Forty Acres Insider: November 5

Chris Del Conte head shot

Longhorn Nation,

HOME SWEET HOME! After a Football bye week, it's time for another Longhorn Party on the Forty Acres as the action is back at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium versus the Florida Gators on Saturday (11 a.m. CT/ABC). While our Top-Five-ranked Longhorns had a much-deserved week of rest & recovery, y'all were bringin' the heat big-time across campus with so many other sports taking to the courts, pool and sand at home. The Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center was en fuego with a record crowd of 1,265 Longhorn faithful showing up & showing out to cheer our No. 2-ranked Swimming and Diving squads to a thrilling early season victory over a pair of top-six-ranked Indiana Hoosier teams. Coach Bowman and Coach Capitani had our Horns ready to roll for that one for sure! We always appreciate our great fans packin' The Greg for Volleyball on Friday and Sunday, we took to the sand at Beach Volleyball on Saturday and now it's on to the next. Do you hear the rumbling, HERE COME THE HORNS, folks!

LONGHORN NATION, you did that🤘 pic.twitter.com/urmd3zfHvM
— Texas Women's Swimming & Diving (@TexasWSD) November 2, 2024

This week we'll be looking to do some work on the road, too, and its Coach Kelly and No. 21 Soccer's turn as the SEC Tourney kicks off today for our Longhorns in Pensacola, Fla. We finished the regular season with a 6-3-1 mark in league play, earned the No. 3-seed, and as a top-four-seed enjoyed first-round bye. Our Horns are going at it against 11th-seeded LSU (2 p.m. CT/SEC Network) — which upset sixth-seeded Auburn in round one — as we speak, so if you're not in the Sunshine State with the squad, tune into SEC Network and Get those Horns Up!

Later tonight (and every night through Dec. 3) it's football talk time as you can get ready to tune into the first week of the College Football Rankings reveal on ESPN (6 p.m. CT). Knowing we're right in the thick of that race is exciting and it will be fun to watch but trust me, there's even more rejoicing this week knowing we'll be back firing on all cylinders for a Football Gameday at DKR. The buzz around campus and beyond is palpable with another game week commencing and even more so knowing WE'RE BACK IN THE FRIENDLY CONFINES OF OUR AWESOME STADIUM — and that huge home field advantage Longhorn Nation provides! We got nothin' but love for you like that Longhorn-to-Longhorn Bijan to Agent Zero NFL hug! After a great week of work during last week's bye, Coach Sark and our No. 5-ranked Horns are back to game-week prep for another SEC matchup and we're ready to treat y'all to an amazing day of festivities heading into the Florida game on Saturday (11 a.m. CT/ABC). It's just our third-ever football meeting with the Gators, first since 1940 and you've got to go all the way back to 1939 for the last time Florida played in our stadium (there was about 17k in the house for that one and we'll welcome the Gators with more than 100k this time around!). Pretty cool history there and it's an early kick so let's get those alarms set, coffee brewed, and Burnt Orange & White laid out as we need you on The Forty bright & early on Saturday. It's an extra special one too as it's our annual SALUTE TO SERVICE GAME honoring our nation's service members, veterans, and their families with Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11.

Back in DKR 🤘

🏈 Texas vs. Florida
📅 Saturday, Nov. 9 | 11 AM CT
📍DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium
📺 ABC
Presented by St. David's HealthCare pic.twitter.com/o8BnbtUYkm
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 4, 2024

It's time for some Basketball my friends as fresh off a great early season test in Vegas (we dropped a tough one to Ohio State, 80-72, but it was a sensational, freshman-record-breaking 29-point debut for Tre Johnson) for Coach Terry and our men's squad on Monday, we head into a week full of hoopin' up. Men's Basketball returns home to take on Houston Christian on Friday (7 p.m. CT/SECN+) and after a 98-25 exhibition game victory over UT-Tyler at Moody Center on Halloween, Coach Schaefer and No. 4-ranked Women's Basketball will make it a weekend of Longhorn BBall action facing Southeast Missouri State on Sunday (2 p.m. CT/SECN+). I've got to take a quick look back too, what an incredible event we had firing up our students at the Texas Tipoff in West Campus last Wednesday! Basketball season is here and we're full speed ahead, looking forward to everyone bringing the energy to The Mood all season!!

Volleyball has hit a bit of a rough patch, but we know our two-time National Champions will bounce back and can't thank you enough for your continued support in making Gregory Gym such an electric environment for our Horns to play in. Now it's off to the road as Coach Elliott and our squad looks to bounce-back, traveling to Mississippi State for a Wednesday match (6 p.m. CT/SECN+) before getting a nine-day break leading into the homestretch of the regular season. It will be road warrior time as starting with the Bulldogs this week, it's four-straight road matches (at Auburn, at Alabama and at Oklahoma) before returning to The Greg to close out the regular season with Tennessee and Ole Miss in the house.

