hour before kickoff – the teams would be coming out, soon. It was time to be in the Cotton Bowl.

The drum major for The Pride of Oklahoma

Inside, the atmosphere was electric. The Texas band, “The Showband of the Southwest” took the field first, playing “March Grandioso,” as Texas fans spelled out “T-E-X-A-S, Texas FIGHT!” Then their Fight Song, “Texas Fight” followed by “The Eyes of Texas,” and the huge Texas State flag. 

The Oklahoma band, “The Pride of Oklahoma” followed and struck up “Boomer Sooner,” with a huge state flag of their own, “OK Oklahoma” and their Alma Mater, the "OU Chant."

The Showband of the Southwest

The stadium was never quiet – with one side or the other roaring its approval on virtually every play, and the bands playing continually.

The second half was more of the same, until an OU punt was downed at the Texas 2 yard line with 2:01 remaining. The stage was set for Longhorn QB Chris Simms to lead UT the length of the field for a glorious last-second victory. He never got started. At the snap, Sooner safety Roy Williams blitzed, and went over the top, hitting Simms as he attempted to pass. Simms’ throw was deflected into the waiting arms of OU linebacker Teddy Lehman, who returned it for a touchdown.  With one last gasp, Simms tried to pass again. This one was picked off by Williams, to seal the win. Oklahoma 14, Texas 3. Sooner fans were delirious.   

At the final gun, the Golden Hat Trophy was awarded on the Cotton Bowl floor at the 50 yard line - remaining with Oklahoma - while the Sooners celebrated . The Texas end drained quickly. Many OU fans, on the other hand, stayed to savor the victory with the team.  The OU team went in, then came back out to pose for a team picture under the goalposts with the scoreboard beaming the final score in the background - a Bob Stoops tradition.

Cap inched out with the crowd, which spilled into the fairgrounds, drained but exhiliarated by their involvement in the struggle. Oklahoma fans stood and taunted as Texas fans filed by, heads hanging. "Losers! Get on back to Austin - the cows need milkin'!" "And drag Bevo with you - he's still laying in there!"  Some sensitive souls offered condolences, but that was rare. For
the most part, it was no mercy, no pity - rub it in while you have the chance. Oklahoma rules - until next year.

TC moved with the throng, tired - but he felt great. What an experience. Smashmouth showdown drama, in festival surroundings. He grabbed an ice cream nutty-buddy on a stick, washed it down with a Dr. Pepper, and headed out Gate 1 and to the car while a contempo country band crooned on the Main Stage.

As the traffic flowed slowly north back up Greenville, Cap listened to the radio for scores and talk-show callers for “expert” analysis. The traffic loosened up, and before long he was back at the motel. He walked across Quorum Dr. for a burger at Champps, while games from around the nation flashed on the screens, above.

After eating, he walked back to the room, cleaned up and headed to Ernie’s, where the music of The Big Idea Band, featuring Trixie and Johnny, put a capper on the day.

Back in the room, the Game Day Final show brought another round of showdowns, scores and helmet stickers. A sticker to Roy Williams of Oklahoma, was a slam-dunk. Cap was slow to unwind from the tumultuous activity of the day. His mind racing, he relived every minute, until finally, he fell asleep whistling, “Boomer, Sooner”…they’d earned it.

Rearview Mirror
Sunday morning, Trip Captain slept a little later than usual, then checked out and drove down the tollway for a Mexican food lunch at Mi Cocina in Highland Park, off Mockingbird. Then it was over to the Inwood Theater for a foreign film, before hitting the road.

As he coasted out of town, his mind wandered back over the past weekend. Great restaurants, bars and entertainment throughout the Dallas metroplex; UT and OU parties, rallies and events all over town; State Fair Park; the Texas Star; the Midway, food, rides, music and exhibits; Fletcher’s corny dogs;  Burnt Orange and Crimson and Cream; split stadium – ½ orange, ½ red; Boomer Sooner and Hook Em’ Horns; The Showband of the Southwest; Texas Fight, the “Grandioso March” and “The Eyes of Texas”; The Pride of Oklahoma; “Boomer Sooner,“ “Oklahoma OK” and the OU Alma Mater; the Sooner Schooner; Bevo, The Golden Hat, the Cotton Bowl and Big Tex. History and tradition. College football in a festival atmosphere. Glorious fun.

I hope this game stays there forever, Cap concluded. As long as it does, he’ll be back to visit Big Tex in Big D.

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"Everything we do in our program is in answer to the underlying question: Will it help us beat Texas?"
    - Larry Lacewell, former Sooner defensive coordinator