Texas Football: it is the tradition that is talked about, hyped up, and anticipated unlike anything I have ever seen. So going into the season opener it was no surprise that all across longhorn nation everyone was talking about the same thing- beating Notre Dame during that Sunday primetime game. It was going to be my first UT football game, and I could not wait to be in DKR with my fellow Zeta sisters and longhorn fans to witness the magic that is Texas Football.
The plan for the day consisted of lots of friends, food, and, of course, football. From the Zeta house in the morning to the various tailgates throughout the day, the overall excitement for that 6:30pm kickoff was something that can not be expressed through words or pictures. The 40 acres were filled with anxious and excited fans ready for the game ahead. As we left our last tailgate, 102,000 of my closest friends and I took our seats in the legendary Darrel K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium. For me that seat was positioned right behind the Longhorn end zone with a nearly on field view of the pre-game festivities. It was so amazing to see Zetas not only in the stands right next to me, but on the field cheering and dancing to help lead UT to victory.
After the National Anthem came what was arguably the second most important aspect of Sunday night, the introduction of Bevo XV. With an amazing video and voiceover by my favorite, Matthew McConaughey, baby Bevo took the field for the first time to meet the sea of burnt orange that filled the stadium. The crowd only heightened their cheers and excitement as the team stormed the field, and by 6:30 the boom of the canon and the first kick of the game started what was bound to be one memorable first UT game. During the next four quarters there was a roller coaster of emotions from excitement to joy to slight fear (specifically with Notre Dame’s three point conversion in the fourth quarter to tie the game). The saying “everything is bigger in Texas” held true as the Longhorns continued to fight through not one but two overtimes. Watching from the stands as the final seconds ticked away and victory was within our grasp was one of the most riveting experiences of my life. As the team and fans rushed the field and the scoreboard was shining with that hard earned final score of 50-47 the sea of horns up amid the high fives and hugs was a view you only get once in a lifetime.
Walking home that night with my sisters under the orange glow of the Tower I finally understood what all the hype was about and what it means to be a witness to something truly extraordinary- Texas Football.
ZLAM,
Emily Craycraft PC '16
0 comments:
Post a Comment