Forty Acres Insider: September 17

Chris Del Conte head shot

Longhorn Nation,

OH, WHAT A NIGHT! Brimming with Burnt Orange & White and Texas Pride, the music was thumpin', blood was pumpin', and DKR was jumpin'! Y'all were bringin' the heat big-time and wow, that third-quarter light show was sensational, the pyrotechnic drone extravaganza was breathtaking, and as we continued celebrating the 100-year anniversary of our majestic stadium, what a sight it was to hear your boisterous yells of Texas-Fight and those Hook 'Em's held high as far as the eyes could see. And yessiree, the fireworks and Texas Fight from the stands was evident on the playing field as well. Coach Sark had our squad's engines hummin' for another week of revved up full throttle all gas, no brakes action. Our Horns put on a phenomenal show, y'all cheered your hearts out from The Eyes to The Eyes, and it was a truly electric night at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. One that the namesakes of Campbell-Williams Field — our Heisman Trophy winners Earl and Ricky — would be so, so proud of. And the coolest part is, HELLO, we get to do it again this week.

lighting up that Texas sky 😍🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/tJdvDaN3bl
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) September 15, 2024

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y, night, BABY!! I-I-I-I just can't wait, for Saturday! On the heels of another dominant total team win, our Horns have rocketed to No. 1 in The AP Poll for the first time since 2008. What a wonderful testament that is to what Coach Sark has steadfastly built, brick-by-brick, in our program … AND WE'RE JUST GETTIN' STARTED! Quinn Ewers got us off and running before he was injured and fortunately this is a team our staff has developed with great depth. In relief, Arch Manning did his thing and put up historic numbers on his way to SEC Offensive Freshman of the Week honors, the defense was suffocating, and we came at UTSA in droves on our way to the 56-7 victory. So many guys played we put the roster cards to the test, while we made play after play until the final whistle and y'all were right there bringin' that patented pride, passion and spirit. And there's good news on the Quinn front as our Heisman Trophy candidate and leader's injury was not serious and we will have him back in the saddle soon. With win three in the books, we're right back at it, taking dead aim on ULM this week (7 p.m. CT/ESPN+/SEC Network+). We'll be rolling out all the sensational pregame festivities again, honoring our Longhorn Legends after their enshrinement into the Hall of Honor on Friday, and DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium will be the place to be all afternoon and into the night.

Saturday Night Lights 🤘

🏈 Texas vs. ULM
📅 Saturday, Sept. 21 | 7:00 PM CT
📍 DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium
📺 ESPN+/ SECNetwork+
Presented by South Texas Ford Dealers pic.twitter.com/eWCVLoRkQB
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 16, 2024

I'd be remiss if I didn't take a moment to thank our fans for their amazing support, y'all rocked the house. But also, our staff for their tireless, yeomen efforts & we-not-me attitude of Team Texas for creating a fantastic game day experience. Coach said it best at his press conference on Monday — "I've got to thank Longhorn Nation again; it was a great atmosphere on Saturday. They came early and having everyone in their seats at kickoff is something that really matters to us and helps our team. And the fact that everyone stayed until the end, that sends a great message for the type of atmosphere we have at DKR now. Our home games going from year one, to year two, three, and now into year four have become a real special event. It helps when we play good football, but the atmosphere has been awesome, so I want to thank everyone for that." You heard Coach, let's get those Horns Up and Hook 'Em my friends!

Oh, and speaking of Horns Up, it's a historic week on the Forty as Southeastern Conference competition officially commences with Soccer hosting Alabama on Thursday night! This is can't-miss action and makes for a monumental night as Coach Kelly and our undefeated No. 14-ranked squad will officially get the SEC era underway at Mike A. Myers Stadium (7 p.m. CT/SEC Network+). Holy Cow have our Horns been dominant and fun to watch with a 7-0-1 record and blowing by so many opponents by the total tune of 22-4 (yes, you read that right, TWENTY-TWO goals to FOUR!). Here's to joining us to support them and take part in our historic first-ever SEC event.

