Notes for No. 10 Texas versus Louisiana Tech

Compiled by Steve Habel, Senior Contributing Writer

• This will be the first time that Texas, which begins its 127th season of college football, and Louisiana Tech have played on the gridiron.

• Their No. 10 ranking in the Associated Press poll is the Longhorns’ highest in the preseason since 2010, the season following their BCS championship game loss to Alabama. Texas is 103-20-3 all-time in season openers but 0-2 under coach Tom Herman.

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• Louisiana Tech, which plays in Conference USA, was 8-5 last season and beat Hawaii 31-14 in the Hawaii Bowl. The Bulldogs have played in a bowl game after each the past five seasons, winning all five. Louisiana Tech and Wisconsin are the only two schools to win their last five consecutive bowl games.

• The Texas football team will wear a helmet decal in memory of former running back Cedric Benson, head coach Tom Herman confirmed Monday at his media availability. The football team released pictures of the helmets with the graphic, which features a “32” inside of a black circle on the back of the helmet. Benson and his passenger, 27-year-old Aamna Najam, were tragically killed Aug. 17 in a motorcycle accident in Austin. Benson, who wore No. 32 throughout his career, rushed for 5,540 yards, during his four-year career on the Forty Acres, ranking No. 6 in NCAA history, and No. 2 behind only Ricky Williams in the Texas record books.

• Freshman wide receiver Joshua Moore, who was arrested earlier this month on misdemeanor gun charges, has been suspended for this week’s game. Herman said the team is still gathering information on the charges and will determine Moore’s status from week to week as Moore’s case goes through the judicial system.

• Herman ruled out offensive lineman Reese Moore for Saturday’s game and said defensive tackle Gerald Wilbon continues to deal with swelling after he “tweaked his knee” during a walk-through and is considered day-to-day. Herman also said Zach Shackelford (foot) and Cade Brewer (concussion), the presumptive starters at center and tight end, respectively, are good to go for Louisiana Tech.

• Freshman receiver Jake Smith will handle punt-return duties, with Smith and fellow slot receiver Devon Duvernay back for kickoff returns.

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