Forty Acres Insider: November 26

Chris Del Conte head shot

Longhorn Nation,

WE ARE SO THANKFUL for our student-athletes, coaches, staff and y'all, the best fans in the land! What a glorious Football Saturday and Senior Day it was, we had so much Texas Fight across all our teams in competition last week, and now we head into a week dedicated to giving thanks. This year, we get to do that as we await the much-anticipated renewal of one of college football's greatest rivalries with a trip to Texas A&M ahead, and this one is an epic clash. An SEC Championship Game berth, the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown hardware, and the pride and winning tradition of The University of Texas are all on the line. They say absence makes the heart go fonder. Well holy cow, I could not be more amped up for this one, and I know you are too! The nation and world will be dialed in (as well they should!) with GameDay on site, the Saturday Night Football Primetime crew on the call, and all eyes on us all the livelong day! We absolutely cannot wait!! But first, here's to a week of Longhorn action, a wonderful Thanksgiving stuffed with family, fun and festive cheer. We have so much to be grateful for my friends, are beyond thankful for all of you and send our best to you and yours on this Turkey Day holiday week! We'll see you at the games!!

In the spotlight 🤘

See you Saturday @CollegeGameDay! pic.twitter.com/rcgvwrjyd7
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 24, 2024

And speaking of games, what an incredible home football season it was y'all. Y'all showed up and showed out each and every gameday, brought that patented Texas passion, pride and spirit and are simply the best! Now it's time for Coach Sark and our squad to get back into ROAD WARRIOR MODE as we head to College Station riding a nation's-leading 10-game road winning streak. Time to pack our nation's leading defense, be all gas, no brakes on offense and in the running game, and do our thing on special teams. It's a long time comin' on the rivalry renewal of a traditional Thanksgiving week game that will be played for 119th time, dating back to 1894, and was an annual November ritual from the SWC days in 1915 to the Aggies' departure for the SEC after the 2011 game. That last one was epic, intense and edge of your seat stuff as y'all know, coming down to the Justin Tucker field goal that capped off a thrilling 27-25 victory on at Kyle Field. More heroes, history and memories will be made this week, and I know we're all so fired up for Saturday and the 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff on ABC to get here! Words cannot describe how special this rivalry has been to a whole lot of folks for a long, long time and what a way for it to return. There's lots on the line as fresh off our 31-14 win over Kentucky on an incredible Senior Day at DKR, we're 10-1 (10 wins in back-to-back years for the first time since 2008-09 to boot!) and we're far from done! Let's have a great Thanksgiving, get good and fueled up, have your Burnt Orange-best ready and be prepared to belt out some Texas Fight with those HORNS HELD OH SO HIGH!

What a home regular season 🤘 pic.twitter.com/rrP1x6JCym
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 24, 2024

And talk about Horns Up, Coach Terry and Men's Basketball had us doing just that in TAKING BROOKLYN BY STORM, putting out some awesome Texas Fight and raising the championship trophy at the UKG Legends Classic last week. Our Horns defeated a pair of traditionally strong programs en route to the title, first knocking off Syracuse on Thursday (70-66) and then taking down Saint Joseph's (67-58) on Friday. Fab Freshman Tre Johnson continued to steal the show, claiming MVP honors with 33 points in the two-game tourney. Now we bring our 5-1 record back home to Moody Center to face Delaware State fresh off Thanksgiving on Friday night (8 p.m. CT/SEC Network).

heading home with our 🤘⬆️#HookEm pic.twitter.com/20AyGbqLd3
— Texas Men's Basketball (@TexasMBB) November 23, 2024

Coach Schaefer and No. 4 Women's Basketball kept the GOOD TIMES ROLLIN' too last week and did so in high-octane fashion as a Moody Center packed with charged-up youngsters helped pace our Horns to an 83-41 win over Tarleton State in the annual 40 Acres Field Trip game. And how about that teacher dance off … FUN STUFF! Now we take our show on the road to the Sunshine State for the Gulf Coast Showcase tourney (Nov. 29-Dec. 1) beginning with New Mexico State on Friday (6:30 p.m. CT). We're 4-0 and here we go!

