College football-Southwest Style

Continuing from the prior entry, college and pro football, especially the former, became my first love beyond the vinyl world of records. I lived and breathed it, and that just shortly after a time I wouldn't have known one team from another, and barely what a football even was.

The year was 1969, and I hadn't yet turned eight years young that summer. For those of you living in or having visited the state of Texas, you're likely aware of Dave Campbell's Texas Football magazine, particularly if you follow football. My first exposure to that annual ritual featured the Texas Longhorns' James Street on the front, with a prediction from Dave Campbell that Arkansas would take the conference title.

Well, those two sure met for the title alright--the national one. A now-beleaguered Beano Cook had a moment of brilliance prior to that fall campaign, by suggesting Texas and Arkansas should move their annual rivalry game to the end of the season.

The two schools complied fully in going unbeaten leading into December, with Ohio State--the prior season's champ and heavy fave this '69 season--cooperating perfectly by dropping a stunner to then rookie Bo Schembechler's Michigan Wolverines, 24-12. The Buckeyes' legendary but mercurial coach, Woody Hayes, had payback coming against him after rubbing it in, 50-14, the prior season.

Texas and Arkansas appreciated that and became part of the national spotlight, which even included President Richard Nixon in attendance. Clearly, Fayetteville, Arkansas--for once, at least--was the place to be.

As an already diehard Orangeblood Longhorn fan, I felt all the emotions that day; from crying when down 14-0 and scared by the serious prospect of experiencing losing my first time, to ecstasy as the final outcome, on the legs and arm of James Street, resulted in an astounding 15-14 thriller. The "Big Shootout" turned out all it had been built up to be, and that's amazing in itself.


This was over 35 years ago now, but I still recall a lot of it as if the game had been played a mere few seasons ago. Thanks for the great memories, Darrell K Royal, James Street, Steve Worster, Ted Koy, Cotton Speyrer, Bill Atessis, Glen Halsell, and so many others.