While I've got you, Horns Up for Cross Country finishing ahead of Texas A&M at the SEC Championship, logging two more points for us in the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown standings. WE'VE GOT OUR EYES ON THE PRIZE, that overall Lone Star Showdown hardware and are enjoying every victory over our longtime rivals! You can read up on the return of the showdown standings and keep tabs on the race for the trophy all season long right here!!

Before we get to all the notes, here's hoping everyone had a fun time celebrating Halloween last week, got more treats than tricks, and is off to a great November. Let's get those HORNS UP HIGH for another week of fantastic Longhorn action!

The best pregame experience in the country opens at 8 a.m.

Can't believe it has been nearly three weeks since we've had Longhorn Nation on the Forty Acres for a football gameday. Our team and staff are so ready to welcome 100,000+ strong back to Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium this weekend for our first meeting on the gridiron with the Florida Gators since 1940! We'll kick things off bright and early at 8 a.m. with the opening of Bevo Blvd pres. by H-E-B, Longhorn City Limits pres. by Still Austin Whiskey Co, Smokey's Midway pres. by Conecuh Sausage, Hook `Em Hangout, and Big Bertha's Bazaar on the Moody Center Plaza. And we'll get things started with a bang right away as the Big Guy Bevo XV will step off at 8 a.m. for the Bevo XV Parade pres. by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance followed by the Stadium Stampede team arrival at 8:45 a.m. Our Men's and Women's Golf teams will both sign autographs on Bevo Blvd beginning at 9 a.m., so come on out early and tailgate with us in style before another SEC showdown.

Be in your seats early as we celebrate Salute to Service all game long!

One of my favorite longstanding traditions at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium is the celebration of our veterans and those who currently serve our great country in active duty. This Saturday's game will be our Salute to Service game, and we need you in your seats early as we commemorate this special day. You won't want to miss our special guests from the Texas Army National Guard who will perform a flyover with UH-40's and CH-47's over Campbell-Williams Field during the national anthem. In addition, we have several recognitions scheduled to honor many special individuals across all branches of the military throughout the game.

Stick around postgame for Rick Springfield at Longhorn City Limits!

We've got an exciting day of live music out on the LBJ Lawn this Saturday as power-pop legend Rick Springfield is slated to hit Longhorn City Limits pres. by Still Austin Whiskey immediately following the game. If you were anything like me in the 1980's, you definitely had your car windows rolled down jamming to his hits including the iconic chart-topper "Jessie's Girl." Our friends with More Cowbell, Austin's only award-winning mashup band, will get the live music going with a special 90-minute pregame set beginning at 8:30 a.m. And as always, come out early and enjoy the best craft cocktails at the Still Austin Music Lounge and Tito's Tailgate!

new LCL lineup just dropped 😍🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/Smr4KkuCNe
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) November 4, 2024

Texas Longhorns x Howler Brothers Collection launch this Saturday at Big Bertha's Bazaar on Moody Center Plaza!

I know a ton of you are going to be excited about this one. We are thrilled to partner with our friends at Howler Brothers for a co-branded Texas Longhorns x Howler Brothers collection! It launches this Saturday inside the Texas Longhorns Official Team Shop at Moody Center, all part of Big Bertha's Bazaar! The shop will open at 8 a.m., and you're definitely going to want to get there early to get this product while it lasts. We'll also have over 12 other vendors to round out an incredible selection at Big Bertha's Bazaar this weekend. And don't forget, with the early kick-off, Big Bertha's Bazaar will reopen for an additional hour after the game!

