The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Forty Acres Insider: November 25
11.25.2025 | Forty Acres Insider
Important news happening in and around Texas Athletics compiled by Vice President and Athletics Director Chris Del Conte
Longhorn Nation,
It's a week dedicated to giving thanks, and we have OH-SO-MUCH TO BE GRATEFUL for this Thanksgiving, my friends. We're thankful for our student-athletes, coaches, staff and — of course — y'all, the best fans in the land! And what a way to celebrate the holiday: this Friday we'll enjoy a glorious day on the Forty Acres as we host the 120th edition of the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown with No. 3 Texas A&M right here at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium (6:30 p.m. CT/ABC). After renewing the rivalry in College Station last year, we now get to bring one of college football's greatest Turkey Week traditions back to DKR for the first time in 15 years, folks (since 2010). The nation — and world — will be watching this epic matchup with College Football Playoff implications and that prized Lone Star Showdown hardware on the line. Here's to a week full of Longhorn action, a Thanksgiving overflowing with family, fun and festive cheer followed by a fantastic Friday on the Forty!
Rivalry week is HERE 🤘 pic.twitter.com/V7oT1GGVs9
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 24, 2025
Before we look ahead, we've got to look back and swell with pride. How about that absolute explosive offensive showcase and big-play defensive effort that powered our TOTAL TEAM DOMINATION OF ARKANSAS in Saturday's 52-37 win?! Coach Sark had our squad locked in, and y'all brought the juice to DKR for our eighth-straight home win. From The Eyes to The Eyes, the stadium was nothing short of electric. And our guy Arch did it all — four passing TDs, a rushing score, and even hauling in a touchdown grab. He became the first Longhorn quarterback to pull that off since the legendary Bobby Layne in 1946 (nearly 80 years ago!). What an incredible milestone and a giant shoutout for that performance. The celebration afterward was pure joy, with our Horns rocking the locker room to Texas Fight — that feeling that never gets old. And the best part? We get to get together and do it one more time at DKR on Friday. Can't wait to see you there. Horns Up all week — let's go get it!
Lookin' good 🤩 pic.twitter.com/tFoyV4Zk2t
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 22, 2025
Speaking of Arch, his spectacular performance also brought home the accolades as he was named the NATIONAL Player of the Week by the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Associated Press and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award! Not only that, but he was recognized as one of the top QBs of the week by both the Davey O'Brien and Manning Awards. So how great is that…he gets awards named Manning and Earl Campbell in the same week?! And the honors didn't stop there this week with Colin Simmons once again being named the SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week (that's four times this year, they might want to just name it after him), plus Anthony Hill was chosen as a Butkus Award FINALIST, Michael Taaffe was named a Wuerffel Trophy FINALIST, and our returner extraordinaire Ryan Niblett was named a FINALIST for the Jet Award! Way to go, men!
AP Player of the Week: @ArchManning 🤘 pic.twitter.com/Tp3TbUE8Xh
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 24, 2025
Football wasn't the only squad PROVIDING THEIR BEST TEXAS FIGHT last week, adding notches to the victory column, and preparing to continue to put the pride and winning tradition of The University of Texas on full display again this week. Coach Elliott and No. 3 Volleyball is en fuego! Our Horns swept Ole Miss in convincing fashion in Sunday's quarterfinals and then dropped their best Texas Fight in putting the Horns Up in a 3-1 win over No. 6 Texas A&M on Monday in the semifinals to advance to the SEC Tournament Championship Match against Kentucky later tonight (6 p.m. CT/SEC Network). Coming off a victory over Rider (99-65) last Tuesday, Men's Basketball is in Hawaii at the Southwest Maui Invitational where we took a hard-fought loss to Arizona State (87-86) late Monday night and turn right around to face Chaminade later tonight (9:30 p.m. CT/ESPN2). The Longhorns will wrap up play in Maui when they take to the court for the third time in three days on Wednesday, and then our guys will get a break before facing Virginia in Moody next Wednesday, Dec. 3 (8:15 p.m. CT/ESPNU). Coach Schaefer and No. 4 Women's Basketball got a victory over James Madison (95-56) on Wednesday at Moody Center and travels to Las Vegas to face No. 3 UCLA on Wednesday (1 p.m. CT/truTV) in the Players Era Championship. They'll follow that with a matchup against either No. 2 South Carolina or No. 24 Duke on Thursday (TBD/truTV) before returning home to face Penn at The Mood on Sunday (1 p.m. CT/SEC Network+).
