Texas Football: Cancellation of State Fair of Texas not cancelling Red River
The Red River Rivalry game appears to still be on as of now for Texas football and the Oklahoma Sooners despite the cancellation of the State Fair of Texas.
The Red River Rivalry game held between the Texas football program and the Oklahoma Sooners on an annual basis doesn’t seem like it will be closed down when it comes to the impact from what happened with the State Fair of Texas on July 7. The State Fair of Texas officially announced on Tuesday that it would not be holding the event in Dallas for 2020.
This is the first time since World War 2 that the State Fair of Texas will not be held on an annual basis. And this could clearly have an impact on the Longhorns in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The Red River Rivalry game is supposed to be held at the original Cotton Bowl at the Texas State Fairgrounds in Dallas on Oct. 10. And by all indications at the moment, that game appears to still be a go.
Texas athletic director Chris del Conte confirmed also on July 7 that the Red River Rivalry game against Oklahoma this fall is still on. That is big news, but as society around the state of Texas starts to lockdown again with the spread of COVID-19 ramping up, the Longhorns could also be impacted.
It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the #StateFairofTX will not open for the 2020 season. We can’t wait to welcome you back in 2021, in Texas-style of course, with the biggest and the best, “Howdy, Folks!” #BigTex For more info., please visit https://t.co/MUcfN1JeeF pic.twitter.com/OwCRTF3wmg
— State Fair of Texas (@StateFairOfTX) July 7, 2020
There was a response from both athletic directs amid this situation due to the rise in COVID-19 cases. The Oklahoma side also responded with the plan to go ahead with the Red River Rivalry game as it stands now.
Statement from @soonerad on the cancellation of the 2020 @StateFairOfTX. pic.twitter.com/PRM5l75OjU
— Oklahoma Sooners (@OU_Athletics) July 7, 2020
More questions will have to continue to be answered in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cases are continuing to rise well under two months from the supposed start to the 2020 season.
#Texas athletic director @_delconte confirmed to @Horns247 the State Fair of Texas being cancelled doesn’t impact the Red River Shootout between the #Longhorns and #Sooners at the Cotton Bowl on Oct. 10.
— Chip Brown (@ChipBrown247) July 7, 2020
Texas is supposed to open up the 2020 season on Sep. 5 at home at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium against the South Florida Bulls. The Big 12 opener is set for Oct. 3 on the road against the Kansas State Wildcats.
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Texas fell short against Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry game last season, but claimed the Golden Hat back in 2018. As of July 7, the Longhorns will still have a chance to get the Golden Hat back this year.