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Texas Football National Championships

Since first taking the field in 1893, the University of Texas has been one of the most dominating forces in college football history. With a prideful legacy spanning over a century, the Longhorns have claimed four distinguished Texas football national championships. Today, we take a look back at those victorious seasons that have shaped the Longhorns’ storied program and infused a burnt orange and white championship spirit.

YearCoachRecordPolls/Playoffs
1963Darrell Royal12-1Unanimous
1969Darrell Royal11-0Unanimous
1970Darrell Royal10-1UPI (Coaches)
2005Mack Brown13-0BCS Championship

Triumph in ’63: The Longhorns First National Title

The 1963 season marked the first chapter of Texas Football National Championships and an era of remarkable achievement for the Texas Longhorns under the stewardship of Coach Darrell Royal. Heading into the season off the heels of a successful 9-1-1 record in 1962, Texas was an epitome of optimism and drive.

Texas Football National Championships

Season Standouts:

  • Sinking Navy: UT posted a formidable 11-0 record capped by a resounding 28-6 victory against the Naval Academy in the Cotton Bowl. In that game, Duke Carlisle set the NCAA record for most yards per pass completion in a bowl game while also setting three Cotton Bowl records on his way to being named the game’s Offensive MVP.
  • Conquering the Top Spot: In front of 75,504 fans at the Cotton Bowl, Texas savored a decisive triumph over the then No. 1 Oklahoma, with a score of 28-7. Duke Carlisle ran for 83 yards including the game’s first score. The win catapulted them to the top ranking—a position they staunchly defended throughout the season.
  • All-American and Outland Trophy Winner: Tackle Scott Appleton’s on-field prowess earned him Consensus All-American honors and the prestigious Outland Trophy. Appleton also finished 5th in the the 1963 Heisman voting. Following the 1963 season, Appleton was selected in the first round (pick #4) of the NFL Draft and the first round of (pick 6) of the AFL Draft. Appleton signed with the AFL’s Houston Oilers and played 10 years of pro ball.
  • Cliffhanger at Kyle Field: A harrowing bout against Texas A&M saw Texas trailing until the final quarter, where they staged an electrifying comeback to maintain their pristine record.

With key players such as Duke Carlisle and Tommy Ford, whose combined efforts contributed significantly to the team’s offensive success, the 1963 Longhorns solidified their place as national champions and set a benchmark for seasons to come.

UT’s Wishbone Legacy:

In the late 1960s, the University of Texas football team found themselves struggling to maintain their status as a collegiate powerhouse. The Longhorns, once national champions in 1963, were in search of something that could rekindle their dominance on the football field. In 1968, under the guidance of innovator and assistant coach Emory Bellard, Texas football discovered its game-changer – the Wishbone offense.

Unveiling the Triple-Option Attack

The Wishbone offense, a three-back formation that features a fullback lined up directly behind the quarterback and two halfbacks at the rear, was a stroke of strategic genius. Aimed at maximizing offensive production with multiple running options, it was more than just a set of plays; it was a symphony of strategically executed maneuvers that left defenses baffled and gasping.

Back-to-Back Triumphs

The innovation led to immediate success. The ’68 season marked the dawn of a new era for the Longhorns, as they debuted the Wishbone and quickly saw the tide turn in their favor. Thanks to this formidable strategy, Texas clinched national titles in 1969 and 1970, restoring the luster to a proud program on the brink of being cast aside in college football’s relentless arms race.

A Cast of Gridiron Gladiators

James Street, the Maestro of the Wishbone

James Street became synonymous with the Wishbone offense. Not just an athlete but a tactician, Street masterfully conducted the triple-option to near perfection. His ability to read defenses and make split-second decisions made him the ideal pilot for Texas’s unorthodox offensive juggernaut.

The Bullish Steve Worster

Fullback Steve Worster epitomized the combination of power and finesse that the Wishbone demanded. A bruising runner, he consistently churned out tough yards and exemplified the physical style of play that became a hallmark of Texas’s offensive identity.

Chris Gilbert, the Halfback Hero

The success of the Wishbone relied not only on the skill of the quarterback but also on the versatility of its halfbacks. Chris Gilbert, with his lightning-quick cuts and explosive bursts, served as the perfect complement to Worster’s smashmouth running, rounding out the dynamic backfield.

Texas Wishbone Offense

Shaping College Football’s Destiny

The High Stakes of Innovation

The implementation of the Wishbone by Texas’s head coach Darrell Royal and Bellard was more than a mere adjustment; it was a high-stakes bet that paid off spectacularly. This bold move cemented Royal’s legacy as a forward-thinking football mind capable of adapting and overcoming the evolving challenges of the sport.

Beyond the Longhorns’ Laurels

The repercussions of Texas’s adoption of the Wishbone rippled across the college football landscape. It forced teams to rethink defensive schemes and opened the door to new strategic possibilities. The Wishbone wasn’t merely a Texas phenomenon—it was an evolution that spurred greater innovation within the sport.

In Retrospect: The Wishbone’s Enduring Impact

Today, the Wishbone offense remains a fabled chapter in the annals of college football history. The cunning and daring of the Longhorns’ coaching staff and the grit of their key players of the era are testaments to what innovative thinking can accomplish on the field of play.

