NCAA
Texas Longhorns Make a Dramatic Uniform Change for First Time in 70 Years
The Texas Longhorns have struggled at the start of the 2020 college football season. With two consecutive losses, including the most recent, a 53-45 quadruple overtime thriller against the rival Sooners in Dallas, Tom Herman and the Longhorns football team are looking for any advantages they can find heading into their Big 12 conference matchup with the Baylor Bears. Interestingly, the Texas Longhorns are starting with a dramatic uniform change not seen on the Forty Acres in 70 years.
Texas Longhorns struggle to start 2020 season
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After the Texas Longhorns started the season with a convincing 59-3 win overwhelming UTEP, the burnt orange faithful were satisfied, understanding it was just one win, but it was a positive start. There was some anxiety heading into the season’s first road contest, a Week 2 matchup on the South Plains.
Against the Red Raiders, the Longhorns surrendered a staggering 56 points in overtime. Fortunately, senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger pulled off one of the best performances of his stellar career, guiding the Longhorns to a come-from-behind 63-56 victory in overtime.
After surviving a near-miss in Lubbock, the Longhorns weren’t able to overcome their mistakes against the TCU Horned Frogs the following week, and lost 33-31 in Austin. With a 2-1 record, the Horns hoped to get back on the winning track in Dallas against a struggling Sooners squad that entered the contest with a 1-2 record.
Unfortunately for Texas fans, it was much of the same. Three turnovers and more than 100 yards in penalties doomed the Longhorns. Despite the mistakes, Texas managed to hang around but eventually succumbed to the Sooners, 53-45 in four overtimes.
Texas Longhorns change uniform for first time in 70 years
This weekend, the Texas Longhorns return home to Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium for the 110th meeting with the Baylor Bears in an important Big 12 Conference contest. This week, players received some extra motivation.
During a team meeting, players and staff saw for the first time, a specially-designed, throwback Texas Longhorns uniform. The vintage white outfit features white pants, white jerseys, with burnt orange numbers and trim.
This outfit, which is referred to as the “icy white” uniform, is a throwback that was last worn during a home game on Sept. 30, 1950. In that contest, the Longhorns defeated the Purdue Boilermakers 34-26.
Uniform change part of broader marketing campaign
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While the Texas Longhorns uniform change will be a new look and could provide inspiration for the players, it’s part of a much bigger marketing campaign by the university. In addition to the uniforms, the school is launching its new College Vault merchandise collection.
The collection is a vintage-inspired merchandise program that features select Texas historical trademarks and traditions on apparel and non-apparel products. The collection includes the “Screaming Bevo” logo and other past designs that haven’t been used in decades.
“The College Vault collection provides a fun and meaningful platform to create and market high-quality licensed products for our passionate fans while also preserving the logos that are a part of our storied Texas tradition,” said Drew Martin, Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs.
Whether or not the Longhorns can get back on the winning track this weekend is uncertain. One thing, however, is clear — win, lose, or draw, they will look good doing it.
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