Tag: DKR

Mariachi bands at DKR stir controversy among Longhorns fans

Social media sounds off on Texas game-day addition.

The decision to keep Quinn Ewers as Texas’ starting quarterback over Arch Manning wasn’t what set social media ablaze following Saturday’s game. Instead, it was the performance of Mariachi Paredes de Tejastitlan that divided fans.

The mariachi band’s initial appearance this season was part of Texas’ Longhorns Por Vida initiative, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Introduced during the University of Louisiana-Monroe game earlier this year, the musical addition has since become a favorite for many fans. Bringing a unique taste to DKR. Previously, the band led the performance of thunderstruck under the burnt orange lights of DKR.

For some, however, the mariachi band’s inclusion during high-stakes games drew criticism. On social media, detractors argued that while mariachi might be fitting for games against opponents like Colorado State or UTSA, it detracted from the intensity expected during College Football Playoff (CFP)-level matchups.

“Mariachi bands are sweet when you’re playing Colorado State or UTSA,” Texas beat writer CJ Vogel wrote. “But keep that all the way out of the CFP when a home atmosphere & stadium energy will have a say about your team’s season ending or surviving.”

Others, including students, disagreed, comparing the mariachi performances to iconic game day staples like Chappell Roan’s “Hot To Go” or Mo Bamba, saying the music added to the overall experience.

“This is an idiotic take but even more idiotic is thinking music or “energy” will help swing the most important game of the year. The Mariachi band was awesome ” Texas supporter Adam Loewy wrote.

Texas Athletics Director Chris Del Conte addressed the backlash, apologizing to fans on X while expressing his appreciation for the mariachi performers. “I thought they were great but appreciate your opinion” Del Conte wrote.

Texas head coach Tom Herman discusses what Sam Ehlinger meant to him

With a Big 12 matchup against Iowa State looming, Head coach Tom Herman opened up about Sam Ehlinger. Specifically on what he means to UT.

On Monday afternoon Texas Longhorns head coach Tom Herman met with the media as he does each week. The team is heading into a huge matchup with the Iowa State Cyclones on Friday afternoon. That game will have a lot on the line as these two teams try to take a hold of their Big 12 Championship game hopes. Both need a win but there is a much larger emotional aspect to this game.

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The final home game of the 2020 season means that it is senior day at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. It isn’t just about one player on this day but the entire class that joined Texas from the 2017 recruiting cycle. However, quarterback Sam Ehlinger is the leader of that class and the entire football team. It will be the final time that fans will see 11 run out onto the field to take part in a game in his hometown of Austin, Texas.

Sam Ehlinger dreamed of this moment. As a kid, it was all about playing for the school he grew up watching. Stepping onto Campbell-Williams field and throwing the “Hook Em” up after every score. On Friday his four-year run will come to an end, at least when it comes to playing at DKR. It is almost a poetic end for Ehlinger, having spent many Friday nights in Austin playing the game he loved at Westlake High School.

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Herman was asked about Ehlinger’s legacy, but instead, he spoke to what Sam means to him and the University of Texas.

“I don’t have any opinion on [his] legacy,” Herman stated on Monday. “I know what he means to me as a human being, as a man, as a head coach, as a mentor. He means the world to me. He has been here as long as I have and we’ve been through a lot together. He’s going to go down statistically as one of the top two or three quarterbacks to ever put on the burnt orange.”

“But his scope of influence is much farther reaching than just his statistics and the wins over top five, top ten teams that he has had. His impact as a leader, not just in this program, but at this university, will be felt for years and years, long after he leaves the University of Texas and goes into the NFL.”

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Throwback Thursday: Longhorns over UTEP 41-7

On this date in 2016, the Texas Longhorns and UTEP Miners met at DKR. In a throwback Thursday we look back at the Texas win.

The Texas Longhorns are preparing to host the UTEP Miners on Saturday in their first game of the year. However, it was four years ago on this date they these two teams last met. The quarterback for the Longhorns was Shane Buechele, starting for then head coach Charlie Strong. It was the second game following ESPN’s Joe Tessitore claiming “Texas is back folks!”

NBA All-Star forward and former Texas Longhorn Kevin Durant was on hand for this game. Durant was on the sideline to take in this game. Unlike the previous game, the Longhorns weren’t expecting much of a fight from UTEP.

Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

The Miners started off the game getting the ball first, however after a three and out the Longhorns got the ball. It started out as a promising drive. In fact it started inside UTEP territory after an Armanti Foreman return of nine yards. Texas would fumble the ball away but after another three and out, Texas got the party started.

Following a Jake Oliver catch for 10 yards and a personal foul from the Miners, Texas quarterback Shane Buechele found former quarterback Jerrod Heard for a 29-yard touchdown catch in the front corner of the endzone. That gave Texas the early 7-0 lead.

In the second quarter, the Longhorns would add a field goal. They were set up when Brandon Jones blocked a punt from UTEP deep in Miners territory. The offense would go three and out before Trent Domingue 33-yard field goal.

On a third and one for the Miners, future Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones goes 51 yards for the touchdown. Texas lead cut down to just three. Unfortunately for the Miners, that would be their entire offense on the day. Texas would add another field goal to go up six. Buechele would find Jacorey Warrick for a touchdown just before the half. That made up for his fumble on the opening drive that robbed Texas of a touchdown.

