Chris Beard was hired in 2021 and is one of the University of Texas’ highest-paid employees.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian says his team must now avoid the “rat poison” of listening to praise after a close loss to Alabama.

Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte urged Texas fans on Tuesday not to “splinter or pull apart” but rather support first-year football coach Steve Sarkisian and the players during the program’s worst losing streak in 65 years.

Just when it seemed like the Texas football program had hit rock bottom, out came the shovels and the figurative hole was dug further.

Here’s a look back at this weekend on the gridiron, with three key takeaways from the state’s football scene.

Bijan Robinson spent far too much of last season watching others play football.

Huddle up! Here’s a look back at the first full week of the football season, with three key takeaways from the state’s football scene.

Bijan Robinson scored twice and Hudson Card threw two touchdown passes in his first career start, leading No. 21 Texas to a 38-18 victory over No. 23 Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday in coach Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns debut.

Texas is beginning a new era with new coach Steve Sarkisian, new starting quarterback Hudson Card and preseason AP All-America running back Bijan Robinson.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has picked Hudson Card as his No. 1 quarterback for the season-opener against No. 23 Louisiana-Lafayette.

(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)AUSTIN, Texas – University of Texas System regents on Thursday approved a six-year, $34.2 million guaranteed contract for new football coach Steve Sarkisian. The regents also approved more than $21 million in guaranteed contracts for Sarkisian's staff. Sarkisian was hired in early January to replace Tom Herman, who was fired three seasons and more than $15 million left on his guaranteed contract. His starting salary at Texas will be $5.2 million, escalating to $6.2 million in the final year. Sarkisian's contract also includes 20 hours use of a private plane annually, $250,000 in relocation expenses, an a one-time payment of $1.2 million on Dec. 31, 2024 if he is still the Texas coach.

Sarkisian, who was hired Jan. 2, will make $5.2 million in his first year as coach and is guaranteed a $200,000 raise each year. He will additionally receive a one-time payment of $1.2 million if he is still head coach on December 31, 2024. The board will also approve the guaranteed compensation of coordinators and assistant football coaches, most of which exceed $1 million. Sarkisian’s starting salary is over $5 million more than former head coach Tom Herman and $10 million more than former head coach Charlie Strong, according to the Dallas Morning News. Before that he was head coach for the University of Washington and the University of Southern California.

(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)AUSTIN, Texas – Fresh off a national title with Alabama, Steve Sarkisian plans big changes to Texas’ football program. Sarkisian said that while discussion about "The Eyes of Texas "and other issues are welcome, “'The Eyes of Texas' is our school song. We support that song.”Sarkisian spoke as the Longhorns coach for the first time a day after helping Alabama win its sixth national championship in 12 seasons. Texas, without a conference championship since 2009, is itching to see if Sarkisian can produce similar results in Austin. Asked about scheduling A&M again, Sarkisian said “I would love to play that game.”Sarkisian is Texas’ fourth head coach since 2009.

(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)Steve Sarkisian is the latest Alabama coordinator to be drawing up game plans for a national title showdown before leaving for a new head coaching job. The Longhorns fired Tom Herman and hired Sarkisian eight days before the national championship game Monday night against No. The difference this time is the accelerated time frame from Sarkisian’s hiring to the title game. Alabama beat Oklahoma in the semifinals before a 44-16 loss to Clemson in the national title game. Nearly a month passed from his hiring to the January 2012 title game rematch against LSU, which ’Bama won 21-0.

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger scrambles during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)AUSTIN, Texas – Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger is passing on a fifth season with the Longhorns to enter the NFL draft. Ehlinger announced the decision in a video Sunday, a day after Texas fired coach Tom Herman and replaced him with Steve Sarkisian. “I’m so proud to have been your quarterback for four amazing years," Ehlinger said in the video. May God bless all of you, and hook ’em.”Ehlinger finished his Texas career with 11,436 yards passing and 94 touchdowns in 46 games, 43 of them starts.

