1976 Texas Longhorns football team

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1976 Texas Longhorns football
1976 Texas Longhorns football
Conference	Southwest Conference
Record	5–5–1 (4–4 SWC)
Head coach	Darrell Royal (20th season);
Co-offensive coordinator	Don Breaux (2nd season)
Co-offensive coordinator	Pat Patterson (1st season)
Defensive coordinator	Mike Campbell
Home stadium	Memorial Stadium
	Seasons ← 1975 1977 →

1976 Southwest Conference football standings
v t e	Conf.					Overall
Team	W		L		T	W		L		T
No. 4 Houston +	7	–	1	–	0	10	–	2	–	0
No. 13 Texas Tech +	7	–	1	–	0	10	–	2	–	0
No. 7 Texas A&M	6	–	2	–	0	10	–	2	–	0
Baylor	4	–	3	–	1	7	–	3	–	1
Texas	4	–	4	–	0	5	–	5	–	1
Arkansas	3	–	4	–	1	5	–	5	–	1
Rice	2	–	6	–	0	3	–	8	–	0
SMU	2	–	6	–	0	3	–	8	–	0
TCU	0	–	8	–	0	0	–	11	–	0

+ – Conference co-champions Rankings from AP Poll

The 1976 Texas Longhorns football team was an American football team that represented the University of Texas as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. In their 20th year under head coach Darrell Royal, the team compiled an overall record of 5–5–1, with a mark of 4–4 in conference play, and finished fifth in the SWC. This was Royal's final year as head coach.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance	Source
September 11	6:30 p.m.	Boston College*	No. 7	Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, MA		L 13–14	30,476	^[1]
September 18	7:30 p.m.	North Texas State*	No. 19	Memorial Stadium Austin, TX		W 17–14	60,130	^[2]
October 2	7:30 p.m.	at Rice		Rice Stadium Houston, TX (rivalry)		W 42–15	57,000	^[3]
October 9	3:00 p.m.	vs. No. 3 Oklahoma*	No. 16	Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX (Red River Shootout)	ABC	T 6–6	72,032	^[4]
October 23	7:30 p.m.	SMU	No. 13	Memorial Stadium Austin, TX		W 13–12	50,000	^[5]
October 30	2:30 p.m.	at No. 6 Texas Tech	No. 15	Jones Stadium Lubbock, TX (rivalry)		L 28–31	54,187	^[6]
November 6	3:30 p.m.	No. 19 Houston	No. 20	Memorial Stadium Austin, TX		L 0–30	77,809	^[7]
November 13	2:00 p.m.	at TCU		Amon G. Carter Stadium Fort Worth, TX (rivalry)		W 34–7	16,523	^[8]
November 20	2:00 p.m.	at Baylor		Baylor Stadium Waco, TX (rivalry)		L 10–20	45,500	^[9]
November 25	7:30 p.m.	No. 11 Texas A&M		Memorial Stadium Austin, TX (rivalry)	ABC	L 3–27	70,000	^[10]
December 4	7:00 p.m.	Arkansas		Memorial Stadium Austin, TX (rivalry)	ABC	W 29–12	49,341	^[11]
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

^[12]

Game summaries

Boston College

North Texas State

At Rice

vs Oklahoma

#3 Oklahoma Sooners (4–0) vs. #16 Texas Longhorns (2–1)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Texas	0	3	0	3	6
Oklahoma	0	0	0	6	6

at Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas

Date: October 9
Game time: 3:00 p.m.
Game attendance: 70,032
Box Score

Game information

First quarter

No scoring

Second quarter

TEX – Russell Erxleben 37-yard field goal, 0:20. Texas 3–0. Drive: 3 plays, 27 yards, 2:20.

Third quarter

No scoring

Fourth quarter

TEX – Russell Erxleben 41-yard field goal, 13:43. Texas 6–0. Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 3:37.
OU – Horace Ivory 1-yard run (kick failed), 1:38. Tie 6–6. Drive: 10 plays, 37 yards, 3:45.

