Series Flashback: ‘Horns and Golden Bears

The Texas and Cal football programs have met on the gridiron five times prior to Saturday’s matchup in Austin. The Longhorns have beaten the Golden Bears all five times.

Sonny Dykes and Cal bring a high-powered offense to Darrell K. Royal -Texas Memorial Stadium, looking to get in the win column against the ‘Horns.

Here’s a quick look back at the previous meetings between Texas and Cal.

October 3, 1959 – Austin, Texas

The 10th ranked Darrell Royal-led Longhorns hosted the Golden Bears in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. The Texas rushing attack got the better of the Cal defense, finishing with 395 yards on the ground. Rene Ramirez led the Longhorns with 95 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Golden Bears were shut down by the Longhorn defense, managing only 162 yards of total offense.

The Longhorns would notch a shutout win and improve to 1-0 over the Golden Bears all-time.

Final score: #10 Texas – 33, Cal – 0

September 23, 1961 – Berkeley, California

The University of Texas made its first trip to Berkeley, California to play head coach Marv Levy’s Golden Bears in the season opener for both teams. The outcome of the game was similar to the one played in Austin two years prior, with the Longhorns running wild on the Golden Bears. The Cal offense could only muster up 80 yards of offense, while Texas tailback Jerry Cook surpassed the 100 yard mark on the ground.

Darrell Royal’s 4th ranked Longhorns improved to 1-0 on the season and 2-0 against Cal in the series.

Final score: #4 Texas – 28, Cal – 3

September 20, 1969 – Berkeley, California

The legendary 1969 Texas football team that would eventually claim the national championship began the season in Berkeley. The Texas wishbone attack against a good Cal defense would yield 311 yards and two touchdowns, scored by James Street and Jim Bertelsen, which would be good enough for a season-opening win.

Texas shuts out Cal for the second time in the series and improve to 3-0 against the Golden Bears.

Final score: #4 Texas – 17, Cal – 0

September 19, 1970 – Berkeley, California

After claiming its second national championship the previous season, Texas began the season ranked #2 in the polls. Royal and the Longhorns opened with Cal at home and Eddie Phillips would lead a Texas rushing attack that would finish with 443 yards. Phillips’ 129 yards on 9 carries would surpass the rushing yardage of the entire Cal team (116 yards).

Texas would lose its final game of the season to Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl but would still claim the national championship, the 3rd for the university.

Texas and Darrell Royal improve to 4-0 over Cal.

Final score: #2 Texas – 56, Cal – 15

December 28, 2011 – San Diego, California

The most recent meeting between Cal and Texas took place in the 2011 Holiday Bowl. Texas quarterback David Ash threw for a touchdown and caught another en route to a 21-10 victory over the Golden Bears. The Texas defense was steadfast, taking the ball away from Cal five times and recording six sacks against Golden Bear quarterback Zach Maynard.

The Longhorns and head coach Mack Brown would finish the season 8-5, while the loss left Jeff Tedford’s team with a 7-6 record to end their 2014 campaign.

Cal falls to 0-5 against the Longhorns in San Diego.

Final score: #24 Texas – 21, Cal – 10