‘Texas is back’: College football fans, media react to Texas’ big win over Alabama
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Texas defeated Alabama 34-24 on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, delivering a stunning loss to the Crimson Tide in Week 2.
It’s arguably Texas’ biggest win as a program since Vince Young scooted past USC in the Rose Bowl to win the National Championship at the end of the 2005 season.
It’s almost certainly the Longhorns’ biggest triumph since they made it all the way to the National Championship Game again in 2009-10, but fell to Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide with Colt McCoy out injured.
In the years since UT’s loss in that title game, not much has gone right for the Longhorns — 3 coaches have been fired and UT has mustered only 1 10-win season in that span.
And then Saturday night happened, giving UT a glimpse of hope for what could be in Steve Sarkisian’s 3rd season at the helm. Quinn Ewers was fantastic, throwing for 349 yards, 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.
Texas’ defense was more than effective, limiting the Crimson Tide to 362 yards of offense. Texas picked off Jalen Milroe twice and kept Alabama’s running game to just 3.1 yards per carry.
The result sets up a potential program re-defining season for the Longhorns as they enter Big 12 play for the final time.
Here’s the best of the reaction to Texas’ big win:
Me getting ready to say Texas is back (never left) for the rest of the season if they can pull this off pic.twitter.com/fLVXm4Cqtf
— Jon Scott (@JonScott44) September 10, 2023
Is Texas back?
OL Christian Jones: “It’s a step in the right direction,” he says before breaking out in a big smile.
He says it was nice to hear S-E-C chants in a non-sarcastic tone, for once. pic.twitter.com/mMLik2Ayna
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) September 10, 2023
That Texas-Alabama game was some damn good football.
It's the first time Texas has beaten a top 3 team on the road in 50+ years, so I think it's fair to say they are back.
And college football is better because of it.
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) September 10, 2023
It may have only taken 7 years and 5 days, but Joe Tessitore was right. Texas is back, folks.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 10, 2023
Texas is back pic.twitter.com/mzRblQGamo
— Bunkie Perkins (@BunkiePerkins) September 10, 2023
Texas is back, alright pic.twitter.com/xzPgqzv2EM
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) September 10, 2023
Dare I say it?? Texas is back, folks pic.twitter.com/nRDfysnMLL
— James Mueller (@jdm2186) September 10, 2023
Texas is all the way back baby. College football better because of it. ?? pic.twitter.com/Jbk73ppqU0
— Mr Ass (@JohnchoVilla) September 10, 2023
Now in theaters:
Texas Is Back 2: And This Time We're Not Being Condescending Jerks About It
— Split Zone Duo (@SplitZoneDuo) September 10, 2023
Texas is back.
— Kayce Smith (@KayceSmith) September 10, 2023
Texas is so BACK. Welcome to the SEC!
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) September 10, 2023
What a night for the "Is Texas back?" lever. pic.twitter.com/wp215qsH3a
— David Ubben (@davidubben) September 10, 2023
Texas is (probably) unironically back. This is their biggest win in, what, 15 years easy? Maybe more?
— Nathan Deal (@NattyD13) September 10, 2023
The U is back
Florida State is back
Texas is back
Colorado is back
USC is backLemme check my calendar to see if 1995 is back too.
— Drew Comments (@sjs856) September 10, 2023
Texas….is actually BACK
— trey wingo (@wingoz) September 10, 2023
I don’t know if Texas is back but they’re definitely fun again.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) September 10, 2023
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
