Brown Aims to Pull a Royal and Avert a Losing Season

Darrell Royal at the 1970 Cotton Bowl en route to a 21-17 win over Notre Dame

Darrell Royal never had a losing season in 20 seasons at UT. He came close in his final year, 1976. The Horns had opened the season with a 1-point loss to Boston College and followed it the next week by barely defeating North Texas. Texas then settled for a 6-6 tie against Oklahoma. And those were the highlights of a season marred by rampant injuries.

Royal didn’t want to go out a loser, but a 27-3 drubbing by Texas A&M left his boys 4-5-1. His final game was a big one against longtime rival Arkansas. The Horns sent Royal out with a convincing 29-12 victory to allow him to retire on a 5-5-1 year unsullied by the stink of loss.

It’s the same gift Mack Brown hopes his team can deliver as this putrid season comes to an end. With the Horns losing four straight and six of their last seven games, this Saturday’s game against Florida Atlantic isn’t exactly a gimme. That’s Howard Schnellenberger’s Florida Atlantic. He created the FAU football program from scratch. If you don’t know Mr. S, he was the offensive coordinator in 1972 when the Miami Dolphins cruised to the only unbeaten NFL season ever. He also coached the University of Miami to a national title in 1983 with Jim Kelly at QB. But it is still Florida Atlantic.

What this game is about is winning one for the Mack. Look for Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert to get his confidence back as the Horns rely heavily on his arm and what’s left of the running game – namely Cody Johnson, who should pound through for good yardage – with Tre’ Newton quitting on doctor’s orders after repeated concussions. Look for Sam Acho and the Texas defense to swipe the ball. Look for the Horns to try to prove they are a team.

It would also put the 2010 Horns one win up on John Mackovic’s 4-7 1997 team (the year he was fired) and equal the five wins of Mackovic’s 1993 team and David McWilliams' 1991 squad (the year he was fired).

For Mack’s boys the FAU game and Turkey Day matchup with the Aggies that follows quickly on its heels are all about matching Royal’s last season. No, this won’t be Mack’s last season. But losing has a way of draining the life out of a coach. And losses begat losses.

The good news? The year after Royal retired Texas was unbeaten in the regular season before falling to Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl, and Earl Campbell earned the Heisman — for new head coach Fred Akers. There is hope. The vehicle that gets Texas pointed in that direction starts with a win. Any win.