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After 2021, Texas understands importance of success on the Oklahoma side of the Cotton Bowl

On3 imageby:Justin Wells•10/05/22
On3 image
(Tim Warner/Getty Images)

The unique seating configuration at the Cotton Bowl for the Red River Shootout between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners is one of the most interesting parts of the storied rivalry. The fanbases are split down the middle at the 50-yard-line. One side is burnt orange, the other is crimson and cream.

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For years, Texas has come out of the stadium’s only tunnel surrounded by raucous Oklahoma fans. That first run out before the game provides a unique experience.

“Coming out of the tunnel, it goes from ‘boo’ to support,” Jordan Whittington said Monday about his favorite part of the Red River Shootout. “That’s the craziest thing.”

There’ll be a lot of new Longhorns coming out of that tunnel on Saturday. Junior Bijan Robinson mentioned Monday he’ll attempt to prepare younger players for something that is difficult to explain.

“The atmosphere,” Robinson said about what stands out at the State Fair. “All the fans that are there. The split field, that’s a crazy atmosphere to play in. Last year was awesome because it was a normal year and we got to experience the whole crowd. My freshman year was COVID, so it wasn’t really the same. Last year, it was fun to be a part of. This year, it’s going to be even better.”

The split crowd can create some harrowing situations for offenses. The Longhorns fell victim to one of those situations last year, and crumbled during a key stretch during Oklahoma’s comeback.

Texas started a drive on its own 18 with 11:38 left in the fourth quarter. OU had just kicked a field goal to make it a 41-33 game Texas after entered halftime up 38-20. 

The first-down play was a sack of Casey Thompson. Second and third down both resulted in incomplete passes. Cameron Dicker came on to punt, and booted a ball fair caught at the Oklahoma 40.

Moments later, OU drove 60 yards in five plays, capped by a miraculous 52-yard touchdown pass from Caleb Williams to Marvin Mims. Oklahoma went for two and got it to tie the game. The Sooners would eventually prevail 55-48.

“I thought the crowd noise got us a little bit,” said Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian on Monday. “I didn’t think we handled it very well. I don’t think we were very mature last year. I think we lost a little composure in last year’s game, especially in the fourth quarter when we were backed up in that end. I didn’t like our composure. I didn’t like our poise.”

Sarkisian has made it a point of emphasis in 2022, knowing they will likely have to start a drive deep in Oklahoma fans’ territory.

“That is something that we’ve addressed and we’ll continue to address,” Sarkisian said. “We have to do our part to make sure we put them in position to operate at a high level, then their poise and composure and doing that when we’re on that end of the field.”

Texas right tackle Christian Jones agreed with Sarkisian, and sees a more mature group headed to Dallas on Saturday ready to overcome the 11 Sooners across from them, plus the almost 50,000 in the stands around them.

“Attention to detail in the fourth quarter,” said Jones. “You have to finish the game. Just not finishing the game. This year’s team is different just because of our intensity and our intent. We have intent in everything we do.”

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