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.

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

Bevo Beat

Remember the Alamo? That’s the bowl that Texas closed 2019 with an exclamation point

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

December 31st, 2019

 Texas was back Tuesday night. By that, we don’t mean Sam Ehlinger was strutting on the Alamodome presentation stage, ushering in a long-awaited renaissance. But this was a … Read More

Bevo Beat

It’s halftime at the Alamo Bowl, and Texas is shutting out Utah 10-0

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

December 31st, 2019

It’s halftime at the Alamodome, and Texas — a 7-point underdog in tonight’s Alamo Bowl — is shutting out No. 11 Utah, 10-0. The good news? The Longhorns are controlling this game on a night when they shouldn’t be. Texas is playing this Alamo Bowl without either of its coordinators. Read More

Texas 49, Texas Tech 24: Our five questions for Texas — answered

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

November 29th, 2019

Revisiting our five pregame questions that were facing the Longhorns ahead of Friday’s 49-24 win over Texas Tech. How they played out:   1. Did Texas keep Texas Tech away from Sam Ehlinger? Yes. Ehlinger was sacked early in the first quarter, but that was Tech’s only sack of the … Read More

Texas 49, Texas Tech 24: The expanded boxscore

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

November 29th, 2019

How it all happened Friday at Royal-Memorial Stadium:   1st quarter: Texas Tech 14, Texas 6 Sam Ehlinger’s touchdown run, which was set up by a 36-yard catch from Malcolm Epps and an 11-yarder by fellow freshman Jake Smith, was UT’s first opening-quarter touchdown since Oct. 10 (Kansas). More … Read More

Bevo Beat

For one day, all looks right again in Texas’ 49-24 win over Texas Tech

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

November 29th, 2019

It’s all over at Royal-Memorial Stadium. Texas, which was a 10-point favorite today, has beaten Texas Tech, ending the regular season and saying goodbye to its outgoing seniors with a 49-24 win. Playing in cold and rainy conditions that reminded us of the 2015 win over Kansas State, the Longhorns … Read More

Bevo Beat

Turkey hangover? Possibly, but Texas snaps to attention, leads Tech 28-21 at halftime

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

November 29th, 2019

It’s halftime at Royal-Memorial Stadium. Texas, which is a 10-point favorite today, is leading Texas Tech, 28-21. It’s cold and rainy, and the Longhorns — who have dropped three of their last four games, will play in a lesser bowl game and have slogged their way out of Big 12 … Read More

Bevo Beat

Tom Herman: Fixing Texas’ offense is as easy as A, B, C (or is that D, E or F?)

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

November 25th, 2019

Tom Herman’s final regular-season game-week press conference is in the books. Not a lot to be feeling thankful for this week. Texas started its season 4-1 but has looked off ever since the Red River Showdown in mid-October: A loss to Oklahoma, a squeak win at home over Kansas, a … Read More

Baylor 24, Texas 10: Our five questions for Texas — answered

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

November 23rd, 2019

Revisiting our five pregame questions that were facing the Longhorns ahead of Saturday’s 24-10 loss at Baylor. How they played out:   1. Did Texas get its running game back on track? No. The running game really was on track for only one play, and even Keaontay Ingram’s 68-yard burst … Read More

No. 14 Baylor 24, Texas 10: The expanded boxscore

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

November 23rd, 2019

How it all happened Saturday in Waco:   1st quarter: Texas 0, Baylor 0 For the fourth straight game, Texas failed to score a touchdown in the first quarter. Of course, the Bears didn’t score either though they were driving as it ended. Texas picked up an early turnover … Read More

Bevo Beat

Texas’ season limps along in 24-10 strugglefest at Baylor

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

November 23rd, 2019

It’s all over at McLane Stadium in Waco. The Longhorns — 5.5-point underdogs today — have lost to No. 14 Baylor, 24-10. Don’t let the final score deceive you. It’s wasn’t really two-touchdown close and the Longhorns scored a touchdown with one second left in the game. Texas’ four-game winning … Read More

Bevo Beat

Ingram, Dicker ignite Texas late, but Horns trailing Baylor 7-3 at halftime

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

November 23rd, 2019

It’s halftime at McLane Stadium in Waco. Texas, which is a 5.5-point underdog today, is trailing No. 14 Baylor, 7-3. Strange game. Both defenses are making it tough days for either Sam Ehlinger or Charlie Brewer to establish either offense. Baylor committed a turnover inside the red zone, both defenses … Read More

Bevo Beat

Tom Herman on the Texas run game, being out-coached and the state of the Horns

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

November 18th, 2019

Tom Herman’s weekly game-week press conference ahead of Saturday’s game at Baylor has come and gone.   What you need to know: 1. Wide receiver Collin Johnson is considered doubtful for this week. He’s still nursing a sore hamstring that kept him out of the Iowa State game. 2. Cornerback … Read More

Iowa State 23, Texas 21: Our five questions for Texas — answered

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

November 16th, 2019

Revisiting our five pregame questions that were facing the Longhorns ahead of Saturday’s 23-21 loss at Iowa State. How they played out:   1. Did Texas avoid a slow start? No. The Longhorns’ start was so slow, in fact, it sluggishly continued until literally the final 47 seconds of the … Read More

Iowa State 23, No. 19 Texas 21: The expanded boxscore

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

November 16th, 2019

How it all happened Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa:   First quarter Iowa State 7, Texas 0. The Cyclones opened with an eight-play drive that ended with Brock Purdy’s 21st touchdown pass of the season — a program record. Texas, meanwhile, had 12 plays in the quarter … Read More

Bevo Beat

Agony in Ames: Walk-off kick works against Texas this time in 23-21 loss

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

November 16th, 2019

It’s all over at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. No. 19-ranked Texas — a 7-point underdog today — has lost at Iowa State, 23-21. There were lots of momentum switches, big plays, clutch calls and back-and-forths, but if you’re looking to answer how the Longhorns lost this one, it … Read More

Bevo Beat

Late score awakens Texas, but Horns still trail Iowa State at halftime, 10-7

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

November 16th, 2019

It’s halftime at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. No. 19-ranked Texas — a 7-point underdog today — is trailing Iowa State, 10-7. Hmm. Which is colder today? (a) The temperature in Ames. (b) Texas’ offense (c) Texas’ run defense Correct answer: B. Texas produced only 30 yards in the … Read More

Bevo Beat

Tom Herman: There’s mostly good news for Texas’ injured players — mostly

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

November 11th, 2019

Tom Herman’s game week press conference in advance of Saturday’s Iowa State game has come and gone.   What you need to know 1. Starting right guard Junior Angilau is out with a MCL injury. He’s considered week-to-week but will definitely miss the game in Ames. He might be able … Read More

Texas 27, Kansas State 24: Our five questions for Texas — answered

Rich Tijerina American-Statesman Staff

November 9th, 2019

Revisiting our five pregame questions that were facing the Longhorns ahead of Saturday’s Kansas State game. How they played out:   1. Did Brennan Eagles make up for last game’s suspension? No. The sophomore wide receiver, who was suspended for the TCU game because he had missed a team practice, … Read More