Texas’ Mascot Bevo, will not attend the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
The No. 5 Texas Longhorns will take on the No. 4 Arizona State Sun Devils on January 1 in the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the site of the SEC Championship. However, one notable absence will be felt on the sidelines once again— Bevo, the Longhorns’ beloved mascot.
“It doesn’t look like we’re going to have the space that we need to erect his enclosure,” Matt Garvey, the vice president of communications for the Peach Bowl, said Monday. “So, for the safety of Bevo and the players and the media and the camera crews that are on site there, it doesn’t look like we’re going to be able to accommodate him.”
The Longhorns advanced to the Peach Bowl with an impressive 38-24 win over Clemson in the CFP first round. Their opponent, Arizona State, hasn’t played since dominating Iowa State 45-19 in the Big 12 Championship on December 7.
This year’s National Championship Game is also at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. If the Longhorns advance to the college football playoff final, Bevo will not be allowed at that game either.
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.”
Mariachi bands are sweet when you’re playing Colorado State or UTSA. But keep that all the way out of the CFP when a home atmosphere & stadium energywill 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.
This is an idiotic take but even more idiotic is thinking music or “energy” will help swing the most important game of the year.
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.
Sorry you didn’t like the Mariachi bands… I thought they were great but appreciate your opinion.. Have a great weekend and Merry Christmas. #Hookemhttps://t.co/ofoQLtpNOm
But even great defenses can go an entire season without the kind of goal line stand UT has had in two of the last three games.
Against rival Texas A&M, the Aggies were knocking on the door to cut the Texas lead to three points with just over six minutes left in the game. A&M had the ball 1st and Goal from the Texas 5-yard line. The Aggies ran the ball four times against the Texas defense.
1st & Goal at TEX 5
(6:21 – 4th) Marcel Reed run for 3 yds to the TEX 2 2nd & Goal at TEX 2 (5:40 – 4th) Amari Daniels run for 1 yd to the TEX 1 3rd & Goal at TEX 1 (5:05 – 4th) Amari Daniels run for no gain to the TEX 1 4th & Goal at TEX 1 (4:39 – 4th) Timeout Texas A&M, clock 04:39 4th & Goal at TEX 1 (4:36 – 4th) Amari Daniels run for a loss of 3 yards to the TEX 4
The Ags got the ball to the one-yard line on 2nd down, but that was it. Two straight stuffs, culminated by Ethan Burke wrapping up A&M RB Amari Daniels behind the line of scrimmage.
The stop ended any hope of an Aggies comeback and secured UT its first trip to the SEC Championship Game in Texas first year in the conference. The Aggies have never been to the SEC Championship Game, which made it extra sweet.
It was a defining moment for a defense that has been a little underrated by the national media most of the season. But the UT defense wasn’t done.
Against the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the college football playoffs, Klubnik had quickly driven the Tigers to the Texas 10-yard line. A roughing the passer penalty gave Clemson a first and goal at the five to cut the Horns lead to one score with just over eight minutes on the clock in the fourth quarter.
The Tigers did try to pass on first down, which was incomplete. Klubnik then ran the ball to the one-yard line on 3rd down setting up another 4th and goal from the one situation.
1st & Goal at TEX 10 (8:49 – 4th) Klubnik, Cade pass incomplete to Moore, T.J., PENALTY TEX roughing passer (Simmons, Colin) 5 yards to the TEX5, NO PLAY, 1ST DOWN CLEMSON. 1st & Goal at TEX 5 (8:46 – 4th) Cade Klubnik pass incomplete to Bryant Wesco Jr. 2nd & Goal at TEX 5 (8:41 – 4th) Cade Klubnik run for 4 yds to the TEX 1 3rd & Goal at TEX 1 (8:09 – 4th) Timeout Clemson, clock 08:09 3rd & Goal at TEX 1 (8:05 – 4th) Cade Klubnik run for no gain to the TEX 1 4th & Goal at TEX 1 (7:24 – 4th) Keith Adams Jr. run for a loss of 1 yard to the TEX 2
Clemson tried almost the same play A&M tried, with the same result. Clemson’s Keith Adams ran smack dab into UT’s Bill Norton. Like the stop against the Aggies, the game was effectively over.