SEC play on deck 🤘#HookEm | #RunWithTexas pic.twitter.com/ovVeLSrpxo
— Texas Soccer (@TexasSoccer) September 16, 2024

Volleyball's season is moving along too, too, as our squad continues to build towards the first serve of SEC play in a Lone Star Showdown at Texas A&M on Friday, Sept. 27 (6:30 p.m. CT/SEC Network+). But in further preparation for that, it's off to Waco for a nationally-televised, Top-25 matchup with Baylor on Wednesday (8 p.m. CT/ESPN) before returning home to the friendly confines of Gregory Gym with Hawaii in town on Friday (6:30 p.m. CT/SEC Network+). Y'all have been en fuego as always at The Greg this year so be there or be square, bring the heat and let's raise the roof again!

another busy week 🤘#HookEm | @Seatgeek pic.twitter.com/ftPDs4bqIe
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) September 16, 2024

Hey and while I've got you, and speaking of GREAT LONGHORNS, we look forward to honoring a dozen of them on Friday night at our annual Texas Athletics Hall of Honor event. You can still get your tickets and join us for this always special night.

Another Longhorn legend is on her way to the UT Hall of Honor 🤘

Congrats, Karen! pic.twitter.com/QI7FB0E8nf
— Texas T&F/XC (@TexasTFXC) August 20, 2024

Football keeps it going against UTSA

It was an awesome night under the lights at DKR on Saturday as Coach Sark and our Horns had no drop off from their tremendous win at Michigan and took care of business against UTSA, 56-7! They came out with all gas right off the bat with the defense locking it down on the first drive, and Quinn just slingin' it to the tune of 8-of-9 and a TD to 007, and we were off and rollin'! It was so unfortunate for Quinn that he later had to leave the game, but we're optimistic that The Sheriff will be back in short order. Up until that point, though, how about 14-of-16 for 185 yards and 2 TDs in less than a half for him?! That's gettin' er done! It was then Arch picking it up from there and bringing it home with more touchdown passes than incompletions – 9-of-12 for 223 yards and 4 TDs in the air! And then those the wheels! With him taking it 67 yards to the house, it's the first time in our storied history a player recorded a 65-yard-plus pass and run in the same game! Only Colt and VY have even done that in the same season! Whoa! And talk about spreading the love by both QBs – 10 different players caught passes, and four different ones caught touchdowns as Bond – Isaiah Bond – and Johntay both cooked up a pair of them. Then our youngsters got it done again with Ryan Wingo racking up some big-time plays for 127 yards in the air and a TD, and Jerrick Gibson holding it down in the run game. And we've said it before, but the culture of complimentary football Coach Sark has established just keeps getting better and better – 614 yards for the offense with the defense clamping it down to just 260 yards by the Roadrunners. And if you're counting at home, it's just 19 points our defense has given up in three games so far, and it's darn close to being just single digits for that unit! The love was also spread around on that side of the ball with 11 different players being involved in a total of 12 tackles for loss! One of those was by Ethan Burke, and I've got to give a special shout out to him for the rare Big Man Pick 6 (although he's not getting away without some good-natured ribbing on the finish – he didn't quite stick the landing, but however you get there it all counts the same!). Not to mention that let the team break out that fantastic new turnover sword! I hear Coach Nansen gets the credit for coming up with that baby, so well done, my friend! Now it's time for some more "DKR After Dark" as ULM comes in for a 7 p.m. CT (ESPN+/SEC Network+) kick! We'll see you there for part two of our back-to-back-to-back home stand!

Kicking off the week with some Monday Morning Highlights: UTSA edition ☕️🎥 pic.twitter.com/KmlnIsnWz4
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 16, 2024

The best pregame experience in country kicks off at 2 p.m. this Saturday!

We can't wait to welcome Longhorn Nation back to the Forty Acres this Saturday for our final non-conference game of the season. All of our pregame experiences will open at 2 p.m. including Bevo Blvd, Longhorn City Limits, Smokey's Midway, Hook `Em Hangout, and Big Bertha's Bazaar. Make sure to arrive early and attend this week's Bevo Parade presented by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance, as we welcome back Mariachi Paredes de Tejastitlan as part of "Longhorns Por Vida" Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.

whole fam having fun on the Forty 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/oiBlKzklZb
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) September 14, 2024

Country Music Hall of Famer Tanya Tucker headlines LCL this week!

If you haven't had a chance to check out Longhorn City Limits pres. by Still Austin Whiskey Co. yet, you definitely don't want to miss this one! Country royalty and Grammy Award-winning artist Tanya Tucker will make her LCL debut on the LBJ Lawn prior to the ULM game. Live music will begin at 3:30 p.m. with Kathryn Legendre hitting the stage.

