What Is 1977 Texas Longhorns football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1977 Texas Longhorns football team finished the season with a 9-3 record, won the Cotton Bowl Classic by defeating Pittsburgh 38-13, and ended the year ranked No. 6 in the final AP Poll under head coach Darrell Royal.

Key Facts

The 1977 Texas Longhorns finished with a 9-3 overall record and a 6-2 conference record in the Southwest Conference (SWC).
They won the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 2, 1978, defeating the Pittsburgh Panthers 38-13.
Head coach Darrell Royal retired after the 1976 season; Fred Akers took over as head coach in 1977.
The team finished ranked No. 6 in the final Associated Press (AP) Poll.
Quarterback Mark McBath led the offense, throwing for 1,485 yards and 10 touchdowns during the season.

Overview

The 1977 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin during the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. It marked the first year under head coach Fred Akers, who succeeded the legendary Darrell Royal after his retirement following the 1976 season. The team competed in the Southwest Conference (SWC) and played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.

Despite the coaching transition, the Longhorns delivered a strong performance, finishing with a 9-3 overall record and a 6-2 mark in conference play. They earned a berth in the Cotton Bowl Classic, where they secured a decisive victory, cementing their status as one of the top teams in the nation. The season concluded with a final ranking of No. 6 in the AP Poll.

Record and Bowl Victory: The team finished with a 9-3 overall record and defeated Pittsburgh 38-13 in the 1978 Cotton Bowl Classic on January 2, 1978.
Coaching Transition: Fred Akers became head coach in 1977, taking over after Darrell Royal’s retirement following a 20-year tenure.
Final Ranking: The Longhorns ended the season ranked No. 6 in the final Associated Press (AP) Poll, reflecting their national prominence.
Offensive Leadership: Quarterback Mark McBath threw for 1,485 yards and 10 touchdowns, leading the team’s passing attack.
Defensive Strength: The defense allowed just 13.7 points per game, one of the best averages in the nation during the 1977 season.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 1977 campaign featured several pivotal matchups that defined the team’s trajectory. Starting strong, the Longhorns won their first six games before facing setbacks against ranked opponents. Their resilience in the postseason highlighted their competitive edge.

Season Opener: Texas opened the season with a 37-0 shutout victory over Houston, setting a dominant tone early.
SWC Competition: The team went 6-2 in Southwest Conference play, with key wins over Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Loss to Arkansas: A 15-10 defeat to Arkansas on November 5 ended their undefeated run and impacted their national ranking.
Cotton Bowl MVP: Running back Billy Sims was named Cotton Bowl MVP after rushing for 135 yards and two touchdowns.
Bowl Game Dominance: The 38-13 win over Pittsburgh showcased superior defensive execution and balanced offensive production.
Player Development: The season helped launch the careers of future NFL players, including linebacker Michael Williams.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1977 Texas Longhorns to other top teams of the era reveals their elite status. The following table highlights key statistical and performance metrics.

Team	Record	Final AP Rank	Bowl Result	Points Per Game
1977 Texas Longhorns	9-3	No. 6	W 38-13 (vs. Pitt)	28.1
1977 Pittsburgh	9-3	No. 14	L 13-38 (vs. Texas)	23.4
1977 Alabama	11-1	No. 4	W 35-6 (vs. Ohio State)	27.8
1977 Notre Dame	8-4	No. 17	W 38-10 (vs. LSU)	24.2
1977 Oklahoma	10-2	No. 8	W 14-6 (vs. Nebraska)	29.5

The 1977 Longhorns outperformed several ranked teams in head-to-head matchups and bowl play. Their No. 6 final ranking placed them among the nation’s elite, despite a mid-season loss to Arkansas. The team’s balanced offense and strong defense contributed to their success, particularly in the Cotton Bowl victory.

Why It Matters

The 1977 season was a pivotal moment in Texas football history, marking a successful transition from the Royal era to the Akers era. It demonstrated the program’s resilience and ability to remain competitive at the highest level.

Coaching Legacy: Fred Akers proved he could maintain Texas’s winning tradition, beginning a new chapter in the program’s history.
Bowl Game Prestige: Winning the Cotton Bowl Classic reinforced Texas’s status as a national powerhouse in college football.
Player Development: The season helped elevate the profiles of future NFL talents like Billy Sims and Michael Williams.
SWC Dominance: A 6-2 conference record kept Texas competitive in the Southwest Conference race.
National Recognition: Finishing No. 6 in the AP Poll ensured continued media and recruiting attention.
Program Stability: The smooth coaching transition reassured fans and recruits about the program’s long-term direction.

The 1977 Texas Longhorns season remains a benchmark for successful leadership change and sustained excellence in college football. Their performance laid the foundation for continued success in the late 1970s and early 1980s under Akers.