This date in Texas history is part of a daily Longhorns newsletter put together by Texas football beat writer Danny Davis. For this and more phenomenal American-Statesman coverage delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for the newsletter here.
Today is Dec. 7, 2024. And on this date in Texas history, the Longhorns came out on top in the Big 12’s first-ever championship game.
To close out the Big 12’s inaugural season in 1996, an unranked Texas team recorded a 37-27 win over Nebraska at the Trans World Dome in St. Louis. That upset of the third-ranked Huskers gave John Mackovic’s Longhorns another conference championship after departing the Southwest Conference with that league’s final two titles.
With the victory over Nebraska, Texas improved to 8-4 during a season that would end with a loss to Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Leading Texas past Nebraska was running back Priest Holmes, who turned nine carries into 120 yards and three touchdowns. The Longhorns also got a 66-yard touchdown catch from Wane McGarity and Derek Lewis’ 61-yard reception remains the fourth-longest catch by a UT tight end.
