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Keep the history alive!
The 1960's were a decade of massive change. It started with a small satelite and ended with man walking on the moon. Music went from Bobby Vee to Steppenwolf and Hendrix. The Viet Nam War and its protests, women's lib, and civil rights all took place and were always in the news. And who can forget Patty Hearst, the SLA, and the Weathermen ("you don't have to be a Weatherman to know which way the wind blows" - how subtle was this?). Times, they were a changin'. And as the times changed, it was also a unique period in the history of Razorback football.
Names like Jesse Branch, Danny Brabham, Lance Alworth, Billy Moore, Bobby, Tommy, and Bill Burnett, Freddie Marshall, Ronnie Caveness, Lloyd Philips, "Lighthorse" Harry Jones, Ken Hatfield, Bill Montgomery, Chuck Dicus, Cliff Powell, and a host of other star players would become household names and heroes. Many were immortalized in songs and records played on the local and statewide radio stations throughout Arkansas during this period.
Keep the history alive!
The 1960's were a decade of massive change. It started with a small satelite and ended with man walking on the moon. Music went from Bobby Vee to Steppenwolf and Hendrix. The Viet Nam War and its protests, women's lib, and civil rights all took place and were always in the news. And who can forget Patty Hearst, the SLA, and the Weathermen ("you don't have to be a Weatherman to know which way the wind blows" - how subtle was this?). Times, they were a changin'. And as the times changed, it was also a unique period in the history of Razorback football.
Names like Jesse Branch, Danny Brabham, Lance Alworth, Billy Moore, Bobby, Tommy, and Bill Burnett, Freddie Marshall, Ronnie Caveness, Lloyd Philips, "Lighthorse" Harry Jones, Ken Hatfield, Bill Montgomery, Chuck Dicus, Cliff Powell, and a host of other star players would become household names and heroes. Many were immortalized in songs and records played on the local and statewide radio stations throughout Arkansas during this period.
"they (the Hogs) were on the verge of winning three other national championships in 1962, '65, and '69."
The decade saw perhaps Arkansas' most famous period in Razorback football history as the SWC was one of the most powerful conferences in the country. During this time, you could very often find Arkansas or Texas in the #1 or #2 spot of the ratings. For eight of the ten years in the decade, the winner of the Arkansas-Texas game would go on to win or tie for the SWC conference championship.
Although close friends, it was Frank Broyles and Darrell Royal that spearheaded these two powerhouses. It was David versus Goliath all over again as Arkansas being the only non-Texas school in the conference with only around 12,000 enrollment would go up against Texas with its 65,000+ students. With this discrepancy, the Hogs were always able to hold their own.
Although close friends, it was Frank Broyles and Darrell Royal that spearheaded these two powerhouses. It was David versus Goliath all over again as Arkansas being the only non-Texas school in the conference with only around 12,000 enrollment would go up against Texas with its 65,000+ students. With this discrepancy, the Hogs were always able to hold their own.
1964 National Champions. Click to enlarge The period saw Arkansas' only national championship team in 1964. However, they were on the verge of winning three other national championships in 1962, '65, and '69. It was a decade of great teams in both cases culminating in the December 6th nationally televised game celebrating the 100th year of college football with #1 Texas challenging #2 Arkansas. It was the last game of the season and only one being televised as it has become the most documented Hog game of all time. In a heartbreaker, on a cold, rainy day, the Hogs fell 15-14 to the eventual national champion Texas Longhorns.
As an example of how close the Hogs were to the national championship summit in 1962, consider the following.
The 1962 season brought a 9-1 record going into the Sugar Bowl against Ole Miss in New Orleans. The only loss up to this point had been a 7-3 loss to Texas on a touchdown by Tommy Ford. Once again, Texas would play the part of spoiler. The game would be played on October 20, 1962, when the #7 Arkansas Razorbacks would square off against the #1 Texas Longhorns in Austin. How stacked against the Hogs was this?