It is one thing to be a good defense. It’s quite another to stand tall when your opponent only needs one-yard under the immense pressure of stemming a fourth quarter comeback when all the momentum is on the other side of the ball. Texas has done it not once, but twice.
As the Longhorns offense has been hard to stop, Banks has been at the center of their success
On Thursday night, Longhorns left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. continued to add to his trophy case. The Texas native was named a unanimous First-Team All-American. As the Longhorns offense has been hard to stop, Banks has been at the center of their success.
Banks is the 25th player in program history to be selected as a unanimous First-Team All-American. Over the last three years, Banks has started 40 straight games at left tackle for the Longhorns. With Banks leading the way, the Texas offensive line was recently tabbed a finalist for the Joe Moore Award which goes to the nation’s most outstanding unit.
While the Humble, Texas, native has joined an elite company, his latest award is no surprise. During the regular season Banks was named the Outland Trophy’s National Player of the Week once and SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week twice.
As Banks has seen his draft stock rise, the Longhorns offense ranks among the top in the country. Before their win over Clemson, Texas ranked 15th in team passing efficiency, 16th in completion percentage, and 18th in total offense. The Longhorns have also rushed for over 100 yards in 12 of their 14 games.
After adding more accolades to his resume, Banks’ focus is on helping the Longhorns make a deep playoff run before he starts preparing for the NFL Draft. Regardless of how the season ends, he has made his last year with the Longhorns one he will never forget.
Matthew McConaughey’s constant presence at Texas Longhorns games has drawn comparisons to Taylor Swift.
Matthew McConaughey has become the famous face of Texas Longhorns football. A lifelong fan that went to Texas in the late 80s/early 90s, the “Minister of Culture” is a persistent presence during Longhorn games.
It is certainly nothing new. McConaughey was on the sidelines in the Rose Bowl when Vince Young and Texas won the 2005 national title against USC. The actor even partied with Young that night after the game. That’s almost 20 years ago. Texas fans are used to it. Most Texas fans either like it or are amused by it.
But if you watch a lot of Texas football, either as a UT fan or not, it seems to becoming a little much. Twitter was buzzing during the Clemson game with comparisons of McConaughey to Taylor Swift. Swift, of course, is the girlfriend of Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce and is a constant go to for TV camera’s broadcasting the game. Every time Kelce touches the ball, the network goes to a cutaway of Swift for her reaction.
matthew mcconaughey is the taylor swift of college football
That is what McConaughey has become if you’re watching a Texas game. Camera’s cut to Texas’ “No. 1 fan” early and often. McConaughey’s influence on the program seems to have grown over the years along his fame and wealth. Where he used to get a simple sideline pass and occasionally talk to the team at practice, the program has embraced his presence and even celebrate it.
McConaughey is in promo material. He’s allowed to run out of the tunnel onto the field. He’s allowed to grab the mic at the stadium and lead the crowd in cheers. He’s in hype videos. He’s everywhere.
Matthew McConaughey runs onto the field with the Texas Longhorns in the first half of an NCAA College Football Playoffs first round game against the Clemson Tigers at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024.
Obviously, there are a lot of benefits to having such a high-profile celebrity has your program’s super fan. He helps with recruiting. He helps with hype. He even helped former Texas Bijan Robinson get a movie role. In 2019, he was literally named as UT’s ‘Minister of Culture.’ The title basically makes him the face of Longhorn spirit.
Imagine if Taylor Swift was on the Chiefs sideline. The universe would spontaneously combust! https://t.co/SW9xqAqeyR
But even Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has asked McConaughey to back off a bit. The Dazed and Confused star used to talk to players more. Speaking on The Eli Manning Show recently, McConaughey pointed out that he doesn’t interact with them much anymore, saying, “So Sark, he wants to be a singular voice.”
It’s not all McConaughey’s fault. When looking for cutaways, the producers and directors that work game broadcasts look for celebrities and families. With his cowboy hat and leather jacket, McConaughey is an easy cutaway go-to. Same with Taylor Swift.
