UTA FB Vol. 5 Gm. 7 - Renewing an Old Rivalry

Anyone that follows the history lessons I give in This Day in UTA Football History knows that I really enjoy the rivalry games. Not that I am in a minority there, since it is a common sports saying that rivalries build sports drama. In fact, that's what I felt was a huge hit to the UTA football program, lack of rivalries.

But that wasn't the case in the later days of Arlington State College as a junior college on until the late 1960's, and both are illustrated in today's game.



There was a fierce competition between the Arlington State College Rebels and the John Tarleton Agricultural College Texans. Both were members of the Texas A&M system and were separated by 85 miles or so. The rivalry was most heated from the 1930's to the 1950's. From Wikipedia and attributed to Transitions: A Centennial History of the University of Texas at Arlington by
Saxon, G.D:

Similar to the Aggie Bonfire tradition at the College Station campus, the host of the yearly football game between these teams built a bonfire. In 1939, two NTAC students flew a Taylorcraft Aircraft to the JTAC campus and dropped a phosphorus bomb on the bonfire to light it prematurely. While the plane was flying low after the bomb was dropped, a JTAC student was able to throw a piece of wood into the propeller and cause the plane to crash. The students were dragged from the wreckage and a 'J' was shaved into their heads.

 Of course, the rivalry died a bit when ASC moved to four-year status, bu Tarleton State wasn't far behind. The series was renewed in 1966 and UTA won 20-7. It was a fun game played in Arlington and the teams wanted to play again the following year. Both games were highly attended, as was the case during the late 1960's.

It was this lack of excitement that existed in the 1970's. The upheaval of the SLC, which saw Abilene Christian and Trinity leave and several Louisiana Universities replace them. Rivalries needed to be rebuilt, which just happened to coincide with several other challenges UTA faced during this time.

But that just wasn't the case in the 1960's. On this day in UTA football history, Arlington State College hosts former long-time rival Tarleton State.


 
 


Taken from the Fort Worth Star Telegram, 10-15-67.