Coach Elliott and Volleyball are pickin' up steam on the stretch run, winning their fourth-straight match in a RED RIVER ROUT of the Sooners, 3-0, last Friday. With an SEC Championship still in our sights and the NCAA Tournament on the horizon for our two-time defending National Champions, it's on to a pair of final regular season home games at Gregory Gym this week, both wrapped around Turkey Day. First, it's Tennessee on Wednesday night (7 p.m. CT/SEC Network), before we close out with Senior Day on Saturday versus Ole Miss (11 a.m. CT/SEC Network+). We know you'll bring the heat to The Greg again this week!

nothing like a Texas Takeover in the sooner state 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/HQNoEW6Is8
— Texas Volleyball (@TexasVolleyball) November 24, 2024

It was another successful year for Coach Kelly and Soccer as they overcame a whole lot of adversity and challenges on their way to winning a first-ever SEC Championship (and LIGHTING THE TOWER!). They followed that by securing a round one victory in the NCAA Tournament before coming up just short in dropping a 3-2 overtime nailbiter to Michigan State on Friday in North Carolina. It was a tough loss and the season ended too soon, but it was one heck of a year one in the SEC and we're so excited about the future.

to the ones who supported us from the beginning until the end, we thank you 🤘#HookEm | #RunWithTexas pic.twitter.com/77vYVZ7KJ0
— Texas Soccer (@TexasSoccer) November 23, 2024

As for the present, records were falling, and the performances were en fuego as our Horns took to the pool at Swimming's Texas Invitational last week. All totaled NINE SCHOOL RECORDS (five women/four men) went down over the three-day meet, and it was a daily double on Wednesday with Longhorn swimmers eclipsing the American Record in the men's 500-yard freestyle not once, but twice in the same day (first by former Longhorn Carson Foster, then lowered by Rex Maurer later that same day). What a fall season it's been for Coach Bowman and Coach Capitani, as our No. 1-ranked men and No. 2-ranked women position themselves for the SEC and NCAA Championship meets that are still a few months away.

ARE YOU SERIOUS 🤘‼️

Rex Maurer just took down Carson Foster's unofficial American Record in 4:04.45🫣#HookEm pic.twitter.com/eMEkoZo890
— Texas Men's Swimming & Diving (@TexasMSD) November 21, 2024

It was a great run in Waco this week for Coach Berque and our Men's Tennis squad at the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships, as freshman sensation Timo Legout got to the semifinals of both along with Lucas Brown in doubles. They might have gone even further if not for an illness, but a big Hook 'Em to both for making some program history!

And before we get to all the notes, I do want to send along an emphatic Hook 'Em and Congratulations to our Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for Operations Fernando Lovo who was named the Director of Athletics at the University of New Mexico on Sunday. What a well-deserved and tremendous opportunity for a rising star in our business. Fern, we appreciate all you did for Texas Athletics and wish you the absolute best in your next chapter. The Lobos are lucky to have you!

Let's welcome to the Lobo Family the 14th VP/Director of Athletics in Lobo History, Fernando Lovo (@flovom)!!#GoLobos

Complete Release: https://t.co/f8DXpQQYWu pic.twitter.com/Kxklohd0c2
— New Mexico Lobos (@UNMLOBOS) November 24, 2024

You don't want to miss this!

I've talked about this new group before, but it's definitely time for a reminder. If you haven't checked out our reimagined Longhorn Network, you're missing out. This should be Longhorn Nation's go-to destination for original content, and wow, do we have something special for you this week. From Justin Tucker's kick, back to the beginning of it all, "Rivalry Restored" takes a closer look at the Texas and Texas A&M rivalry. You'll hear from Longhorn Legends who played in the rivalry and media members who covered it. The 35-minute documentary can be streamed starting Wednesday at Noon CT, exclusively on LHN. The streaming platform is free on mobile devices, smart TVs and web.

relive the rivalry before we restore it 🤘

streaming Wednesday at 12 PM on LHN 📺#HookEm | @TheCottonWatch pic.twitter.com/44UCzAXgb3
— Longhorn Network (@LonghornNetwork) November 25, 2024

Sensational senior send-off for Football

Folks, we couldn't have asked for much more on our Senior Day as a big blue sky gave way to a Burnt Orange sunset that saw our Horns leave Campbell-Williams Field with a 31-14 victory over Kentucky. How about that defense getting it done again, giving up just seven points, 21 rushing yards and 232 total yards?! Our D was living in the UK backfield to the tune of six sacks and 12 tackles for loss led by our resident SEC Defensive Player of the Week Anthony Hill. All he did was rack up two of those sacks, four of those tackles for loss, and 11 total tackles, not to mention a forced fumble, and Texcalibur was out multiple times once again with Andrew Mukuba and Jelani McDonald snagging interceptions. On the other side of the ball, the offense defined "ground and pound" during a drive that I'm not sure I've ever seen the like of it. Get this – 15 plays, 86 yards, and 8:22 off the clock with EVERY SINGLE ONE of those plays being a run. Now that's exerting your will. I'm also not sure I've ever seen an offensive line come off of a field more fired up than what I saw after that one, and it was well deserved! And behind that line, call me Quintrevion (158 yards) and Mr. Blue (96 yards) were absolutely toting the rock, while Quinn was, to use his words, getting it to the playmakers. Gunnar keeps climbing the charts of our tight end records and tacked on two more touchdowns, while Golden-eye was catching everything in sight with seven for 86 yards. Indeed it was an awesome day on the 40 Acres, and I would be remiss if I didn't send a big thank you to our great friends at SEC Nation and SEC Network for getting us started in tremendous fashion and making it that much better! Now it's time to head east, and we want all of you right there with us for the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown with a trip to Atlanta on the line!

