SEC commish stiff arms ‘Horns Down’ question as Texas preps for conference debut

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The Texas Longhorns are set to compete in the SEC for the first time this season, and with their entrance will likely come players who fire off the « Horns Down » taunt.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey met with the media on Monday – a week before SEC Media Days kickoff. He was asked almost immediately whether « Horns Down » will be a penalty.

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Greg Sankey at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey looks on prior to the SEC Championship game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 2, 2023 in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

« I won’t be answering questions about football penalties on July 1, » he said, via On3 Sports.

In 2021, Big 12 Conference officials determined that the mocking move to taunt Texas players would be a penalty.

« If you do a Horns Down to a Texas player as an opponent, that’s probably going to be a foul, » the Big 12’s coordinator of officials Greg Burks said at the time, via SI.com. « … Please all of you note, I said ‘probably.’ We have to consider intent and consider the situation. We’ll leave it to officials. »

Dante Stills with West Virginia

Dante Stills, #55 of the West Virginia Mountaineers, celebrates with the horns down signal after the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Nov. 3, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Tim Warner/Getty Images)

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Not only is Texas joining the SEC, but Oklahoma is coming with them. « Horns Down » will almost certainly be used when the two teams matchup on Oct. 12.

The Longhorns start the season at home on Aug. 31 against Colorado State. The team then has a marquee matchup against Michigan on Sept. 7.

Ian Marshall horns down

Ian Marshall, #97 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys, celebrates with the horns down sign after defeating the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Oct. 16, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Tim Warner/Getty Images)

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Texas’ first SEC matchup will be against Mississippi State on Sept. 28.

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