Farmers v. Longhorns

A new exhibit at The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports celebrates the history of the Lone Star Showdown — the football rivalry between the University of Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies.

The first football game between the two schools took place in Austin in 1894, on a roped-off field two miles north of campus near what is now 44th Street and Duval. Texas won 38–0, and the Longhorns have remained dominant over the years, holding an all-time record of 77–37–5. The rivalry extends beyond football: any time the Longhorns and Farmers meet in any sport, the stakes run deeper than the scoreboard. From its founding in 1883, the University of Texas stood in contrast to Texas A&M — offering a liberal arts education in urban Austin, while A&M cultivated a rural, agricultural identity. Once athletics became part of campus life, that contrast sharpened into a genuine rivalry, complete with competing fight songs and a long tradition of mutual ribbing.

In 1900, the two football teams met on Thanksgiving Day for the first time, embedding the rivalry in Texas culture for generations. When Texas A&M left the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012, state legislators attempted to pass a bill to restore the series, and Governor Greg Abbott publicly called for the game's return during a 2019 legislative address. The rivalry was finally renewed in 2024 when Texas joined the SEC. This year marks the 120th Texas versus Texas A&M football game.

The exhibit pays tribute to the players, coaches, history, traditions, and memorable moments that have defined the Lone Star Showdown.