Oklahoma-Texas football rivalry gets new name

Oklahoma and Texas have split the last 10 Red River Showdowns between the schools. (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)

The annual college football game between Oklahoma and Texas is getting a new name, the schools announced Friday. The game, which was previously called the Red River Rivalry, will now be called the AT&T Red River Showdown. The annual contest was referred to as the Red River Shootout before the name was changed for the first time in 2005. This season's matchup will be the 109th in the series, which has been played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas since 1929.

"The Oklahoma-Texas game played annually at the Cotton Bowl is one of the grandest traditions in all of college football,” said Joe Castiglione, University of Oklahoma Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Programs and Director of Athletics. “We will continue striving to make this contest a truly memorable experience for the student-athletes and fans of both the University of Oklahoma and The University of Texas amidst the unique and colorful atmosphere of the State Fair of Texas.” "As a University of Texas alumnus I have long enjoyed the Texas-Oklahoma series and the great tradition it represents for Texas and Oklahoma fans,” said Steve Patterson, The University of Texas Men’s Athletics Director. “We look forward to working with AT&T representatives and the University of Oklahoma to generate excitement for the new name and brand, and continuing our relationships with the State Fair of Texas.”

Last year's contest was won by Texas 36-20, and the Longhorns lead the overall series, which is tied for the 19th most-played rivalry in NCAA history, 60-43-5.

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