There are many Thanksgiving traditions, such as turkey and dressing, pumpkin pie, tamales, family gatherings and even football. For years, the Texas-Aggie game was a feature of a Texas Thanksgiving until A&M left the Big 12 Conference to join the Southeastern Conference . Those who bleed orange or maroon, and even those who just like the game, can enjoy this Texas football feud once again this Saturday after 13 years. The Cuero Chamber of Commerce will show the game on a big-screen TV under the Market Pavilion “I think rivalries are good for the sport,” Ray Reese, Cuero attorney and Baylor grad, said. “I think it is good for our state. There has always been a lot of tradition and, of course, the Thanksgiving tradition,” he said of the game coming back to Texas.
Beginning in 1898 until 2011, the Aggies and ‘Horns met almost regularly with games often played on or near Thanksgiving Day. The Farmers and Longhorns first met on the gridiron Oct. 20, 1894 in the first intercollegiate football game in Texas with the ‘Horns winning 38-0.
Part of that tradition can be found in the lyrics of the two teams' fight songs: “Texas Fight, Texas Fight, and it's good-bye to A&M” for Texas, and A&M’s “Saw Varsity’s Horns off, Saw Varsity’s Horns off” tell just what each team thinks of the other.
Col. Walter S. Hunnicut, one of the writers for the first Texas fight song to the tune of “Taps,” wrote in a letter in 1952: “Long before I entered The University of Texas in 1909 and until about the year 1928, the Aggies had one of the most effective and awe inspiring songs used by any student body anywhere at any time. ‘Farmers Fight’ at that time was their sacred College song.”
Besides the cheers and songs, the mascots for each team have provided another level of rivalry. While Texas has a longhorn now, the first mascot was actually a dog, an American Pit Bull named Pig to be exact. It wasn’t until 1916, at the Thanksgiving game, a longhorn steer was presented to the students at halftime. Texas beat the Aggies that day 21-7 and editor of the Texas Exes Alcalde wrote: “His name is Bevo, long may he reign.” It was the next year that the Aggies branded Bevo with the 13-0.
At the start of World War 1, Bevo was put to pasture outside of Austin. After the war, the university decided the upkeep had been too expensive for the steer, so it was decided they would barbecue Bevo for the football banquet in 1920. Special guests to the banquet were the Aggies who were presented the orange hide, sporting the brand of the 13-0 score.
There are many stories surrounding how the Aggies got their first dog. From a group of cadets hitting a dog with their car, to a group of cadets finding an injured puppy near the railroad, to a groundskeeper claiming the puppy was born on his property to a group of cadets on a march finding the puppy. However it happened, one thing's for sure, the mascot got her name from the morning bugle of reveiller.
There is one incident recorded when Reveille VI was stolen from her handler’s home in Dallas by a University of Texas student. The dog was only four months old at the time and the kidnappers called themselves the “Rustlers.” They demanded a ransom and when Texas A&M released a statement that they would press felony charges, Reveille was returned unharmed after being found tied to a sign post near Lake Travis.
Even with all the offthe- field hijinks, rivalries were set aside in 1999 when the Aggie Bonfire collapsed and killed 12 and injured 27. The University of Texas responded by conducting blood drives and converting the annual Hex Pep Rally into a unity gathering. During the game on Nov. 26, the Longhorn Band carried Texas A&M flags and played “Amazing Grace” and “Taps.”
Class of ‘84 Aggie Brian Bazar of Cuero reiterated the tradition of the rivalry. “It’s good to renew an old Southwest Conference rivalry game, and I hope for TU to show improved sportsmanship,” he said with a smile, “Nonetheless, beat the Hell outta TU! Whoop.”
On the field, the series stands with Texas leading 73-37-5. The Longhorns are looking for a trip to the SEC Championship game in their first year in that conference in the upcoming grudge match.