Wake up with some Monday Morning Highlights ☕️🎥 pic.twitter.com/U1qZ7NW803
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 25, 2024

Men's Basketball wins the UKG Legends Classic championship in Brooklyn!

There's nothing we like more on the Forty Acres than seeing Longhorns winning trophies, so it was great to watch RT and the guys earn a pair of hard-fought wins over Syracuse and Saint Joseph's to claim the tournament championship at the UKG Legends Classic last Thursday and Friday in Brooklyn. They say 'defense travels' and that was certainly the case at the Barclays Center, as we held our two opponents to an average of 62 points per game on a combined 38-percent shooting from the floor, including a 27-percent mark from three-point range, in the two wins. In Thursday's 70-66 win over Syracuse, Texas used a double-double from Arthur Kaluma (16 points and 10 rebounds from Big Art) and some clutch free throw shooting from Tre Johnson (6-of-6 in the final minute) to pull out the victory and advance to the championship game. The following night at Barclays, our Longhorns trailed 52-51 with 5:29 remaining before closing the game on a 16-6 run to post a 67-58 win over Saint Joseph's and bring the trophy back to Austin. Julian Larry was huge down the stretch, as he scored all 12 of his points in the second half and reached the 1,000-point mark in his collegiate career. The victory was a complete team effort, and I've got to give a shoutout both Tre (MVP) and Big Art for earning spots on the All-Tournament Team. Our guys are back working in the practice facility before hosting Delaware State on Friday night (8 p.m. CT/SEC Network), so be sure to pack The Mood and cheer on this group before heading to College Station on Saturday!

big dubs in the Big Apple 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/zpDTKSFU4u
— Texas Men's Basketball (@TexasMBB) November 24, 2024

Women's Basketball takes unbeaten record to Florida for the Gulf Coast Showcase

Coach Schaefer and Women's Basketball hosted our annual Forty Acres Field Trip game last Wednesday morning and Moody Center was rocking! We had so much fun with over 5,000 kids in the building to cheer on the Longhorns to an 83-41 victory over Tarleton State. Madison Booker led the way with 25 points, while Shay Holle and Rori Harmon also reached double figures in scoring. This team is playing beautifully at both ends of the court, as we're averaging 97 points per game while limiting our opponents to an average of 51.8 points per contest on a combined 36.1-percent shooting from the floor. Texas forced Tarleton State into 29 turnovers and converted them into 35 points off turnovers during Wednesday's win. Our ladies will spend Thanksgiving weekend at the Gulf Coast Showcase, an event we won back in 2018. We'll play three games over three days, starting off with a matchup against New Mexico State on Friday (6:30 p.m. CT). Our Saturday semifinal game should start at 6:30 p.m. CT against either Butler or Santa Clara, and Sunday's championship game is set for 6:30 p.m. CT as well. All games at the Gulf Coast Showcase will be streamed on FloCollege. We hope to see a lot of Burnt Orange this weekend in the Sunshine State!

for something bigger than ourselves 🫶🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/ofoIOrSqje
— Texas Women's Basketball (@TexasWBB) November 20, 2024

Volleyball set to conclude regular season with two home matches this week at The Greg

Coach Elliott and Volleyball are headed into the home stretch of the regular season AND they're riding a four-match winning streak! The Longhorns got a big sweep over Oklahoma on the road last week, and Madisen Skinner was once again outstanding. Madi had 21 kills on just 29 total attacks and was named the SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week. There's just two regular season matches left and they're both at home this week, starting against Tennessee on Wednesday night (7 p.m. CT/SEC Network) before our Senior Day match against Ole Miss on Saturday (11 a.m. CT/SEC Network+). Then it's onto the postseason and we'll learn all the details on the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday (5 p.m. CT/ESPN).

🧹🧹🧹🧹🧹#HookEm pic.twitter.com/z8lMZyKkOw
— Texas Volleyball (@TexasVolleyball) November 23, 2024

Soccer's season ends in the NCAA Round of 32

I could not be prouder of Coach Kelly and our Women's Soccer team. Friday's 3-2 overtime loss against No. 16 Michigan State does not define this program. Playing without two All-American caliber athletes in Trinity Byars and EmJ Cox for the majority of the season, EVERYONE stepped up to help bring the first Southeastern Conference championship home to the Forty Acres after beating two top-25 teams in a four-day span at the SEC Tournament. What an accomplishment! And let's not forget about Holly – sorry HAULEY Ward, who scored FIVE – count 'em: one, two, three, four, five – goals during our two NCAA Tournament matches. That's more goals in the program's NCAA Tournament history than anyone in school history. I want to thank the entire senior class, too, for bringing our Texas brand to the forefront of collegiate women's soccer! Without y'all, none of this is possible.

