The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Forty Acres Insider: October 13
10.13.2026 | Forty Acres Insider
Important news happening in and around Texas Athletics compiled by Vice President and Athletics Director Chris Del Conte
Longhorn Nation,
First and foremost, I must say WE APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH and are incredibly grateful for your unwavering support. You're always with us through thick and thin, highs and lows, successes and challenges and Saturday was a tough one. We had so much fun with the always-special festivities of Allstate Red River Rivalry week, the State Fair treated us so well once again, and the game wound up being a nail-biter. We hung in there together, bringing our best Texas Fight all the way to the end of a heartbreaking loss. There's no joy in losing, and we were all so disappointed by the defeat, but Coach Sark, our staff, and our players left the Cotton Bowl with their heads held high, committed to getting better and determined to come back stronger. We know our roster is filled with resilient competitors who will get back up, dust themselves off and be ready to get back in the saddle this week when Florida comes to town for another critical SEC showdown (11 a.m. CT/ABC). Coach Sark always emphasizes to the team that it's 10 percent what happens and 90 percent how we respond — It's home sweet home and time to pull together and keep fighting. I know you'll be right there by our side providing that incredible home-field advantage you've built with us at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, where we've won 12 straight. Let's keep that streak alive, my friends!
sea of Burnt Orange 🤘 #HookEm https://t.co/ai1avj8SYW
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) October 10, 2026
THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF FOOTBALL TO PLAY, and all of our goals are still in front of us. One tough Saturday doesn't define this team. How we respond is what matters now, and we have every confidence our Horns will answer the bell. This is a tight-knit group with outstanding leadership, and Coach Sark and the squad got right back to work Monday to prepare to handle their business this week. We had every chance to win the Red River Rivalry but, in the end, just couldn't make enough plays to overcome our mistakes and put us over the top. After the difficult defeat, we sang "The Eyes of Texas" together, and y'all cheered our great warriors as they made their way to the locker room. We all saw and appreciated that they gave their all and left it all on the field. As Coach Sark said in his Monday press conference, we've turned the page, got the week off to a great start with an energetic practice and dove into the game plan for another very good SEC opponent this week. So now it's time to rally together, support our Horns and gather as a family to keep our Horns Up High against the Gators on Saturday. Seven more big-time SEC showdowns await — three straight at DKR — and there is so much still to left to play for. It's time to bounce back, bring that patented passion, pride and Texas Fight, and Hook 'Em! We've got this, let's go!!
Back home🤘 https://t.co/RxBYltWo7l
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) October 12, 2026
Before we look ahead, I do want to take a moment to reflect on last week's gatherings because there was so much to be thankful for. I must say, Y'ALL DELIVERED BIG-TIME DURING TEXAS-OU WEEK ONCE AGAIN! From the packed house on the Main Mall at the annual Texas Fight Rally & Parade on Wednesday night to all of the week's events leading up to the game, you brought the energy — culminated in an awesome scene at the State Fair and Cotton Bowl on Saturday. The world saw the love, loyalty and devotion of Longhorn Nation on full display all across the State Fair and from start to finish in the stands. Your spirit and enthusiasm is steadfast and awesome! From our dedicated students arriving early and bringing the juice for their traditional greeting of Coach Sark (and all of our guys) on his walk around the field, to our unbelievable fans all decked out in their burnt orange best and the non-stop Texas Fight … it made us all just so dang proud to be Longhorns!
In addition to Football, WE'VE GOT PLENTY OF ACTION ON THE FORTY AND BEYOND THIS WEEK. Volleyball has a pair of home matches with Auburn on Friday (6:30 p.m. CT/SEC Network+) and Florida on Sunday (7:30 p.m. CT/ESPN) at The Greg as the Horns continue their push on through SEC play. Soccer will do the same, hosting LSU on Thursday (7 p.m. CT/SEC Network+) and South Carolina on Sunday (Noon CT/SEC Network+) at Mike A. Myers Stadium. Softball welcomes Texas State on Tuesday at Red & Charline McCombs Field. It's a great time to come out and support your Longhorns, and we can't wait to see you there, too. Men's and Women's Golf are on the course at The Home of Golf in Scotland as we speak, teeing it up in the St. Andrews Links Collegiate. Cross Country is in College Station for the Arturo Barrios Invitational later this week, while Men's and Women's Tennis continue with fall tournament action as well. And looking ahead to early next week, Women's Basketball travels to Hartford to face UConn in an exhibition on Monday (6 p.m. CT). We'll see you on the Forty!