The move comes just a few hours after Texas announced the firing of Tom Herman after four seasons with no Big 12 championships. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)AUSTIN, Texas – Texas was tired of waiting for Tom Herman to deliver a Big 12 title and turn the Longhorns back into national championship contenders. Texas fired Herman on Saturday after four winning seasons, then hours later announced it was giving the job to the Alabama offensive coordinator. He will be Texas’ fourth head coach since the program’s last Big 12 championship in 2009. Of note, Sarkisian was a USC assistant when Texas beat the Trojans for the national championship in the epic 2006 Rose Bowl.

This comes after the firing of previous head coach Tom Herman, as announced Saturday. Original:Tom Herman has been fired as head football coach of the Texas Longhorns. We thank Coach Herman for his service and dedication to our student-athletes, our program and our university,” university officials said in a statement. His final game as Longhorns head coach was a victory over Colorado in the 2020 Valero Alamobowl. According to reports, Texas is looking to hire Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian to replace Herman.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO – Texas has been tested all year, but losing senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger to a shoulder injury was an obstacle the Longhorns never anticipated. 20 Texas overcame Ehlinger’s injury to beat Colorado 55-23 in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Tuesday night. Ehlinger missed the second half after sustaining a shoulder injury in the second quarter. Thompson started the second half in place of Ehlinger and led Texas to a touchdown on its opening possession. Texas: The Longhorns found a capable replacement for Ehlinger in Thompson.

Colorado is playing its first bowl game since the Alamo Bowl following the 2016 season. KEY MATCHUPA depleted Texas defense against Colorado running back Jarek Broussard, who comes in averaging 162.6 yards rushing, including a 301-yard effort against Arizona. Four team captains on defense, including sacks leader Joseph Ossai, have opted out of the season since late November. Wells’ ability to anchor a defense tasked with stopping Robinson and keeping Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger from scrambling for big gains will be key. The other is former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy ... Colorado and Texas haven’t met since 2009 when Colorado was still a member of the Big 12.

That leaves Ehlinger alone to try to put a final stamp on a bizarre season that may or may not be his last in college. “No seniors have really been in this position to where they’ve been granted an extra year of eligibility,” Ehlinger said during Texas’ bowl preparations. Ehlinger has been the full-time starter since 2018 and ranks second only to Colt McCoy in the school record book for passing yards and touchdowns. Now he has a chance to win a fourth consecutive bowl game, a rarity for a starting quarterback. He has two career kickoff return touchdowns, a punt return TD and a blocked two-point conversion return for another score.

The University of Texas football team celebrates after defeating the Utah Utes at the Valero Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio. #20 Texas (6-3) will face Colorado (4-1) in the 2020 Valero Alamo Bowl. “We’re extremely honored and proud to be representing the University of Texas and the Big 12 in the Valero Alamo Bowl,” said head coach Tom Herman. “Our players will be excited to head back, regardless of the circumstances that 2020 has thrown everyone’s way, including the Valero Alamo Bowl.”This year will mark Texas’ fifth appearance in the Alamo Bowl, and fourth since 2012. The 2020 Valero Alamo Bowl is scheduled for Dec. 29 at 8:00 p.m. in the Alamodome.

FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, file photo, Texas head coach Tom Herman, center, walks on the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)AUSTIN, Texas – Texas has ended widespread speculation about coach Tom Herman’s future, announcing Saturday he will return in 2021 for his fifth season with the No. Herman’s best season was 2018, the only time the Longhorns made the Big 12 title game in his tenure. Texas gave Herman a two-year contract extension after that season. Still, Texas will run it back with Herman and head into 2021 with even more pressure on the coach to have the Longhorns playing more like the elite programs in the country.

