What Is 1950 Texas Longhorns football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1950 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin during the 1950 college football season, finishing with a 6–4–1 record under head coach Blair Cherry, who took over after the death of legendary coach Dana X. Bible.

Key Facts

The 1950 Texas Longhorns compiled a 6–4–1 overall record and 4–2 in the Southwest Conference.
Head coach Blair Cherry led the team in his first and only season after Dana X. Bible's passing.
The Longhorns played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.
They defeated rival Texas A&M 27–0 in a dominant season-ending victory.
The team outscored opponents 195–125 over the course of the 11-game season.

Overview

The 1950 Texas Longhorns football team marked a transitional year for the University of Texas program, following the unexpected death of longtime head coach Dana X. Bible in December 1949. Blair Cherry, previously an assistant, was promoted to head coach and led the team through an 11-game season that included both highs and lows.

Competing in the Southwest Conference (SWC), the Longhorns showed resilience and competitive spirit despite the coaching change. The season concluded with a decisive victory over archrival Texas A&M, providing a strong finish to a challenging year.

Record: The team finished with a 6–4–1 overall record and a 4–2 mark in conference play, placing them in a competitive tier within the SWC.
Head Coach: Blair Cherry served his only season as head coach in 1950, stepping in after the sudden death of Dana X. Bible, a legendary figure in Texas football history.
Home Stadium: The Longhorns played all home games at Memorial Stadium in Austin, a venue that had opened in 1924 and was a central part of Texas football tradition.
Season Opener: The team began the season with a 34–13 win over North Texas State, setting an early tone of offensive strength.
Season Finale: They closed the year with a 27–0 shutout of Texas A&M, one of the most dominant performances in the rivalry up to that point.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 1950 campaign featured several pivotal matchups that defined the team’s trajectory, including tough contests against conference rivals and non-conference opponents. The Longhorns demonstrated both offensive firepower and defensive lapses throughout the season.

September 30 game: A 14–13 loss to Baylor was a turning point, highlighting the team’s struggles in close games despite strong field position.
October 14 game: The 20–7 win over Rice showcased balanced offensive execution, with both rushing and passing attacks contributing significantly.
October 28 game: A 27–14 victory over Arkansas reflected improved defensive coordination and strong special teams play.
November 11 game: The 7–7 tie with TCU was controversial, as missed opportunities in the final quarter prevented a decisive win.
November 23 game: The 27–0 win over Texas A&M was a season highlight, marking the first shutout of the Aggies since 1939.
Scoring Totals: The Longhorns scored 195 points while allowing 125, averaging 17.7 points per game and conceding 11.4 per game.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1950 Texas Longhorns with the previous and following seasons to highlight trends in performance and coaching impact.

Season	Overall Record	SWC Record	Head Coach	Key Result
1949	6–3–1	4–1–1	Dana X. Bible	Lost to Georgia in the 1950 Sugar Bowl
1950	6–4–1	4–2	Blair Cherry	27–0 win over Texas A&M
1951	8–3	4–2	Ed Price	Won the 1951 Sugar Bowl 21–14 over Tennessee
1948	7–3	4–2	Dana X. Bible	Defeated California in the 1949 Sugar Bowl
1952	5–5	3–3	Ed Price	Lost to Tennessee in the 1953 Sugar Bowl

The 1950 season sits between two successful Sugar Bowl appearances, making it a bridge year in terms of program momentum. While not as dominant as 1949 or 1951, the 1950 team maintained competitiveness and laid groundwork for future success under new leadership.

Why It Matters

The 1950 Texas Longhorns represent a pivotal moment in the program’s history, illustrating how teams adapt during periods of transition. The season is remembered for its emotional weight and the resilience shown by players and staff.

Coaching Legacy: Blair Cherry’s brief tenure highlighted the challenges of stepping into a legendary predecessor’s role, setting the stage for Ed Price’s hiring in 1951.
Rivalry Impact: The 27–0 shutout of Texas A&M remains one of the most lopsided in the rivalry’s early history, boosting Longhorn morale.
Program Stability: Despite losing their head coach unexpectedly, the team remained competitive, demonstrating organizational strength.
Historical Context: The 1950 season occurred during the postwar era of college football, when integration and media coverage were beginning to transform the sport.
Player Development: Several players from this team went on to become key contributors in the 1951 Sugar Bowl-winning squad.
Stadium Tradition: Continued use of Memorial Stadium reinforced its status as a fortress and cultural landmark for Texas athletics.

In summary, the 1950 Texas Longhorns may not have achieved national acclaim, but their season was a crucial link in the continuity and evolution of one of college football’s most storied programs.