a look at the week 🤘 #HookEm | @seatgeek https://t.co/u3oufggotU
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) October 12, 2026
And in closing, a big shoutout and emphatic HOOK 'EM FOR OUR LONGHORN LEGEND MACK BROWN on his selection for induction into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame. We all know the success Coach Brown had with our program, including the phenomenal National Championship run in 2005, and there's no one more worthy of this honor. The victories in the 1999 and 2003 Cotton Bowl Classics were epic, as were his 16 years leading our program and the sensational 158-48 record (second only to Coach Royal) he posted in the Burnt Orange and White. But what stands above all is way he did it — with integrity, character and dignity, while serving as an incredible representative of The University of Texas. Congrats on another well-deserved honor, my friend! Looking forward to the official enshrinement next spring.
Introducing the #GoodyearCottonBowl Classic Hall of Fame Class of 2027! 📰: https://t.co/Iu7M902Im6 #LikeNoOther https://t.co/ZQMrdex1PE
— Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (@CottonBowlGame) October 8, 2026
There's no place like HOME, Longhorn Nation…let's pack the Forty Acres on Saturday!
It's been far too long since we've had our Horns back home at DKR, and I can't tell y'all how excited we are to welcome everyone back to the Forty Acres this Saturday! We've got an absolutely LOADED MORNING of gameday fun waiting for y'all, with everything opening bright and early at 8 a.m. From our beloved Texas traditions and FREE family activities to exclusive shopping, live music and so much more, there's no shortage of reasons to get here early. So set those alarms, grab your Burnt Orange and White, and let's fill the Forty Acres with that Texas Fight from the moment the sun comes up.
Your favorite pregame destinations are BACK and everything opens at 8 a.m.!
We've got a tremendous morning planned for Longhorn Nation, and the best part is that all of our pre-game destinations are FREE to attend! Bevo Blvd pres. by H-E-B, Longhorn City Limits pres. by Hollister, Smokey's Midway pres. by Conecuh Sausage, Big Bertha's Bazaar at Moody Center and Hook 'Em Hangout will all be up and running at 8 a.m. Whether you're bringing the Little Longhorns for rides and games, looking to score some exclusive Longhorns gear, grabbing breakfast and a cold drink, or just soaking up the best atmosphere in college football, WE'VE GOT SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. Don't wait until kickoff to get your gameday started. Come out early and enjoy everything we've got waiting for you!
Bevo, Coach Sark and Texas Baseball all on Bevo Blvd!
Few things get my heart pumping like seeing Bevo Blvd packed with Burnt Orange and White, and Saturday morning is going to be a great one! The Big Guy gets things started with the Bevo XV Parade pres. by TFBI at 8 a.m., so be lined up on the south side of the boulevard by 7:45 a.m. Then we'll turn up the volume as Coach Sark and the Horns make their Stadium Stampede arrival at approximately 8:45 a.m. And here's another one y'all won't want to miss: members of our Texas Baseball team will be signing autographs from 9-10 a.m. across from Gate 5! Plus, Hook 'Em Herd pres. by DICK'S Sporting Goods signups for Little Longhorns ages 7-12 begin at 8 a.m. across from Gate 1 on Bevo Blvd, with spots available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring the family, get those Horns Up and let's give Bevo and our team a Texas-sized welcome home!
Bigger Ferris wheel, FREE rides and plenty of fun for the Little Longhorns!
If you've got Little Longhorns in the family, Smokey's Midway pres. by Conecuh Sausage needs to be on your Saturday morning itinerary! We've got a brand-new, BIGGER FERRIS WHEEL making its debut, along with all of our FREE rides, games and activities that make the Midway such a fun place to spend gameday. And talk about some great photo opportunities! You can grab a picture with Smokey the Cannon from 8-8:45 a.m. There's so much for our youngest fans to enjoy, and I can't wait to see those smiles all across the Midway
Big Bertha's Bazaar brings exclusive gear AND live music to gameday!
