UT Arlington, or Arlington State College, seemed to have an upward trajectory. After winning two junior college national titles, UTA went to four-year status in 1959. That resulted in a winning 4-3 record. 1960 was even better. The Rebels finished 9-2, tied for the second best record in UTA history. One of the two losses was to a higher level school (ASC was College Division). It seemed that ASC had no limits for the football program.
ASC opened the season on the road against Southern Mississippi. The Golden Eagles were one of the better non-major teams. They fluttered between the University and College Division in the early 1960's, but there's no question they were a talented team.
In the first decade of four-year status, there was at least one "major" team on the schedule nearly every year. Southern Mississippi would qualify and the 30-7 score was closer than the game.
But that didn't mean the team was done or about to quit. Other than a brief mid-'60's swoon, Coach Claude "Chena" Gilstrap always fielded a competitive team. This team would be no different.
Up next for the Rebels would be a school that would become an on-and-off again, long-time rival for UTA. The 1960's wouldn't feature many games between the two, but the 1970's would see the schools become conference rivals. Of course, UTA would join the Sun Belt Conference in much later years, reviving the conference rivalry. They would change their name like UTA did.
Their mascot would change to the Ragin' Cajuns. Their University name would change from USL to University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Now they are just known as University of Louisiana.
But on this day (September 23) in UTA football history, they were known as the University of Southwestern Louisiana Bulldogs, and UTA would host them to open their home schedule.
Taken from the Dallas Morning News, 9-24-61.
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