Rich Tijerina

American-Statesman Staff

A California-born, Texas-raised Aggie overseeing the Statesman's Longhorns coverage. I've worked in New Braunfels, Galveston, Corpus Christi, Fort Worth, Corpus Christi again and now Austin, since 2002. Words matter.

Bevo Beat

Tom Herman: With TCU coming, Texas’ big over Tech way in the rear view

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

September 28th, 2020

Highlights from Texas head coach Tom Herman’s weekly press conference ahead of Saturday’s TCU game: The state of the Horns: “Glad to get out of Lubbock with a win,” Herman opened his Zoom. He later was asked whether being 2-0 makes it easier or harder to dismiss the harrowing win … Read More

Texas 63, Texas Tech 56: Our five questions for the Longhorns — answered

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

September 26th, 2020

Revisiting our five pregame questions that were facing the Longhorns ahead of Saturday’s 63-56 conference-opening win at Texas Tech in overtime. How they played out:   1. Did Sam Ehlinger or Krishon Merriweather have another Big 12-worthy game? Ehlinger: Absolutely. The Texas quarterback, who won Big 12 offensive player of … Read More

Texas 63, Texas Tech 56: The expanded boxscore

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

September 26th, 2020

How it all happened Saturday afternoon in Lubbock:   First quarter Texas 17, Texas Tech 7. The Longhorns literally picked up where they left off against UTEP, putting up 175 yards of offense and scoring on all three of their drives. Sam Ehlinger scored on his first touchdown run of … Read More

Bevo Beat

Shootout in the South Plains! No. 8 Texas rallies past Texas Tech in overtime, 63-56

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

September 26th, 2020

For those who wanted drama in Lubbock, they got drama in Lubbock. Eighth-ranked Texas found a way to wake itself up from offensive lethargy by scoring 15 points in the final couple of minutes — oh, and recovering an onside kick and converting a two-point conversion pass with 40 seconds … Read More

Bevo Beat

We’ve got a shootout in Lubbock, folks: Texas leads Texas Tech at halftime, 31-21

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

September 26th, 2020

It’s halftime at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock. No. 8 Texas, an 18-point favorite in this Big 12 opener, is leading Texas Tech, 31-21   This one was going to go one of a couple of ways: Either the Horns, who moved up a spot from No. 9 to No. Read More

Bevo Beat

Tom Herman: No need to mess with Texas’ plan to dole out running back touches

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

September 21st, 2020

Texas, which was off last week and moved up to No. 8 in this week’s AP Top 25 poll, opens Big 12 play Saturday at Texas Tech. Head coach Tom Herman just met with reporters on Zoom. Highlights: Injuries: Texas may be without its top two slot receivers. Jordan Whittington … Read More

Bevo Beat

Tom Herman: What that 59-3 win really means moving forward for Texas

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

September 14th, 2020

Texas is off this week, but head coach Tom Herman just met with reporters on Zoom. Highlights: B.J Foster: The junior defensive back is still on the team. “B.J. obviously let his frustrations get the best of him , and was very contrite, very apologetic,” Hermand said. “We’ll handle the … Read More

Texas 59, UTEP 3: Our five questions for the Longhorns — answered

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

September 13th, 2020

Revisiting our five pregame questions that were facing the Longhorns ahead of Saturday’s 59-3 season-opening win over UTEP. How they played out:   1. How much rust did Texas have to shake off? Uh, none. At all. The Horns put up nearly 700 yards of total offense, scored the most … Read More

Texas 59, UTEP 3: The expanded boxscore

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

September 12th, 2020

How it all happened Saturday night:   First quarter Texas 21, UTEP 0. It took all of one play for the Longhorns to answer lots of questions — about their new receivers, about Sam Ehlinger and about the offense’s ability to make big plays. Joshua Moore’s 78-yard touchdown pass was … Read More

