the fire with the first Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown against Texas A&M in this new era. The epic in-state rivalry was renewed on Friday in College Station and our ladies lived up to the moment with 3-1 a win over the Aggies. The celebrations were epic as Coach Elliott and the Longhorns were the first to get their hands on the brand-new rivalry trophy. Texas had to quickly turn the page though, hitting the road to Baton Rouge for a Sunday afternoon match against LSU. The Longhorns made quick work of the Tigers with a clean sweep to start 2-0 in SEC play. It's another quick turnaround this week, as we'll play our first home SEC match against South Carolina on Wednesday (6:30 p.m. CT/SEC Network+) and then head back on the road at No. 18 Florida on Sunday (Noon CT/ESPN).

what a weekend 👏#HookEm pic.twitter.com/o34SU7rcUU
— Texas Volleyball (@TexasVolleyball) September 29, 2024

Soccer earns pair of SEC victories!

Oh, those ladies on the pitch really know how to play, huh?! What a big-time week that saw the Longhorns earn SIX points in the SEC standings. What can you say about Mia Justus, the best goalkeeper in the league, as she didn't allow a single goal in 180 minutes of action! Coach Kelly and the squad took to the road and, like we mentioned earlier, made history by notching our school's first-ever SEC victory in any sport with a 1-0 win at Ole Miss on Thursday. Then Texas returned home to the friendly confines of Mike A. Myers Stadium and claimed a 2-0 victory over the Aggies in the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown on Sunday night! A huge shoutout to Longhorn Nation, as your support made a huge difference in Sunday's win. While it's always good to beat that team in College Station, there's more work to be done. With just six regular-season matches remaining, the squad will look to remain near the top of the league standings when it travels to Gainesville to take on Florida on Friday (6 p.m. CT/SEC Network+). And make your plans now to join us again at Myers Stadium when we take on Oklahoma on Thursday, Oct. 10 (8 p.m. CT/SEC Network).

it's staying in ATX 🏆🤘#HookEm | #RunWithTexas pic.twitter.com/K9BMRBLkXp
— Texas Soccer (@TexasSoccer) September 30, 2024

Cross Country runs to a pair of solid performances

Our Cross Country teams returned to the course and boy did they put on a show on Saturday! Our women traveled to Fayetteville and won the Chile Pepper 5K with a team score of 42 points against an outstanding field. The group was led by Olivia Howell's third-place individual finish that featured an impressive 50-second PR in the 5K with a time of 16:25.1. Our No. 24-ranked men ran to a fourth-place team finish at the Cowboy Jamboree in Stillwater, led by Isaac Alonzo's seventh-place individual finish.

what a day in Fayetteville 🤘#FloKnows x #HookEm pic.twitter.com/qJDq9zW7q3
— Texas T&F/XC (@TexasTFXC) September 28, 2024

Hook 'Em Horns,

Chris Del Conte

P.S. — SEC! SEC! SEC!

A Week of SEC Success🤘🏻

🔸@TexasFootball first SEC game, 35-13 win over Mississippi State

🔸@TexasSoccer UT's first-ever SEC victory & 2-0

🔸@TexasVolleyball 2-0

🏆🏆Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown victory x2

🥇Cross Country Chile Pepper 5k title, defeating LSU & Arkansas pic.twitter.com/X71JaiH5vi
— John Bianco (@UT_Bianco) September 30, 2024

P.S. — What a scene!

SEC country 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/4LkBQBQqHa
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) September 28, 2024

pics that go hard 😮‍💨🤘#HookEm | @officia1dae pic.twitter.com/DLsIDS2dK9
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) September 28, 2024

P.S. — This is so awesome, another great example of What Starts Here Changes the World!

𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝑻𝑯𝑨𝑻 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍 💅✨

Rhasidat starring on The Late Late Show tonight ☘️#IrishAthletics | #LateLate pic.twitter.com/VD2Lhak446
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) September 27, 2024

P.S. — Love having Royalty in the House, was a privilege honoring Longhorn Legend Royal Ivey!

welcome home @ROYALTIVEY 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/XSCn0S3LUO
— Texas Men's Basketball (@TexasMBB) September 28, 2024

P.S. — We see ya guys, Horns Up!

Texas Boys 🤘@roschon x @J_Whitt3 pic.twitter.com/8YslcZVp7o
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 29, 2024

P.S. — What a run at ITA All-Americans by Sebastian!

Sebastian Gorzny finishes as singles runner-up at the #ITAAllAmericans after withdrawing from the title match due to injury. Congrats to Sebastian on a great run at the tournament and giving the Longhorns 2️⃣ finalists in the last two years with Eliot Spizzirri! #HookEm 🤘🎾 pic.twitter.com/XYchDs7aP1
— Texas Men's Tennis (@TexasMTN) September 29, 2024

HEADLINES:

Video: Steve Sarkisian press conference (Sept. 30)

No. 11 Men's Golf in second following day one at Ben Hogan Collegiate Invitational

Soccer duo earns SEC weekly honors

Hook 'Em's Community Heroes – September 2024

Men's Tennis' Gorzny finishes as singles runner-up at ITA All-Americans

Video: Steve Sarkisian postgame press conference

Men's Tennis' Gorzny to play for ITA All-Americans singles title

No. 1/2 Football's Majors named semifinalist for Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year

Men's Tennis' Gorzny reaches singles semifinals of ITA All-Americans

Video: Longhorn Weekly with Coach Sarkisian Presented by Texas Lottery

Texas Lottery Veteran Recognition: Christopher Hossfeld