🔟's senior season was a 🔟/🔟🤘

🔸Became Texas' leader in career goals.
🔸Credited with at least one point in 20 of Texas' 23 matches on the season.
🔸Credited with at least one point in 9 of 10 regular season @SEC matches.
🔸Credited with at least one point in 4 of 5… pic.twitter.com/pKcMtnweYn
— Texas Soccer (@TexasSoccer) November 25, 2024

Men's and Women's Swimming rewrite the record book at the Texas Invitational

What a wild three days we witnessed in the pool last week with countless program records going down at the Texas Invitational. Emma Sticklen is literally rewriting the record books this year after breaking three individual marks last week in addition to her leg on the 200 medley relay that set a new school record on the first night. Jillian Cox added her third individual record of the season and showed off her range after shattering the 1650 free record by 11 seconds. Did I mention that she's a freshman in the pool? The men had their own party, as Rex Maurer broke the UT and American Record in the 500 free! That came just an hour after Texas Ex Carson Foster broke the same mark in an earlier heat. Talk about an impressive PAIR of record-breaking performances! Will Modglin also broke his own 100 back record twice in one day, and Nate Germonprez added the final school record in the 100 breast. Our swim teams are really showing out early this season, so be sure to come out to the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center on Wednesday, Dec. 18 when both squads face Georgia in a dual meet.

another race another program record for Emma Sticklen‼️

Emma takes down her own 100 fly record with a time of 49.60 for her second record of the day🤘 pic.twitter.com/Dgm0Tfkmws
— Texas Women's Swimming & Diving (@TexasWSD) November 22, 2024

Men's Tennis makes some history at NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships

The NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships were held just up the road on Waco this past week, and if that gives you a little pause for why that's happening in the fall instead of in May like normal, well, it's a two-year trial run to see the pros and cons of not having them follow right after the team championships. I can tell you this, a couple of players from our men's squad certainly had an excellent showing as freshman Timo Legout went all the way to the semifinals in both singles AND doubles, and he got there in doubles with Lucas Brown. Had it not been for an illness that got to them both, they might have even gone deeper than that, but it was still some history as Timo became the sixth Longhorn to reach the singles semifinals, while it was the fourth-straight year and 10th time overall we've had a doubles pair get that far. So a huge Hook 'Em to both of them, and also one for Pierre-Yves Bailly, who won his first pro title in doubles this weekend at the Austin Pro Tennis Open that was held at our very own TTC!

Hook 'Em Horns,

Chris Del Conte

P.S. — We see ya Boss! This is SO COOL!!

Welcome to ATX, @finebaum! 🤘#HookEm | @JCHartzell pic.twitter.com/ncq77U05gx
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) November 22, 2024

P.S. — Congrats to our guy Tulo!

that's our guy 👏🤘

congrats, Tulo!#HookEm pic.twitter.com/aMZbFr6fqR
— Texas Baseball (@TexasBaseball) November 20, 2024

P.S. — Thanks for your never-ending support, VY!

you heard @VinceYoung10, TEXAS‼️🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/sI9cONZAK7
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) November 23, 2024

P.S. — A special send off for our football seniors!

Senior send off 🫡 pic.twitter.com/v9LdkyXbBH
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 21, 2024

P.S. — Everybody loves our Longhorns!

heyyyy, @JellyRoll615 👋🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/vDqtv8DsYC
— Texas Women's Basketball (@TexasWBB) November 21, 2024

P.S. — Thank You Paul and the Paul Finebaum Show!

Awesome having @SECNetwork in town for this week's game and looking forward to SEC Nation in the morning. Appreciate Coach Sark, @_delconte & @JCHartzell for joining the @finebaum Show today🤘🏻 pic.twitter.com/CRet0op6EA
— John Bianco (@UT_Bianco) November 22, 2024

P.S. — The Holiday Seasons are upon us, what an awesome event this was!

Texas! Lights! Our newest tradition #LonghornLights is back this year and brighter than ever. Our students turned out in force to watch us turn on the 400,000 lights across 24 trees on the Drag for the first time this season (and with the help of a few of our @TexasFootball… pic.twitter.com/2FihLdBKVs
— Jay Hartzell (@JCHartzell) November 20, 2024

P.S. — A United Texas is a Reckoning!

So Appreciative of the recognition bestowed upon by the @AustinChamber… this award is a reflection of our coaches, students, staff, University leadership, donors, alumni, and Board of Regents. Thanks for recognizing that a united Texas is a reckoning 👏🏼👏🏼🤘🏽 https://t.co/B6mcQMu6L3
— Chris Del Conte (@_delconte) November 20, 2024

P.S. — Hey there Bijan!