Top passers

TEX – Mike Cordaro – 3/8, 43 yards, INT
OU

Top rushers

TEX – Earl Campbell – 27 rushes, 91 yards
OU

Top receivers

TEX – Alfred Jackson – 2 receptions, 26 yards
OU

President Gerald Ford walked out with both coaches to midfield for the pregame coin toss

SMU

At Texas Tech

Houston

At TCU

At Baylor

Texas Longhorns (4–3–1) at Baylor Bears (5–2–1)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Texas	3	0	0	7	10
Baylor	0	7	7	6	20

at Baylor Stadium, Waco, Texas

Date: November 20
Game time: 2:00 p.m.
Game attendance: 45,500
Box Score

Game information

First quarter

TEX – Russell Erxleben 24-yard field goal, 5:30. Texas 3–0. Drive:

Second quarter

BAY – Ronnie Lee 6-yard pass from Mark Jackson (Lester Belrose kick), 7:00. Baylor 7–3. Drive:

Third quarter

BAY – Mark Jackson 7-yard run (Lester Belrose kick), 12:01. Baylor 14–3. Drive: 2 plays, 15 yards, 0:41.

Fourth quarter

BAY – Lester Belrose 23-yard field goal, 14:54. Baylor 17–3. Drive:
BAY – Lester Belrose 20-yard field goal, 7:59. Baylor 20–3. Drive:
TEX – Raymond Clayborn 68-yard punt return (Russell Erxleben kick), 1:16. Baylor 20–10.

Top passers

TEX – Mark McBath – 4/6, 138 yards, INT
BAY –

Top rushers

TEX – Jimmy Walker – 8 rushes, 27 yards
BAY –

Top receivers

TEX – Michael Lockett – 2 receptions, 75 yards
BAY –

Texas A&M

#11 Texas A&M Aggies (8–2) at Texas Longhorns (4–4–1)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Texas A&M	0	9	11	7	27
Texas	0	3	0	0	3

at Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas

Date: November 25
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Game weather: Rain, 63 °F (17 °C)
Game attendance: 75,000
TV: ABC
Box Score

Game information

First quarter

No scoring

Second quarter

A&M – Tony Franklin 21-yard field goal, 9:00. Texas A&M 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 4:01.
TEX – Russell Erxleben 42-yard field goal, 6:41. Tie 3–3. Drive: 7 plays, 70 yards, 2:19.
A&M – Curtis Dickey 8-yard run (kick failed), 0:31. Texas A&M 9–3. Drive: 13 plays, 85 yards, 6:10.

Third quarter

A&M – George Woodard 1-yard run (run good), 10:29. Texas A&M 17–3. Drive: 7 plays, 20 yards, 3:23.
A&M – Tony Franklin 57-yard field goal, 3:18. Texas A&M 20–3. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:01.

Fourth quarter

A&M – George Woodard 1-yard run (Tony Franklin kick), 10:57. Texas A&M 27–3. Drive: 3 plays, 6 yards, 1:22.

Top passers

A&M –
TEX – Mark McBath – 4/15, 52 yards, 3 INT

Top rushers

A&M –
TEX – Johnny Lam Jones – 20 rushes, 54 yards

Top receivers

A&M –
TEX – Alfred Jackson – 2 receptions, 40 yards

Arkansas

Arkansas Razorbacks (5–4–1) at Texas Longhorns (4–5–1)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Arkansas	0	0	6	6	12
Texas	3	7	3	16	29

at Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas

Date: December 4
Game time: 7:00 p.m.
Game weather: Clear; 59 °F (15 °C)
Game attendance: 49,341
Box Score

Game information

First quarter

TEX – Russell Erxleben 37-yard field goal, 7:31. Texas 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards, 7:02.

Second quarter

TEX – Earl Campbell 1-yard run (Russell Erxleben kick), 7:32. Texas 10–0. Drive: 3 plays, 28 yards, 0:54.

Third quarter

ARK – Steve Little 50-yard field goal, 11:55. Texas 10–3. Drive: 4 plays, 32 yards, 1:29.
ARK – Steve Little 34-yard field goal, 9:09. Texas 10–6. Drive: 4 plays, 19 yards, 2:03.
TEX – Russell Erxleben 49-yard field goal, 5:34. Texas 13–6. Drive: 7 plays, 81 yards, 3:35.

Fourth quarter

TEX – Russell Erxleben 34-yard field goal, 12:54. Texas 16–6. Drive: 4 plays, 23 yards, 1:50.
TEX – Mark McBath 12-yard run (kick failed), 8:03. Texas 22–6. Drive: 6 plays, 50 yards, 2:26.
ARK – Clint Allen 2-yard run (pass failed), 5:00. Texas 22–12. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 3:11.
TEX – Earl Campbell 5-yard run (Russell Erxleben kick), 2:20. Texas 29–12. Drive: 6 plays, 54 yards, 2:37.

