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 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 few highlights in that span was the opening in 1974 of Memorial Stadium as the football team's new playing site.
In 1976, the University left the LSC and helped form the non-scholarship Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Over the next 15 years, Tarleton would win six TIAA titles, with back-to-back crowns in 1977 and 1978, 1986 and 1987, and 1989 and 1990.
The 1978 team was the first to go to postseason play, finishing with an 8-0-1 record during the regular season. That team was led by All-America linebacker and Hall of Famer Tally Neal, the only other Tarleton player to have his jersey (No. 34) retired.
From 1979 to 1982, Tarleton was thrilled by Ricky Bush, career rushing champion and the only Tarleton player ever to be selected to four consecutive all-America teams.
During a five-year span from 1986 to 1990, Tarleton went 45-11-1, won the Sunflower Bowl in 1986, and advanced to the NAIA quarterfinals in 1987, 1989 and 1990. The 1990 team is the only Tarleton team to have an undefeated and untied regular season, going 10-0, before losing in the quarterfinals to eventual national champion Westminster College. That playoff loss to Westminster is remembered as one of the most thrilling games ever to be played at Memorial Stadium.
Because of its domination of the league, Tarleton was requested to leave the TIAA and played as an independent from 1991 to 1994. In 1994 the school was accepted for membership to NCAA Division II, and rejoined the Lone Star Conference, first competing for a league title The Texans have posted at least five victories in five of the past seven seasons, which easily ranks as Tarleton's best extended span as a scholarship football school. Tarleton's 10-3 record in 2001 is by far the top single season mark during the scholarship era. In 2002, the Texans finished 9-2 for the second best mark since beginning scholarships.
Former head coach Todd Whitten played a key role in Tarleton's recent success, averaging seven wins per season in his five years at the helm. He and his staff set out to make Texan football a consistent winner, and it appears they are well on their way to doing just that.
In 2001, Tarleton earned a share of both the LSC overall championship and LSC South Division crown for the first time in school history. The Texans, who closed the regular season with six straight wins, made their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs and advanced to the national quarterfinals.
Tarleton placed 17 players on the All-LSC teams in 2002, including an amazing eight first team selections.
The Texans returned to the playoffs for the second time in three years in 2003 and finished the season 8-4 overall. Tarleton won its third straight LSC division title by taking the North trophy after going 4-1 in North Division play.
Seventeen Texan players made the All-LSC teams in 2003, including an astounding 11 players as first team selections. The Texans now have totaled 34 first team All-LSC players since 1996.
The 2004 season was another strong year, despite a four-game losing skid in the middle of the season. However, the Texans put together four straight wins to end the season.
The Texans missed a share of the Lone Star Conference Championship and the school's fourth LSC division title with a loss to end the 2005 season. The Texans could have been ranked No. 1 in the South Central Region, but the loss knocked the Texans out of the playoffs for the second straight season. Tarleton finished the 2005 campaign under new head coach Sam McElroy with a 7-3 overall record.
In 2006, the Texans shared the LSC South Division crown with West Texas A&M after losing to the Buffaloes in the final game. The defeat kept Tarleton out of the playoffs for the third straight season. The Texans opened the season 0-3 before rattling through the South Division 6-0 before the loss at WTAMU, ending the year 6-4 overall.
In 2007, the Texans had a great season, finishing 9-2 overall, including a 27-24 overtime victory at NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision member Stephen F. Austin. However, the Texans were left out of the playoffs once again after dropping two of the last three contests. Senior defensive back Ranardrick Phillips became the first player in the LSC South Division to earn the Defensive Back of the Year Award three consecutive times (2005, 2006 and 2007).
After nearly 100 years of Tarleton football action, including 44 as a senior college, the Texans have never been stronger over a longer period of time.
Clearly, the best is yet to come for the Proud Defenders of the Purple and White.