But a lot anything becomes too much for many people. Some fans probably hope McConaughey would be self-aware enough to back off a little. But that’s rare in the world of celebrity. An honestly, how many Longhorns fans would want to back off if they had his access and influence?
burnt orange pride lit up DKR tonight – next stop: atlanta. new year’s day, same mission. finish what we started. #hookem@TexasFootball@TexasLonghorns
Love him or hate him, the 55-year-old actor is all-in on Texas football. He’s not going anywhere. Let’s just hope if Texas wins the title Sark gets to hold the trophy before McConaughey does.
On Saturday night, in the first round of the College Football Playoff, Blue put all that in the rearview mirror and led the Longhorns to victory
For Jaydon Blue, the 2024 campaign has been full of frustration. The Longhorns running back has battled injuries and fumbling issues. On Saturday night, in the first round of the College Football Playoff, Blue put all that in the rearview mirror and led the Longhorns to victory.
On 14 carries, the Houston native recorded a team-high 146 yards. He averaged 10.4 yards a carry and found the end zone twice. The Longhorns star also made an impact in the air, hauling in two receptions for 31 yards. As the Longhorns rolled to a 38-24 win, Blue’s effort earned praise from his head coach Steve Sarkisian.
“I think about Jayden Blue,” Sarkisian told reporters Saturday night.” This guy fought through an ankle injury earlier in the year, fought through some fumbling issues this season, continue to work, continue to fight back. And he has this game tonight.”
While Blue gave fans plenty of reasons to celebrate, his best moment came in the fourth quarter. With the Longhorns up by seven points, he let out all of his frustration on a 77-yard touchdown run that put the game out of reach. During practice this week, running the ball was a main focus, and it paid off.
“It all starts in practice,” Blue said Saturday night. “Like I said, coming to this week, we made an emphasis that we were going to have to run the ball in order to win this game, and the O-line and us in the backfield took a lot of pride in working on that, so we’d be able to run the ball effectively.”
Following a game he will never forget, Blue will turn his focus to the quarterfinals against Arizona State. If Blue can replicate his performance, then the Longhorns will be hard to beat.
Steve Sarkisian earns bonus with CFP win against Clemson.
Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian is in for a delightful holiday season, and his bank account will certainly be delighted.
The Longhorns’ victory over Clemson in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday has secured Sarkisian another $250,000 in bonus money.
In addition to the bonus, Sarkisian has received a substantial $10.3 million salary in 2024. He ranks third in compensation, behind the likes of Clemson’s head coach Dabo Swinney and, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, both of which top Sarkisian based on public compensation information. Notably, his salary is slated to increase by $100,000 annually, culminating in a maximum salary of $10.9 million in 2030.
Sarkisian’s bonus structure is below:
$100,000 for participating in a bowl not associated with the College Football Playoff
$250,000 for making CFP first round
$500,000 for making CFP quarterfinal
$750,000 for making CFP semifinal
$1 million for making CFP national championship
$1.25 million for winning the CFP national championship
This season alone, Sarkisian has already amassed a total of $650,000 in performance-related bonuses. Earlier this month, he secured an additional $250,000 for qualifying in the first round of the College Football Playoff. A week prior to that, he earned an additional $150,000 for securing the Longhorns’ spot in the SEC championship game.
Included in Steve Sarkisian's new contract at Texas:
• Two cars • Private jet • Game tickets • Country club membership • 2024: $10.3 million • 2025: $10.4 million • 2026: $10.5 million • 2027: $10.6 million • 2028: $10.7 million • 2029: $10.8 million • 2030: $10.9… pic.twitter.com/SPAGTL8k3i
Texas Longhorns home playoff atmosphere draws raves, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian says, ‘college football got this one right.’
Turns out playing a first round CFP game wasn’t so bad. Much of the focus for the Texas Longhorns in the later half of the season was on getting into the SEC Championship Game, winning it and getting a first round bye. That first round bye was like the Holy Grail for a few weeks.
But that’s not what happened. Texas lost in the SEC Championship Game to Georgia. Both Texas losses in 2024 were to the Bulldogs. Instead, Texas had to host a first round game and found out on Selection Sunday it would be Clemson.
Turns out, it was awesome. Sure, the game got a little tense when the Tigers cut the Texas lead to a touchdown. But after the game, when the win was secured, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian was raving about the atmosphere.
