Despite the pandemic, another Red River Rivalry kicks off at Fair Park today. That kinda makes sense; the Longhorns & Sooners didn’t even suspend their rivalry during World War 2. They’ve been playing for nearly 100 years straight.
So for those watching, here’s a little TX-OU pregame for you. The top five facts about the Red River Rivalry, Austin College style:
(5) The first TX-OU game at Fair Park took place in 1912. The unique location was inspired by a 1911 Thanksgiving Day game at Fair Park between Southwestern & Austin College. For more, see “Roos, Pirates, & the Red River Rivalry.” In the comments.
(4) The 1912 TX-OU game took place one week after the Longhorns met the Kangaroos in Austin. The Roos won, but were robbed. For more, see “We. Wuz. Robbed. Longhorns vs. Roos.” In the comments.
(3) The first ever Texas-Oklahoma football game took place in Austin in the year 1900. The first points scored in that game came by way of an Austin College Kangaroo who had transferred to the Texas. For more, see “Go Horns. Beat OU.”
(2) The Manager of the Cotton Bowl today is Roland Rainey. Rainey was a key member of the 1968 Austin College football team, one of the best Roo teams in history. H/T to Roo James Taylor on his staff. For more, see “The 50th Anniversary of the 1968 Austin College Kangaroos.” In the comments.
(1) The Red River Rivalry at Fair Park has been suspended once in the last 100 years. The series was dropped in 1919. Texas replaced OU with………..Austin College. The 1920 Longhorn-Kangaroo matchup is today’s chapter of the story “Austin College & TCU: The 1920 Roo Season in Review.” It will be posted tonight.
Enjoy the Red River Rivalry. Go Horns, Go Sooners, and Go Roos.
