The countdown rolls on with one of the greatest running backs in Texas history.

Jim Bertelsen helped power the Longhorns to back-to-back national championships, three straight Southwest Conference titles and a 30-game winning streak from 1969–71. He finished his Texas career with 2,510 rushing yards, 33 rushing touchdowns and averaged 6.1 yards per carry while leading the Longhorns in total offense during each of his three varsity seasons.

His 1969 season remains legendary. Bertelsen rushed for 740 yards and 13 touchdowns, scored the tying touchdown in Texas’ iconic 15–14 win over Arkansas, tied the school record with four rushing touchdowns against SMU and earned first-team All-SWC honors while helping lead the Longhorns to the national championship.

He went on to become a two-time national champion, two-time All-Southwest Conference selection, the 1971 Texas team MVP and co-captain before spending five seasons with the Los Angeles Rams after being selected in the second round of the 1972 NFL Draft.

35 days until Texas football is back. Hook ’Em! 🤘

Shout out to my guy Edwin Freeman. 

Also gotta mention Kevin Durant. 

Bertelsen just passed last year in San Marcos.  His Aunt had to send his high school film to Dodds because Texas had no clue as to who he was.

Great story in the local Wisconsin paper about a small homecoming dinner for him that eventually included LBJ finally flying in for it.

Now the famed 1969 Longhorn backfield has only Ted Koy left. After the first two games in 1968 through 1970, we as students just expected to win everyday fall Saturday.  DKR spoiled us rotten.

🤘🏻🤘🏼🤘🤘🏽🤘🏾🤘🏿

That was a heckuva of a backfield- Bertelsen and Worster, along with Koy.

1 hour ago, Blake Munroe said:

Shout out to my guy Edwin Freeman. 

Also gotta mention Kevin Durant. 

KD!! Man what could’ve been if he could’ve only benched 225 @CJ Vogel 

2 hours ago, Blake Munroe said:

Shout out to my guy Edwin Freeman. 

Also gotta mention Kevin Durant. 

Madi Booker says hi!

Shoutout to Richmond McGee!

I remember him well, particularly as others have mentioned, he was from Wisconsin??? (very unusual)  I know the story about sending Dodd his HS film is true, but I did not know that it was an aunt who sent it in.

It's hard to convey how dominant the Texas wishbone was in those early years, and Jim Bertelsen was a big factor in that offense.  Once Royal found Street to run it, followed by Eddie Phillips after Street graduated, it was a prolific offensive scheme.

Edited August 1Aug 1 by Hix Green made the Catch

4 hours ago, Waxahorn said:

I could have gained of few yards through that hole.

Just watched a special on PBA about Fred Bednarski who was the first ever to kick soccer style field goal in a college football game. The kick was in Fayetteville against the hogs. He was a refugee from Poland and his family came to Texas after the war. He walked on to the Longhorns in 1956 . You should look up the program and watch . It was very inspirational. He was #35 and played for Coach Royal. 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

2 minutes ago, Midhorn75 said:

Just watched a special on PBA about Fred Bednarski who was the first ever to kick soccer style field goal in a college football game. The kick was in Fayetteville against the hogs. He was a refugee from Poland and his family came to Texas after the war. He walked on to the Longhorns in 1956 . You should look up the program and watch . It was very inspirational. He was #35 and played for Coach Royal. 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

Ferdynard "Fred" Z. Bednarski, Jr. (12 December 1936 – 23 March 2024) was an American football player who, as a placekicker for the Texas Longhorns, kicked the first "soccer-style" field goal in American football history.[1] He is often credited with introducing the "soccer-style" kick to American football, which revolutionized the element of place-kicking in the sport.[2]