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(NFL/Twitter)
Round Rock nurse and COVID-19 frontline worker Nhi Phan was among 7,500 vaccinated health care workers who watched the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Chiefs in person on Sunday night.
<p> Phan, a specialty triage nurse at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, attended the Super Bowl as part of a thank-you gift from the Dallas Cowboys for risking her life in the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>
<p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img class="rm-shortcode" data-height="211" data-rm-shortcode-id="6210f87013bd3336a87732cb56898b3f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTYyMTQwMC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxODAzMjA4OH0.FsWoNMgLHyK0ATCNkUlRTdxU0d63SR3IftANAkXBmys/img.jpg?width=980" data-width="211" id="235a8" type="lazy-image"/>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Nhi Phan (LinkedIn)</small></p>
<p><br/></p><p>Phan was one of four selected by the Cowboys in a drawing that saw over 700 applicants. Although she told <a href="https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/central-texas-nurse-on-front-line-of-covid-19-pandemic-thanked-with-super-bowl-ticket/" target="_blank">KXAN</a> she was rooting for the Chiefs, the game was still a win for Phan, who had never attended a live football game prior to Sunday night.</p><p>The drawing was part of an initiative by the NFL to gift tickets to over 7,500 vaccinated health care workers around the country. Workers were recognized for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic multiple times throughout the big game and were even thanked by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden in an ad that aired before kickoff.</p><p>While all of the winning health care workers were vaccinated before the Super Bowl, social distancing practices such as wearing masks were still enforced to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Alongside the 7,500 health care workers, 14,500 others attended the game, bringing the total attendance to 22,000.</p>
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(Bob Daemmrich)
Zane Minors, Luke Nicklos, and Jaden Greathouse during a game earlier in the season.
In what was called the "Dodge Bowl" among fans and the media, Coach Todd Dodge adds to the Chaparrals' trophy case by bringing home the State Championship for Westlake High School a second time. Westlake was able to hold off the Southlake Carroll Dragons, winning 52-34 and becoming back-to-back State Champions for the first time in school history.
<p>The Texas State Championship game put father and son coaches head to head against each other, and this time dad got the upper hand. Todd faced off against son Riley Dodge Saturday night in one of the most highly anticipated State Championship games in a decade. </p><p>Southlake was able to strike first, scoring on a 10 play 3:35 minute drive that was capped off by Owen Allen scoring his 27th touchdown of the season for the Dragons. It didn't take long for the Chaparral's to answer back. Yale commit Zane Minors was able to score on the first possession for Westlake on a 75-yard touchdown run. It the pace for the first half between one of the state's best offenses and a Chaparral defense that only allowed 5.5 points per game to opponents all season.</p><p>After Minnesota commit Brady Boyd's 49-yard touchdown reception from former Longhorn commit Quinn Ewers, Southlake was able to take a touchdown lead with 6:24 left in the first quarter. Westlake's Grey Nakfoor was able to even the score on a 39-yard touchdown run making the score tied at 14 to end the first quarter.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d86b1bddb63ba1fc567bdc7ee82fbf6f" id="b8c5c"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1350616525334523909"><div style="margin:1em 0">Quinn Ewers ⏩ Brady Boyd!
#UILState #UILonFSSW https://t.co/IGi7QQdfRk</div> — Dave Campbell's Texas Football — TexasFootball.com (@Dave Campbell's Texas Football — TexasFootball.com)<a href="https://twitter.com/dctf/statuses/1350616525334523909">1610847047.0</a></blockquote></div><p>After a Southlake punt, Westlake was able to take the lead. Offensive player of the game, junior quarterback Cade Klubnik, was able to connect with Jaden Greathouse for Greathouse's 13th touchdown of the season for the Chaps. The Dragons answered back in style. After a fourth down conversion to RJ Maryland from Ewers, the Dragons tied the game up with Boyd's second touchdown of the game from 27 yards out. The 21 first-half points were the most points given up on the season—let alone in the first half—from Todd Dodge's team.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="75d004904b3cd032c1e2e08b930cf5aa" id="4fdfd"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1350621705266454532"><div style="margin:1em 0">There's a reason his name is GREAThouse.
Perfect throw from Cade Klubnik, too.
#UILState #UILonFSSW https://t.co/YCHHdLgFi1</div> — Dave Campbell's Texas Football — TexasFootball.com (@Dave Campbell's Texas Football — TexasFootball.com)<a href="https://twitter.com/dctf/statuses/1350621705266454532">1610848282.0</a></blockquote></div><p>After Cade Klubnik was able to get into the endzone for his 14th rushing touchdown of the season, Micheal Taaffe had the first of his Defensive MVP moments. Taaffe, who had an interception in last year's championship, picked off Quinn Ewers. Westlake ended the season +25 in turnover differential, one of the best in the state. The interception stopped Southlake from taking the lead, keeping the score tied at 21 going into halftime.<br/></p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d86b32b91d01442e9926d4ce38a7f47a" id="bc23b"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1350625748080582657"><div style="margin:1em 0">EWERS TO BOYD
HOW?!?!
