70 All-A mericans | Four Academic All-A mericans | Five-Time LSC Division Cha mpionships | LSC Cha mpions 2001, 2009, 2013
TEXAN FOOTBALL HISTORY
4
The football program has long played an important role on the
campus of Tarleton State University, with records showing that Tarleton
fielded a football team as early as 1904.
The following story will take you on the journey of football at
Tarleton, starting with the early days of junior college competition and
continuing with the move to senior college level in 1961. It recaps the
Texans’ dominance on the NAIA Division II scene and tells of TSU’s recent
accomplishments as a member of NCAA Division II. Finally, this story
ends by assuring you that Tarleton’s best days on the football field are
still ahead.
Football began at Tarleton almost from the start of the college.
Records indicate that Tarleton fielded a team as early as 1904. However,
scores of Tarleton’s games are available only starting in 1915.
When Tarleton first began collegiate play, it was known as John
Tarleton College but it became a junior college in 1906 and affiliated
with the Texas A&M University System in 1917. It was know as John
Tarleton Agricultural College (JTAC) until 1949 when it became Tarleton
State College. In 1961, Tarleton began four-year competition and in
1973 became Tarleton State University.
Tarleton enjoyed great success on the gridiron after World War
I, going 52-16-6 over an eight-year span under the direction of W.J.
Wisdom, who would later gain greater fame as a basketball coach.
Included in the span was an 8-0-1 record in 1925 when Tarleton
outscored its opponents 276 to 25 and was tied only by Baylor
University’s freshman team. Wisdom also coached the 1935 team to
a 9-2 mark, losing the last two games of the season after shutting out
eight of the first nine opponents and outscoring opponents 235 to 6.
Among the early luminaries of the
game were Tarleton Hall of Famers Leslie
“Al” Jennings, Max Menzies, Paul “Duck”
Marr, Jess “Ironhead” Davis, Hugh Wolfe,
Henry Todd, and Clifford Funderburk.
During World War II, Tarleton did not
field a team in 1942 or 1943 and played
mostly military and academy teams in
1944 and 1945. In 1950, Tarleton posted
a 7-3 record with what many consider its
best team. Seven players from that team
are Hall of Fame members, including
Al Jennings (1922-26)
quarterback Pence Dacus, rushing
champion Marvin Brown, and receiver Jack Jones. Brown would later
play professionally for the Detroit Lions. In the mid-50’s, led by stars
Webb Bishop, Leon Blakeney and Jerry Flemmons, Tarleton would field
strong teams, including a 7-1-1 record in 1956.
Tarleton made its difficult transition from two-year to four-year
competition in 1961 and also changed its team nickname from the
“Plowboys” to the “Texans” by student vote. Though the team suffered
through seven straight losing seasons – that did not keep John Riggs
from becoming one of the most heralded defensive players in school
history. The linebacker is one of just two players to have had his jersey
(No. 63) retired.
In 1966, Tarleton posted a 7-3 record behind a team that also boasts
Hall of Famers. That squad defeated a team of Mexico All-Stars in the
Aztec Bowl. Giant defensive tackle Randy Winkler would later play
professional football. Between 1966 and 1968 Tarleton was entertained
by magical quarterback, J.D. McMahon, throwing to receivers Pat
Ballow, Harlan Wunsch and Jody Worsham.
Between 1968 and 1975, Tarleton competed as a member of the Lone
Star Conference. Over that eight-year span, the team recorded just 12
wins while losing 68. One of the
f