Austin, TX

Why Vanderbilt’s top RB, an AISD rushing legend, has had ‘Horns down’ all his life

Published

1 month ago

October 24, 2024

Why Vanderbilt’s top RB, an AISD rushing legend, has had ‘Horns down’ all his life

In some ways, this weekend’s home game against Texas football is a dream come true for Vanderbilt running back Sedrick Alexander.

A sophomore, Alexander is an Austinite and the city’s all-time leading rusher. But this isn’t a story about a kid getting to play the hometown team he once rooted for. Nor is this the tale of a local talent with an axe to grind against the school that never extended a scholarship offer.

No, Alexander was raised as an Oklahoma fan. His father cheered for the Sooners, and thus the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. He has long worn the No. 28 as a tribute to Adrian Peterson.

“I always had horns down,” Alexander said this week. “I want to beat them. I always want to beat Texas, even when I was rooting for OU. … I want to beat them and say that I beat them.”

Vanderbilt is resurging ahead of Texas matchup

Not too long ago, a Vanderbilt player talking about beating No. 6 Texas would have sounded preposterous. But these aren’t the Commodores of yesteryear.

Despite being picked to finish last in the Southeastern Conference’s preseason poll and winning just 12 games over the past five seasons, Vanderbilt is 5-2 this year. The Commodores upset then-No. 2 Alabama at home Oct. 5, and they’ve taken a top-10 team in Missouri to double overtime. The No. 25 team in both the US LBM Coaches Poll and Associated Press poll, Vanderbilt is ranked for the first time since the 2013 season.

With one more victory, Vanderbilt will qualify for its first bowl game since 2018. Alexander was an eighth-grader at Pflugerville’s Kelly Lane Middle School when the Commodores reached that year’s Texas Bowl.

But if you ask Alexander, he saw this success coming when he signed with Vanderbilt during the 2023 recruiting cycle. While starring at LBJ High, Alexander was rated as a three-star prospect. He received offers from Texas State and UTSA but wanted to experience life outside of Central Texas. Iowa State and the service academies were interested, but Vanderbilt presented an opportunity to play in the SEC. The educational experience at Vanderbilt was also something that Alexander said he did not want to pass up.

Additionally, Alexander believed in Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea. A former Vanderbilt fullback, Lea was hired away from his position as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator after the 2020 season.

“I came here for stuff like this to happen,” Alexander said. “I believe in coach Lea and his vision and what he asks of this team, and I’m just excited to be here with him and enjoy the moment while I’m here.”

Alexander’s future, and present, at Vanderbilt appears to be bright

As for what is working at Vanderbilt this season, Alexander credits the preparation done during the week in meetings and practices. Having an offense that leads the SEC in time of possession and has turned over the football just twice this season also helps. Vanderbilt has been led offensively by quarterback Diego Pavia, a graduate transfer from New Mexico State, and Alexander has proven to be a suitable sidekick.

The 5-foot-9, 200-pound Alexander, who celebrates his 20th birthday Friday, has rushed 95 times for 380 yards. He’s also caught 13 passes. Two of his team-high six touchdowns were scored in Vanderbilt’s 40-35 win over Alabama, and Alexander collided with Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell on one of those scores, bullying the 244-pound linebacker into the end zone.

“He’s kind of been a bright spot for us in just how he conducts his business,” Lea said. “The person he is first is where I’d focus. He’s got a great family, got a great spirit. Like all young people, he’s growing into himself.

“We are really excited about his skill set. I think a lot of that has surfaced this year. He’s added physical components to his game that I think make him a really well-rounded back. It’s just his second year, so there’s so many great things ahead for him and we’re glad he’s here.”

A UT defense that ranks 18th nationally against the run at 104.3 yards per game has taken note of Alexander. Steve Sarkisian, the Longhorns’ fourth-year coach, described Alexander this week as a “heck of a running back.” Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron said that “he’s a tough cat.”

“Game recognizes game,” Texas safety Michael Taaffe said. “When you’re a good Austin guy, it’s cool because not a lot of talent comes out of Austin as far as recruiting. I know there’s a lot of talent in Austin, but we don’t always get the recognition that we deserve.”

Alexander joins Texas trio among college football’s Austin-area standouts

Alexander, who was listed as “questionable” with an undisclosed injury on Vanderbilt’s first availability report of the week, has a personal relationship with several Longhorns who also grew up in the Austin area. He has trained with Taaffe, who attended Westlake. Barron, who went to Pflugerville Connally, said that he shared some BBQ and trash talk with Alexander’s father before the season started.