#UILState #UILonFSSW https://t.co/BZBBNrmmc2</div> — Dave Campbell's Texas Football — TexasFootball.com (@Dave Campbell's Texas Football — TexasFootball.com)<a href="https://twitter.com/dctf/statuses/1350625748080582657">1610849246.0</a></blockquote></div><p>The Chaps got the ball to start the second half, and Klubnik picked up where he left off. The junior quarterback rushed for a season-long 44 yards that would set up Grey Nakfoor for his second rushing touchdown of the game from three yards out. On the first Southlake possession, Taaffe made one of the best plays in Westlake history. One second down, Taaffe was able to make a one-handed interception on Ewers. The turnover lead to another score for the Chaparrals making the score 42-21 and all but sealing the game for Coach Todd and his team.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="597e4c0985e39dd5df5189c71c0ea467" id="f1714"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1350642075537170442"><div style="margin:1em 0">ONE-HANDED INTERCEPTION 😳
@Westlake_Nation DB Michael Taaffe goes full Odell Beckham Jr. for his second INT of the… https://t.co/QHW1YITsrW</div> — FOX Sports Southwest (@FOX Sports Southwest)<a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSportsSW/statuses/1350642075537170442">1610853139.0</a></blockquote></div><p>After a third rushing touchdown for Nakfoor, Southlake Carroll was finally able to score with 4:31 left in the game on a ten-yard touchdown catch from Ewers to RJ Maryland to make the score 52-27 after a missed two-point conversion. The score snapped 24 unanswered points scored by Westlake against Southlake. Southlake was able to score one last time on an Owen Allen rushing touchdown to make the final score a more respectable 52-34 win for Westlake.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="aabce2e76e46066e58f3ecaeb5c9a4b0" id="e920b"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1350660199154126848"><div style="margin:1em 0">IT'S OVER!
Austin Westlake wins the 6A Division I State Championship! 🏆
#TXHSFB | @uiltexas | #UILonFSSW |… https://t.co/0FB9EhO0nG</div> — FOX Sports Southwest (@FOX Sports Southwest)<a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSportsSW/statuses/1350660199154126848">1610857460.0</a></blockquote></div><p>The dueling quarterbacks both ended with great numbers: Offensive MVP Cade Klubnik going 18-20 for 220 yards and a touchdown to pair with 111 yards rushing and two scores, and Quinn Ewers had 351 yards and three touchdowns to go along with two interceptions and a fumble.<span></span></p><p>For Todd Dodge, the championship marks his sixth title coaching at the 5A/6A level, making his already legendary career a little more special. The win for Westlake made them the first team in school history to win back-to-back state titles and sets them up to be the first team since Allen to try to win three championships in a row at the 5A/6A level ('12-'14). For Coach Riley, Southlake is already projected to win their district next season with the returns they are projected to have. Fans should not be surprised if we are in for a "Dodge Bowl II" next season.</p>
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(Wolterke/Adobe)
The University of Texas made it official Saturday that they are moving on from coach Tom Herman and entering the Steve Sarkisian era of Texas Longhorns football.
Sarkisian is the current offensive coordinator of the Alabama Crimson Tide, which won their playoff game against Notre Dame Friday and will face off against Ohio State on Jan. 11 in the National Championship. Sarkisian will remain on the sidelines for Alabama through the National Championship before officially coming to Austin to take over duties.
<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="223bc48b1a5cab26d1f08e75c99c43f7" id="7319d"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1345484373185888256"><div style="margin:1em 0">Welcome to Texas, @CoachSark! 🤘 https://t.co/6jHwJPoLtA</div> — Texas Football (@Texas Football)<a href="https://twitter.com/TexasFootball/statuses/1345484373185888256">1609623447.0</a></blockquote></div><p>Sarkisian was the head coach of the University of Washington and USC before going to Alabama in 2016 to fill in for Lane Kiffin, who was fired before Alabama's title game against Clemson. Sarkisian then moved to the pros and took over play-calling duties for the Atlanta Falcons as their offensive coordinator. Sarkisian joined the Tide in 2019 and has been the offensive coordinator since.<br/></p><p>For Herman, the firing comes on the heels of a 55-23 Alamo Bowl win against Colorado. Herman is one of the only head coaches this season to be fired after winning his bowl game. The Longhorns under Herman were able to win one New Year's Six Bowl, but were never able to get over the hump and win a Big 12 title. </p><p>Reactions from around college football were mixed with the announcement of Sarkisian, whose last head coaching job was almost five years ago. With a 2-2 bowl game record, Herman already has double his bowl game wins in just his four years at Texas.</p><p>And with the replacement means a $15 million buyout of Herman's contract and nearly $24 million to staff. </p>
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(Texas Longhorns/Instagram)
For the fourth time in seven years, the Texas Longhorns head down to San Antonio to play in the Alamo Bowl. This time, the Longhorns will face former Big 12 opponent the Colorado Buffaloes.
