BEVO DEAD: UT Mascot Buys the Farm ... 'Died In His Sleep'

The beloved mascot for the University of Texas is hookin' em from cow heaven now -- 'cause the school has announced BEVO XIV has passed away.

The famous longhorn had been retired last week after he was diagnosed with the Bovine Leukemia Virus.

Unfortunately, the illness proved too much for BEVO XIV -- and according to school officials, he died in his sleep early this morning.

BEVO had been running on the field with the football team since 2004 -- when he was 2 years old -- and was famously in attendance in George W. Bush's 2nd inauguration.

As for BEVO's replacement, the school has announced the search for BEVO XV is officially in full swing.