What Is 1948 Texas Longhorns football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1948 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin during the 1948 college football season, finishing with a 5–5–1 record under head coach Blair Cherry, who was in his first year after replacing Dana X. Bible.

Key Facts

The 1948 Texas Longhorns finished the season with a 5–5–1 overall record
Head coach Blair Cherry led the team in his first year after Dana X. Bible's retirement
The Longhorns played in the Southwest Conference (SWC) and went 3–2–1 in conference play
They were invited to the 1948 Sugar Bowl, where they defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 21–7
Quarterback Bobby Layne, a future Pro Football Hall of Famer, was a key player on the team

Overview

The 1948 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin during the 1948 NCAA college football season. Competing in the Southwest Conference (SWC), the team was led by first-year head coach Blair Cherry, who took over following the retirement of legendary coach Dana X. Bible after the 1947 season.

The Longhorns experienced a transitional year, finishing with a balanced 5–5–1 overall record and a 3–2–1 mark in conference play. Despite a middling regular season, the team earned a prestigious invitation to the 1948 Sugar Bowl, where they delivered a standout performance.

Record: The team finished the season with a 5–5–1 overall record, reflecting a season of ups and downs both within and outside conference play.
Coach transition: Blair Cherry assumed head coaching duties in 1948 after Dana X. Bible retired, marking a significant shift in leadership for the program.
Key player: Quarterback Bobby Layne, a future Pro Football Hall of Famer, played a crucial role in both offensive execution and team leadership.
Sugar Bowl victory: The Longhorns defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 21–7 in the 1948 Sugar Bowl, marking one of the program’s early major bowl wins.
Conference performance: Texas went 3–2–1 in Southwest Conference play, placing them in the middle of the SWC standings for the season.

Performance & Season Highlights

The 1948 season was notable for its dramatic conclusion and the emergence of future stars. Though the regular season was inconsistent, the Longhorns peaked at the right time, culminating in a dominant bowl performance.

Season opener: Texas defeated Rice 41–14, signaling early promise with a strong offensive showing led by Bobby Layne.
Midseason slump: Losses to TCU and Baylor revealed defensive vulnerabilities and inconsistency in conference matchups.
Key win: A 27–7 victory over Arkansas kept Texas bowl-eligible and showcased Layne’s dual-threat capabilities.
Bowl selection: Despite a .500 record, Texas was selected for the Sugar Bowl due to its national reputation and strong fan base.
Sugar Bowl MVP: Bobby Layne threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, earning MVP honors in the 21–7 win over Alabama.
Defensive strength: The Longhorns held opponents to 13.5 points per game, a key factor in their bowl success.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 1948 Longhorns to surrounding seasons highlights the team’s unique blend of transition and triumph.

Season	Overall Record	SWC Record	Bowl Game	Head Coach
1946	7–3–1	4–1–1	Orange Bowl (L)	Dana X. Bible
1947	6–4–1	3–2–1	None	Dana X. Bible
1948	5–5–1	3–2–1	Sugar Bowl (W)	Blair Cherry
1949	6–4–1	3–3	Cotton Bowl (L)	Blair Cherry
1950	7–4	4–2	Cotton Bowl (W)	Blair Cherry

The 1948 season stands out because, despite a losing record, Texas was chosen for a major bowl over more accomplished teams, reflecting the program’s national stature. The Sugar Bowl win boosted morale and laid the foundation for future success under Cherry, who would coach through 1950.

Why It Matters

The 1948 season holds historical significance for the Texas Longhorns football program, marking both a changing of the guard and a moment of national triumph. It underscored the value of star players like Bobby Layne and demonstrated that postseason success could offset a mediocre regular season.

Legacy of Bobby Layne: Layne’s performance solidified his status as one of Texas’ greatest quarterbacks and helped elevate the program’s profile.
Coaching transition: Blair Cherry’s first year showed both growing pains and promise, setting a precedent for leadership changes in major programs.
Bowl selection precedent: The choice to send a 5–5–1 team to the Sugar Bowl influenced future bowl selection criteria and regional bias considerations.
SWC competitiveness: The season illustrated the competitive balance within the Southwest Conference during the late 1940s.
Recruiting boost: The Sugar Bowl victory enhanced Texas’ recruiting appeal, particularly in Texas and the South.
Historical marker: The 1948 team is remembered as a bridge between the Bible era and the modernization of Texas football in the 1950s.

In summary, the 1948 Texas Longhorns may not have dominated the regular season, but their bowl victory and the emergence of future legends made the year a pivotal chapter in Longhorns football history.