The hard feelings between Texas and Texas A&M, especially in light of the Aggies moving to the SEC, has been well documented. Each side has thrown verbal jabs and both have — at one time — said they don't want to continue the rivalry once A&M switches leagues.
However, not all facets of the Texas athletic department harbor ill will toward the Aggies.
During the halftime of Thursday's rivalry game, the Texas band spelled out "Thanks aTm" and played "Thanks for the Memories."
And what a memory the rivals created on Thanksgiving night. The game — and perhaps the series — came down to the final play, a 40-yard field goal by Justin Tucker to seal a 27-25 win, thwart an A&M comeback and secure a winning season for the Longhorns. The loss dropped the Aggies, preseason darkhorses for the conference title, to 6-6.
Earlier this week, Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds seemed to soften on the idea of renewing the series in the near future, after dismissing the possibility after A&M's departure became apparent. Perhaps that sentiment intensified after the gracious act of the Longhorns' band.
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Graham Watson is on Facebook and Twitter: Follow her @Yahoo_Graham.