We'll also be bringing back silent disco at Longhorn City Limits after the game this weekend for fans who want to keep the party going.

welcome to LCL, @tanyatucker 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/uxWHWZO3BS
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) September 16, 2024

Mizzen & Main and Antigua added to Big Bertha's Bazaar lineup

The Burnt Orange and White have flocked to Big Bertha's Bazaar, our newest gameday experience, in each of our first two home games. This weekend, we are excited to welcome Mizzen & Main and Antigua to the bazaar to debut their Texas Longhorn collections. Fans who arrive before 5:15 p.m. will have an opportunity to get photo ops with Big Bertha before she heads inside the stadium.

the best place to start gameday is at Big Bertha's Bazaar 🛍️🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/jp37O35N0W
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) September 14, 2024

Here's your complete Saturday schedule

7 a.m. – Parking Lots open
1 p.m. – Vehicular traffic clear on San Jacinto Blvd.
2 p.m. – Bevo Blvd pres. by H-E-B, Smokey's Midway pres. by Conecuh Sausage, and Hook 'Em Hangout open
2 p.m. – Big Bertha's Bazaar opens on Moody Center Plaza
2 p.m. – Still Austin Music Lounge and Tito's Tailgate at Longhorn City Limits opens
2-4:30 p.m. – Photo ops with Smokey the Cannon on Smokey's Midway
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. – Exterior UT Club tents open for UT Club members at designated membership levels (DeLoss Dodds Way tent + VIP Tent on LBJ Lawn)
2 p.m. - The Flat Creek Estate Wine Garden opens for fans ages 21-and-up on the north side of DeLoss Dodds Way near Trinity St.
3 p.m. – Gate 8 Ticket Resolution opens for mobile ticket support
3:30 p.m. – Kathryn Legendre LIVE at Longhorn City Limits pres. by Still Austin Whiskey Co.
4 p.m. – Texas Exes Tailgate opens at Alumni Center for Texas Exes members
4 p.m. – Sports Radio AM 1300 AM The Zone Longhorn Gameday Pregame Show LIVE at Hook `Em Hangout begins
4 p.m. – Bevo Parade pres. by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance on Bevo Blvd (fans line up at 3:45 p.m. at South Entrance on Bevo Blvd)
4 p.m. – Gate 25 and Gate 25 Ticket Resolution opens for Big Ticket holders with general admission lower-level student tickets
4:45 p.m. – Stadium Stampede team arrival on Bevo Blvd (fans line up at 4:30 p.m. at North Entrance on Bevo Blvd)
5 p.m. – Tanya Tucker LIVE at Longhorn City Limits pres. by Still Austin Whiskey Co.
5 p.m. – Ticket Resolution at Gate 1 and 32 open for mobile ticket support
5 p.m. – All stadium gates and Longhorn Hospitality areas open
5 p.m. – Texas Beach Volleyball autographs on Bevo Blvd across from Gate 5
6 p.m. – Longhorn Band March to the stadium (starts on Robert Dedman Drive near Longhorn City Limits)
6:30 p.m. – Bevo Blvd, Longhorn City Limits, Smokey's Midway, Hook 'Em Hangout and Big Bertha's Bazaar closes
Pregame – CH-47 Apache Helicopter Flyover
7 p.m. – Kickoff vs. ULM!
During 1^st Quarter – Outstanding Young Texas Exes Recognition
End of 1^st Quarter – Texas Athletics Hall of Honor Recognition
Halftime – Longhorn Band Halftime Show + Alumni Band Halftime Show
Postgame – Silent Disco at Longhorn City Limits pres. by Still Austin Whiskey Co.

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

Volleyball continues to pack 'em in at The Greg!

Our reigning back-to-back National Champions continued the celebrations to start the season, as we gave out replica championship rings prior to last Wednesday's sweep of Houston. Coach Elliott and the Longhorns made quick work of the Cougars in front of our 31st-consecutive sellout crowd at Gregory Gym. Longhorn Nation, THANK YOU for giving our ladies the best home-court advantage in the country! The Longhorns then headed out west for a very tough test against No. 2 Stanford and came up short on Sunday afternoon. The schedule doesn't let up this week, as our ladies travel up to Waco to take on No. 20 Baylor on Wednesday (8 p.m. CT/ESPN) before returning to The Greg to host Hawaii on Friday (6:30 p.m. CT/SEC Network+).

Texas Volleyball: cinematic edition 🎥🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/0UVrFPtKyp
— Texas Volleyball (@TexasVolleyball) September 13, 2024

Soccer brings unbeaten record into SEC play!

Longhorn Nation, you don't want to miss this! Our first official Southeastern Conference competition will take place on the pitch at Mike A. Myers Stadium on Thursday night, and we can't wait to see you there. Coach Kelly and her squad improved to 7-0-1 on the season with a 3-0 shutout of Houston Christian last Thursday, and I know you loved this celebration from our senior Lauren Lapomarda after her goal as much as I did. And how about this cool nugget – our Longhorns are one of just 19 NCAA Division I programs (out of 339) to still boast an unbeaten record this year! With the non-conference slate now in the rearview mirror, our eyes are focused on league play. We'll roll out the burnt orange carpet and welcome Alabama on Thursday (7 p.m. CT/SEC Network+) before taking to the road to face Mississippi State on Sunday (6:30 p.m. CT/SEC Network+).

picture perfect 🤘#HookEm | @lauren_lapo pic.twitter.com/mUBrbDXJW5
— Texas Soccer (@TexasSoccer) September 13, 2024

Men's Golf off and running after third-place showing at Folds of Honor Collegiate

Our No. 8 Men's Golf team opened the 2024-25 season with a third-place team finish at the Folds of Honor Collegiate early last week in Grand Haven, Mich. How about a tip-of-the-hat to junior Tommy Morrison, who fired a 6-under 65 in his final round en route to a career-best runner-up individual finish at 8-under 205 (70-70-65). Junior Christiaan Maas also had a solid individual performance, as he placed sixth at 4-under 209 (70-70-69). Morrison and Maas were two of just eight individuals in the 75-player field who recorded an under-par 54-hole total. The best news happened off the course, as we were able to ink Coach Fields to a contract extension through August 2029! Coach and our guys are back at it later this week (Friday-Sunday) at the OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational in Olympia Fields, Ill.

Great news on the Forty 🤘

Coach Fields has signed a contract extension through August 2029! #TakeDeadAim pic.twitter.com/0801nPm4GK
— Texas Men's Golf (@TexasMGolf) September 13, 2024

Women's Golf opens season at Folds of Honor Collegiate

Our Longhorns kicked off their season last week at the Folds of Honor Collegiate with a fourth-place finish. Sophomore stud Lauren Kim led the way with a fifth-place individual finish and was one of just five players in the field to shoot under par. All five ladies who were in the lineup that finished tied for 11th at last year's NCAA Championship have returned to the Forty Acres this year, and we're so excited to see what our group can do under the leadership of new head coach Laura Ianello. The Longhorns are right back on the course later this week (Friday-Sunday) at the Mason Rudolph Championship in Franklin, Tenn.

LK makes her second birdie of the day to get to 1-under for the tournament and T4 on the leaderboard #HookEm pic.twitter.com/TmhDEr7ubM
— Texas Women's Golf (@TexasWGolf) September 11, 2024

Hook 'Em Horns,

Chris Del Conte

P.S. — Gotta love our big guy, Bevo XV!

The big guy 😤 pic.twitter.com/QgMasvw4Zb
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 14, 2024

P.S. — What an incredible play captured by a truly remarkable image!

Another week, another Helm Hurdle @gunnar_helm pic.twitter.com/OvHKuOkEc8
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 15, 2024

P.S. — This was a fun photo for sure!

name a more iconic trio🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/anPkbowRYl
— Texas Men's Basketball (@TexasMBB) September 15, 2024

P.S. — Julien just keeps winning!

Add @Diamond_League 100-meter CHAMPION to Julien's resume🤘

Juju takes 1st with her time of 10.88 to conclude her historic season‼️#FloKnows x #HookEm pic.twitter.com/BlXmMkRmJQ
— Texas T&F/XC (@TexasTFXC) September 13, 2024

P.S. — Admiral McRaven always has a powerful message for our Longhorns!

Capable of anything. Entitled to nothing.

🎙️Admiral William McRaven pic.twitter.com/XTxu5v0rKi
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 13, 2024

P.S. — What an awesome sight this flyover was on Saturday!

a big shoutout to the 50th Air Refueling Squadron "Red Devils" for yesterday's flyover 🇺🇸🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/ZEphtFnpd8
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) September 15, 2024

P.S. — Thanks for stopping by fellas!

The Spurs pulled up for the Longhorns 🏀 🤝 🏈

( 📸: TexasLonghorns/X, 📹: spurs/X) pic.twitter.com/wgfEzwKkTg
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 15, 2024

P.S. — Love This!