What is more exciting for a defensive player than getting a pick in a college football game? Maybe, prancing around with a sword on the sideline in triumph after the play.

The Texas defense put up a solid front in its first two weeks, only allowing an average of 99 rushing yards and less than 150 passing yards, with 12 total points scored against them. And now the success of the defense has a new incentive this season. After every turnover, the Longhorns deflate a football by stabbing it with a sword.

The sword, dubbed “Texcalibur,” made its debut in the Longhorns’ season opener and shutout against Colorado State on Aug. 31.

After senior defensive back Jahdae Barron intercepted a pass in the second quarter and ran it for 30 yards, he was rewarded by his teammates on the sideline as he took a stab, literally, at putting the first football on the sword. 

Barron revealed that while the turnover sword is a new and fun tradition, it has its challenges.

“I tried a few times, but it didn’t work … I need a better technique,” Barron said about the difficulties of trying to deflate the football. 

Texas fans were also lucky enough to see Texcalibur in the away game against Michigan last weekend. The three turnovers that the Longhorns took away in The Big House were monumentalized with three deflated footballs stacked on the sword.

While the new tradition is bringing in lots of media attention, the Longhorns did not come up with this ritual on their own. Johnny Nansen, Texas’ co-defensive coordinator and linebacker coach, is a new addition to the Texas coaching staff. Nansen started the tradition for the Arizona Wildcats back in 2022. 

While there seemed to be some resentment on social media towards Nansen passing the tradition to Texas, Arizona senior defensive back Treydan Stukes revealed that there are no hard feelings from the team.

“Coach Nansen has all the leeway he wants,” Stukes said. “It’s a fun thing. I’m glad he showed it to us and I’m glad we can share it and he allows us to use it over here, too.” 

Texas has accumulated five turnovers in the last two games combined, proving themselves as one of the top defensive programs in the country. With a majority of the season still left to play, the sword has the opportunity to be used with the defense setting a goal for themselves and the sword.

“We obviously didn’t fill the sword up,” Barron said. “So we have to do a better job on defense to attack the ball.”