Ryan Kalkbrenner delivered a historic performance for Creighton, scoring a career-high 49 points in their season-opening 99-86 victory against UT-Rio Grande Valley. Kalkbrenner's efficiency was notable, achieving 20 out of 22 field goals, including two three-pointers, and 11 rebounds, ranking his performance among the best in Division I history since the 1970s. This performance marked the most points by a player in a season opener since 2009 and secured Creighton's victory, igniting potential discussions for national accolades. Despite Creighton's struggle to maintain a comfortable lead against a tenacious UTRGV team, Kalkbrenner's record-setting night was the key factor in the win. His performance places him in elite company alongside legendary players like Bill Walton and marks a promising start to Creighton's season. Supporting players like Steven Ashworth contributed significantly, but Kalkbrenner's dominance was crucial to the victory.