However, the Hogs would score first during the second quarter coming from a 41 yard field goal off the toe of Tom McKnelly. Leading by 3-0 in the third quarter, fullback Danny Brabham was hit by Longhorn linebackers Pat Culpepper and Johnny Treadwell on second and goal as he fought for the end zone from the three yard line. Culpepper's helmet hit the ball squarely causing it to squirt free ending up on the ground in the end zone. The ruling was a fumble, recovered by Texas. DECISION: Touchback. Texas ball on the 20.
Instead of the scoreboard reading Arkansas 10 and Texas 0, it remained at 3-0. After the touchback, the Longhorns were stopped and the Hogs took over and were able to drive to a fourth and one from the Texas 12 yard line. Unable to make the required one yard, the drive stopped and possession for the last time was given to Texas.
On first down, Longhorn quarterback Duke Carlisle lost two yards putting the ball squarely on the ten yard line. This is where Texas would now begin their final 90 yard, 20 play drive. With only 36 seconds left in the game, Tommy Ford would score his winning touchdown on a three yard run. Prior to this drive, Texas was able to gain only one first down throughout the entire second half.
Had the game ended just one minute earlier or had Brabham's touchdown counted, the Hogs would have been contending for their first football national championship. As a result, the national championship and the dream of a perfect season had "gone by the wayside". At that time, the National Championship was awarded prior to the bowl games. USC won it with a record of 9-1. Without the loss at Texas, the Hogs would have had a record of 10-0 and been undefeated going into their bowl game giving them an uncontested National Championship.
The '60s had propelled the SWC, Texas, and the small, red-headed, stepchild of the SWC - Arkansas to the forefront of the national football scene. The SWC is gone, Texas is no longer the powerhouse that it once was, but the Hogs are rebuilding to regain their former prominence. GO HOGS!
As an example of how close the Hogs were to the national championship summit in 1962, consider the following.
The 1962 season brought a 9-1 record going into the Sugar Bowl against Ole Miss in New Orleans. The only loss up to this point had been a 7-3 loss to Texas on a touchdown by Tommy Ford. Once again, Texas would play the part of spoiler. The game would be played on October 20, 1962, when the #7 Arkansas Razorbacks would square off against the #1 Texas Longhorns in Austin. How stacked against the Hogs was this?
However, the Hogs would score first during the second quarter coming from a 41 yard field goal off the toe of Tom McKnelly. Leading by 3-0 in the third quarter, fullback Danny Brabham was hit by Longhorn linebackers Pat Culpepper and Johnny Treadwell on second and goal as he fought for the end zone from the three yard line. Culpepper's helmet hit the ball squarely causing it to squirt free ending up on the ground in the end zone. The ruling was a fumble, recovered by Texas. DECISION: Touchback. Texas ball on the 20.
Instead of the scoreboard reading Arkansas 10 and Texas 0, it remained at 3-0. After the touchback, the Longhorns were stopped and the Hogs took over and were able to drive to a fourth and one from the Texas 12 yard line. Unable to make the required one yard, the drive stopped and possession for the last time was given to Texas.
On first down, Longhorn quarterback Duke Carlisle lost two yards putting the ball squarely on the ten yard line. This is where Texas would now begin their final 90 yard, 20 play drive. With only 36 seconds left in the game, Tommy Ford would score his winning touchdown on a three yard run. Prior to this drive, Texas was able to gain only one first down throughout the entire second half.
Had the game ended just one minute earlier or had Brabham's touchdown counted, the Hogs would have been contending for their first football national championship. As a result, the national championship and the dream of a perfect season had "gone by the wayside". At that time, the National Championship was awarded prior to the bowl games. USC won it with a record of 9-1. Without the loss at Texas, the Hogs would have had a record of 10-0 and been undefeated going into their bowl game giving them an uncontested National Championship.
The '60s had propelled the SWC, Texas, and the small, red-headed, stepchild of the SWC - Arkansas to the forefront of the national football scene. The SWC is gone, Texas is no longer the powerhouse that it once was, but the Hogs are rebuilding to regain their former prominence. GO HOGS!
Join us next month, as we once again recall tales of the games, players, and coaches from the past.
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