The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Football celebrates 50th anniversary of 1969 National Championship
07.12.2019 | Football
Commemorative events scheduled for Oct. 19 game vs. Kansas
The 2019 Texas Football season marks the 50th anniversary of the storied 1969 National Championship team. Texas Athletics celebrates the milestone during the Saturday, Oct. 19 game vs. Kansas (presented by Equipment Depot).
Tickets are still available for Saturday's game and start at just $55 per person. Tickets can be purchased at TexasSports.com/tickets or by calling Ticket Sales and Services at 512-471-3333 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Stay tuned to TexasSports.com or follow the Texas Longhorns on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates.
THE 1969 SEASON
College football celebrated 100 years of competition in 1969. ABC executives arranged for Texas and Arkansas to play the final game of the regular season, moving the team's usual October meeting date to the first weekend in December. Just the week prior to the game, Texas vaulted to No. 1 in the polls and Arkansas claimed the No. 2 spot, setting the stage for the "Game of the Century."
President Richard Nixon was on hand to award a plaque symbolic of the National Championship to the winner, as the Longhorns overcame turnovers and a 14-0 Razorbacks lead to post a 15-14 victory.
Quarterback James Street scrambled for one touchdown, scored a two-point conversion and then hit tight end Randy Peschel on a dramatic 4th-and-3 play late in the game. Donnie Wigginton, the third-string quarterback who was the holder, made a great save on a high snap and Happy Feller booted the extra point for the winning score with 3:58 remaining. Defensive back Tom Campbell's interception on UT's 21-yard line halted Arkansas' final drive.
Less than a week later safety Freddie Steinmark underwent surgery for the removal of his leg because of bone cancer, leading to an emotional Cotton Bowl matchup between No. 1 Texas and No. 9 Notre Dame.
The Longhorns again prevailed in dramatic fashion after trailing 17-14 midway through the final period before Street drove the Horns 76 yards for the winning score. Billy Dale's one-yard run capped the drive and gave UT a 21-17 lead and the 500th win in school history.
In the locker room after the victory, head coach Darrell Royal gave the game ball to Steinmark who became a national symbol of courage as he battled cancer for 18 months before passing away in June 1971.
An ABC-TV poll of sportswriters named Royal 'Coach of the Decade' after wrapping up the 1960s with a pair of national titles. Tackle Bob McKay earned consensus All-America and All-Southwest Conference honors; while linebacker Glen Halsell, wide receiver Cotton Speyrer, running back Steve Worster and offensive tackle Bob Wuensch each earned All-America and All-SWC recognition. Street, tackle Leo Brooks and defensive end Bill Atessis each earned consensus All-SWC honors. Halsell, Ted Koy and Street served as captains for the 11-0 Longhorns.
TICKETS
Tickets are still available for Saturday's game and start at just $55 per person. Tickets can be purchased at TexasSports.com/tickets or by calling Ticket Sales and Services at 512-471-3333 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
New season ticket deposits for 2020 Texas Football are now being accepted at TexasSports.com/tickets for fans who don't currently have season tickets. Place your deposit today for only $200 per seat and be included in the online seat selection process next May.
THROWBACK UNIFORMS
Limited edition replica jerseys will be available for sale at the University Co-op.