AUSTIN, Texas — It’s been nearly six years since two iconic mascots saw a quick photo opportunity almost end tragically.
That’s probably one reason Bevo will have to watch the Texas Longhorns from afar this weekend during the SEC Championship game.
Bevo won’t be on the field in Atlanta for Saturday’s game against the Georgia Bulldogs and their mascot, Uga. But the University of Texas Silver Spurs say it’s because there’s no room for Bevo on the field.
In October, Uga XI didn’t fly to Austin during the first Texas-Georgia showdown as SEC foes. Uga’s handler told KVUE’s partners at the Austin American-Statesman that the journey would be too strenuous on the bulldog.
The family that handles Uga is based in Savannah, which is about a 4-hour drive from Athens, where the University of Georgia is located. That, paired with a flight to Austin, would’ve made the journey for the young bulldog difficult.
If you managed to avoid spoilers of the incident, in January 2019, Bevo and Uga X met ahead of the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. As Uga X waited for the photo opportunity, which was just meant to kill time ahead of kickoff, Bevo charged through a makeshift corral and nearly speared the dog and several media members and handlers. Fortunately, the Silver Spurs were able to contain the steer.
Bevo and Uga XI have yet to meet.
Horns and Dawgs bolster future
The SEC’s richest teams also got richer on Wednesday.
ESPN gave Georgia the best overall recruiting class after Early National Signing Day, with Texas coming in third just behind Oregon.
However, one recruit could still tip the scales. Five-star defensive line prospect Justus Terry, who is the nation’s top uncommitted prospect, is expected to decide between Auburn, Georgia and Texas for his football future.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian managed to avoid any major recruits flipping from Texas, bringing in 17 new faces in the process. Among Sark’s new top recruits were quarterback K.J. Lacey and five-star receivers Kaliq Lockett and Jaime Ffrench.
On the defensive side of the ball, Galveston safety Jonah Williams is regarded as one of the best defensive backs in the country.
Georgia and Texas will face off for the conference title Saturday at 3 p.m. You can catch the game right here on KVUE.
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