PhiI C
09-20-2009, 01:57 PM
UT started having Sept 20 football games in 1947 because before then the season started later in most years. We have played on that date in 1947, 1952, 1958, 1963, 1969, 1975, 1980, 1986, 2003, and 2008. The Longhorns are 10 - 0 on games played that date. The dates on the years before 1975 were our opening game days. All games except the 1963 games were played on Saturdays with that game being on a Friday night. The only September 20 date we missed was in 1997 when we had an open date and that may have been significant because we went 4 - 7 that year and that was Coach Mackovic's last year as head coach and someone must have missed the significance of that date when the schedule was done. Our next September 20 date will probably in 2014 since it is on a Saturday but we don't have an opponent listed but hopefully we will not have an open date then.
First let's look at the two big ones in our National Championship years:
1963 we played at Tulane on Friday night in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans probably because they had other games scheduled on Saturday. The defense played great and the offense played just well enough for us to win a 21 - 0 sturggle. That was the start of a perfect season and we won the NC.
1969 We played California there. In the 60s we were sluggest on opening dates but were able to win nearly all the games. This one was no different as we won 17 - 0. It is hard to believe it was 40 years ago already. The defense played great and made 2 big stops led by All American DL Leo Brooks. We did fumble in our territory during the game but they had to settle for a long field goal that was wide. We had scored two tds in the first half and led 14 - 0. In the third quarter the ever helpful Leo Brooks recovered a fumble in their territory and we kicked a field goal which gave us a better cushion and we won 17 - 0. This was a regional televised game. At that time teams were allowed one regional telecast and two national telecasts during the regular season. Our two national telecasts were Oklahoma and Arkansas. Of course bowl games were televised nationally. This game started us off to a perfect season and NC.
Now a look at ther rest.
1947 Texas Tech. We won 33 - 0 to start off a good season.
1952 at LSU that we won 35 to 14. Always good to beat LSU but this was great to do it on the road.
1958 We beat Geogia 13 - 8. This was a good start to begin Coach Royal's second years as our head coach.
1963 See above.
1969 See above.
1975 We beat Washington there 35 - 17.
1980 We beat Utah State 35 to 17.
1986 We beat Missouri there in a 27 - 25 thriller.
2003 We beat Rice 48 - 7.
2008 We beat Rice 52 - 10.
A great day indeed for us in our football history.
First let's look at the two big ones in our National Championship years:
1963 we played at Tulane on Friday night in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans probably because they had other games scheduled on Saturday. The defense played great and the offense played just well enough for us to win a 21 - 0 sturggle. That was the start of a perfect season and we won the NC.
1969 We played California there. In the 60s we were sluggest on opening dates but were able to win nearly all the games. This one was no different as we won 17 - 0. It is hard to believe it was 40 years ago already. The defense played great and made 2 big stops led by All American DL Leo Brooks. We did fumble in our territory during the game but they had to settle for a long field goal that was wide. We had scored two tds in the first half and led 14 - 0. In the third quarter the ever helpful Leo Brooks recovered a fumble in their territory and we kicked a field goal which gave us a better cushion and we won 17 - 0. This was a regional televised game. At that time teams were allowed one regional telecast and two national telecasts during the regular season. Our two national telecasts were Oklahoma and Arkansas. Of course bowl games were televised nationally. This game started us off to a perfect season and NC.
Now a look at ther rest.
1947 Texas Tech. We won 33 - 0 to start off a good season.
1952 at LSU that we won 35 to 14. Always good to beat LSU but this was great to do it on the road.
1958 We beat Geogia 13 - 8. This was a good start to begin Coach Royal's second years as our head coach.
1963 See above.
1969 See above.
1975 We beat Washington there 35 - 17.
1980 We beat Utah State 35 to 17.
1986 We beat Missouri there in a 27 - 25 thriller.
2003 We beat Rice 48 - 7.
2008 We beat Rice 52 - 10.
A great day indeed for us in our football history.