Top passers

ARK
TEX – Mark McBath – 1/3, 7 yards

Top rushers

ARK
TEX – Earl Campbell – 32 rushes, 131 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

ARK
TEX – Alfred Jackson – 1 reception, 7 yards

Darrell Royal's final game as head coach

Personnel

1976 Texas Longhorns football team roster

Players

Coaches

Offense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
RB		Robert Butler
RB	`20`	Earl Campbell	Jr
RB		Alvin Cartwright
QB		Ted Costanzo
QB		Mike Cordaro
OL		Billy Gordon
TE		Gil Harris
OL		Rick Ingraham
WR		Alfred Jackson
OL		George James
RB		Jimmy Johnson
RB		Johnny Ham Jones
RB		Johnny Lam Jones
TE		Mike Lockett
QB		Mark McBath
TE		Joe Samford
QB		Richard Slaydon
OL		David Studdard
RB		Ivey Suber
RB		Jimmy Walker
OL		Charles Wilcox
OL		Jim Yarbrough

Defense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
DB		Glenn Blackwood
DL		Rick Burleson
DL		Tim Campbell
DB		Ricky Churchman
DB		Raymond Clayborn
DB		Steve Collier
LB		Morgan Copeland
LB		Rick Fenlaw
DL		Jim Gresham
LB		Bill Hamilton
DB		Paul Jette
DB		Johnnie Johnson
LB		Lionell Johnson
DL		Ernest Lee
DT	`99`	Steve McMichael	Fr
DL		Brad Shearer

Special teams

Pos.	#	Name	Class
K, P		Russell Erxleben

Head coach

Darrell Royal

Coordinators/assistant coaches

Don Breaux co-OC)
Jack Burns
Mike Campbell (DC)
Ken Dabbs
Tim Doerr
Spike Dykes
Sonny Everett
David McWilliams
Pat Patterson (co-OC)
Prenis Williams

Legend

(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible

Injured
Redshirt

References

^ "Boston College stuns Longhorns, 14–13". Albuquerque Journal. September 12, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Steers limp by Eagles". The Wichita Eagle & Beacon. September 19, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Texas batters Rice by 42–15". San Angelo Standard-Times. October 3, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Texas and Oklahoma deadlock". Del Rio News Herald. October 10, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Jones, Clayburn lift Longhorns to narrow 13–12 win over SMU". Northwest Arkansas Times. October 24, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Jubilant Texas Tech slips past Longhorns". The El Paso Times. October 31, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Cougars smother Longhorns 30–0". The Galveston Daily News. November 7, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Texas crunches Horned Frogs". The Tyler Courier-Times. November 14, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Jackson steers Bears past Horns". The Brownsville Herald. November 21, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Aggies crush fumbling Horns, 27–3". Bryan-College Station Eagle. November 26, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Longhorns thunder over Porkers 29–12". Waco Tribune-Herald. December 5, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "1976 Texas Longhorns Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 29, 2025.

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[1] "Boston College stuns Longhorns, 14–13". Albuquerque Journal. September 12, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[2] "Steers limp by Eagles". The Wichita Eagle & Beacon. September 19, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[3] "Texas batters Rice by 42–15". San Angelo Standard-Times. October 3, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[4] "Texas and Oklahoma deadlock". Del Rio News Herald. October 10, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[5] "Jones, Clayburn lift Longhorns to narrow 13–12 win over SMU". Northwest Arkansas Times. October 24, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[6] "Jubilant Texas Tech slips past Longhorns". The El Paso Times. October 31, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[7] "Cougars smother Longhorns 30–0". The Galveston Daily News. November 7, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[8] "Texas crunches Horned Frogs". The Tyler Courier-Times. November 14, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[9] "Jackson steers Bears past Horns". The Brownsville Herald. November 21, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[10] "Aggies crush fumbling Horns, 27–3". Bryan-College Station Eagle. November 26, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[11] "Longhorns thunder over Porkers 29–12". Waco Tribune-Herald. December 5, 1976. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[12] "1976 Texas Longhorns Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 29, 2025.

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