FILE - In this Feb. 11, 2020, file photo, NCAA President Mark Emmert testifies during a Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing on intercollegiate athlete compensation on Capitol Hill in Washington. And the sporting world hasn’t collapsed,” Emmert told AP. It recommended the creation of the National College Football Association, an independent body to oversee FBS. Major college football, the commission concluded, has created inequities across all NCAA sports and hinder the association's ability to govern equitably. Emmert called the recommendation “exactly the wrong thing to do.” He told AP he agrees football has "an outsized influence” over college sports.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson combined for 311 rushing yards and six touchdowns and Texas beat Kansas State 69-31 on Saturday afternoon. Robinson scored on runs of 12, 30 and 75 yards Saturday. “I knew it would take time to learn to get a feel for the game,” Robinson said. “Credit to Texas because they were ready to play today,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said. “I’m excited about that and for our players to send them out with another winning season,” Herman said.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The end of Charlie Strong’s tenure at Texas was probably sealed with a late-season loss to lowly Kansas. Four years later, Tom Herman's tenure could likewise be decided in the Sunflower State. And perhaps most importantly, Texas likely will sitting out the Big 12 title game again, regardless of what happens against the Wildcats and Kansas. “If you truly love the game of football and you love your teammates and you love this program, and you're doing it for the right reasons, every game matters,” Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger said. “It's another opportunity to play the game you love.

Texas stopped West Virginia on fourth-down passes into the end zone twice in the fourth quarter, enabling the No. Doege completed 35 of 50 for 317 yards for West Virginia (4-3, 3-3) but failed to throw a touchdown. Texas limited West Virginia running back Leddie Brown to 47 yards, 69 fewer than his average, on 15 carries. But the West Virginia offense failed to capitalize repeatedly on scoring opportunities. The game against West Virginia was a step forward coming a week after Texas beat then-No.

Oklahoma State drove into Texas territory late in the first half with a 24-17 lead, but Ossai stripped him and Texas defensive tackle Ta’Quon Graham recovered and returned the ball to the Oklahoma State 20. Sanders threw his fourth touchdown pass -- a 9-yard toss to a well-covered Wallace -- to give Oklahoma State a 31-20 lead. Oklahoma State got a final shot in regulation, getting the ball back with 1:13 remaining and no timeouts. Oklahoma State: The Cowboys dominated nearly every facet of the game and beat themselves with mistakes. Oklahoma State visits Kansas State on Saturday.

AUSTIN, Texas – Sam Ehlinger passed for an early touchdown, then ran for two more in the second half to lead Texas to a 27-16 win over Baylor on Saturday that snapped the Longhorns’ two-game losing skid. After the game, Texas players stayed on the field for “The Eyes of Texas” school song that had been embroiled in controversy. Ehlinger set up Texas’ first touchdown with a 42-yard completion on a leaping catch by Joshua Moore. After forcing a turnover on downs in the final minutes, Texas ran out the clock near the Baylor goal line. Most of the team left the field before the song after Texas’ first two home games and again in Dallas when Texas lost to Oklahoma, angering some fans.

AUSTIN, Texas – Losing football games is one thing at the University of Texas. A challenge to the hallowed school song is quite another. “Standing for ‘The Eyes of Texas’ is a statement of something – school spirit, loyalty, solidarity,” University of Texas law professor emeritus David Anderson said. They first marched with coach Tom Herman from campus to the state Capitol, then led a group of students and athletes demanding the school drop “The Eyes of Texas." “To be clear, the UT System Board of Regents stands unequivocally and unanimously in support of President Hartzell’s announcement that The Eyes of Texas is, and will remain, the official school song,” Eltife said.

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas coach Tom Herman said Monday there is no mandate that his players stay on the field for the post-game singing of the school song, an issue that has erupted into controversy among Longhorns fans. “Nobody, from Chris Del Conte to myself to any other coaches, have mandated our players do anything,” Herman said. Herman said Monday he continues to encourage players to sing or stay on the field to show appreciation for the school and fans, but will respect those who don't. The players were told over the summer they didn't have to sing the song. “I respect the hell out of our team and our team leaders for fostering that environment of inclusivity,” Herman said.

