1966 East Texas State Lions football team

1966 East Texas State Lions football
LSC champion
Conference	Lone Star Conference
Record	5–3–2 (4–1–2 LSC)
Head coach	Ernest Hawkins (3rd season)
Home stadium	Memorial Stadium
Seasons ←  1965 1967  →

1966 Lone Star Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
East Texas State $	4	–	1	–	2			5	–	3	–	2
Southwest Texas State	4	–	2	–	1			7	–	2	–	1
Sam Houston State	4	–	2	–	1			6	–	3	–	1
Sul Ross	3	–	3	–	1			6	–	3	–	1
Stephen F. Austin	3	–	3	–	1			5	–	3	–	1
Howard Payne	3	–	3	–	1			5	–	5	–	1
Texas A&I	3	–	4	–	0			5	–	5	–	0
McMurry	0	–	6	–	1			1	–	8	–	1
$ – Conference champion

The 1966 East Texas State Lions football team represented East Texas State University in the 1966 NAIA football season. They were led by head coach Ernest Hawkins, who was in his third season at East Texas State. The Lions played their home games at Memorial Stadium and were members of the Lone Star Conference. With a 5–3–2 record, the Lions won the Lone Star Conference championship, the first of four under Hawkins. Tailback Curtis Guyton was named All-American, the first black player in program history to be named All-American.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 17	2:00 p.m.	at Abilene Christian *	Shotwell Stadium Abilene, TX	L 0–7	6,500	[1] [2]
September 24	2:00 p.m.	Texas Lutheran *	Memorial Stadium Commerce, TX	W 42–0		[3]
October 1	6:00 p.m.	at Arlington State *	Memorial Stadium Arlington, TX	L 10–27		[4]
October 8	6:00 p.m.	McMurry	Memorial Stadium Commerce, TX	W 17–11		[5]
October 15	2:00 p.m.	at Texas A&I	Memorial Stadium Commerce, TX	W 25–24		[6]
October 22	2:00 p.m.	at Sul Ross	Jackson Field Alpine, TX	T 14–14		[7]
October 29	2:00 p.m.	Howard Payne	Memorial Stadium Commerce, TX	W 10–7		[8]
November 4	6:00 p.m.	at Sam Houston State	Pritchett Field Huntsville, TX	W 17–13		[9]
November 12	2:00 p.m.	Southwest Texas State	Memorial Stadium Commerce, TX	T 14–14		[10]
November 19	2:00 p.m.	at Stephen F. Austin	Memorial Stadium Nacogdoches, TX	L 7–24		[11]
*Non-conference game All times are in Central time

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Postseason awards

All-Americans

• Curtis Guyton, halfback, Third Team

Lone Star Conference superlatives

• Coach of The Year: Ernest Hawkins

All-Lone Star Conference

LSC First Team

• Curtis Guyton, halfback

LSC Second Team

• Charles Froneberger, center
• Bill Garner, defensive end
• David McKay, safety
• Mike Venable, linebacker
• Sam Walton, offensive tackle
• Ronald Zwernemann, offensive tackle

LSC Honorable Mention

• Tommy Briscoe, offensive guard
• Leo Rhodes, offensive guard
• Tim Smith, defensive tackle

^[12]

References

1. "Wildcats outswim Lions, 7–0". Abilene Reporter-News. September 18, 1966. Retrieved August 6, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
2. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1966 Abilene Christian)". National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved May 29, 2025.
3. "TLC takes 3rd loss of season". Express and News. September 25, 1966. Retrieved August 6, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
4. "Williams sparks Reb win". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. October 2, 1966. Retrieved March 19, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
5. "East Texas State trips McMurry, 17–11". The Tyler Courier-Times. October 9, 1966. Retrieved August 6, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
6. "Javelinas suffer 3rd 1-point loss, 25–24". The Corpus Christi Caller-Times. October 16, 1966. Retrieved August 6, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
7. "Lions tie SR in 14–14 tilt". San Angelo Standard-Times. October 23, 1966. Retrieved August 6, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
8. "East Texas State halts Howard Payne". Waco Tribune-Herald. October 30, 1966. Retrieved August 6, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
9. "East Texas off early to down Sam Houston". The Shreveport Times. November 6, 1966. Retrieved January 20, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
10. "East Texas in 14–14 deadlock". The Tyler Courier-Times. November 13, 1966. Retrieved March 19, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
11. "Stephen F. Austin rambles over East Texas State, 24–7". The Shreveport Times. November 20, 1966. Retrieved August 6, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
12. "Lion Football History" (Press release). Texas A&M University Commerce Department of Athletics. December 12, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2019.