“I mean it’s amazing. You know, this is great for college football. I watched those other games last night and earlier today and for us to have this environment today, I think it’s amazing for college football.” – Steve Sarkisian
Just a few years ago, you’d have never thought schools would get to host a playoff game. Texas fans got another Bevo Walk. The seniors got a bonus game to enjoy the adoration of 101,150 fans at DRK. It gave Matthew McConaughey one more time to grab the mic and run around in his leather jacket he stole from a photo shoot over a decade ago. (By the way, there are plenty of replicas you can buy on the internet if you’re looking for a last minute Christmas gift).
“What an environment for college football this was, From the moment we pulled up on the busses, our Bevo walk, you could feel the energy. The crowd was tremendous. It was a great atmosphere. I think college football got this one right. “ – Steve Sarkisian
Texas QB Quinn Ewers echoed the sentiment. The Texas Football social team caught up with the junior after the game, likely his last at DKR.
“Man, what an opportunity man. Just to come out here and play in front of all these great fans. Couldn’t be more excited for this program and where it’s heading man. This is where we’re supposed to be. Hook’em Horns baby.” – Quinn Ewers
Steve Sarkisian, Quinn Ewers spoke with TNT after holding off the Clemson Tigers to advance in the college football playoff to play Arizona State.
The Texas Longhorns have advanced to the quarterfinals of the college football playoff after holding off a stubborn Clemson Tigers team 38-24. There were a lot of great moments for the Horns. But there were also some big mistakes that frayed the nerves of UT fans everywhere.
Texas QB Quinn Ewers had an efficient game with few mistakes. His one interception game from a ball that hit DeAndre Moore Jr. in the hands and bounced off to Clemson DB R.J. Mickens. But Texas coach Steve Sarkisian went into the game with the intention of leaning on the running game.
The rushing attach has been key to keeping the offense rolling in the later stages of the season when Ewers was struggling some. But, like they did in the first meeting, Georgia shut it down. Sark understands a solid running game makes his offense balanced.
After the game, TNT’s Taylor McGregor spoke with Sark on the field. She asked him about the two great plays by Texas safety Michael Taaffe at the end of the game. “He made two good plays in a row right there. He almost got the interception and then that play right there on the crossing route. But hey, they made it hard on us. Cade (Klubnick) had a heck of a game. Heck of a goal line stand right there, earlier in the fourth quarter and then making that stop on fourth down.” Sark said.
McGregor then asked Sark about the emphasis on the running game. “Well, we committed to it. That’s probably halfway my fault before this. But we committed to it. I thought we blocked things really well. The runners trusted it and they were hitting it,” Sark said.
When McGregor asked Sark about Ewers game he said, “Well, he made a lot of plays for us when they were ‘on time’ and he made a couple plays for us ‘off schedule,’ which were critical for us as well. I thought he managed the game beautifully. Had some bad luck again on the interception, unfortunately.”
And finally, she asked Sarkisian about the atmosphere of a home playoff game. He said, “I mean it’s amazing. You know, this is great for college football. I watched those other games last night and earlier today and for us to have this environment today, I think it’s amazing for college football.”
Laura Rutledge then caught up with Ewers, who she asked about the meaning of winning a playoff game in front of the home crowd and advancing. “It’s an unbelievable feeling. I’m just so proud of this team and how we come to work every single week. You, we dealt with some adversity in the SEC Championship Game and I think we came out here showed everybody that we earned the right to be here and we deserve to be here,” Ewers said.
Rutledge asked the junior about dealing with the adversity in the game, with injuries to his offensive line and to Quintrevion Wisner and how the running game helped. Quinn said, “Yeah, we knew if we wanted to be in a good position to win this game we had to be able run the ball. We harped on it all week. And I’m just so proud of how our front five guys, and some tight ends, just put in the work the past ten days and really, really too heart to running the football.”
She told Ewers TNT was told he wouldn’t wear his ankle brace during the game and asked the Southlake product why he decided to wear it in the game. Ewers replied, “I feel good. I feel great. I just did it … I mean, it’s not going to hurt. I just decided to put it on.”
Finally, Rutledge asked Ewers about playing Arizona State in the Peach Bowl and advancing in the CFP. “Yeah, man it’s everything. Again, it’s just a testament to how hard we work every single day. I’m so proud of how our defense is playing. I’m so proud of how all these guys are playing and like you said, we get to play more ball,” he said.
