Sports Roundup: Andrew Jones Is Back!

By Chris O'Connell in Sports on September 7, 2018 at 1:42 pm | No Comments

But first, football. Here’s what you missed last week, and what’s next for UT sports.

Football

The Agony

Texas lost, there was a rain delay, and last Saturday was a total bummer for Longhorn fans. The Longhorns dropped out of the AP Top 25, and received zero votes, after losing to Maryland 34-29. There was no revenge game here after the Terps beat Texas in Austin to open last season, as Texas turned the ball over on its final three possessions and dropped to 0-1.

The Ecstasy?

Texas takes on Tulsa at home on Saturday evening, a game it should win. The Longhorns are 23 point favorites.

This is also the first home game for new AD Chris Del Conte, one in which he’ll see his gameday vision unfold. Check out all the changes coming to home games.

Injuries

Backup guard Patrick Hudson was taken to the hospital with what was described as a “full body cramp” on Wednesday. Trainers tried to get his body temperature down in an ice bath following afternoon workout. Hudson’s temperature is back to normal and he is out of ICU, but he will not play this week.

Starting center Zach Shackelford is out with a foot injury. Starting right guard Elijah Rodriguez will slide over to center, starting right tackle Derek Kerstetter will play right guard, and backup redshirt freshman Samuel Cosmi will take Kerstetter’s spot at right tackle.

Safety Brandon Jones is out with a high ankle sprain. Tom Herman mentioned that he’s out “at least this week.” Jones had a stellar game against Maryland on defense and special teams. He returned three punts for 59 yards, including one that set up the scoring drive that ended on that spectacular diving catch by Devin Duvernay. True freshman B.J. Foster is next up on the depth chart.

Cliff ’Em All

According to the Austin American-Statesman‘s Brian Davis, Texas plans on playing thrash anthem “Seek and Destroy” by Metallica before kickoffs to pump up the crowd this season. “It’s a pretty powerful song,” Herman said. I didn’t peg him for an early Metallica fan, but here we are.

Earl Time

Seahawks safety Earl Thomas ended his holdout, but he’s not all that happy with his current team. Adam Schefter reported that the Cowboys—allegedly where Thomas wants to play eventually—tried to make a trade happen, but the Seahawks didn’t budge.

Gettin’ Scrappy

Have you seen our Alcalde Doc about the Dittmar Scrapbook? Dating as far back as 1913, it’s as complete of an inside look at the early days of Texas football and campus life as you’ll get.

The Other Football

On a Tear

Texas soccer destroyed Stephen F. Austin 5-0 on Sunday in Austin to remain undefeated (4-0-1). The Longhorns outshot the LadyJacks 25-2, and outpaced the visitors 9-1 in shots on goal. Texas is now on a 12-game winning streak in non-conference home matches.

Free T-shirt Alert!

The first 300 fans through the gate at Mike A. Myers Stadium tonight get a free This is Texas tank top. I bet it’s orange!

Volleyball

Bouncing Back

No. 2 Texas lost to No. 8 Wisconsin last Saturday 1-3 at the HotelRED Invitational in Madison, Wisconsin. The Longhorns bounced back to sweep High Point 3-0 the following afternoon. After dropping to No. 6, Texas swept Texas State to open the home season on Thursday at Gregory Gym. The Longhorns take on No. 16 Kentucky tonight at Gregory.

Track & Field/Cross Country

Running Down a Dream

Cross Country opened its season at the Texas Invitation in Round Rock, winning in both the men’s and women’s races. Destiny Collins ran the 4K in 12:58:20 and Pedro Nasta won the 5K with a time of 15:06:10. The season continues Friday night at the Rice Invitation in Houston. The women’s 4K starts at 6:15 and the men’s 6K at 6:45 p.m.

Women’s Basketball

It’s All About Timing

The Big 12 announced the 2018-19 schedule on Tuesday, once again a double round robin format, with 18 games, two against each team. The Chesapeake Energy Center in Oklahoma City will host the Phillips 66 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship for the seventh time at the conclusion of the regular season, March 8-11. Check out the complete schedule.

Game time was announced for the 40th matchup between Tennessee and Texas. They’ll play at noon at the Frank Erwin Center on Sunday, December 9. The game will be televised on ESPN2. Get your tickets here.

So What If We’re On Mystic!

The WNBA Finals begin tonight at 8 p.m. on ESPNews, and Texas women’s basketball guard Ariel Atkins is starring for the Washington Mystics. Atkins, the seventh overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft, was named to the AP All-Rookie Team and was on the All-Defensive Second Team. This is the first WNBA Finals appearance for the Mystics, as they take on the Seattle Storm. If Atkins and the Mystics win the best-of-five series, she’ll be the third Texas woman to win a WNBA title, joining NeKeshia Henderson and Fran Harris.

Men’s Basketball

AJ is Back!

Andrew Jones, who left the team last year after a leukemia diagnosis, was pictured in the 2018-19 team photo, and is on the roster. Coach Shaka Smart said back in April that he knew Jones wanted to play this season, but was more focused on him getting healthy. Welcome back, young man!

On Schedule

The Big 12 announced the 2018-19 schedule on Wednesday, and 17 of UT’s 18 conference games will be nationally televised on an ESPN network. Texas vs. Oklahoma State on Feb. 16 will be on CBS. Is it a round-robin format? It sure is. Will each team play each other twice? Correct. Will each team have a bye during conference play? You know that they will. Will the 2019 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship be played March 13-16 at Kansas City’s Sprint Center.

On Thursday, the times and networks were revealed for the SEC/Big 12 Challenge but I’m bored of the question and answer format so check out all that info here.

Swimming and Diving

Four Texas men and two women will represent Team USA in 2018-19: Evie Pfeifer and Grace Ariola are on the women’s team roster and Townley Haas, Tate Jackson, Austin Katz, and Sam Stewart will swim for the men’s team. There are a total of 111 swimmers on the roster, with the six top swimmers from each individual Olympics event.