The drag folds up after Horns' loss

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The staff at the University Co-op hauled out boxes at the top of the fourth quarter when it looked like Texas was going to turn things around, but the boxes were rolled to the back as the game came to a close.

"The licensing agreement is none of the product is to be sold or distributed," said Brian Jewell, Vice President of Marketing. "Nothing can ever see the light of day."

And with that, the front doors were locked and the containers full of coffee packed up outside. Security officers turned disappointed fans away who came to the doors wondering if the co-op was still open.

Some of the product can be returned. Some had patches sewn on that can be taken off and re-sold. There is no doubt, the store is out some money.

"It's the cost of doing business," said Jewell.

The store covered in Longhorn gear from floor to ceiling started ordering BCS gear months ago. They had saved their notes from Texas' championship win in 2006, and had a solid game plan Thursday night.

Jewell had helped the staff set up extra tables to hold the game winning hats and shirts folded up in sealed in boxes.

The Co-op had about 6,000 pieces of game winning merchandise on hand, including the official locker room t-shirts and caps that match the ones the team would have been sporting on the field in Pasadena, California.

Back in 2006, after Texas beat USC, pandemonium errupted on the drag. Fans left their TVs and ran to the 40-acres to celebrate alongside fellow Longhorns.

It was also much warmer that January night in Austin. The Co-op was prepared to keep fans warm with portable heaters outside in the freezing temperatures. The sad faces will spring back.

"Basketball is number two in the nation," said Jewell. "We may be doing this again in three or four months."