Red River Rivalry is steeped in tradition

The game of the year that all Oklahoma and Texas football fans anticipate took place this year on October 7 at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas. It’s called the Red River Rivalry and it’s the showdown between the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas at Austin - the Sooners and Longhorns.

This annual tradition has taken place between the two universities since 1900 and has been played in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl each year except for the years 1913 (Houston), 1922 (Norman) and in 1923 when the game wasplayedinAustin.Finally, a decision was made in 1932 to play all games in Dallas, making the game the Red River Rivalry.

This site in Dallas is a neutral location due to being the halfway mark for each team to travel. The “home” teams were decided by alternating years. Oklahoma is the “home” team when played in even years and the Texas Longhorns would be the “home” team on odd years.

Another important tradition held during the RRR is the 26-year consecutive running of the Game Balls (the pigskin).Therunningstarted Wednesday morning in Norman, Okla. at the Gaylord Stadium with the first hand off by Coach Brent Venables to the Battalion Commander of the NROTC.

The group is made up of 15 Battalions, both men and woman participants that run for two days in shifts across nearly 200 miles. There are two midshipmen who always run during the run, trading off with other midshipmen who accompany the runners in a van.

This year, the OU’s police department and Norman’s police and fire department joined the journey as well. The Texas Longhorns have the same historic tradition and meet the Sooners for games such as soccer, tuga- war and they also have a competition on the field with flag football.

It has been said, “the school that wins the flagfootball game, wins the rivalry as well.”

There is so much enthusiasm and excitement felt in both states throughout the week. The Texas State Fair is in full swing currently and for anybody in attendance, they can see the rivers of orange and crimson attire throughout the grounds. There were plenty of venues that provided the fans who weren’t in a stadium seat in the Cotton Bowl a place to cheer their favorite team, no matter if they were donning orange or red.

The Oklahoma Sooners walked away with the win this year. Texas took the lead against Oklahoma with a field goal with a minute remaining in the nail biter game.

Fans were on the edge of their seats no matter where theywerewatchingthegame. Moments later, Oklahoma’s quarterback Dillon Gabriel sealedthegamewithatouchdown giving the Sooners the lead and put the final touches on the win of this year’s Red River Rivalry. Both teams were undefeated going into the game, but this year’s win puttheOklahomaSoonerson top of the Big 12 as the lone undefeated team.