SAN ANTONIO – A sea of burnt orange surrounded San Antonio's Alamodome Saturday, despite a growing controversy surrounding two of its players.
The University of Texas squared off against Oregon State University for the Valero Alamo Bowl. Legions of Longhorn fans gathered to greet at the UT season finale.
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Hook-em horns signs were exchanged proudly, just one day after two teammates were yanked from the lineup. They were suspended by head coach Mack Brown after he said they broke team rules.
The NBC affiliate in Austin, KXAN, is reporting that backup quarterback Case McCoy, brother of Longhorn legend Colt McCoy, and linebacker Jordan Hicks were the two players suspended.
KXAN is also reporting both players have been linked to an alleged sexual assault early Friday morning at a Holiday Inn along the River Walk in San Antonio.
Fans said they can't believe the news.
"It was shocking when I heard that yesterday," said UT fan Jay Vigil. "Coming from the McCoy family, they're a pretty strong-willed family. And you don't hear that, you know, somebody gets suspended."
Another UT fan, Lonnie Carter, said he thinks the controversy won't affect team play.
"I think the team can put that aside and be able to play and represent today," said Carter. "At least we're hoping so, anyway."
Fans said they think more of the story needs to come out before judgments can be made.
Though the names of the two players sent home haven't been released by the school, San Antonio police has confirmed two players are at the center of an investigation. The investigation came about when a 21-year-old woman claimed she was raped after a night of partying.
According to a police report, the woman knew one of the players and was drinking at the hotel bar before inviting the two to her room where the alleged sex assault took place.