Texas would outscore UTEP 21-0 in the second half. Chris Warren III started it off with a one-yard run midway through the third. Buechele would connect with Dorian Leonard for a 46-yard touchdown, Texas led at that point 34-7 with 6:07 left in the quarter.

Early on the fourth quarter Buechele would find Jerrod Heard again giving him his second touchdown of the game. Not a bad way to spend your birthday at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas would win this game 41-7.

Key Stats:

Buechele: 22/27 244 yards 4 TDs

Warren: 20 carries 95 yards 1 TD

Warrick: 7 receptions 73 yards 1 TD

Leonard: 2 receptions 52 yards 1 TD

Heard: 6 receptions 46 yards 2 TDs

Texas Football: Longhorns heavy favorites according to BetMGM odds

The early lines are out for the Texas Longhorns season opener on Sept. 12, with the line set at 42 in favor of the home team from BetMGM.

This past weekend the Texas Longhorns opening opponent took the field in their opener. The UTEP Miners defeated the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 24-14. Early on in that game the Lumberjacks had the lead but couldn’t hold onto it as the Miners rallied from a 14-3 deficit to score 21 unanswered. If the Miners fall down early to the Longhorns this coming Saturday, it might be all she wrote.

The Longhorns football team has a lot more firepower than SFA. Given with how UTEP struggled in space, Jake Smith and Jordan Whittington could have big games in Austin. Provided the Longhorns get off to a fast start, they could see plenty of runs as the game wears on. Look for Bijan Robinson to get plenty of looks.

Related: What we learned from SFA-UTEP

According to BetMGM the Longhorns are heavy favorites to win.

Opening Line: Texas (-42)

Over/Under: 61.5

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With the Longhorns favored by six touchdowns, expect the line to move some in favor of UTEP. One shouldn’t expect it to dip any lower than (-37) by the time the game kicks off on Saturday night.

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Season Opener: UTEP is ‘right on schedule’ to play the Longhorns

UTEP head coach Dana Dimel spoke with media stated they were “right on schedule” to play the Texas Longhorns in the season opener.

It was made official on Wednesday that the Longhorns would host the Texas-El Paso Miners on September 12th to open the season. Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte confirmed in the Forty Acres Insider that was published. Their original matchup was set for September 19th on the original schedule but due to the Big 12 changing to a nine plus one schedule it had to be adjusted.

There were still questions even after the confirmation by Del Conte as to whether or not the game could still be played. Conference USA met on Wednesday evening to discuss their course of action as the fall football season approaches. As other conferences have come out and postponed the season, UTEP’s conference hadn’t yet made a decision. The conference issued the following statement.

Essentially a passive statement to state they were still in discussion about what their final answer will be. On a conference call with media, Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby stated that a Big 12 opponent must adhere to their testing standards. If the Miners are afforded the opportunity to play they will be tested three times before they can play in Austin.

Head coach of the Miners Dana Dimel met with the media on Thursday and stated they were “right on schedule” to play against the Longhorns. UTEP had been dealing with a coronavirus outbreak that caused them to halt camp while they determined how to proceed.

Provided that the game doesn’t get cancelled, the Longhorns will host UTEP for their sixth meeting all-time. Texas has won all five matchups with their last game coming in 2016. Texas won 41-6. The Longhorns should be heavy favorites as the Miners are coming off a 1-11 season in 2019.

Texas Tech at Texas odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Texas Tech Red Raiders at Texas Longhorns college football matchup, with NCAA football betting odds, picks and best bets

The Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-7, 2-6 Big 12) tangle with the Texas Longhorns (6-5, 4-4) Friday at the Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin at noon ET. We analyze the Texas Tech-Texas odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Texas Tech at Texas: Three things you need to know

1. The Longhorns topped the Red Raiders in Lubbock 41-34 last year, with QB Sam Ehlinger passing for 312 yards and four touchdowns, including two scoring strikes to WR Devin Duvernay.

2. Texas Tech can’t get enough wins to go “bowling,” while Texas has already gained postseason eligibility. Though with a win, the Red Raiders can drop the Longhorns to 6-6 and cost their instate rival a decent bowl bid and money.

3. Texas Tech is doing its thing offensively, ranking 14th in total yards (474.0 YPG) and 10th in passing yards (316.7 YPG), but it’s 121st in total yards allowed (468.9 YPG) and 126th in passing yards allowed (304.0 YPG). The Red Raiders’ lack of defense is a major reason their season ends Friday.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Texas Tech at Texas: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 12:25 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Texas 41, Texas Tech 30

Moneyline (ML)

Texas (-334) is too expensive on the moneyline, and the way the Longhorns have played down the stretch, they’re not a certainty to win outright even against a non-bowl team. Texas Tech (+260) is tempting, but it’s not going into DKR and coming away with a win.

New to sports betting? Every $10 wagered that Texas wins outright will return a profit of $2.99 (10 divided by 3.34).

Against the Spread (ATS)

TEXAS (-9.5, -121) is the play here, but I’d go very lightly. The Longhorns have one of the best pass-catch combos in the Big 12 with Ehlinger and Duvernay, and they will light it up against the defensively challenged Texas Tech (+9.5, +100) pass D.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER (64.5, -106) is the best wager in this rivalry game. The offense has been powerful for both sides, and the defense hasn’t been terribly resistant. Look for plenty of points on both sides before the dust clears.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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