Y'all know Big Bertha's Bazaar at Moody Center is one of the best places to find unique Longhorns gear, and we've got another fantastic lineup of merchandise waiting for you Saturday! Doors open at 8 a.m. with special product drops from Horn Legend, Coordinates, Saturday Silks and more, so get there early to grab your favorites. But here's something NEW we're especially excited about. For the first time ever, we're bringing LIVE music to the Bazaar! Enjoy performances from Libby & the Loveless from 8:30-9:15 a.m. followed by Mike Castillo from 9:30-10:30 a.m. while you shop, sip and enjoy the atmosphere. And don't forget to grab a photo with Big Bertha herself from 8-8:45 a.m.
Stay tuned for an action-packed Longhorn City Limits lineup
We're pulling out all the stops at Longhorn City Limits pres. by Hollister this Saturday, with FREE live music before AND after the game! The Tito's Tailgate and Bulleit Frontier Lounge open at 8 a.m. for fans 21 and older, and we'll get LCL rocking with live music from 8:30-10 a.m. Stay tuned for the artist lineup later this week.
Plan your perfect gameday with our Fan Journeys and interactive map!
With all the great things happening on the Forty Acres, we want to make sure y'all don't miss a thing! Our new Texas Gameday Fan Journeys let you choose the experience that's right for you, whether you're bringing the family, looking to explore all the best sights and sounds, or wanting to check off those iconic Texas gameday traditions. And once you've picked your journey, our interactive 3D gameday map makes getting around easier than ever! Find your seats, locate concessions, water stations, restrooms and all of our pregame destinations right from your phone. Just download the Texas Longhorns app pres. by Huntington Bank or visit TexasLonghorns.com/DKRmap and start planning. There's more to experience on the Forty Acres than ever before, and we want y'all to enjoy every bit of it!
A few important reminders before heading our way Saturday
With an early kickoff, a little planning goes a long way! Parking lots open at 6 a.m., and all stadium gates and Longhorn Foundation hospitality areas open at 9 a.m. Be sure to download your mobile tickets and parking passes before leaving home, check the designated entry gate on your ticket and plan your route to and from campus. You can find parking and traffic information at TexasLonghorns.com/Parking, and remember that our new interactive map can help you navigate once you're here. We'll have the Longhorn Band March to the Stadium at 10 a.m., with pregame destinations wrapping up at 10:30 a.m. before our 11 a.m. kickoff. Get here early, get settled and let's have DKR ROCKING from the opening kick!
Come early, be loud and let's make this a Texas Football Saturday to remember!
We've got Bevo, Coach Sark and the Horns, Texas Baseball autographs, FREE rides, a bigger Ferris wheel, exclusive shopping, live music, great food, and a whole lot more waiting for y'all Saturday morning. And after all that, we've got SEC Football at DKR followed by Longhorn City Limits on the LBJ Lawn! What more could you ask for? Get those Horns Up, wear that Burnt Orange and White, and come spend the day with us on the Forty Acres.
Here's your complete Saturday schedule
• 6 a.m. – Parking Lots 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. – Huntington Bank Gate Ticket Resolution opens for mobile ticket support
• 8 a.m. – Bevo Blvd pres. by H-E-B, Smokey's Midway pres. by Conecuh Sausage, and Hook 'Em Hangout open
• 8 a.m. – Tito's Tailgate and Bulleit Frontier Lounge open at Longhorn City Limits pres. by Hollister
• 8 a.m. – Big Bertha's Bazaar opens on Moody Center Plaza. Get there early for exclusive drops from Saturday Silks, Horn Legend, Coordinates, and more!
• 8 a.m. – Hook 'Em Herd (pres. by Dick's Sporting Goods) 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. – 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. – ShopBack Gate and ShopBack Gate Ticket Resolution opens for Big Ticket holders with general admission lower-level student tickets
• 8 – 8:45 a.m. – Photo ops with Smokey the Cannon on Smokey's Midway
• 8:15 a.m. – Photo ops with Hook `Em and friends at Hook `Em Hangout
• 8:30 – 10 a.m. – Live music at Longhorn City Limits pres. by Hollister
• 8:30 a.m. – Libby and the Loveless LIVE at Big Bertha's Bazaar
• 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 – 10 a.m.– Baseball autographs on Bevo Blvd across from Gate 5
• 9 a.m. – LLH Gate Ticket Resolution opens for mobile ticket support
• 9 a.m. – All stadium gates and Longhorn Foundation hospitality areas open
• 9:30 a.m. – Matt Castillo LIVE at Big Bertha's Bazaar
• 10 a.m. – Longhorn Band March to the stadium (starts on Robert Dedman Drive near Longhorn City Limits)
• 10:30 a.m. – Bevo Blvd, Smokey's Midway, Hook 'Em Hangout and Big Bertha's Bazaar close
• 11 a.m. – Kickoff vs. Florida!
