Sophomore punter Ian Ratliff earned his first start and collegiate minutes in the 2024 Red River Rivalry game.

Until this weekend, true freshman Michael Kern had punted each game, with 11 punts through five games, averaging 42.8 yards per punt and a total of 471 yards. Kern was listed as questionable in both Wednesday and Thursday’s injury reports, upgrading to probable on Friday.

“We think (he’s) the best punter in the country,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said to the Austin-American Statesman on signing day. “We think this guy’s got a skill set for the future.”

Though he was taken off the injury report on game day, Kern did not see game time against the Sooners, instead, it was Ratliff who had his first chance to prove himself.

The Longhorns weren’t forced to punt too many times, but in the three attempts, Ratliff recorded 133 yards. The Sooners, on the other hand, were forced to punt six times.

Ratliff averaged 44.3 yards per punt, nearing Kern’s records of 45.5 and 45.75 against UTSA and ULM, and the sophomore managed one 50+ yard attempt.

Assumedly, Kern will resume his starting duties next week vs. Georgia, but it is certainly comforting for the Longhorns to know they have two quality legs at their disposal.

“I’d like the guy to hit the ball and punt the ball directionally well. I think that’s something right away that we look for,” assistant head coach Jeff Banks said to the Austin-American Statesman about what he expects from a punter. “From a technique standpoint, if he can be two steps and get the ball off quicker, I’d like that. That’s probably where we start is just form-wise, getting him to be compact, and to be able to strike the ball the same every time.”

It is never the case in which fans get excited when their team is forced to punt, but with Ratliff’s solid performance, Texas fans won’t need to stress too much if the moment arises where he is called on again.

AUSTIN, Texas — Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi and Weston McKennie will miss the United States’ friendly at Mexico on Tuesday in order to return to their clubs in Europe.

Marlon Fossey and Zack Steffen, who didn’t dress for Saturday’s 2-0 win over Panama, also are returning to their teams, the U.S. Soccer Federation said Sunday.

The USSF said Pulisic is skipping the game and going back to AC Milan for load management. The federation said the others have minor injuries and will get evaluation and treatment at their teams.

No players are being added, leaving 21 players available for the match in Guadalajara.

Pulisic assisted on Yunus Musah’s goal early in the second half against Panama and Pepi scored in stoppage time. The game marked Mauricio Pochettino’s debut as U.S. coach.

“As we have said, we are always going to make decisions that are in the best interest of our players and respect the relationship we have with their clubs,” Pochettino said in a statement.

One week after kicking off the first of three pre-tour shows, Dua Lipa returned to Austin City Limits in Austin, Texas on Saturday, October 12.

By the time she hit the stage for her headlining performance, the Houdini hitmaker was all fired up and dressed to impress in very stylish burgundy shorts and crop top combination, along with a pair of black leather, knee-high boots.

The London, England native, 29, had a number of added touches she accessorized with including fishnet stockings, necklace, and a double black belt.

Rounding out her look, the singer-songwriter had her red-tinted tresses flowing long down past the middle of her back with a center part.

Following the show Lipa will head back to her native England and get ready for the third warmup concert in Robert Albert Hall in London on Thursday, October 17.

The Albanian star will then head to Cleveland, Ohio where she will take part in the Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, October 19.

From there she will fly to Singapore for the first official date of her Radical Optimism Tour at Singapore Indoor Stadium on November 5 and 6.

She will also make stops in Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, India, and South Korea, until December 5.

After a two-month-plus break from the road Lipa returns to the stage in Melbourne, Australia on March 17, and proceed to play several show there and Sydney before moving on to Aukland, New Zealand through April 4.

A short break lead to the European leg starting in Madrid, Spain on May 11, which will take her to various countries including France, Germany, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, UK, and Ireland until June 27.

Once September 2025 rolls around she will kick off her tour of North America in Toronto, Canada, which will take her to the U.S. four days later in Chicago.

The tour will go through until October 16, 2025 ending with a couples of gigs in Seattle, Washington. 

The tour is in support of her third studio album, Radical Optimism, which dropped back in early May, featuring the singles Houdini, Training Session, and Illusion, all of which peaked within the top ten of the UK Singles Chart.

The pop star was all fired up and dressed to impress in very stylish burgundy shorts and crop top combination, along with a pair of black leather, knee-high boots

Dua put on a very busty display in Hello Kitty bra and figure hugging white dress when she announced she was back in Austin for her second show

The pop star took to social media to announce she was in Texas

The Houdini hitmaker flashed plenty of skin in a white mini dress

The star struggled to contain her excitement as she also shared a clip of herself hanging by her arms from the ceiling as she kicked her legs back and forth

After her second show in Austin, the Albanian star will play London on October 17, then she will take part in the Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, October 19, before officially kicking off her Radical Optimism Tour November 5

For her first show in Austin last week, Lipa delivered a 17-song set full of hits that included Don’t Start Now, Houdini, New Rules, Levitating, One Kiss, and Electricity to name a few.

For the most part, Radical Optimism received generally favorable reviews from music critics  

Time magazine included her in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2024.

The accolades given to the former model include three Grammy Awards and seven Brit Awards during her career.