Hog Calls

Akers saw rivalry from unique perspective

In this Feb. 2, 2016, file photo, former Texas football coach Fred Akers autographs a football during the Texas Sports Hall of Fame induction class news conference in Waco, Texas. Akers died Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, at age 82, his family said. Akers twice led the Longhorns to undefeated regular seasons before Cotton Bowl losses each time denied Texas a chance for a national championship. (Jerry Larson/Waco Tribune Herald, via AP)

FAYETTEVILLE — Nobody from so vast perspectives experienced the Arkansas vs. Texas football rivalry quite like Fred Akers.

The Blytheville native lettered for Frank Broyles’ first Razorbacks teams of 1958 and 1959.

Turned out he would oppose Arkansas from the Texas side far more than playing for Arkansas against Texas.

Fred Akers, still Freddy in Arkansas, died this week at 82 from complications including dementia.

A former Longhorns assistant under Darrell Royal, Wyoming Coach Akers was returned to Austin head coaching the Longhorns in 1977 upon the coaching retirements of Hall of Famers Royal and Broyles.

From 1977-86 Akers coached Texas through their annual Southwest Conference game with Arkansas. His Longhorns won 7 of 10.

Despite an 86-31-2 Texas record, it seems Akers often gets Texas remembered as that guy after Royal, two Cotton Bowl losses short of national championships. He was fired after going 5-6 his lone losing season in 10 Longhorns years.

In Arkansas he’s most remembered kicking down the door opening Broyles’ success.

It had nothing to do with the Longhorns. It had everything to do with TCU, a SWC 1950s power under Coach Abe Martin.

Harold Horton, the retired Razorbacks Hall of Honored defensive assistant, recruiting coordinator, and Razorback Foundation president, remembers as Akers’ teammate.

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Fred Akers (left) kicks a 29-yard field goal during a game against TCU on Saturday, Oct. 3, 1959, in Fayetteville.

“Freddy Akers was one of the keys that got Coach Broyles successful,” Horton said Friday. “In 1959 we tied for the Southwest Conference. He kicked a field goal and we beat TCU, 3-0. It was Freddy’s toe that gave us that win.”

An Arkansas win tying TCU and Texas as SWC 5-1 in the league champions.

In the 1973 edition of “The Razorbacks” he co-authored with the late Jim Bailey, the late Orville Henry wrote, “Freddy Akers barely attained second team halfback status in his third year at Arkansas. He was not big enough (166), was not fast enough and he kicked only fair. Later to coach, he was smart, and he played with a suicidal determination. What he will be remembered for in Arkansas annals is that he kicked a 28-yard field goal to provide the points in a 3-0 win over TCU that established the reputation of the Frank Broyles regime and began to turn the Southwest Conference around.”

Horton recalled the little body with the big heart.

“He was an undersized athlete but what a competitor!” Horton said. “Playing or coaching he competed hard!”

All while revering his Arkansas roots.

“Even when he was on the opposite side of the field he knew where he came come from there in Blytheville,” Horton said. “I will tell you he loved the University of Arkansas.”

Akers often returned to Fayetteville for Razorbacks reunions. He returned one last time in tribute to the coach for whom he kicked down the door.

“He came back for Coach Broyles’ funeral and he was in the beginning stages of his dementia,” Horton said. “But the former players loved seeing him and he loved seeing them. He was a Razorback.”