Texas
Majority of Texas’ SEC Opponents Have Relied on Backup QBs
With a tumultuous nonconference season officially in the books, the Texas Longhorns turn their attention to their SEC slate ahead.
They will kick things off against the Florida Gators on the road, which will be followed by their annual Red River Rivalry game against the Oklahoma Sooners in Dallas.
The quarterback on each of these opposing teams are currently dealing with injuries, making them questionable to appear in their matchups against the Longhorns. Texas faced backup quarterbacks in many of its SEC matchups last year, and it looks like they could start 2025 the same way.
Sooners quarterback John Mateer made headlines earlier this week after the team revealed that he must undergo hand surgery to help repair a broken bone in his throwing hand. He broke the bone in the first quarter of Oklahoma’s game against the Auburn Tigers last Saturday.
He played through the injury to help his team earn a 24-17 victory, but the quarterback is now looking at at least three weeks on the sideline. Healing in time for Dallas doesn’t seem to be entirely ruled out, but it seems like the indefinite injury timeline could mean that the current Heisman Trophy favorite won’t be back until later in the conference season.
In the event that he is unable to play, sophomore quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. will take the field instead.
As far as Florida quarterback DJ Lagway’s health goes, he was wearing a walking boot this week. but there’s not nearly as much concern as with Mateer.
If Lagway were to reaggravate the injury leading into the Texas game, true freshman quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. would take his place. Should this happen, this would be the second consecutive year Texas faced a Florida team forced to resort to its backup quarterback.
Ou Vs Texas Syndication The Oklahoman / BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK
Including the SEC Championship, the Longhorns played nine conference games last season. Depending on how one looks at it, between four and five of these matchups took place against backup quarterbacks.
Here are those players from last season:
– Michael Van Buren Jr., Mississippi State
– Michael Hawkins Jr., Oklahoma
– Aidan Warner, Florida
– Cutter Boley, Kentucky (replaced Brock Vandagriff mid-game)
– Gunner Stockton, Georgia (replaced Carson Beck mid-game)
A discrepancy exists when deciding whether or not the second matchup against Georgia in the SEC Championship last season can fully be considered to be against a backup, given that starting quarterback Carson Beck played the first half before suffering an elbow injury. He was replaced by Gunner Stockton, who led the Bulldogs to a win in overtime.
Either way, Texas has fared well in terms of facing backup quarterbacks since their entrance into the SEC ahead of the 2024 season.
The Longhorns’ already daunting defense has been let off the hook in this way against several impressive teams, and depending on how Mateer heals, their lucky streak could continue in the weeks to come.
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Date night or girls’ night? Valentine’s and Galentine’s events to love in North Texas
Love is in the air, whether you’re celebrating with a sweetheart or your closest friends. North Texas is packed with Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s events that will make February feel extra special.
Here are 10 Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day events happening around Dallas-Fort Worth as you start making plans.
VALENTINE’S WEEKEND AT REUNION TOWER
Get a breathtaking view of the Dallas skyline while celebrating on Friday and Saturday of Valentine’s Day weekend. There will be photo ops, specialty cocktails and mocktails, custom cookies, poems, and acoustic music by Mountain Natives on Friday. Saturday will feature a skyline sketch, taught by local artists.
DETAILS: Feb. 13 and 14 from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday at Reunion Tower, 300 Reunion Blvd. E, Dallas. Tickets are $63.56 per person and $124.73 for couples.
GRAPEVINE’S WINE, CHOCOLATE & ROMANCE ON MAIN TOUR
Experience an intimate Valentine’s-themed food and wine tour that takes guests on a stroll through historic Main Street in Grapevine. It will feature wine and light bites from local wineries.
DETAILS: Thursdays through Sundays in February from 3 to 5 p.m. 324 S. Main St., Grapevine. Tickets are $123 per person.
Experience an intimate Valentine s-themed food and wine tour that takes guests on a stroll through historic Main Street in Grapevine.
Courtesy of Jennifer Neal
FLAMING COCKTAIL HOT DATE NIGHT
Expect a hot date night where couples can blow and create their own heart or flower made from molten glass. Attendees can also indulge in flaming cocktails to toast their love.
DETAILS: Feb. 11-14 from noon to 7 p.m. at Vetro Glassblowing Studio & Gallery, 701 S. Main St., Grapevine. Tickets are $55 per person.
Expect a hot date night where couples can blow and create their own heart or flower made from molten glass while drinking flaming cocktails.
Courtesy of Vetro Glassblowing S
FORTWORTHIANS101 SPEED DATING EVENT
Restaurant West + Stone at Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown Hotel is co-hosting a Fortworthians101 speed-dating event. Guests are guaranteed to speak to at least 10 people and continue the conversations during a singles mixer after the speed dating concludes.
DETAILS: Feb. 10 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at West + Stone, 1701 Commerce St., Fort Worth. Ages 25-37. Speed dating tickets and mixer tickets ate $47.80; mixer-only tickets are $13.03.
VALENTINE’S WEEKEND MOVIE NIGHT AT WHISKEY RANCH
Guests are invited to bundle up and bring chairs and blankets to watch How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days in the great outdoors. Admission includes a free first cocktail.
DETAILS: Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. at Whiskey Ranch, 2601 Whiskey Ranch Road, Fort Worth. Tickets are $11.99.
GALENTINE’S/VALENTINE’S COOKIE DECORATING & WINE
Decorate cookies with your date or gal pals at this gallery experience. While decorating cookies, enjoy two glasses of wine and admire original artworks from Texas artists.
DETAILS: This event occurs Wednesday through Sunday during February at Giddens Gallery, 624 S. Main St., Grapevine. Ages 21 and up. Tickets are $62.
While decorating cookies, enjoy two glasses of wine and admire original artworks from Texas artists at Giddens Gallery.
Courtesy of Giddens Gallery
LOVE LETTERS-RUNWAY THEATRE
Watch an intimate, moving play with your loved ones that spans decades of hopes, dreams, and heartfelt words.
DETAILS: Feb. 13-15 at 3 and 8 p.m. at Runway Theatre, 215 N Dooley St., Grapevine. Tickets are $30.
VALENTINE’S/GALENTINE’S DAY AT PEGASUS PLAZA
Take a trip to downtown Dallas with your bestie or date and attend the free Valentine’s/Galentine’s Day event at Pegasus Plaza. It will have a doggy kissing booth, free photo booth and free flowers.
DETAILS: Feb. 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pegasus Plaza, 1500 Main St., Dallas. Free.
DFW LADIES GALENTINE’S GAL HIKE
Celebrate female friendships with a hike with all your gal pals. The hike starts on the Arbor Hills Trail, heads up to the Pond of Vasil Levski, continues to the Observation Deck, and then loops back through the prairie trail. Attendees are invited to wear pink. After the hike, there will be a brunch at restaurant Whiskey Cake.
DETAILS: Feb. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, 6701 West Parker Road, Plano. Free.
Celebrate female friendships with a hike with all your gal pals, hosted by Texas Ladies Get Outdoors and Travel group.
Courtesy of Texas Ladies Get Out
MCKINNEY GALENTINE’S POP UP
The Stix Icehouse will have a special Galentine’s Day celebration filled with shopping, jewelry and music bingo. Attendees can also create custom-made permanent jewelry and a trucker hat.
DETAILS: Feb. 11 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at The Stix Icehouse, 301 Eldorado Pkwy., Suite #100, McKinney. Free.
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