While modern offenses have evolved, the principles of the Wishbone—discipline, determination, and deception—continue to influence the strategies that lead teams to victory. The University of Texas’s bold adventure with the Wishbone is a story of revival, ingenuity, and, most importantly, triumph.

Remembering the Longhorns’ Triumphant 1969 National Championship Season

In 1969, the Longhorns etched their names into college football history, forging an unbeaten path that culminated in a national championship. It was a season characterized by gritty determination, flawless execution of the wishbone offense, and pivotal victories that helped UT capture the second national championship in the program’s history.

A Strong Opening

Starting the year with a formidable fourth-place national ranking, the Longhorns were a team on a mission. Their season opener against the California Golden Bears set the tone for what was to come—a dominant 17-0 win on the road, capturing the essence of their impenetrable defense and heralding a remarkable campaign.

The Rise of the Wishbone

The 1969 Longhorns were synonymous with the wishbone offense, an innovative strategy that baffled opponents and showcased Texas’ superior ground game. Eleven UT players crossed into the end zone on rushing plays throughout the season, with Jim Bertelsen shining as the lead back, rushing for 704 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns, epitomizing the team’s shared offensive firepower.

High-Octane Offense

Undoubtedly, scoring was Texas’ forte, as evidenced by their ability to relentlessly rack up points. The Longhorns tallied 45 or more points in six of their 10 regular season games, an astonishing show of offensive prowess and a daunting statistic for any defensive coordinator daring to challenge them.

Defining Victories

Notable triumphs punctuated Texas’ journey to the top. Among these pivotal games was a 27-17 victory over the 8th ranked Oklahoma Sooners. But it was the edge-of-your-seat regular-season finale that truly defined the Longhorns’ championship mettle, taking down second-ranked Arkansas 15-14 in a contest that is forever embedded in college football lore. Longhorn fans were stunned as UT faced a 14-0 deficit heading into the 4th quarter. However, two fourth quarter scores lifted the Horns past the Razorbacks.

A Presidential Endorsement on the Gridiron

With the 1969 grand showdown between Texas and Arkansas looming so large, ABC’s Roone Arledge, extended an invitation to none other than President Richard Nixon—a gesture that would infuse the event with presidential prestige. Yet, even presidents can be tardy; Nixon arrived at the Fayetteville stadium post-kickoff, underscoring how the anticipation for this game had reached the highest echelons of power.

Amidst roaring crowds and collegiate spirit, Nixon took his place not in a seat of honor but amidst the throngs of fervent fans, signaling a unifying moment where the office of President met the populist pastime of football. The air of normalcy continued as the president visited the ABC broadcast booth at halftime, his interview casting him both as statesman and spectator.

However, it was within the victorious aura of the Texas team’s locker room that Nixon took center stage, presenting a national championship plaque.

President Nixon in the Texas Longhorns Locker room after the 1969 Arkansas game.

The Cotton Bowl Showdown

The climax of the Longhorns’ undefeated run came in the Cotton Bowl, where they faced a formidable Notre Dame squad. In a game that balanced on the knife-edge of tension, Texas won by a 21-17 score, sealing their national championship and crowning their season with undefeated status—a testament to the team’s tenacity and cohesiveness.

Coach Darrell Royal once again led the Longhorns to perfection in 1969 by masterfully employing the wishbone offense. The tactic left their opponents grappling for answers while Texas continued to rack up victories and ultimately finished with another unblemished 11-0 record.

1970 Texas Football: A Season of Triumph

The 1970 UT football team marched onto the field carrying the weight of expectations as the defending national champions. Under the storied leadership of Head Coach Darrel Royal, the team delivered a season that etched their names in college football history. They clawed their way through a challenging schedule to preserve their status as national titans.

Champion Pedigree

Unyielding Dominance

A Legacy Solidified

Statistical Marvels

UT’s 2005 National Championship Season: Forever Young

The 2005 Texas squad undertook an unforgettable march to glory, epitomizing determination, talent, and a penchant for clutch performances. It was a season inked with the sweat of ambition and the unyielding spirit of a team led by one of college football’s most prodigious talents, Vince Young. Here we recount the pivotal strides the Longhorns took on their way to an enthralling National Championship win.

Unrelenting Dominance from Day One

The Big 12 Title Race and a Rematch

The Epic National Title Win

  • BCS Championship Game vs USC: In a showdown of giants, the Longhorns faced the USC Trojans, concluding in an astonishing 41-38 victory secured by Vince Young’s last-minute heroics. Young’s 4th down TD run to secure a Horns victory will forever be remembered by the Texas nation.
  • Vince Young’s Signature Scramble: With 19 seconds to play, it was Young’s prodigious scramble to the end zone that etched the 2005 team into the pantheon of college football legends.

Vince Young’s Season of Brilliance

Discover More Amazing Texas and College Football Stories

Texas Football Conference Championships

The Longhorns football program has an illustrious history filled with numerous achievements, especially in their 33 conference championships. Here’s a detailed look at their key milestones:

Early Years

Dominance in the Southwest Conference (SWC)

Success in the Big 12 Conference