When Mike Sherman showed up at the Eppersons' doorstep, indirectly offering Ryan Epperson a chance to face off against his brother in Big 12 football, all other options were off the table.
Derek Epperson, a junior, punts for Baylor, and Ryan, his younger brother by 18 months and a freshman, won the same job on Texas A&M's squad four weeks ago.
"They've always been very close," said Laura Epperson, the boys' mother. "They trained together, took lessons from the same kicking coach -- but there's always the friendly rivalry, with sports or academics or whatever, really."
Ryan Epperson had planned on attending the Air Force Academy and punting there, but he couldn't pass up the opportunity to play in the same conference as his big brother.
This season, Derek Epperson was voted preseason first team all-Big 12 and preseason all-American.
Family came in from as far away as Scotland, and as close as Colleyville to see the matchup.
Laura's sister, Jillian Hynes, came in with her boyfriend from Scotland and, having only seen one other football game, got a crash course in the rules of football on the three-hour drive into College Station from Southlake.
"We booked the flight as soon as we heard they'd be playing each other," she said at the game Saturday. "Even with my lessons I got in the car, I'm sure I'll be asking lots of questions."
She doesn't get to make the trip to Texas often but recalled a visit the boys made about two years ago to see her and her boyfriend.
Thanks to friends in high places, she and her boyfriend were able to get Derek Epperson a private audience with the assistant head coach of the Scottish National Rugby Team.
"He kicked it the first time, from halfway, and placed it right between the posts, easily," Hynes said, adding that it was about a 52-yard kick.
Because his mother is Scottish, he was eligible to play for the team and the coach was interested in having him, she said.
At the pre-game tailgate at Spence Park, the Eppersons set up a tent with their neighbors from Southlake, the Ogormans, whose son, William, is a drum major this year for the Aggie Band.
Men in the group sported two hats, one bill in front, one in back, each representing colors from the opposing teams.
Some of the women were wearing shirts that depicted their split loyalties -- half of the shirt yellow, with Derek's number, 38; the other half maroon, with Ryan's number, 48.
Saturday was the first time they played against each other. Ryan Epperson came away from the match with a win, though his only punt of the game was blocked after traveling 8 yards.
Derek Epperson had five punts for a 38.8-yard average.
Both of the boys played soccer and football at Keller High School. After Derek Epperson graduated, Ryan took his place as the varsity team's punter.
Even if they aren't playing each other, there's plenty of other ways to foster competition, according to their father, Jeff.
Right after Texas A&M played Arkansas at Cowboys Stadium, Derek called to see if Ryan had managed to hit the scoreboard during warm-ups.
He didn't.
Next Saturday, Derek will get his chance when Baylor faces Texas Tech.
Jeff Epperson had his brother, Gary, and sister, Kathy Epperson, in from Raleigh, N.C., for the game. They don't get to see their nephews play too often, but Kathy hopes that'll soon change.
"I'm telling you, the Carolina Panthers could use a punter," she said. "And they're both going to play in the NFL someday."
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