Here's your complete Saturday schedule

6 a.m. – Parking Lots open
8 a.m. – Gate 8 Ticket Resolution opens for mobile ticket support
8 a.m. – Bevo Blvd pres. by H-E-B, Smokey's Midway pres. by Conecuh Sausage, Hook `Em Hangout, and Big Bertha's Bazaar Open
8 a.m. – Bevo Parade pres. by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance on Bevo Blvd (fans line up at 7:45 a.m. at South Entrance on Bevo Blvd)
8 a.m. – Still Austin Music Lounge and Tito's Tailgate at Longhorn City Limits opens
8-8:45 a.m. – Photo ops with Smokey the Cannon on Smokey's Midway
8 a.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)
8 a.m. – UT Club Tower opens at Longhorn City Limits (1^st floor for UT Club members, 2^nd and 3^rd floors for General Public)
8 a.m. - The Flat Creek Estate Wine Garden opens for the general public on the north side of DeLoss Dodds Way near Trinity St.
8 a.m. – Texas Exes Tailgate opens at Alumni Center for Texas Exes members
8 a.m. – Sports Radio AM 1300 AM The Zone Longhorn Gameday Pregame Show LIVE at Hook `Em Hangout begins
8 a.m. – Gate 25 and Gate 25 Ticket Resolution opens for Big Ticket holders (UT students)
8:30 a.m. – More Cowbell LIVE at Longhorn City Limits pres. By Still Austin Whiskey Co.
8:45 a.m. – Stadium Stampede team arrival on Bevo Blvd (fans line up at 8:30 a.m. at North Entrance on Bevo Blvd)
9 a.m. – Ticket Resolution at Gate 2A and 32 open for mobile ticket support
9 a.m. – All stadium gates and Longhorn Hospitality areas open
9 a.m. – Men's Golf autographs on Bevo Blvd across from Gate 1
9:30 a.m. – Women's Golf autographs on Bevo Blvd across from Gate 1
10 a.m. – Longhorn Band March to the stadium (starts on Robert Dedman Drive near Longhorn City Limits)
10:30 a.m. – Bevo Blvd, Longhorn City Limits, Smokey's Midway, Hook 'Em Hangout, and Big Bertha's Bazaar close
10:45 a.m. – UH-40 and CH-47 Flyover by the Texas Army National Guard
11:00 a.m. – Kickoff vs. Florida!
Halftime – Longhorn Band Halftime Show and Texas Exes Distinguished Alumnus Recognition
Postgame – Rick Springfield LIVE at Longhorn City Limits pres. By Still Austin Whiskey Co.
Postgame – Big Bertha's Bazaar reopens until one hour following the conclusion of the game

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 set for home opener on Friday night in The Mood

Well, Coach Terry and our guys weren't able to produce the outcome we were looking for on Monday against Ohio State in Las Vegas on Opening Night, but how about the individual performance from our guy Tre Johnson! Talk about making a statement on the big stage. TWENTY-NINE points on 10-of-20 shooting from the floor, including 5-of-10 from deep, and 4-of-5 from the stripe, and he stuffed the stat sheet with five rebounds, four assists and two steals. His 29 points set the Texas freshman debut record, topping Longhorn Legend KD's mark of 20. Hoops season is a marathon, not a sprint, and we know our guys will be right back in the gym working hard. The best part is you can join me on Friday night in The Mood when RT and the Longhorns play our home opener against Houston Christian (7 p.m. CT/SECN+). So let's all do our part to make Moody Center the best home court in college basketball!

what we got? yeah it's pretty rare. 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/eKNrWmzUr3
— Texas Men's Basketball (@TexasMBB) November 4, 2024

Women's Basketball set for season opener on Sunday!

Our No. 4/4 Women's Basketball team is ready to tip off the 2024-25 season. In our final tune-up last Thursday, the Longhorns claimed a 98-25 victory over UT-Tyler in an exhibition game in Moody as five players scored in double figures. Rori Harmon, Madison Booker, Shay Holle and the whole crew get things started on Sunday against Southeast Missouri State (2 p.m. CT/SECN+). So get your tickets for Sunday's opener and let's pack The Mood and help our Longhorns get the season started the right way! There's still time to get your season tickets as well, and our package of 15 home games for $100 is a steal!

see y'all at home Nov. 10 ‼️#HookEm pic.twitter.com/mj64OwjykQ
— Texas Women's Basketball (@TexasWBB) November 1, 2024

Volleyball looks to bounce back with mid-week road contest

Our Volleyball team had a tough weekend with a pair of five-set losses at home. But these Longhorns won't quit, as evidence by the last three matches going to five sets. It's a quick turnaround too, as the Horns will head on the road to face Mississippi State on Wednesday (6 p.m.CT/SECN+) in Starkville. Texas will get a little bit of rest this weekend, but then it's back on the road to face Auburn on Nov. 15 and Alabama on Nov. 17.

Men's and Women's Cross Country places fourth, fifth at SEC Championship

Our Men's and Women's Cross Country teams competed in our first SEC Championship meet over the weekend and added TWO points to our standings in the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown. The men were led by Isaac Alonzo's seventh-place finish in the 8K with his time of 22:38.5, as Isaac knocked 40 seconds off his previous best! Can you imagine running an 8K that fast? Alonzo's performance also earned him All-SEC First Team Honors, and the men finished fourth overall with 152 points. On the women's side, Eva Jess continues to shed the seconds off her PRs after crossing the finish line at 19:38.1 in the 6K. Jess placed 12th in the individual standings, and she earned All-SEC Second Team recognition while helping the Longhorns finish fifth overall with 150 points.

