The Red River Rivalry has always been considered an important football game for the Texas Longhorns, but this year the title was worth much more than just pride. 

After starting off the season 5-0, being ranked third in the nation, and gaining two Big 12 conference wins, the Longhorns and their fans had high hopes for the season. Many had their eyes set on the College Football Playoff— perhaps even a national championship.

Lifelong fans, however, have had their doubts. It’s a running joke in the college football world: we Longhorns love to say “Texas is back” every fall. Time and time again, though, Texas fans get their hopes up only to be unimpressed by an average season. UT is usually the team giving up a big lead late in the game, not the ones making an incredible comeback. This season, though, was supposed to be different. The team had achieved their highest ranking since 2009. They persevered through fourth-quarter hardship against Wyoming and Kansas. The Longhorns had started off with five wins and zero losses for the first time in 14 years! Texas could actually be back!

The Week 6 game against the University of Oklahoma was Texas’s biggest test of the season. Analysts said if the Longhorns could get past the 12th-ranked Sooners, their chances of a Big 12 Conference Championship and potential playoff game would increase greatly. There was always a reason to beat Oklahoma— and in college football, every game matters— but this year, the golden cowboy hat would mean Texas had proved the doubters wrong. 

Texas struggled with immense defensive pressure and a strong Sooner run game but managed to keep the Cotton Bowl buzzing until the end. The Horns had battled back from a ten-point deficit to tie the game at 27 in the fourth quarter. After a few unsuccessful play calls, Texas kicker Bert Auburn made a huge 45-yard field goal to put the Longhorns ahead by 3 with just 77 seconds left on the clock. They needed one triumphant defensive possession. Unfortunately, Longhorn fans would not be sent home happy. The Sooners ended up winning the game 34-30, and those in burnt orange were once again left with broken hearts and unanswered questions. 

How does a team give up 75 yards and a winning touchdown in a minute and two seconds? How does an offense fail to move one yard into the end zone after four tries? How will we ever be able to say, “Texas is back?”

But when has one loss defined a team? 

If Texas were to go 11-1 and win a Big 12 championship, would that be called an unsuccessful season? 

Definitely not.

In fact, a Big 12 championship for the Horns could very possibly secure them a spot in the playoffs. Sure, the loss to OU is disappointing, but it’s just a speed bump, not a roadblock.

The University of Texas has always been held to the highest standard in almost every aspect. It’s easy to think that if something’s not perfect, then it’s a failure. But we are not forced to see life that way. The loss to OU should make us question how we define success. 

A successful season, like a successful life, should endure difficult moments. Overcoming adversity is essential to growth. Every day there is a choice to lay down or persevere. Now, the Longhorn’s biggest test of the season will be how they decide to bounce back.

Looking at the year ahead, it’s important to know your own definition of success. You will have your own tests, your own challenges, and your own choice to persevere. Things won’t go perfectly. They will, however, make you grow in ways you never could have predicted. You might find yourself unable to move one yard to the goal line but don’t count yourself out of a victory. 

As the TEDxUTAustin team begins to tackle our goals for the year, we’re reminding ourselves that success is more than scoring ticket sales. We are striving to positively impact UT and Austin, not just live up to the expectations of those around us. Success is found in sharing ideas worth spreading. 

The Texas Longhorns have just as much potential for a successful season as they did before gameplay started. “Hopefully, you can take losses and it can fuel you to work a little harder, help the next person, whatever that looks like,” head coach Steve Sarkisian told The Daily Texan, “I hope we carry this (loss) with us for a little bit and I hope it fuels us to be even better than we can be moving forward.” 

Just like how the Longhorns have a chance each week to redeem themselves, 

we have a chance to win each day, and we shouldn’t take that for granted.

Stay ConnecTED!

Grace Gates