Yesterday - what I expected; what I got

Following the Longhorns for what started as a kid in the 60s through to this new decade, I have seen HIGHS and lows, really low. As I posted last week, teams that play Alabama have a very high percentage of underperforming the following week. Coupling that with Traylor's ability to get a lot out of not much had me worried. I expected a sparse crowd with none of the rowdiness of the preceding Saturday.

Thanks to no cops and light traffic on 71, I arrived at the garage at 430 - nobody home, and fewer than 20 vehicles in the garage, yet there were plenty of people on San Jacinto & 23rd (is that now named after Deloss). Not many recruits in attendance and 50 minutes until kickoff it appeared to be an embarrassingly small crowd except for our student section. 25 minutes later the buses must have arrived from Bexar County. Their band was on their perch close to the Manor City Limits sign.10 minutes until kickoff, the house is full; I mean like exceeding my expectations by nearly 100%. I truly expected a crowd of around 70,000, but the attendance was 102,500+, and they were really rowdy and supportive.

I post this because as the game went on, I was thinking that I was watching the beginning of a new era in Longhorn Football; perhaps a win or lose we show up era. Long lines for the zipline, longer lines for the food trucks, and modification of beer availability kept those from being back to Lamar Bvld. If you were there, I tip my hat to you; if you weren't, plan to come enjoy the new Longhorn Football era and enjoy the changes. Chris & Sark have battled one of the worst times in our history and emerged triumphant and on the verge of greatness once again. I salute them, and all the fans in attendance as well as those cheering from home. Are we back? Not yet, but we are making up for lost time.

Hook em

 

I arrived at San Jac garage at 6:15 pm. Everyone must have arrived between 6-7 pm. Traffic was a lot heavier than expected. Pretzels sold out again by halftime.

 

mc,

Did you notice that "Sarge" is no longer at 26th & San Jacinto? He's a Bastrop County Sheriff's Deputy, a graduate of A&M, and has been at that entrance for 25+ years. He retired and didn't bother to teach the cretins replacing him how things work. My 3-year-old cousin could do a better job. That female there now couldn't move a funeral procession down a disserted street in a ghost town. For $50-75/hour, we deserve better.

 

The students (mostly, some alum) are walking in front of the garage ramp, blocking cars from entering the garage. There used to be someone directing foot traffic behind and around the ramp entrance. That is the cause of the backup when I arrive, though the folks at the street entrance are not helping matters.

 

There are barricades on both sides of the entrance to stop pedestrian traffic, but they just walk around it. We need that deputy back there before and after game. The damn sidewalk was built for your comfort and safety, STAY ON THE DAMN THING!

One of first calls in the morning is to the UT Police Chief.

 

This is spot on to what I saw. We left for the stadium earlier because of the previous week. It seemed like there wasn't a lot of people around when we arrived. But it built quickly. The stands were full until late in the game. I don't like people leaving early but it made it easier for those of us who sang the Eyes of Texas in the stadium to get out of dodge after the game. I can't remember the last time I was up at midnight.

 

The barricades were set to the side.

 

Arrived in time to walk up right behind Bevo’s trailer and was astonished at the throng of people already there at Bevo Blvd. Great to see the fans back.

 

I think the fans are glad to see the team back.

 

I saw Overshown was the first player to arrive at the student section for the Eyes. Maybe he has a clause in his NIL package to do that, though the players looked genuinely happy to celebrate with the students.

 

mc
Who is his NIL deal with that that might be a clause?
I think your other supposition is right. They are still kids after all

 

I had no problem parking in the garage by the law school or in getting out.

I did have a problem with how our defense dealt with a UTSA offensive line that had four tackles out and started a walk on freshman at Right Tackle. I thought we would eat their lunch. And we did after a while, but...............

Fortunately, Tech has a QB who has worse judgment than Claytie Williams. Great arm though.

 

Obviously from the response to your post there are a lot of people on this board happily agreeing with you. As I have previously posted, as a grade schooler I started walking to the "knothole section" to see games in the 50's and remember well when I first realized Texas had a really good new coach. My first impression of the new coach only got better as he reversed a 1-9 season of the previous coach in his first year (6-4-1).

I went to a game in 2020 and I was thoroughly impressed with what Conte has done making the game day an all-day event, not just a game as it was for me in the '50's. Don't you think that successful programs are three-legged stools, and it works best when the administration, the AD and the coach are all on the same page, doing their respective parts. (I always thought Frank was solid behind Royal.) Great programs run this way. There is no better example than the Cowboys of the early days. Schramm, Landry and Clint Murchison all stayed in their respective space and did what they should do. Conte has done some really nice things as AD and Sark may be on his way to being a very good, if not great, coach. I am glad that you see an awakening of this sleeping giant. But you tell me, how is the third leg of the stool?

 

God bless you, Sabre. I went to my first UT/OU game in 1958 (shocked the world) been going to Austin since 1960. I’ve seen mostly good teams, played on maybe the best ones. Horn fans don’t lose, they are outscored and never demean the team. On rare occasions when the team leaves first (UCLA mess) it’s legal to leave right behind. We will be far better off with high hopes, tempered expectations, and tolerance of just how hard championships are. I tire so quickly of the nay-sayers. If you can’t be positive, be a negative Aggy. Now they have a reason. We won’t win every game, but we’ll bring in guys who might if they see we have their backs when times aren’t perfect.