Bevo Beat

One down, the conference to go: No. 14 Texas opens with 59-3 romp past UTEP

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

September 12th, 2020

 How best to sum up Texas’ season-opening 59-3 win over UTEP? (a) A dominating performance offensively and defensively (b) A career night for Heisman hopeful Sam Ehlinger (c) New names and faces making plays was huge (d) It … Read More

Bevo Beat

Texas is pouring it on: Horns blowing past UTEP at halftime, 45-3

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

September 12th, 2020

It’s halftime at Royal-Memorial Stadium. Texas, a 43-point favorite in its season opener against UTEP, is leading 45-3. If this is Texas’ new normal, the Longhorns will take it. The offense has chewed up yards and putting up points. Texas has 498 yards of total offense. Sam Ehlinger has already … Read More

Bevo Beat

Tom Herman: What Texas’ coach likes about his team, and what he’s worried about

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

September 7th, 2020

Tom Herman’s first game-week press conference — reporters were on Zoom, asking their questions — has come and gone. Highlights: On injuries: Linebacker Ayodele Adeoye and wide receiver Kelvontay Dixon are doubtful. “Not likely, but not ruling it out,” Herman said. And reserve offensive tackle Reese Moore has tweaked his … Read More

Our 12th annual preseason Top 25: Another top recruiting class will help No. 6 Georgia reload

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

July 20th, 2020

The college football season is less than two months away. Right? As it approaches with question marks, our 12th annual countdown series of our preseason Top 25, as selected by the American-Statesman sports staff, breaks down who we think are the top teams in the country. Last year’s eventual College … Read More

Our 12th annual preseason Top 25: No. 7 Florida looks ready to make its move — if the defense is there

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

July 19th, 2020

The college football season is two months away. Right? As it approaches with question marks, our 12th annual countdown series of our preseason Top 25, as selected by the American-Statesman sports staff, breaks down who we think are the top teams in the country. Last year’s eventual College Football Playoff … Read More

Our 12th annual preseason Top 25: No. 16 Oklahoma State has it all — Hubbard, Wallace, and Gundy, too

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

July 10th, 2020

The 2020 college football season is two months away. Right? As it approaches with question marks, our 12th annual countdown series of our preseason Top 25, as selected by the American-Statesman sports staff, breaks down who we think are the top teams in the country. Last year’s eventual College Football … Read More

Our 12th annual preseason Top 25: No. 17 Michigan has worry spots on offense, but what else is new?

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

July 9th, 2020

The 2020 college football season is two months away. Right? As it approaches with question marks, our 12th annual countdown series of our preseason Top 25, as selected by the American-Statesman sports staff, breaks down who we think are the top teams in the country. Last year’s eventual College Football … Read More

Our 12th annual Top 25 countdown: No. 19 Minnesota must get defensive again in the Big Ten

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

July 7th, 2020

The 2020 college football season is two months away. Right? As it approaches with question marks, our 12th annual countdown series of our preseason Top 25, as selected by the American-Statesman sports staff, breaks down who we think are the top teams in the country. Last year’s eventual College Football … Read More

Our 12th annual Top 25 countdown: No. 24 Iowa State building as it eyes the Big 12’s bigger fish

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

July 2nd, 2020

The 2020 college football season is two months away. Right? As it approaches with question marks, our 12th annual countdown series of our preseason Top 25, as selected by the American-Statesman sports staff, breaks down who we think are the top teams in the country. Last year’s eventual College Football … Read More

Texas 38, Utah 10: Our five questions for Texas — answered

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

December 31st, 2019

Revisiting our five pregame questions that were facing the Longhorns ahead of Tuesday’s 38-10 win over Utah in the Alamo Bowl. How they played out:   1. Did Collin Johnson return for his Longhorns finale? Yes. And he finished his career on a high note, breaking open for a 34-yard … Read More

Texas 38, Utah 10: The Alamo Bowl expanded boxscore

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

December 31st, 2019

How it all happened Tuesday night at the Alamodome:   1st quarter: Texas 3, Utah 0 The Longhorns won the coin toss but chose to receive the ball to start the game (earlier this season, Tom Herman took the ball after winning the  toss for the first time in … Read More