Alexander was also high school teammates with UT safety Andrew Mukuba, who has a “questionable” designation for this weekend’s game because of a knee injury. Texas director of high school relations Jahmal Fenner coached both players at LBJ. While at LBJ, Alexander set the Austin ISD career rushing record and led the Jaguars to the Class 4A, Division I championship game in 2021.

Alexander is now among those representing the Austin-area football scene on the stage that is college football. Barron, Mukuba and Taaffe all start for Texas, and Barron and Mukuba are responsible for half of UT’s 10 interceptions. Texas Tech’s Tahj Brooks leads the Big 12 with his 134.0 rushing yards per game while fellow Manor product Quinten Joyner is averaging 9.1 yards per carry at USC. Westlake’s alumni association also includes the quarterback with the second-most touchdown passes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (Clemson’s Cade Klubnik) and Notre Dame’s second-leading receiver (Jaden Greathouse).

“I’m looking at film each and every day, and I’m like, dang, there’s really three people (in the Texas secondary),” Alexander said. “To see everybody that’s spread out throughout the country at different universities just representing the 512, that is something that I look forward to the rest of my years and with the younger generation.”

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Austin, TX

No. 3 Texas ends UK’s bowl chances

Published

1 hour ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

AUSTIN, Tx. (WKYT) – The Kentucky Wildcats (4-7, 1-7 SEC) ended their SEC slate with a 31-14 loss on the road against the No. 3 Texas Longhorns (10-1, 6-1 SEC). For the first time in eight seasons, UK will not be bowl eligible.

Junior quarterback Brock Vandagriff started the game for the Cats, going 3-7 for 51 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The staff opted to once against start true freshman Cutter Boley in the second half. The LCA alum wet 10-18 for 160 yards and an interception in the loss.

The Wildcats went 1-2 in the red zone and just 2-12 on third down conversions.

Senior inside linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson had a 25-yard fumble return for a touchdown, and also led the defense in tackles with eight.

Texas junior QB Quinn Ewers went 20-31 for 191 yards and two touchdowns for the Longhorns.

The season concludes next week as Kentucky hosts the Governor’s Cup game against Louisville at Kroger Field. Kick-off is set for noon on the SEC Network.

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Austin, TX

Texas’ Quinn Ewers competes against Simone Biles, others in DICK’S Sporting Goods competition

Published

10 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Texas’ Quinn Ewers competes against Simone Biles, others in DICK’S Sporting Goods competition

Simone Biles, Dak Prescott, Chris Paul and Quinn Ewers are decorating DICK’S store in their hometowns of Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin.

DICK’S Sporting Goods is joining in on the holiday cheer — along with a dose of competition among Texas cities, featuring some of the Lone Star State’s best athletes.

Simone Biles, Dak Prescott, Chris Paul and Quinn Ewers will be competing, just not on any athletic field. They are each responsible for decorating a DICK’S Sporting Goods store in their hometown, competing for the title of DICK’S Holiday Decorating Officer and a trophy.

The athletes have begun decorating at stores in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin. Videos by DICK’S Sporting Goods offer a sneak peek of each as the athletes add their own flair to spread holiday cheer.

The competition comes as part of DICK’S Sporting Goods and DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation’s program Sports Matter, which funds and maintains youth sports programs across the nation. The four athletes will each get a $100,000 Sports Matter grant, to be awarded to a local youth sports organization(s) of their choosing.

“We’ve had a blast getting ready for the holidays with Texas’ most inspiring and entertaining sports icons,” said Kari DeGori, VP Local Marketing and Marketing Capabilities at DICK’S Sporting Goods. “These in-store displays are interactive, fun, a great place for photos, and each has its own tie of sport into the holiday – whether it’s a gingerbread locker room, a chimney basketball game, or a vintage farm basketball hoop. We hope that these displays add some extra joy for our customers while they shop for everyone on their list. And we’re thrilled to be able to partner with our Foundation’s Sports Matter program to extend the holiday cheer to deserving local sports organizations.”

“I love competing, so taking part in this Texas holiday contest with some of the best athletes across sports was a lot of fun,” said Chris Paul. “We are all trying to win and become DICK’S Holiday Decorating Officer, but no matter what, we all win as we have the opportunity to give back to youth sports. Thank you to DICK’S for awarding a $100,000 Sports Matter grant to the Chris Paul Family Foundation.”

This campaign will run across DICKS.com, YouTube, streaming, and social media, as well as broadcast on local TV, radio, and other audio platforms in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin.