 

Love to hear more about this if you ever care to share the story.

 

Hornde68
Since you have been there versus the rest of us who just bask in the wins and criticize the loses
What is your opinion of Sark?
He seems to be an amazing coach.
But most of us don't know

 

I wasn't planning on going to the UTSA game, but my neighbor gave my son and I her tickets. I went to the opening game, but didn't know what to expect for this one. I was surprised to see how many people were in attendance and how loud DKR was that night. The fans definitely brought it and the team rose to the occasion.

Echoing what Sabre said...I agree - there is some kind of new energy. Something is in the water, now. It feels different.

 

Following.

 

I haven't been to a game since the South end zone was completed, but I have to believe that helps keep the crowd noise inside the stadium; enhancing the game-time atmosphere.

 

1sa,

The South end enhances the level, but I wanted to convey the increased crowd size. For a decade, we had decreased numbers and too many "golf-clap" (No, HIC, that is not a new SDT) crowd that left before the third quarter. There is a "new fan base" in Austin. They are there, large in number, arrive before kickoff, are vocal throughout the game, and stay until near the end.

 

Question:
Is the golf clap crowd a relic from Steve Patterson's focus on selling ticket blocks to corporations, who then give them to disinterested clients and the like, or am I just full of crap and imagining things?

And yes, I am aware both of those propositions can be true at the same time.

 

There are some pet peeves I blame on the "golf-clap crowd"

1) Want to socialize rather than cheer or pay attention to the game

2) Don't observe proper stadium etiquette (refusing to wait for a break in action to go to restroom or concession stand. 4 & 2 with ball on the 8 yard line, and the game on the line and they are climbing over you blocking your view.

3) A person of proper upbringing should NEVER raise their voice in public

4) What? We scored? oh, Rah followed by golf clap

 

Our tickets by choice are in Section 114 2 seats off the isle, we are constantly having to rubberneck around folks who are there what appears for the beer and Tito’s. I think the alcohol for all not just those in the suites has made a difference in attendance. I have noticed a big swing in attendance though since CDC came to town. Hook’em and let’s keep the stadium rocking.

 

Unfortunately, the “golf clap” has been around for a LONG time at Texas. My friends and I who’ve been going to games since the 70s have been shushed by “fans” more than once. It is pretty embarrassing to be at the OU game and be accused of being “too loud!” We have NEVER left early- even at “route 66,” we stayed until the bitter end.

 

I had season tickets, the man behind us let his wife and 25ish daughter go to the game.
Young lady rapped me on the back and asked that I sit down with a sour patch face.
I pointed to 70% of the stadium standing along with the scoreboard that told everyone to stand.
She said, “we can’t see “. Both her and mama could have benefited from standing a little more.
I remained standing.

 

Orangey,

There is a group 3-4 rows in front of me that will stand four plays asking everyone what they want, then climb over 12 people to get to the aisle, then come back in the middle of a play, stand for 2-3 plays while passing out food and visiting with his family members & friends.

Finally sometime in the Akers years I stood up and yelled at him to move his sorry ***. If he was there to socialize, go across to the alumni center, if he was there to play waiter, go to Scholz, other wise sit his *** down. He hasn't spoken to me in 40 years.

This is not against fans standing for plays or excitement in the game, but rather a clueless inconsiderate dumbass. I have trained my section in "stadium etiquette", but I will stop people and make them wait to between plays to get by.

I never leave early and have sat through some serious beatdowns

 

As I said I haven't been since the So End zone was completed. I was trying to point out that may be a factor in the stadium's volume increase. Historically I complained that stadium noise leaked out the So End zone losing some of the Home Field Advantage. I noted that this yr DKR was packed before kickoff & pointed out to my wife that previously people are still entering DKR & findings their seats thru the 1st qtr. I also noted that the So End zone was populated as opposed to the ticket/seat holders being in the bars. I also noted & commented here that after the Ala game The Eyes were sung as loudly & proudly as I have heard since the Jan 2006 Rose Bowl. However, I could not have felt the energy/electricity in the stadium. I do appreciate your commenting on it & am THRILLED it is happening. As Mack said, "Come early, wear Orange, be loud & stay late." It has to help the team, recruiting, ticket sales, advertising (Loyd help us) better TV time slots (eventually)...

 

Somebody tells me that I would probably tell them they are too old regardless of their age. BTW I am 60 and still make as much noise as I can. My buddy usually sits to my left. He sat on my right side for 'Bama and said he was deaf after the game.

 

1sa,

As I have posted I had multiple Bama fans in their 60s & 70s tell me that Memorial Stadium was the loudest and best venue that they had ever visited.

 

Wow, a UT fan shush me during an ou game for being too loud....WTF!

Uhh, that person would get a very hostile and nasty response from me. Out of kindness, I won't speculate here what I know I would state.