Forty-five years after President Nixon awarded the national championship to Texas

Published Dec. 3, 2014 10:38 a.m. ET

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There's much buzz about the four teams the committee will select to play in the first college football playoff to determine a national champion.

However, 45 years ago this week a much different scenario took place ... one that saw the President of the United States, Richard Nixon, award the national championship to Texas after a game played in December.

This was no ordinary game played on Dec. 6, 1969. In fact, President Nixon said, "One of the great games of alltime, without question," after Texas rallied from a 14-0 deficit to upend Arkansas, 15-14.

The then-Southwest Conference battle featured the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the nation. However, it took some ingenuity by ABC's Beano Cook and some good fortune to get everything in place.

The "Game of the Century" wouldn't have been that had Cook not convinced the schools to move their usual October game date to December.

The good fortune came when Michigan upset then-No. 1 Ohio State, 24-12, on Nov. 22. That moved Texas into the No. 1 slot and Arkansas into the No. 2 position.

The stage was set. At stake was a berth in the Cotton Bowl, and it turned out much more, as President Nixon arrived at the game via helicopter and was to present the national championship to the winner. The fact that Penn State, too, was undefeated somehow didn't factor into the equation.

Frank Broyles' Razorbacks appeared positioned for the throne -- and the plaque the president was going to present -- leading 14-0 after three quarters on a one-yard touchdown leap by Bill Burnett in the first quarter and a 29-yard scoring strike from Bill Montgomery in the third quarter.

However, Darrell Royal and the Longhorns launched a comeback. Quarterback James Street scrambled 42 yards for a touchdown as the final quarter opened, leading to one of Royal's risks that paid dividends. He went for a two-point conversion and Texas executed it to close within 14-8.

Royal had to come up with another huge decision with less than five minutes remaining and Texas facing a fourth-and-three at its 43.

"Are you sure that's the call you want?" Street said. "Damn right I'm sure!" Royal snapped. Street had noticed Arkansas defenders looking into the Texas huddle, so he fixed his gaze on split end Cotton Speyrer while explaining the play to Randy Peschel, saying "Randy, I'm looking and pointing at Cotton, but I'm talking to you." Street then found Peschel, who made an over-the-shoulder catch. The play 44 yards.

Two plays later Jim Bertelsen ran in for the game-tying touchdown. Happy Feller kicked the PAT -- Donnie Wigginton, the third-string quarterback who was the holder, made a big save on a high snap and Texas went on to a 15-14 victory.

The game proved to have historic meaning in other ways. It was the last major game between teams that did not have a single African-American player, earning it the title "Dixie's Last Stand." In fact, undefeated Penn State turned down a bid to face Texas in the Cotton Bowl due to segregation issues.

The contest -- remember, cable TV did not exist -- did a 52.1 rating.

Also, the elder George Bush was in attendance, addition to President Nixon. And an Arkansas native who was a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford listened to the contest with friends on a shortwave radio ... future President Bill Clinton.

James Street, the Texas quarterback, would eventually become the father of current Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim relief pitcher Huston Street.