Being undefeated in college football is no laughing matter, and Texas proved it again on Saturday. They dominated their Red River rival, Oklahoma, with a strong defensive performance. A solid defensive effort helped No. 1 Texas defeat No. 18 Oklahoma 34-3 at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday. However, their post-game celebrations left a sour taste in some people’s mouths. Steve Sarkisian’s team was called “classless” for their excessive jubilation, which some fans found disrespectful.

CBS Sports posted footage of the Cotton Bowl stadium following the Red River Rivalry on October 12, 2024. It showed Barryn Sorrell and linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. of the Texas Longhorns planting their team’s flag through an Oklahoma jersey at midfield. While celebrating a victory is acceptable, mocking an opponent is not a sign of good sportsmanship. A player’s jersey is more than just a piece of cloth, and criticizing it is a low blow. Well, fans would expect better from a top-ranked team like Texas

Texas has risen to the top of the US LBM Coaches and AP Polls and is now 6-0 for the first time in fifteen years. According to the head coach, “We played really good complementary football.” However, nobody can defend their celebratory behavior by belittling the opponent’s jersey. Regardless of the squad to which they are assigned, football players should never treat Jersey with disrespect. 

Fans also hold this belief. And for that reason, despite the program’s enormous success, supporters bitterly ridiculed them because of their merciless retribution against Oklahoma Sooners. 

Fans’ reaction to Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns’ ‘Classless’ revenge

The Longhorns’ victory in the Red River Rivalry on Saturday was their first since 2009, ending a 15-year drought. While Longhorn fans were understandably excited, their celebrations sparked some criticism. Some Oklahoma fans were quick to express their frustration. One said, “a person can only do this to themselves after 15 years of trauma.” Meanwhile, another added, “We all know Texas is a Classless program and they just proved it.”

A CFB fan also pointed out coach Steve Sarkisian’s attempt to calm things down, saying, “Hear the coach say ‘cut it out’ and energy totally went left. lol.” It seems even in a heated rivalry, some behaviors aren’t well-received. Another fan, clearly annoyed, sarcastically commented, “They flexing a win over a team that had a true freshman as their starting QB and 5 starting receivers out.” It’s true that Oklahoma’s QB, Michael Hawkins Jr., doesn’t quite measure up to Texas’ star, Quinn Ewers. But despite the win, one fan questioned the success of Texas quarterbacks in the NFL, asking, “What Texas quarterbacks are in the NFL?”

While it’s true that this is college football, not the pros, rivalries bring out strong emotions. If the Longhorns let their egos get too big, this might be their last chance to celebrate like this for a while. Winning is great, but it might be wise for the team to keep things in check for the future.