SEATTLE -- Rangers bench coach Steve Buechele has had many memorable moments as an athlete and as a father. But he admitted he hadn't experienced anything quite like watching his son, Shane, play in his first college football game on Sunday night for the University of Texas.
Shane Buechele, starting at quarterback as a true freshman, led the Longhorns to a 50-47 victory in double overtime over 10th-ranked Notre Dame at Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.
"It was such an incredible experience," Buechele said. "I can't even explain how cool it was. When he ran out of the tunnel, it was an incredible moment."
Shane, who played last year at Arlington Lamar High School, completed 16 of 26 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns. He wore No. 7, given to him by head coach Charlie Strong on Sunday morning.
That's a tribute to John Elway, who wore that number at Stanford and with the Broncos. Steve Buechele and Elway were roommates at Stanford and remain good friends.
Buechele left the Rangers' game on Sunday afternoon to attend the game with his wife, Nancy, and other family members and friends. After the game, he flew to Seattle on the private jet of Neil Leibman, one of the Rangers' ownership partners.
"Just being there with family and friends, seeing the burnt orange, the whole college atmosphere was unbelievable," Buechele said. "What was really cool was when he walked out of the locker room after the game, soaking wet, and he said, 'Hi Pops! What's up?'"
This was a rare treat for Buechele, who may not get to see another Longhorns game in person until November, although there is a travel day for American League playoff teams during the AL Division Series on Saturday, Oct. 8. That's when Texas plays Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout at the Cotton Bowl. The Longhorns do have four games in November after the baseball postseason is over.
"I hope I miss them all until November," Buechele said. "I hate missing them, but I'll get all the games in November."
Rangers lose Cordell
The Rangers have sent outfielder Ryan Cordell to the Brewers as the player to be named in the Aug. 1 trade between the two teams. The Rangers acquired catcher Jonathan Lucroy and pitcher Jeremy Jeffress from the Brewers for outfielder Lewis Brinson and pitcher Luis Ortiz, in addition to Cordell.
Cordell played in 107 games for Double-A Frisco and hit .264 with 19 home runs, 70 RBIs, 12 stolen bases, a .319 on-base percentage and a .484 slugging percentage. Cordell has been sidelined since Aug. 3 with a high right ankle sprain.
He was in Major League camp with the Rangers this spring and was an 11th-round Draft pick by the Rangers in 2013 out of Liberty University.