UTA FB Vol. 5 Gm. 8 - Looking for a Streak

I'm gonna be real honest with this post. I have a hard time developing interest in the 1961 season. I'm not sure exactly why, as they were one of only five teams in the 27-year history as a University football team to record a .700 winning percentage. In reality though, the Arlington State College Rebels weren't playing for much other than pride. There were no conference championships on the line, as they were fresh up from the junior college ranks.

Perhaps it was the success of this year and the prior (9-2) that prompted the search for schools to form a new conference, but as it was, there wasn't anything in 1961. There were no bowls, postseason teams, or pride points other than the individual games.

There also was a lack of star power. You'll be hard pressed to find Allen Anz (QB), Freddie Arnold (RB) or Wayne Crowley (E) in many references to the UTA football program, but they were yearly leaders in their respective categories for this season.


There was Doug Hart, one of the better secondary players to put on a Maverick/Rebel jersey. He led the team in interceptions in 1959, '61 and '62 and was the best special teams returner on the squad. He played in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers for two seasons.

Charlie Key was Mr. Everything and this was his hey day as a player. He led the team in rushing, kicking and scoring at various points in his playing days. His greatest contribution came as a coach many years later. He was a senior in 1962 and began coaching at UTA in 1963 until the end of the program.

Then there was Glen Throckmorton, the first All-American player at UTA, who earned it in this season as a senior playing on the offensive line.

Entering today's game, this Arlington State College team was 4-1. After losing to a very good Southern Mississippi team, they started a four-game winning streak against Southwestern Louisiana. Stephen F. Austin at home (26-0), McNeese State on the road (22-7) and Lousiana Tech at home (8-7) would be the next three wins.

A road tilt against McMurry College would be the site and opponent today for the ASC Rebels. As a Division III school today, they don't garner much attention, but they were a decent College Division squad back then. Since 1952, they had finished .500 or better ever year save one, and the 1961 team would be no different.

They were in a similar situation to Arlington State, in a lower division of college football and an independent. Likely that's why they met up every year from 1960 to 1965.

After winning in Arlington in 1960, the Arlington State College faced the McMurray Indians in Abilene on this day in UTA football history.

 



Taken from the Dallas Morning News, 10-22-61.