The Longhorns were led by 16th-year head coach Mack Brown and played their home games at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium (DKR).

However, this was followed by back-to-back blowout losses against out-of-conference opponents BYU and Ole Miss; as such Texas' off-conference record was 1–2.

Texas later won their conference opener against Kansas State, resulting in the Longhorns' first win against the Wildcats since 2003.

[10] In the second quarter, Texas quarterback David Ash threw two interceptions; on the second turnover New Mexico State was able to drive downfield to achieve the first score of the game on an 11-yard pass.

[8] After these two turnovers, however, David Ash would throw two touchdown passes in excess of 50 yards, and as such the score at the end of the first half was 14–7, with Texas leading.

[9] In the third quarter, Texas scored on three consecutive touchdowns to begin the second half, including a 74-yard pass from David Ash to Malcolm Brown.

Of the 715 yards of total offense, 434 were at least partially attributable to quarterback David Ash, the most ever from a player in a season opener and sixth all-time.