Rivals reunite in bowl game
Arkansas last played Longhorns in 2008
HOUSTON – Growing up as a child in Arkansas, Charlie Strong loved watching the Razorbacks and Texas play.
In his first season as the Longhorns’ coach, he can’t wait to renew the old rivalry tonight in the Texas Bowl.
“No one ever lets you forget about the rivalry,” Strong said.
These teams have met 77 times, with the first game coming in 1894. The old Southwest Conference foes met 60 years in a row before Arkansas left for the SEC after the 1991 season.
They haven’t played much since then, with the last game coming in a 52-10 win by Texas in 2008.
Arkansas coach Bret Bielema has worked to teach his players about the history of the rivalry, telling them about the schools’ coaching greats: the Razorbacks’ Frank Broyles and Texas’ Darrell Royal.
“I think they’ve bought into it,” Bielema said. “I say all the time we only stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. To be a part of something where Frank Broyles and Darrell Royal were such a big part of the game that we know today, it’s just truly amazing.”
Getting a chance to play each other again had both coaches talking about the possibility of the teams meeting more often.
“You love to see those old rivalries continue,” Strong said.
Bielema agreed and hopes that he’s part of it if it happens.
“It would be fun,” he said. “It would be an easy one to sell. … We’re talking about games in 2021. I’m hoping to be alive and kicking.”