Men's and Women's Swim & Dive make statement in home wins over Indiana

Boy did our No. 2 Men's and Women's Swim and Dive teams put on a show last Friday! If you weren't at the TSC, you missed out on a wild night. A record-setting crowd of 1,265 for a dual meet saw the Longhorns pick up three wins against the No. 4/6 Indiana Hoosiers. The Women dominated in the morning session with a 123-63 win led by Jillian Cox and Emma Sticklen each breaking their second UT program records THIS SEASON. As for the men, the Longhorns gave Director of Swimming and Head Men's Swim Coach Bob Bowman his first home win in a 97-89 victory. The night show saw our teams combine to add the final win of 212-105 over the Hoosiers. Mark your calendars now for the home meet against Virginia, Arizona State and NC State on Jan. 24-25, as that one should be even more electric!

Women's Golf ends fall season with third-place finish at Nanea Invitational

Our No. 4 Women's Golf squad traveled to Hawaii for its final fall season tournament and came away with a third-place team finish. Farah O'Keefe notched her second straight top-three individual result with her tie for second on the individual leaderboard. Cindy Hsu and Lauren Kim also finished in the top-10 with sixth-place showings. During the fall season, our ladies won two tournaments and recorded two third-place finishes. Coach Ianello has herself an exciting team that we can't wait to see what they do come spring! Be sure to mark your calendar for March 17-18 with the return of the Betsy Rawls Invitational at the UT Golf Club.

ending a great fall season in Hawaii 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/OJaBIzIqid
— Texas Women's Golf (@TexasWGolf) October 31, 2024

Hook 'Em Horns,

Chris Del Conte

P.S. — What Starts Here!

It's Texas vs Florida this weekend!

Did you know?

1965: Gatorade was invented on the University of Florida campus, which is why it's called "Gator-ade." But the research team leader was Dr. Robert Cade, a 1950 @UTAustin graduate. 🤘 What starts here . . . pic.twitter.com/vKgJjHTyjf
— Jim Nicar 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 (@JimNicar) November 4, 2024

P.S. — Thank You High School Coaches!

Thank you to all the Texas high school coaches out there for all that you do 🤘#TXHSCoachesDay @THSCAcoaches pic.twitter.com/66dvd0lvHn
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 1, 2024

P.S. — Getting ready for Hoops with the Texas Tip-Off!

Our guys & @TexasWBB had a blast spending time with @UTAustin STUDENTS at the Texas Tip-Off Event last night in West Campus. Thank you @TheCorralUT and can't wait to see you in The Mood all season. #HookEm 🤘🏾 pic.twitter.com/eJ1qNRUCek
— Rodney Terry (@RodneyTerry) October 31, 2024

P.S. — SAME! Love our Fans!

honestly, same 🤘#HookEm | @roriiiharmonnn pic.twitter.com/riKz3Gb3NT
— Texas Women's Basketball (@TexasWBB) October 31, 2024

P.S. — Love This!!

Nothing but love 🤘@Bijan5Robinson x @AGENT0__ pic.twitter.com/jpJnWJKbDC
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 3, 2024

P.S. — We took it to the Sand on Saturday!

having a great day in the sand🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/Ka7lwlE2gO
— Texas Beach Volleyball (@TexasBeachVB) November 3, 2024

P.S. — Hook 'Em to Volleyball's Salute to Service match!

grateful for the opportunity to honor our servicemen and women at last night's Salute to Service game 🤘🇺🇸#HookEm pic.twitter.com/VxzgA1ilvV
— Texas Volleyball (@TexasVolleyball) November 2, 2024

P.S. — Gotta love the Halloween fun!

in the Halloween spirit 🎃🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/4201kV3AmV
— Texas Baseball (@TexasBaseball) October 31, 2024

P.S. — Longhorn Nation, y'all are the absolute best!

Incredible crowd tonight for ⁦@TexasWSD⁩ and ⁦@TexasMSD⁩…👏🏼👏🏼🤘🏽Thank you Longhorn Nation! pic.twitter.com/DKSCJYLIPC
— Chris Del Conte (@_delconte) November 1, 2024

HEADLINES:

No. 5/5 Football's Hill revealed as Butkus Award semifinalist

Men's Cross Country's Alonzo earns All-SEC First Team honors

Video: Steve Sarkisian press conference (Nov. 4)

Video: Bob Bowman & Carol Capitani media availability after Indiana meet

Video: Quinn Ewers' road to the SEC

Vic Schaefer leads through discipline and love

No. 21 Soccer preview: vs. LSU (SEC Tournament quarterfinals)

No. 21 Soccer's Villarreal named SEC Freshman of the Year

Video: Longhorn Weekly with Rodney Terry (Oct. 31)

Men's Golf tabbed No. 5 in final Fall 2024 Bushnell/Golfweek Coaches poll

Women's Basketball's Jones selected to Lisa Leslie Award Center of the Year watch list