• Halftime – Longhorn Band Halftime Show
• Postgame – Live music 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.
Basketball takes over SEC Network on Wednesday at SEC Tipoff!
The calendar is approaching the middle of October and that means Hoops Season is getting closer! SEC Network will be live from Birmingham for SEC Tipoff '27 with 18 hours of coverage spanning both today and Wednesday. SEC Now: SEC Tipoff runs from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. CT both days. Our Longhorns will take center stage on Wednesday - you can tune in to catch Coach Miller, Matas Vokietaitis, Isaiah Johnson and David Punch on the SEC Network set at 12:05 p.m. CT, while Coach Schaefer, Madison Booker, Breya Cunningham and Bryanna Preston will be on the SEC Network set at 1:05 p.m. CT. Press conferences for each head coach will stream in their entirety on SEC Network+ and the ESPN App, with Coach Schaefer at the podium at 11:50 a.m. CT and Coach Miller on at 12:50 p.m. CT.
Tuesday & Wednesday, @SECNetwork presents live on site coverage from #SECTipoff '27 media days in Birmingham, Ala. 🏀 Full schedule & details: https://t.co/hQ30b6XV2j https://t.co/4Tu1ee5L3U
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) October 12, 2026
Hook 'Em Horns,
P.S. — What Starts Here! Congrats Tommy!!
just 131 days after his final collegiate round, our guy Tommy Morrison is TOUR BOUND 🤘 #TakeDeadAim | @PGATour https://t.co/mBfm8oJ63u
— Texas Men's Golf (@TexasMGolf) October 11, 2026
P.S. — Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving got the season off to a victorious start!
taking home the dub 🤘 #HookEm https://t.co/MRrUJd8qlw
— Texas Men's Swimming & Diving (@TexasMSD) October 10, 2026
horns on top 🤘 #HookEm https://t.co/ONNxxu6vlQ
— Texas Women's Swimming & Diving (@TexasWSD) October 10, 2026
P.S. — Horns Up for our SEC Legend, Ricky Williams!
Congrats, No. 34 🤘 https://t.co/xdDGgKPEvz
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) October 8, 2026
P.S. — MVP, MVP, MVP … We see ya, Kody — Most Valuable Twin!
the Most Valuable Twin Award winner 🏆 #HookEm | @Twins https://t.co/H2kUvs5d3s
— Texas Baseball (@TexasBaseball) October 9, 2026
P.S. — Thanks for the support, my friends!
ALL EYES ON TEXAS🤘🏻📺 After drawing last week's largest TV audience with 9.7 million viewers tuning in to ABC's broadcast of the Horns' win at Tennessee, @TexasFootball stays atop the list of most-watched teams in college football this season (9 million viewers pg), per Nielsen. https://t.co/FMgMcQPxxZ
— John Bianco (@UT_Bianco) September 30, 2026
P.S. — Love to see this support for Women's Basketball!
for the first time in program history, Texas Women's Basketball season tickets are SOLD OUT 🤘🎟️ #HookEm https://t.co/TbWNDJsRmc
— Texas Women's Basketball (@TexasWBB) October 12, 2026
P.S. — Make your plans accordingly!
🚨 Game time announcement 🚨 Texas vs. Ole Miss on Oct. 24 will kickoff at 6:30 PM CT on ABC 🤘 https://t.co/A3YHMNSSvu
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) October 12, 2026
HEADLINES:
Video: Steve Sarkisian press conference (Oct. 12):
Video: Vic Schaefer media availability (Oct. 12):
Tommy Morrison officially earns his 2027 PGA TOUR card:
Ricky Williams named to 2026 SEC Football Legends Class:
