UT Beat: Bill seeks to revive rivalry with Aggies

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AUSTIN — The desire to see Texas and Texas A&M play each other in football again has reached the state's legislative branch.

Rep. Ryan Guillen of Rio Grande City this week filed a bill that would require the Longhorns and Aggies to reinstate the football series that came to an indefinite end when A&M joined the Southeastern Conference last year. House Bill 778 calls for restrictions on athletic scholarships if one school refuses to play the other.

UT athletic director DeLoss Dodds has said numerous times the Aggies knew the series would come to a halt if they left the Big 12, but that he expects the schools to play again someday. For now, the Longhorns' non-conference schedules are full until 2018.

A&M president R. Bowen Loftin issued a statement Tuesday saying the Aggies “remain hopeful the game may continue one day.”

State Rep. Ryan Guillen filed a bill that would penalize UT or A&M for refusing to play their rival. State Rep. Ryan Guillen filed a bill that would penalize UT or A&M for refusing to play their rival. Photo: DEBORAH CANNON, AP Photo: DEBORAH CANNON, AP Image 1 of / 86 Caption Close UT Beat: Bill seeks to revive rivalry with Aggies 1 / 86 Back to Gallery

The Longhorns and Aggies have played 118 times, with UT holding a 76-37-5 edge, including a 27-25 victory in the last meeting in 2011 at College Station.



Longhorns exhale after breakthrough: The men's basketball team won its first conference game of the season Saturday after an 0-5 start, and assistant coach Rob Lanier said he thinks it will enable his players to avoid being so tight late in games.

Having blown several leads before, Lanier said, it was inevitable the players would worry about losing another one until they proved they could win.

“That was the elephant in the arena,” Lanier said.

mfinger@express-news.net

Twitter: @mikefinger