American college football season
The 1961 Texas Longhorns football team was an American football team that represented the University of Texas (now known as the University of Texas at Austin ) as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1961 NCAA University Division football season . In their fifth year under head coach Darrell Royal , the Longhorns compiled an overall record of 10–1, with a mark of 6–1 in conference play, and finished as SWC co-champion. Texas concluded their season with a victory over Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl Classic .[1]
The 1961 season was first season that Texas wore the "Bevo" Longhorn decal on their helmets. Texas debuted the helmet decal in season opener against Cal in Berkeley, and have continued to wear it ever since.
Schedule
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance Source September 23 3:30 p.m. at California * No. 4 W 28–341,500 [2]
September 30 7:30 p.m. Texas Tech No. 6 W 42–1443,500 [3]
October 7 7:30 p.m. Washington State * No. 5 Memorial Stadium Austin, TX W 41–840,000 [4]
October 14 2:00 p.m. vs. Oklahoma * No. 4 ABC W 28–775,504 [5]
October 21 2:00 p.m. at No. 10 Arkansas No. 3 W 33–733,000 [6]
October 28 7:30 p.m. Rice No. 3 Memorial Stadium Austin, TX (rivalry ) W 34–762,310 [7]
November 4 2:00 p.m. at SMU No. 3 W 27–041,000 [8]
November 11 2:00 p.m. Baylor No. 1 Memorial Stadium Austin, TX W 33–762,000 [9]
November 18 2:00 p.m. TCU No. 1 Memorial Stadium Austin, TX (rivalry ) L 0–650,000 [10]
November 23 1:30 p.m. at Texas A&M No. 4 ABC W 25–042,000 [11]
January 1 1:30 p.m. vs. No. 5 Ole Miss * No. 3 CBS W 12–775,000 [12]
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time
Personnel
1961 Texas Longhorns football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
Season summary
TCU
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
TCU – Buddy Iles 50-yard pass from Sonny Gibbs (kick failed), 9:20. TCU 6–0. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:51.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
TCU
UT – Mike Cotten – 3/6, 62 yards, INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
TCU
UT – Jimmy Saxton – 1 reception, 45 yards
It's not what they eat and tote off, it's what they fall into and mess up that hurts.
Darrell Royal , postgame comparing TCU to cockroaches
Awards and honors
Mike Cotten , Quarterback, Cotton Bowl co-Most Valuable Player
Bob Moses, End, Cotton Bowl co-Most Valuable Player
Jimmy Saxton , Back, Consensus All-American[13]
References
^ "1961 Texas Longhorns Schedule and Results" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2023 .
^ "Bears ripped; Texas halts Cal 28 to 3 in opener" . Oakland Tribune . September 24, 1961. Retrieved April 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Longhorns slaughter Tech in opener, 42–14" . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . October 1, 1961. Retrieved April 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Saxton spurs Longhorns past Washington State" . The Vernon Daily Record . October 8, 1961. Retrieved April 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Stampeding Steers lower boom on Sooners, 28–7" . The Marshall News Messenger . October 15, 1961. Retrieved April 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Texas socks Hogs, takes SWC lead" . The Nashville Tennessean . October 22, 1961. Retrieved April 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Texas smears Rice, 34–7" . The Tyler Courier-Times-Telegraph . October 29, 1961. Retrieved April 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Saxton puts Texas by SMU" . The Victoria Advocate . November 5, 1961. Retrieved April 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Top-ranked Longhorns hand Baylor 33–7 spanking" . The Marshall News Messenger . November 12, 1961. Retrieved April 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Inspired TCU stuns powerful Texas, 6–0" . The Corpus Christi Caller-Times . November 19, 1961. Retrieved April 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Texas whips Aggies, 25–0; In Cotton Bowl" . Lubbock Avalanche-Journal . November 24, 1961. Retrieved April 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Longhorn interceptions help kill Rebels, 12–7" . The Clarion-Ledger . January 2, 1962. Retrieved April 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ Official website of the Texas Longhorns – Texas Football Archived 2010-11-01 at the Wayback Machine . MackBrown-TexasFootball.com. Retrieved on June 13, 2011.
Venues Bowls & rivalries Culture & lore People Seasons National championship seasons in bold
National championships in bold