McALLEN - As he cheered for his alma mater at the Buffalo Wild Wings sports bar, Ohio State football fan Adam Morgan had a look of content on his face.

Clad in a Buckeyes jersey and a necklace made of the buckeye seeds, Morgan, 25, was surrounded by University of Texas fans as his team led at halftime.

Though his friends had ribbed the Ohio native for his allegiance, they were silenced once their team - favored to win the match - was trailing 6-3 to at the half.

"Look at the score," Morgan said. "They're keeping quiet."

Ultimately, Morgan's friends had the last laugh, as Ohio State fell to Texas 24 to 21 in the Fiesta Bowl.

For the throngs of Longhorn fans who watched the game at area sports bars and parties, the game was the bittersweet finale to an 11-1 regular season in which the team failed to secure an entry into national championship game.

"I'm a little sour, but we won't cry about it," said Longhorns fan Norberto Lopez, 29, of McAllen.

The Longhorns finished the regular season in a three-way tie on top of their division, the Big 12 South.

Although Texas bested University of Oklahoma earlier this year, the tiebreaker formula allowed Oklahoma to make it to the Big 12 championship game - and ultimately the national championship scheduled for Thursday.

Monday's game also represented the latest step in the new Texas-Ohio State rivalry.

"I'm excited because it's Ohio State," said Joshua Glenn, 34, a Texas alumnus from Austin who was watching the game while visiting McAllen on a business trip.

"It would have been nice to be in the championship, but we'll take this."

The two storied football programs met for the first time ever in 2005. That year, Texas bested Ohio State 25-22. A year later, Ohio State won 24-7.

Chris Jones, 35, who joined Glenn on the trip, was among the fans hoping that a Texas victory would lead to a split national title.

Theoretically, Texas' win/a Texas win - along with a win by #2 ranked Oklahoma against Florida Thursday - could open the door/could have opened the door to a disputed champion.

Longhorn fan Manny Mercado, 25, said that ultimately, it was disappointing to see that his team wasn't in the championship game, but he still donned a jersey to support the Longhorns Monday.

"They had a good season," Mercado said.
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Ryan Holeywell covers McAllen, PSJA, the Mid-Valley and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4446.