FAYETTEVILLE -- Recalling flying from Austin on Oct. 15 1966, after Frank Broyles' Razorbacks had defeated Texas that afternoon for the third consecutive year, Arkansas place-kicker Bob White remembered assistant coach Wilson Matthews' instructions to the pilot.
"Fly over that tower!"
The University of Texas' tower is lighted orange on nights when its Longhorns win a significant football game and unlighted after a Longhorns loss.
"Look, men!" White recalled Matthews bellowing, "Why the whole damned campus is dark!"
Winning just 21 times in 77 meetings against its old Southwest Conference archival always made Arkansas savor every triumph over its massively bigger, richer and most arrogantly supported opponent.
Alas, Wilson Matthews, legendary as the bellicose, unsurpassed high school coach at Little Rock Central and legendary again as Arkansas' linebackers coach, disciplinarian and finally associate athletic director, died long before Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema could hear an earthier account what beating Texas means to Arkansas.
Bielema did hear a G-rated but compelling version from Broyles. Upon informing the 90-year-old retired Hall of Fame athletic director and coach onDec. 7 bowl that Arkansas and Texas were matched in Monday night's Advocare Texas Bowl in Houston, Bielema said "it gave me chills" hearing Broyles impart the rivalry's impact.
Bielema likely would have gotten a chuckle, too, from hearing a Jan. 1, 1991, Texas tale from Broyles that was relayed by then Arkansas Coach Jack Crowe.
Bear in mind that Broyles' mutual respect with the late Darrell Royal, his Hall of Fame Texas coaching/athletic director counterpart, was genuine. The two were best friends, golfing buddies and coaching colleagues to the last. They retired from coaching on the same December 1976 night against each other.
Nevertheless, his respect for Royal and Royal's great players didn't prevent Broyles loathing Texas like most Arkies loathed Texas, although he diplomatically hid it well.
He hid it superbly while attending with Crowe the Texas vs. Miami Cotton Bowl matchup in Dallas.
Arkansas already had hurt Southwest Conference feelings by announcing in 1990 that it would leave the league for the SEC. But with the football move not effective until 1992, an lame duck SWC 1991 season remained.
So Broyles brought in the new year by incessantly talking up Texas to Cotton Bowl media.
It was freezing, Crowe recalled. Miami jumped out to a 19-3 lead at half on the SWC champion. Texas stayed in the game only because Miami amassed 16 penalties, mostly for taunting.
Miserably cold, Crowe had seen enough.
Broyles loudly proclaimed his faith in a Texas comeback.
It didn't happen. Miami won 46-3.
Broyles remained.
With less than eight minutes left, Crowe begged his boss to leave the almost emptied stadium.
Crowe recounted Broyles' reply:
"Texas is getting their ass beat like I knew they would, and I am going to enjoy every minute of it!"
Broyles says he's watching Monday's game on TV with family in Fayetteville.
If Frank enjoys every minute, then Bielema will have given Arkansas the gift guaranteed to keep on giving.
Sports on 12/27/2014