What Is 1929 Texas Longhorns football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1929 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas during the 1929 college football season, finishing with a 3–4–1 record under head coach Clyde Littlefield. They played in the Southwest Conference and had a 2–3 conference record.

Key Facts

The 1929 Texas Longhorns football team had a final record of 3 wins, 4 losses, and 1 tie (3–4–1).
Head coach Clyde Littlefield was in his fifth season leading the Longhorns in 1929.
The team played its home games at Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.
They competed in the Southwest Conference (SWC), finishing with a 2–3 conference record.
The 1929 season included a notable 13–0 win over Oklahoma, extending their dominance in the rivalry.

Overview

The 1929 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin during the 1929 college football season. Competing as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC), the team was led by head coach Clyde Littlefield, who was in his fifth year at the helm.

The Longhorns finished the season with a modest 3–4–1 overall record and a 2–3 mark in conference play. Despite the losing record, the team maintained a strong defensive identity and secured a key victory over rival Oklahoma.

Season Record: The Longhorns finished the 1929 season with 3 wins, 4 losses, and 1 tie, reflecting a challenging campaign against regional opponents.
Head Coach:Clyde Littlefield entered his fifth season in 1929, having built a reputation for disciplined, hard-nosed football at Texas.
Home Stadium: Games were played at Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, a venue that had opened just a few years earlier in 1924.
Conference Affiliation: As a member of the Southwest Conference, the Longhorns faced traditional rivals like Texas A&M, SMU, and Baylor.
Key Victory: A 13–0 win over Oklahoma stood out as the season’s highlight, preserving Texas’ winning streak in the series at the time.

How It Works

The 1929 season operated within the structure of early 20th-century college football, where scheduling, rules, and team dynamics differed significantly from today’s game. Understanding the season requires examining key roles, strategies, and organizational elements of the era.

Head Coach Role:Clyde Littlefield managed all aspects of the team, from play-calling to player discipline, with minimal staff support compared to modern programs.
Game Rules: In 1929, football featured a 10-minute overtime period only if agreed upon; however, overtime was rare and not standardized as it is today.
Player Eligibility: NCAA rules limited student-athletes to four seasons of eligibility, but substitutions were restricted, requiring players to play both offense and defense.
Recruiting: Scholarships were not widely used, and recruiting relied heavily on regional talent, especially from high schools across Texas.
Scoring System: A touchdown was worth 6 points, and field goals were valued at 3 points, consistent with modern rules established in the 1910s.
Media Coverage: Games were covered in local newspapers like the Austin American-Statesman, with radio broadcasts still in their infancy.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1929 Texas Longhorns can be better understood by comparing their season to other years in program history:

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Head Coach	Notable Result
1929	3–4–1	2–3 (SWC)	Clyde Littlefield	13–0 win vs. Oklahoma
1928	7–2–1	4–1–1 (SWC)	Clyde Littlefield	Won conference co-championship
1930	5–4–1	3–3–1 (SWC)	Clyde Littlefield	Lost to Texas A&M in rivalry game
1927	6–2–2	3–1–2 (SWC)	Clyde Littlefield	Defeated Tulane in postseason
1925	5–4–1	3–2–1 (SWC)	Charles C. Brewster	First season at Memorial Stadium

This comparison shows that the 1929 season was a step down from the successful 1928 campaign, which saw Texas share the SWC title. The 1929 team struggled offensively but remained competitive in conference play, highlighting the program’s consistency during the Littlefield era.

Why It Matters

The 1929 season is a snapshot of Texas football during a formative period in the program’s history. It reflects the challenges of maintaining success in a competitive conference and illustrates the evolution of college football in the South.

Historical Context: The 1929 season occurred during the Great Depression’s onset, affecting attendance and funding for college athletics nationwide.
Program Development: Clyde Littlefield’s tenure helped establish Texas as a regional power before national prominence in later decades.
Rivalry Continuity: The win over Oklahoma in 1929 extended a winning streak that reinforced the importance of in-state matchups.
Stadium Legacy: Playing at Texas Memorial Stadium connected the team to a growing tradition of on-campus football venues.
Coaching Influence: Littlefield’s dual role as football and track coach showcased the multi-sport leadership model common in early 20th-century athletics.
Foundation for Growth: Despite a losing record, the 1929 team contributed to the long-term development of Texas’ football culture and infrastructure.

While not a standout season by win-loss standards, the 1929 Texas Longhorns played a role in shaping the trajectory of one of college football’s most storied programs.