Quinn Ewers decorates Austin DICK’S store

Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers is responsible for decorating the Austin DICK’S store on 183A Toll Road. A promotion video captures Ewers placing a giant cowboy hat on a snowman and standing amid a Longhorn-themed tailgate scene while on a video call with actor Matthew McConaughey.

Chris ‘CP3’ Paul decorates San Antonio DICK’S store

Over in San Antonio, Spurs point guard Chris “CP3” Paul is busy decorating the DICK’S store on Northwest Loop 410. CP3 can be seen carefully placing basketballs into a Christmas tree and building a holiday barn-themed basketball court, casually making backward swishes throughout a promotional video.

Simone Biles decorates Houston DICK’S store

World-famous gymnast and gold Olympic medalist Simone Biles has been tasked with decorating the Houston DICK’S store on the Gulf Freeway. In a promotional video, Biles stands in front of goat decorations wearing Olympic medals and a “GO FOR GOLD” sign display. Other notable decorations include a balance beam decked with stockings, a medal podium, and a photo op featuring “five golden rings.”

Dak Prescott decorates Dallas DICK’S store

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is in charge of decorating the Dallas DICK’S store on University Drive. A promotional video depicts Prescott designing a gingerbread-themed locker room and a tunnel featuring holiday lights, speaking in front of snowmen decked in football gear.

MAP: Where are the DICK’S stores involved in the holiday decoration competition?

Locations of the DICK’S stores being decorated include the following:

Dallas: 2845 W University Dr., Denton, TX 76201
Houston: 18650 Gulf Freeway, Friendswood, TX 77546
San Antonio: 321 Northwest Loop 410, Suite 112, San Antonio, TX 78216
Austin: 5001 183A Toll Road, Suite N100, Cedar Park, TX 78613

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Austin, TX

Texas I-35 high-speed rail proposal is put into motion by lawmakers

Published

17 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Texas I-35 high-speed rail proposal is put into motion by lawmakers

High speed rail proposal in Texas moves forward

Austin lawmakers are putting a proposal in motion that has been in the works for years; plans to build a high-speed rail on I-35.

AUSTIN, Texas – Austin lawmakers are putting a proposal in motion that has been in the works for years; plans to build a high-speed rail on I-35.

The goal of House Bill 483 is to connect Dallas, Austin, and San António, using high-speed rail.

“The excitement and enthusiasm around this bill has been kind of overwhelming. I am surprised how much everyone is paying attention to it. I’m excited and encouraged. I think Texas is a booming state, with a booming economy, but we are far behind infrastructure options for residents,” says State Representative House District 136 John Bucy.

House Bill 483 submitted by lawmakers in Austin spells out plans for a high-speed rail expected to reach speeds of 110 miles per hour, connecting Dallas to Austin to San Antonio along interstate 35.

Passenger rail service from Austin to Mexico

The Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee is considering expanding passenger rail services between Austin and Mexico.

“The interconnection of these major hubs that we are all traveling all the time would benefit our day-to-day lives. It is a way to a different mobility of travel then flying or driving in a car, it would be faster than driving in a car it would be safer. Many years ago, Rick Perry had plans to add more lanes and add a train up the I-35 corridor. We are not doing enough for infrastructure, and it needs to get done,” says Bucy.

Last year, Travis County Commissioner’s Court Judge Andy Brown met with officials in Bexar County to discuss the possibility of a passenger rail between Austin and San Antonio, pending an environmental study.

Mayor Watson also highlighted opportunities for developing an inner-city passenger rail to congress, in November 2023.

This year, The Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee discussed plans to add a high-speed passenger train along the corridor between Austin, San Antonio and Monterrey, Mexico.

Is a CTX passenger rail possible?

Travis County Judge Andy Brown is trying to get a passenger rail plan for Central Texas back on track.

This month, State Senator Sarah Eckhardt joined in efforts to get house bill 483 passed.

“This is going to be a long process. We are going to try to get this bill by first continuing to raise awareness, asking for a hearing in committee that won’t be until February or march at the earliest, so that process will be beginning, committee hearings and then hopefully we can continue to build support for it,” says Bucy.

According to the bill, high-speed rail would be constructed through state funds.

“What we are doing is directing the Texas Department of Transportation to enter into an agreement so they would have a bid process, people would make their bids for building and maintaining this line, so it would be like public private partnership,” says Bucy.

Rep. John Bucy says the goal is to get the bill to the governor’s desk.

“I know the governor loves to talk about Texas’s innovation and moving forward I would think a new high-speed mobility would be right up his alley,” says Bucy.

The bill would take effect in September 2025 if it is passed.

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