let's have some fun this week 🤘#HookEm | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/2kdAcWDVY2
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) November 24, 2025
We continue to let the good times roll with NCAA action on the horizon. After the SEC Tourney this week, Volleyball will be moving on to the NCAA tourney — taking dead aim on the Natty. The 64-team bracket unveil is Sunday (5 p.m. CT/ESPN) when we'll see where we land in the field and prepare for an opportunity to turn it up with y'all again at The Greg. Stay tuned for all the details and get your Burnt Orange & White ready to raise the roof for NCAA Championship play!
Hey, and while I've got you, let's give one more round of applause to our guy Michael Huff, who y'all helped us celebrate with an on-campus salute for his impending induction into the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. What a great honor and wonderful ovation y'all gave Huffy as we congratulated him on this well-deserved honor.
Forever a Hall of Famer 🤘@NFFNetwork | @Huffy247 pic.twitter.com/f08D3i140i
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 22, 2025
Margueritte Bates (Aozasa) named Soccer head coach
Finally, earlier this week we decided to make a change in our soccer program, and we are absolutely thrilled to welcome our new Soccer Head Coach, Margueritte Bates (Aozasa). Coach Bates arrives on the Forty Acres with an extraordinary record of success, including a sensational four-year run as head coach at UCLA. She made history in 2022 as the first-ever rookie head coach to win the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship. A two-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year, she won more than 80 percent of her matches (67-13-9) and captured a pair of conference titles with the Bruins. Her resume is further highlighted by seven years as an assistant coach at Stanford, where she helped guide the Cardinal to two National Championships and five straight Pac-12 titles as part of a powerhouse staff. Beyond the accolades, Coach Bates is an elite developer of student-athletes, a dynamic and inspiring leader, and a tremendous recruiter who has excelled in high-achieving programs throughout her coaching career. She is the perfect fit at Texas, and we couldn't be more excited to have her leading our program!
welcome to The Forty Acres, Margueritte Bates 🤘#HookEm | @TexasLonghorns pic.twitter.com/2T66vIhi3E
— Texas Soccer (@TexasSoccer) November 25, 2025
Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown UNDER THE LIGHTS this Friday!
Longhorn Nation, there's nothing quite like a night game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, and for this Friday in the first Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown versus Texas A&M in Austin since 2010, we're pulling out all the stops. It's Senior Day, so Come Early, Be Loud, Stay Late, and Wear Orange and help us send our 2025 Texas Football seniors off in style in their final home game at DKR.
When the sun goes down this Friday, we can't wait to showcase all the bells and whistles that make DKR one of the most unforgettable atmospheres in college football from our state-of-the-art lights to the pyrotechnics. And let me tell you … pregame is going to be special. The Longhorn Band has been working on something unique for this game, a performance you'll want to see from the very first note. Be sure to keep your eyes on the sky, you might catch a few surprises. This is the kind of night we live for on the Forty Acres.
Come out early at 1 p.m. for the ultimate Texas Football gameday experience!
Dust off that turkey and gravy and join us early for an action-packed all-day experience surrounding Friday's football game versus Texas A&M. All of our signature areas will open at 1 p.m. including Bevo Blvd pres. by H-E-B, Longhorn City Limits pres. by Hollister, Smokey's Midway pres. by Conecuh Sausage, Hook `Em Hangout, and Big Bertha's Bazaar at Moody Center. Set those reminders for our three signature parades for the final time this regular season: the Bevo Parade (pres. by TFBI) at 3:30 p.m., the Stadium Stampede team arrival at 4:15 p.m., and the Longhorn Band march to the stadium at 5:30 p.m.
Legendary Budweiser Clydesdales join an unforgettable pregame
We've got something truly special lined up for you this week. For the first time since 1998, the legendary Budweiser Clydesdales are returning to a Texas Football game, and they're rolling right down Bevo Blvd at 3:30 p.m. as part of the Bevo Parade presented by TFBI! Don't miss your opportunity to see this wonderful American tradition, known for their size, strength, and unmistakable style. These majestic horses stand nearly six feet tall, weigh close to a ton each (just slightly less than our very own Bevo XV) and have traveled the country for generations, but there's nothing quite like welcoming them to the Forty Acres.
