AUSTIN, Texas — Texas defeated Texas A&M 17 to 7 in College Station on Saturday night, reigniting a rivalry after a 13-year hiatus.
The Longhorns celebrated the big win on Kyle Field. There was a moment when some players moved center field to the Aggies logo – but head coach Steve Sarkisian stopped them.
Earlier the same day, Michigan upset No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus, beating the Buckeyes 13 to 10 on their home turf. A fight broke out after the game when Michigan players tried to plant a flag on OSU's logo in center field. The Big Ten fined the schools $100,000 each for the fight.
Sarkisian said he watched that fight from his hotel room.
"Rivalries are great, but there is a way to win it with class" Sarkisian said after the Longhorns-Aggies game. "We shouldn't be on their logo. We shouldn't be planting any flags on their logo. And I'd like for whenever that day comes to get that same respect."
Texas hasn't always taken this route. Back in October, Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and teammate Barryn Sorrell planted a Texas flag right through a former Oklahoma Baker Mayfield jersey after the Longhorns beat the Sooners in the Red River Rivalry 34-3.
During Mayfield's time at Oklahoma, he was known for planting the Sooners' flag on fields. One of his most memorable moments was when Mayfield planted the Oklahoma flag in the center of Ohio Stadium in 2017 when Oklahoma beat Ohio State.
Now, Sarkisian said he wanted his players to celebrate properly.
"We try to teach our players how to go about our business," Sarkisian said. "We celebrate with one another. It's not about any other team; it's about what we do. I think there is a way to win with class, and I'm hopeful we can continue to learn how to do that."
Texas' victory over Texas A&M punched the Longhorns' ticket to their first SEC championship. Texas will face Georgia in Atlanta on Saturday, Dec. 7. Kickoff is at 3 p.m.