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas coach Tom Herman said Monday he’ll encourage players and staff to sing “The Eyes of Texas” after games, but will respect those who don’t want to join the long-standing school tradition that has become a flashpoint for fans. Herman addressed the post-game song after fan outrage bubbled on internet message boards following Texas' loss to Oklahoma on Saturday. Most of the team left the field but senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger was conspicuous by staying for the song with Herman and several coaches. I applaud them and respect that,” Herman said. “A team that is divided, a team that’s fractured ... they don’t play like that,” Herman said.

At the top of USA Today's most recent revenue rankings for college athletic departments are Texas and Texas A&M. The Longhorns and Aggies seemingly have it all, revenue, resources and location. Texas and Texas A&M have everything you need to put out national championship-level football program. The Aggies and Longhorns refuse to play each other, but combine to form an Axis of Underachievers in the Lone Star State. For now, though, Texas and Texas A&M continue to prove the old adage that money can't buy happiness.

Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher, left, talks with quarterback Kellen Mond (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

including the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry, highlights the fifth week of the college football season. 4 Georgia on Saturday night as the second month of the season starts, but only the second week of SEC play. The first of three games that decide the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy might have sneaked up on college football fans. The Falcons will play six conference games to go along with Navy and Army. ___Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.westwoodonepodcasts.com/pods/ap-top-25-college-football-podcast/___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday Sept. 26, 2020, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Mark Rogers)LUBBOCK, Texas – Sam Ehlinger threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Moore in overtime, sending No. 8 Texas to a wild 63-56 victory over Texas Tech on Saturday that saw the Longhorns rally with two touchdowns in the final 3 minutes of regulation. Texas Tech: The Red Raiders were on the brink of delivering second-year coach Matt Wells a signature win over a Top 10 team and big rival. The first two set up Texas touchdowns in the first half before the last one ended the game.

A quick look around the Big 12 justifies his trepidation. Get that far and Texas can at least start a season in pursuit of its first Big 12 championship since 2009. Texas' first Big 12 game is scheduled for Sept 26 at Texas Tech. The Big Ten and Pac-12 scrapped their fall seasons while the Big 12, SEC ad ACC push ahead. Texas has lacked a big-time edge rusher in the past and big things are expected of him.

Tossed out were the offensive and defensive coordinators in favor of new assistants with past connections to Herman and the Big 12. 14 Texas will soon return to a Big 12 championship not won in more than a decade. Texas opens the season at home against UTEP on Sept. 12, then opens Big 12 play at Texas Tech on Sept. 26. Texas hasn't won a Big 12 title since 2009 with Colt McCoy. SCHEDULE SCRAMBLEThe Big 12 schedule change knocked out one of the marquee games of the season: Texas at LSU.

AUSTIN, Texas Former Texas Rangers great Ivan Pudge Rodriguez has a message for fans and Texans in the fight against COVID-19. Now I want to ask you to wear your mask to keep our businesses safe for you, Rodriguez said in the PSA. Rodriguez is the fifth recognizable Texan to record a PSA for Gov. Abbott, himself, recorded the first PSA regarding COVID-19 safety protocols. Other PSAs:University of Texas football coach Tom Herman in new COVID-19 PSA: We need a team effortDallas Cowboys LB in new COVID-19 PSA: Wear a maskNolan Ryan in new COVID-19 PSA: Dont Be A KnuckleheadGovernor Abbott enlists help of George Strait to urge Texans to wear masks, keep social distanceGovernor Greg Abbott encourages Texans to wear face coverings in PSA

AUSTIN, Texas University of Texas football coach Tom Herman has a message for fans and Texans in the fight against COVID-19. And right now, we need a team effort to stop COVID-19, Herman said in the PSA. Herman is the fourth recognizable Texan to record a PSA for Gov. Abbott, himself, recorded the first PSA regarding COVID-19 safety protocols. Other PSAs:Dallas Cowboys LB in new COVID-19 PSA: Wear a maskNolan Ryan in new COVID-19 PSA: Dont Be A KnuckleheadGovernor Abbott enlists help of George Strait to urge Texans to wear masks, keep social distanceGovernor Greg Abbott encourages Texans to wear face coverings in PSA