Big & Rich headline an electric Longhorn City Limits on Nov. 28 plus an overflow watch party on the LBJ Lawn
Longhorn Nation, we've got an absolute treat lined up for you on Nov. 28 as country music power duo Big & Rich roll into Austin to headline Longhorn City Limits presented by Hollister! Their chart-topping anthems and larger-than-life energy will turn LCL into a full-on celebration. They're bringing all of that fire to the LBJ Lawn on gameday, and it's going to be one unforgettable afternoon on the Forty Acres. Kicking things off is Greyhounds, the Austin-based soul-rock standouts who always deliver a groove-heavy, crowd-moving performance. These guys embody the creative heartbeat of our city, and we're thrilled to showcase their sound in front of the best fans in the land. The Tito's Tailgate, Bulleit Frontier Lounge, and Pinkerton's BBQ open at 1 p.m., with live music beginning at 3 p.m. when Greyhounds hit the stage. And stick around, because the fan-favorite silent disco is back to keep the party rolling after the game and cap off an incredible regular season at DKR.
And if you don't have a ticket to the game but want to enjoy the festivities on campus all day join, join us at one of our watch parties on the LBJ Lawn or at Hook `Em Hangout in Winship Circle. We'll have plenty of food and beverage options for you to choose from! Trust me, this is an LCL you're not gonna want to miss.
one last LCL lineup coming at ya 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/G7hgOvwOOK
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) November 24, 2025
Visit Big Bertha's Bazaar at Moody Center for launches from Lululemon, True Brvnd, Warren Lotas, Mañana as well as Santa Hook `Em photo ops and festive cocktails!
For this game only, we're rolling out exclusive Texas Longhorns apparel collections from Lululemon, True Brvnd, Mañana, Warren Lotas, Saturday Silks, and more at Big Bertha's Bazaar at Moody Center. If you're looking to level up your Burnt Orange style, this is the moment. Stop by the Bazaar Bar for our holiday-inspired signature cocktails, including peppermint white chocolate espresso martinis and frosty cocktails that will get you in the spirit early. And speaking of holiday spirit, Santa Hook 'Em is making a special appearance for photo ops from 4:30–5:30 p.m. Bring the family, bring your friends, and lock in those holiday cards.
Big Bertha's Bazaar opens at 1 p.m. along with our other signature experiences, and you can grab photo ops with Big Bertha herself until 3 p.m. Come shop, sip, snap photos, and experience all the energy that makes Big Bertha's Bazaar so special.
Here's your complete Saturday schedule:
• 7 a.m. – Parking Lots open
• 1 p.m. - Bevo Blvd presented by H-E-B, Smokey's Midway presented by Conecuh Sausage, and Hook 'Em Hangout open!
• 1 p.m. – Big Bertha's Bazaar opens on the Moody Center plaza! Get there early for special launches from Lululemon, True Brvnd, Mañana Warren Lotas, and more!
• 1 p.m. - Tito's Tailgate and the Bulleit Frontier Lounge open at Longhorn City Limits pres. by Hollister (ages 21+)
• 1 p.m. – Photo ops with Smokey the Cannon on Smokey's Midway until 4 p.m.
• 1 p.m. – The Flat Creek Estate Wine Garden opens for the general public on the north side of DeLoss Dodds Way near Trinity St.
• 1 p.m. – Hook 'Em Herd signups (pres. by Dick's Sporting Goods) begin for kids ages 7-12 across from Gate 1 on Bevo Blvd (spots available on first-come, first-served basis)
• 2:30 p.m. - Gate 8 Ticket Resolution opens for mobile ticketing support and general ticketing issues
• 2:30 p.m. – Autographs with Longhorn Legend Jamaal Charles at the Dick's Sporting Goods activation across from Gate 1
• 3 p.m. – Greyhounds LIVE at Longhorn City Limits pres. by Hollister
• 3:30 p.m. – Texas Exes Tailgate opens for Texas Exes members at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center
• 3:30 p.m. - Bevo XV Parade presented by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance (line up on the south side of Bevo Blvd beginning at 3:15 p.m.)
