Meet the SEC Texas Longhorns

DALLAS, T.X. (KNWA/KFTA) – While the Texas Longhorns are new to the SEC, Arkansas fans might remember the new kids on the block from their past 79 total meetings.

The two schools first met on the gridiron back in 1894, a fact that even Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers couldn’t wrap his head around.

“Dates back to whatever 1800 something, that’s crazy,” Ewers joked in the electronic media room.

In the 21 years that Ewers has been alive, the Hogs and Horns rivalry has been an afterthought. A rivalry that defined the Southwest Conference in the 1950’s and 1960’s during the heydays of Frank Broyles and Darrell Royal, was no more being the schools have faced off seven times since the turn of the century.

With conference realignment and Texas now a member of the Southeastern Conference, the dream of the two teams playing consistently is reality.

“I know so much has been made of us getting to play A&M again,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian told Pig Trail Nation. “The fact that we get to play Arkansas again is awesome. I mean how many teams in the country get to play three rivalry games in the regular season?”

Texas is one of those teams. Arkansas as well.

The Hogs and Horns last played in Fayetteville in 2021 during a non-conference game. Sam Pittman’s squad gave Sarkisian’s team nightmares in a 40-21 win that ended with students storming the field and goalposts out the ground.

Ewers was a freshman at Ohio State the last time the Hogs faced the Horns. While he has never seen what Razorback stadium looks like during the Texas game, he does know a thing or two about big-time rivalries. After all, he’s been on the sidelines for The Game.

“That’s defiantly going to be cool to, you know, rekindle that rich, traditional rivalry for sure,” Ewers said. “I’m excited to go to Arkansas and play against them.”

While Texas is the new team in the conference, Sarkisian and his squad understand the tradition of the SEC and they have a desire to respect it off the field. But on it, they have one goal, and it’s to win the whole thing.

The Hogs on the other hand, are hoping to stop them in their tracks this season at Razorback stadium and remind them who owns this century of the rivalry.

One thing is for sure, November 16 is circled on both of their calendars.