The two-page, unsigned note posted on social media accounts of dozens of Longhorns athletes noted the schools motto of What starts here changes the world." I am always willing to have meaningful conversations regarding any concerns our student-athletes have, athletic director Chris Del Conte said. The letter also called for Texas to stop using its traditional song The Eyes of Texas, which has been criticized for its connection to minstrel shows with characters in blackface in the early 1900s. The song is regularly sung at nearly every organized campus event and players in all sports gather as a team to sing it after every game. Texas has previously attempted to address issues surrounding some of the Confederate figures and racist policies in its history.

AUSTIN, Texas Dozens of University of Texas football players marched with Austin police officers from campus to the state Capitol to honor the memory of George Floyd on Thursday. This protest wont just stop here, junior safety Caden Sterns, who graduated from Steele High School in San Antonio, said. To the white community ... if you want change like you say you do, you must change. What I mean is, you must realize, and the oppressor must realize, you are oppressing.The players were joined by coach Tom Herman. Im so proud, Herman told the players, urging them to be agents of change.

As announced via twitter this afternoon, the 2019 Valero Alamo Bowl will feature a matchup between the Texas Longhorns and the No. “We’re thrilled to be the Big 12 representative at the Alamo Bowl," Texas head coach Tom Herman said. "We want to thank the Alamo Bowl for inviting us. Over the phone at the Valero Alamo Bowl press conference, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said the team is excited for the opportunity to play in San Antonio, “It’s our first trip to the Alamo Bowl. Both sides are truly fired up to be coming to the Valero Alamo Bowl, so it makes it a lot of fun for a great bowl week.”Kickoff for the 2019 Alamo Bowl is set for 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 31.

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Connor Assalley kicke a 36-yard field goal as time expired and Iowa State knocked off 22nd-ranked Texas 23-21 on Saturday to snap a two-game losing streak. Brayden Narveson missed an apparent 42-yard field goal with 2:12 to go, but Texas was called for being offside and Iowa State was awarded a first down by inches. But the Cyclones stuffed the Longhorns on their next possession, and Purdy took Iowa State 63 yards in three minutes to set up Assalley’s kick. Iowa State: The Cyclones also lost to Baylor 23-21 on a field goal to end the game, so this win was extra special for the program. Iowa State hosts Kansas next Saturday.

The stage -- the Cotton Bowl in Dallas -- is not far from the dividing line between the two states of Oklahoma and Texas. 12 Oklahoma is coming off a surprising loss to Iowa State in Norman and now faces Texas, the winner of two straight games and surprising leader in the Big 12. Texas currently is tied with TCU for first place in the conference and a win over Oklahoma would be huge for the program. 12 Oklahoma (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) vs. Texas (3-2, 2-0) in Dallas, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. CT (ESPN)Line: Oklahoma by 8. Texas's surprise early lead in the Big 12 standings.

UPDATE: Pouncey commits to TexasOklahoma Sooners:Oklahoma's day will involve trying to hold onto several top national recruits while trying to win one massive recruiting battle. UPDATE: Harris commits to BaylorOklahoma State Cowboys:The Oklahoma State Cowboys have an impressive list of commits entering the day with the team ranked 36th overall nationally. tight end Tyler Henderson (Oklahoma State, Baylor)The 3-star prospect out of Kyle, Texas made a switch from Oklahoma State to Baylor the night before National Signing Day. Tech's recruiting class presently has 20 total commits and is ranked 44th nationally entering the day. Players to keep an eye on:Norwalk (Calif.) JUCO safety Elijah Walker (TCU, Kansas State, Texas Tech)The junior college safety has three Big 12 teams on pins and needles wondering which direction he will choose.