• 3:30 p.m. – Sports Radio AM 1300 The Zone Longhorn Gameday Pregame Show LIVE at Hook `Em Hangout begins
• 4:15 p.m. - Cheer on Texas Football at the Stadium Stampede, the official team arrival (line up on the north side of Bevo Blvd beginning at 4 p.m.)
• 4:30 p.m. – Big & Rich LIVE at Longhorn City Limits pres. by Hollister
• 4:30 p.m. - All stadium gates and in-stadium Longhorn Foundation hospitality areas open
• 4:30 p.m. – Gate 32 ticket resolution opens for mobile ticket support
• 5:30 p.m. – Longhorn Band March To The Stadium (located at the corner of Robert Dedman Dr. and DeLoss Dodds Way near Longhorn City Limits)
• 6 p.m. – Bevo Blvd, Smokey's Midway, Hook `Em Hangout, and Big Bertha's Bazaar close
• 6:30 p.m. - Kick-off
• 6:30 p.m. – Overflow watch parties at Longhorn City Limits on the LBJ Lawn and Hook `Em Hangout in Winship Circle
• Pregame – 2025 Texas Football Senior Day Recognition
• Halftime – Longhorn Band and Texas A&M Band Halftime Shows
• Postgame – Silent Disco at Longhorn City Limits pres. by Hollister
For a full list of activities and everything you want to know about all-things gameday, please visit our Football GameDay headquarters page.
Hook 'Em Horns,
P.S. — We're very appreciative of all Coach Kelly did in her 14 years leading our soccer program! THANK YOU, COACH!
thank you, Coach Kelly pic.twitter.com/jO9yyRqPw2
— Texas Soccer (@TexasSoccer) November 24, 2025
P.S. — Gotta love a rivalry win!
TALK ABOUT A RIVALRY WEEK 🤘🗣️#HookEm pic.twitter.com/5ltAm54Pnn
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) November 25, 2025
P.S. — Hook 'Em, Horns to our Thorpe Award winners!
Two Longhorn legends 🤘 pic.twitter.com/U5FZKR9yRH
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 22, 2025
P.S. — Longhorns For Life!
Longhorn Legends everywhere you look 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/pgZHHKXy4D
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) November 22, 2025
P.S. — Congrats to our All-SEC Longhorns!
you already know🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/1CWXZswZZq
— Texas Volleyball (@TexasVolleyball) November 19, 2025
P.S. — We Love our Fans!
All love from Longhorn Nation 🫶🤘 pic.twitter.com/K6OhyzL8Gw
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 22, 2025
P.S. — It's a Family Affair!
joining the family @GoosbyAustin 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/3WDdm4dJOt
— Texas Men's Basketball (@TexasMBB) November 19, 2025
P.S. — The Big Fella!
𝓐𝓵𝓶𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓖𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓭𝓪𝔂 pic.twitter.com/MMo27guehB
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 21, 2025
HEADLINES:
Video: Steve Sarkisian Monday press conference (Texas A&M – Week 14):
Video: Football players media availability (Texas A&M – Week 14):
Women's Basketball's 2026 recruiting class ranked No. 1:
Video: Steve Sarkisian postgame press conference (Arkansas):
No. 2 Women's Swimming closes Texas Invitational with Okaro's record-breaking 100 free:
Women's Tennis' Herea finishes as NCAA Singles quarterfinalist:
Video: Women's Basketball's Schaefer, Harmon media availability (Nov. 21):
Video: Men's Basketball's Wilcher media availability (Nov. 21):
Video: Longhorn Weekly presented by Texas Lottery (Arkansas – Week 13):
Soccer's Villarreal selected to participate with U.S. U-20 Women's National Team:
Texas Lottery Veteran Recognition: Ryan L. Thompson:
No. 1 Men's Swimming powered by Modglin's American, pool records on Day 3 of the Texas Invitational:
Video: Steve Sarkisian Thursday media availability (Arkansas – Week 13):
Men's Basketball signees Goosby, Ogden named to Naismith Trophy High School Player of the Year watch list:
No. 3 Volleyball's Halter named to SEC Volleyball Community Service Team:
Men's Basketball inks four signees in Class of 2026:
No. 3 Volleyball lands five on All-SEC teams:
No. 17/18/10 Football's Taaffe named Burlsworth Trophy finalist:
Women's Basketball's Booker and Harmon named to Wooden Award Watch List:
Glasspool claims ATP Tour year-end No. 1 ranking in doubles:
