Greatest Moments: 1969 Texas vs. Arkansas: The De Facto National Championship Game

After top-ranked Ohio State was upset by Michigan in what Bill Fleming described as “The Upset of the Century,” the Texas-Arkansas game two weeks later became the de facto national championship. The contest even attracted the attention of President Richard Nixon, who sat in the stands with then-Texas congressman and future president George H.W. Bush. The significance of the game was underscored by an invocation delivered by the Reverend Billy Graham.

Texas had introduced the wishbone formation in 1968, and it had quickly taken the game by storm, resulting in 51 rushing touchdowns and an average of 41 points per game. Coach Darrell Royal later remarked, “We didn’t know exactly what we were doing in running the offense, but they didn’t know anything on how to defend it.”

Despite the success of their innovative offense, Texas spent much of the game sabotaging their own chances with four lost fumbles and two interceptions. The first miscue came on just the second play from scrimmage, giving Arkansas favorable field position. The Razorbacks capitalized quickly, with Bill Burnett scoring a two-yard touchdown dive to give Arkansas a 7-0 lead.

Texas then began to move the ball, but another turnover halted their drive. Terry Stewart intercepted a pass from quarterback James Street at the Razorback 8-yard line. After President Nixon visited with ABC’s Chris Schenkel at halftime, Texas came out in the second half, only to fumble twice more, including on the opening kickoff. A third-down scramble by Bill Montgomery and a 29-yard pass to Hall of Famer Chuck Dicus put Arkansas ahead 14-0.

Two more Texas possessions ended in turnovers, keeping the Longhorns at bay as the third quarter came to a close.

In the fourth quarter, Texas mounted a comeback. On the first play of the final period, quarterback James Street, flushed from the pocket, ran 42 yards for a touchdown. Coach Royal opted for a two-point conversion, which succeeded, cutting the Arkansas lead to 14-8.

Following a long and sustained drive, Arkansas had an opportunity to take a two-score lead with either a touchdown or a field goal from inside the Texas 10-yard line. Instead of choosing the safe option with kicker Bill McClard, Arkansas attempted a pass on third down that was intercepted, killing the scoring opportunity.

With 4:47 to play, Texas faced a critical fourth-and-three situation at the Arkansas 43-yard line. Despite averaging over five yards per carry that season, Coach Royal chose to pass. The ball was thrown to tight end Randy Peschel, who made an incredible over-the-shoulder catch at the Arkansas 13-yard line. Two plays later, Jim Bertelsen ran in for a touchdown to tie the game. Happy Feller’s successful extra point gave Texas a 15-14 lead.

With just under four minutes left, Arkansas still had time to respond. Behind Montgomery’s passing and the receptions of Dicus and Burnett, the Razorbacks moved to the Texas 39-yard line. But their hopes for a national championship ended when Tom Campbell intercepted a pass at the Texas 20-yard line, sealing the Longhorns’ victory.

After the game, President Nixon visited the Texas locker room and presented Coach Darrell Royal with a national championship plaque. This premature presentation did not sit well with many, particularly in Pennsylvania, where Coach Joe Paterno’s undefeated Penn State team was left without similar recognition. However, the presentation was later justified when Texas defeated Notre Dame 21-17 in the Cotton Bowl, giving Coach Royal his second national championship.

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