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1980 SMU 20 at #2 Texas 6

PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 11:37 am
by ponyfan777
My best friends dad started taking us to games home and away in the late 70's, but the one I'll never forget is being LIVE in Austin in 1980. Who else remembers the quick white, in a loaded SMU team that never look so sweet that day...20-6!!

Go Ponies!!

Re: 1980 SMU 20 at #2 Texas 6

PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 12:25 pm
by ponyboy
I was there with my Longhorn uncle. Just an amazing day.

Re: 1980 SMU 20 at #2 Texas 6

PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 1:10 pm
by mrydel
On the 50 yard line in UT high roller seats. Took the doctor who a few days later gave me my vasectomy. It was a glorious day for both events.

Re: 1980 SMU 20 at #2 Texas 6

PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 3:39 pm
by ponyboy
Unfortunately, the world is more appreciative of the latter.

Re: 1980 SMU 20 at #2 Texas 6

PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 3:42 pm
by peruna81
mrydel wrote:On the 50 yard line in UT high roller seats. Took the doctor who a few days later gave me my vasectomy. It was a glorious day for both events.

I am both wincing and smiling at the same time...the first reaction for your procedure, the latter reaction because that was a fun day watching the Mustang Band play "Peruna" every time the Longhorn Band tried to crank up "Texas Fight".

Many, MANY UT folks upset at the score and the Mustang Band...and it was a sweet ride back to Dallas up I-35.

Re: 1980 SMU 20 at #2 Texas 6

PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 4:25 pm
by mrydel
I was dismayed to arrive home to my house being vandalized by a couple of neighbor girls who thought it would be fun I guess. Trashed our kitchen and bathrooms.

Re: 1980 SMU 20 at #2 Texas 6

PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 7:44 pm
by peruna81
mrydel wrote:I was dismayed to arrive home to my house being vandalized by a couple of neighbor girls who thought it would be fun I guess. Trashed our kitchen and bathrooms.

Has to be a backstory to THAT incident...any reason that they were willing to divulge?

Re: 1980 SMU 20 at #2 Texas 6

PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 8:41 pm
by mrydel
One was a babysitter we used (next door neighbor) and her friend who was the daughter of a local surgeon. They denied doing it but we saw them running from the house. Just teenage kids with too much free time who got overzealous in doing something wrong. I have never understood vandalism.

Re: 1980 SMU 20 at #2 Texas 6

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 10:01 am
by Maryland78
I was there in the UT student section. Will never forget jumping up and raising my arms when Craig James turned the corner and headed to the end zone. Looked around and I was the only one standing up!

Re: 1980 SMU 20 at #2 Texas 6

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 10:54 am
by mrydel
My favorite UT/SMU game at Austin story (May have been the same game, I do not recall.)

I was again sitting in the UT fat cat seats that belonged to my father in law. At one point, UT kicker Russell Erxleben, was kicking off and the ball went out of the end zone and actually through the uprights. This old lady behind me kept screaming that Texas did not get 3 points because the ball went through them. She was hysterical. Her old husband, dressed in suit and tie, calmed her down and I thought would give her a lesson in football. Rather he just told her to settle down and that the officials apparently missed seeing where the kick had gone.

Re: 1980 SMU 20 at #2 Texas 6

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 1:34 pm
by ponyboy
That’s funny. I’ve done something similar to that before where I was the only one who stood up and yelled at the refs about something, only to realize that the ref made the right call. Not nearly as bad as thinking Erxleben should’ve gotten three points on a kickoff though.

Re: 1980 SMU 20 at #2 Texas 6

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 6:02 pm
by Arkpony
I listened to the game on my car radio in Arkansas. A short time after that I was sent the video of the game by the SMU Athletic Department..Im still not sure why. Years later they asked if they could have it back..I sent them a copy.

Re: 1980 SMU 20 at #2 Texas 6

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 6:38 pm
by AusTxPony
Listening on the radio in LA and yelling my a.. off driving down Sunset Blvd. I couldn't believe it.

Re: 1980 SMU 20 at #2 Texas 6

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 7:50 pm
by Dairy Crampus
So great. ESPN had just started up and the game was
replayed several times during the next week which was really
new and unique at the time. Remember staying up one night
to rewatch it at midnight.

Re: 1980 SMU 20 at #2 Texas 6

PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:20 pm
by ponyte
It is the most boring win in SMU history. The Defense played great. Without a great defense, victory is impossible that day. McIlheney was flawless, no mistakes like fumbles or interceptions.

But the real key to winning was the offensive line. Boring to be sure, but dominating. Drive after drive up the middle to eat up clock and make a few field goals. Almost 300 yards rushing against a defense touted to be one of the best in the nation. One pass completion for about 3 yards. One play, one run several times before in the first half that were unsuccessful, finally worked.

To this day, on a crisp Fall day with a few fluffy clouds, mostly sunny and about 70 degrees, I think, 'What a great day to beat the Whorns!"