Mike White, Texas players reveal how Texas A&M's 'horns down' gesture added fuel to fire

Behind a standout pitching duo of Citlaly Gutierrez and Sophia Simpson, Texas defeated Texas A&M in the Austin Regional on Saturday to book a spot in the regional final. The Longhorns pitchers combined to give up just three hits, three walks and one run in the 2-1 victory.

There was already plenty of juice for the matchup considering the stakes of the regional but the Aggies threw some lighter fluid on the flame during the selection show when they flashed the ‘horns down’ gesture.

In the post-game press conference, Gutierrez, Simpson and White were asked about watching that happen earlier in the week. The question got the trio chuckling before explaining their thoughts on the matter.

“Maybe like a little,” Gutierrez said. “Maybe a little bit. Obviously we use that to fire our energy.”

Simpson agreed, adding that she likes it because it demonstrates that they have a power over the other teams.

“It’s definitely fuel to the fire,” Simpson said. “It makes us angry, wants us to get out there even more. It kind of angers a couple of us. But honestly, I love it. Just let’s all of us know that we live in people’s head’s rent free.”

For White, who has been the coach of the Longhorns since the 2019 season, the horns down gesture has become something the team is used to at this point.

He said he leaves it up to the players for how they want to respond to it.

“I think we’ve got to use it, really, to tell you the truth,” White said. “You’ll have two teams, completely different teams, playing each other and we’ll get horns down…It is what it is. At least, as I always say, the fans pay their money. They can do what they want to do as long as it’s not personal or anything else like that. Of course, if we need motivation, it helps. I always tell the players, find your motivation. If you don’t like something, do something about it. Winning the game is the biggest thing you can do right there.”

If the Longhorns win the regional final, they will be in the Super Regional for the fourth consecutive postseason. It will be the 13th time White has made the Super Regional as a head coach in 13 possible seasons.

But Texas will have play Texas A&M again in the regional final to get there.