<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="bed4b5f7d4c13dffdfff485f9bcd6dd9" id="66e8f"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1340810824739393536"><div style="margin:1em 0">🔥Get fired up🔥
@TexasFootball vs @CUBuffsFootball
Tuesday, December 29 at 8 pm CST
Alamodome | #rivalryrenewed… https://t.co/ADeZ3qqVOe</div> — 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗼 𝗕𝗼𝘄𝗹 (@𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗼 𝗕𝗼𝘄𝗹)<a href="https://twitter.com/valeroalamobowl/statuses/1340810824739393536">1608509186.0</a></blockquote></div><p>Texas is coming off a up and down regular season that saw protests, coaching rumors and headaches for almost everyone involved. The Longhorns are a perfect 3-0 in bowl games under Herman, inducing a Sugar Bowl win two seasons ago. If there is anything fans can count on with Herman, it's a good bowl showing from his squad.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6cd1201663184ea937a8703f2ef90191" id="f658e"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1342849949466316800"><div style="margin:1em 0">Tom Herman has more Bowl Game wins at Texas than the last 6 Colorado head coaches combined.
#TEXvsCU #ValeroAlamoBowl</div> — Kyle Umlang (@Kyle Umlang)<a href="https://twitter.com/kyleumlang/statuses/1342849949466316800">1608995351.0</a></blockquote></div><p>Texas found a winning combination in running backs Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson who were able to rush for over 300 combined yards against Kansas State in their last outing. Colorado's rush defense 57th in the country allowed over 156 yards per game on the ground, meaning that Herman and offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich might run the ball more against the Buffaloes than they did during the regular season.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a065515bdd61f298d335beedb0bab203" id="57b19"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1343396291645157378"><div style="margin:1em 0">We are excited for a great game! @sehlinger3 is excited to see @Bijan5Robinson play again! What part of the… https://t.co/AhqTjTpgfi</div> — 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗼 𝗕𝗼𝘄𝗹 (@𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗼 𝗕𝗼𝘄𝗹)<a href="https://twitter.com/valeroalamobowl/statuses/1343396291645157378">1609125609.0</a></blockquote></div><p>For Sam Ehlinger, he will be the only captain available for the Longhorns after all the others decided to opt out of the Bowl game and instead get ready for the 2021 NFL Draft. Ehlinger has been known all year for being the lone man standing out. The senior quarterback from Westlake will play his final game as a Longhorn Tuesday and will be playing behind two freshmen offensive linemen after injuries to Derek Kerstetter and Samuel Cosmi.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d1cdf9f8033e1c9e6b1ac9ae33a23589" id="614df"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1338520803147649025"><div style="margin:1em 0">#Texas #Longhorns junior OLB and captain Joseph Ossai on his decision to opt out of the rest of the season to prepa… https://t.co/k81MGSVyTq</div> — Chip Brown (@Chip Brown)<a href="https://twitter.com/ChipBrown247/statuses/1338520803147649025">1607963202.0</a></blockquote></div><p>The Texas defense will have to prepare for Jarek Broussard who's averaging over 160 yards per game. The All-Pac 12 running back was able to rush for over 100 yards in all but one game this season. It will be up to the Texas defense to try to stop Broussard, and with the opt-out of Joseph Ossai, that task will be a lot tougher. Longhorn fans should expect a very back and fourth battle on the ground between these two teams Tuesday.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="03c1b19cf8b66863262958b14eba7f1a" id="08fbb"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1341478403506114560"><div style="margin:1em 0">Despite the loss of a few starters to the NFL, the Texas defense should not see a dip in performance next season. A… https://t.co/YDyxbnadHq</div> — HornSports (@HornSports)<a href="https://twitter.com/HornSports/statuses/1341478403506114560">1608668349.0</a></blockquote></div><p>Tuesday should be the final nail in the 2020 season. If things go right for the Longhorns, this could be a step in the right direction and a fitting end to one of best statistical careers from a Longhorn quarterback. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. on ESPN.<br/></p>
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