WATCH: Texas LB Plants Longhorns Flag on Michigan's Field

The Texas Longhorns asserted their dominance over the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday.
Sep 7, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian on the sideline in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian on the sideline in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

AUSTIN -- The No. 3 Texas Longhorns left their mark on The Big House in Ann Arbor Saturday both figuratively and literally.

Following a 31-12 win over No. 10 Michigan, Texas linebacker David Gbenda took it upon himself to take the flag from the Longhorns cheer squad and plant it on the yellow "M" in the middle of Michigan's field.

 David Gbenda
Longhorns football linebacker David Gbenda speaks to members of the press ahead of the 2023 football season on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. | Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

In the past, players like Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield among others have done the same thing after a big road win, an action that's seen by opposing teams as a sign of disrespect. However, the Longhorns earned the right to do so after dominating the defending national champs.

Take a look at the video:

Gbenda, who's in his sixth season at Texas, has proven himself as one of the leaders of the defense and is typically a soft-spoken, gentle guy when speaking to the media. Regardless, he plays violent and clearly isn't afraid to ruffle some feathers of the opposing fans.

He finished the win with a game-high seven total tackles, as the Texas defense put together an impressive performance. The Wolverines turned the ball over three times and didn't find the end zone until there was 1:54 to play in the fourth quarter. Gbenda helped lead a rushing defense that held an elite Michigan ground game to 23 carries for 80 yards. Wolverines star running back Donovan Edwards finished with eight carries for 41 yards.

Following the season-opening win over Colorado State, Gbenda said he and the defense were "juiced up" for the game, and it showed on Saturday.

"Michigan is a great outfit with a lot of tradition, and they're returning a lot of talent," Gbenda said. "It's gonna be a great game, and I know that they're going to be just as juiced up as we are. So going to that environment and just getting ready to face the level of competition is going to be amazing. It's going to be fun. But also the level of preparation, of course, is going to have to get more detailed than that, but Coach Sark and the coaches are going to get us ready for that."


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Zach Dimmitt
ZACH DIMMITT

Zach Dimmitt is the Deputy Editor for Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI. He also contributes as a writer for the On SI channels of the Oregon Ducks, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. He was previously the editor-in-chief of Buffalo Bills on SI, Philadelphia Eagles on SI and Seattle Seahawks on SI. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Dimmitt received his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin in 2022. He originally started with SI’s Fan Nation network in 2021, providing extensive coverage of the NFL and NBA along with college football and basketball. In that time, Dimmitt has published thousands of stories and has reached millions of people across multiple fan bases. You can follow him on X at @ZachDimmitt7

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