Coming off a 4-3 record in 1959, the first as a four-year school (or three-year if you asked Coach "Chena" Gilstrap), 1960 was supposed to be a successful year for many reasons.
The most unique was the fact that just about everyone was back. It's a very rare situation, one that happens so infrequently that is practically unheard of in common circles, but when a school goes from the junior college ranks to a four-year school, they are virtually no seniors. Most juco players qualify as a freshman or sophomore, so at most they would have been seniors in 1960. What few seniors were on the team in 1959 were likely transfer walk-ons with little impact on the team's performance. That doesn't mean they aren't competitive players, but they are generally considered bonuses when they perform well and don't factor into recruiting plans if your coach is a good recruiter. By all accounts, coach Gilstrap was.
Another thing that is unique for Juco-to-Uni move-ups is the fact that the talent should be increasing just by regular recruiting. Case in point was quarterback Amos North, who was the primary signal caller in 1959. He would share duties with freshman QB Doug Wilson and Wilson would actually finish as the teams leading passer.
ASC was developing quite a home field advantage with Memorial Stadium, the on-campus facility that was demoed to make way for the Maverick Activities Center. Since 1956, ASC had lost one game at home, and that was to Sam Houston State by 3-0. Sam was a much more established University at that point and the Mavs still played 'em tough. The home field advantage Memorial Stadium gave ASC/UTA would last until the end, as the home squad compiled a .670 winning percentage, numbers no other home venue would come close to touching.
ASC entered today's game 1-1, having beaten Stephen F. Austin College 14-7 in Lufkin, Tx. and lost to Memphis State on the road, 35-0. It was hard to tell where ASC was as Stephen F. Austin didn't appear very good and would end the year at 1-10. Memphis would finish the year at 8-2 with wins of University Division teams.
Today's opponent was Northeastern Louisiana, now known as the University of Louisiana-Monroe. The Indians (now Warhawks) would become a familiar foe for ASC/UTA. While the Mavericks faced them four times as Southland Conference opponents, they would meet seven times in non-conference action and UTA owns a 6-5 all-time series lead. ASC played the Indians on the road in Monroe in 1959 and suffered a 26-21 loss.
On this day in UTA football history, Arlington State College squares of against Northeast Louisiana at Memorial Stadium.
Rebels Whitewash NE Louisiana, 16-0
By Bill Jernigan
News Staff Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas - It's hard to believe it from the statistics, but Arlington State's unyielding defense propelled the Rebels to a 16-0 win over Northeast Louisiana State here Saturday night.
The Rebel defense subdued unfruitful efforts of the Indians from Monroe throughout the first half. Then on two quick touchdowns ASC took a commanding lead and left the protecting job to the sturdy defenders.
That sparkling defense, good offensive depth and surprising work of three quarterbacks, all Dallas high school graduates, had coach Claude (Chena) Gilstrap beaming in the Rebel dressing room.
"The difference probably developed from being able to move the ball consistently in their territory. They stopped us for a while, but pretty soon you'll crack their opposition," Gilstrap figured. "We had the depth to win out."
It looked as if Arlington was going to wear out the mid-field turf as it plowed for 159 yards in the first half. Despite building five scoring marches, the Rebels had to settle for a 3-0 lead at halftime after Charlie Key's 14-yard field goal.
Northeast Louisiana had the ball for only 19 plays in the first half. Thus their overworked defense was sapped in stopping Rebel drives at the 23, 22, 15, 7 and 20.
Arlington State bounced back to score on its first second-half series. Freddie Arnold's 27-yard run set up Amos North's 5-yard plunge for the first touchdown.
On the next series, freshman Douglas Wilson starred in a 36-yard march. Wilson added the final two yards on a plunge. Key kicked the extra point to end scoring at 16-0.
GAME AT A GLANCE
Arlington NE Louisiana
First Downs.......................23 6
Rushing Yardage..............252 53
Passing yardage.................59 23
Passes............................7-31[print is smudged] 3-9
Passes Intercepter................0 0
Punts..............................1-43 7-40.6
Fumble Lost........................1 3
Panalties........................3-35 4-45
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