Longhorn Legends: James Street

James was not a big guy. At 173 pounds, he was not intimidating to most defensive linemen. In fact, he was a star on the baseball field (as were his sons in recent years) before he began to shine at QB.

As field general for the Longhorn football team, he did something no one at Texas has ever done (including the great Vince Young). He was undefeated (20-0) as a starter.

The story actually begins in 1968. After three straight 6-4 seasons, there were a lot of unhappy Longhorn fans. That was not up to the standards of the early '60s.

Darrell was still convinced Bill Bradley, his quarterback of two years, could get the job done (Bill was so successful in high school, he made the cover of SI before he ever played a college game).

It was a time for a new offense. Coach Royal had three great running backs (Chris Gilbert, Ted Koy, and Steve Worster) in addition to Bill. He wanted all of them in the backfield at the same time.

Thus, with the help of offensive coach Emory Bellard, the wishbone was born. And as they say, the rest is history.

Well, the first game ended in a 20-20 tie with a good Houston team. In a 22-31 loss to Texas Tech, Darrell turned to Street in the third quarter and said "You take it on the next series of downs."

Street didn't salvage the game, but he earned a start for the following week. (Bill Bradley went on to star as a defensive back for the Longhorns and then the Philadelphia Eagles.)

James will always be best known for two plays on Dec. 6, 1969. No. 1 Texas was playing No. 2 Arkansas. President Nixon would announce the winner of the game as National Champs.

The Razorbacks dominated the game for almost three quarters when Street broke the line of scrimmage for a 42-yard TD run. After a two-point conversion, the score was still Arkansas 14, Texas 8.

More outstanding defense by Arkansas followed. With 4:47 left in the game, it was time to step up or shut up. It was fourth-and-3 at the UT 43 ysrd line. Surely they would give the ball one more time to Worster. That was our best chance.

Well, Mr. Conservative Darrell decided to surprise the world. He had a hunch and it worked. The play was called "53 Veer Pass." It was a long pass, not to the most likely receiver, Cotton Speyrer, but to Randy Peschel. Street couldn't believe the coach's call, but Darrell was very emphatic in his choice.

I remember James faking the ball to Worster and dropping back to pass. My heart stopped...but started again very rapidly when I saw Peschel pull the ball in from over his head for a 44-yard gain to the Razorback 13.

After a couple of runs by Koy and Bertlesen, the score was tied with the extra point providing the one point margin of victory. Many Razorback fans still think they won that game, but the scoreboard says differently. (See You Tube clip below, provided by Combies.)344">

The game was declared "Game of the Century." Of course, other schools have since given that title to games they have played. According to my knowledge, the '69 Texas/Arkansas game was the first to have that honor.

James closed out his career with a 21-17 victory over a Joe Theismann-led Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl.

James....you the man!