Duke Carlisle

Emmet Augustus "Duke" Carlisle III (born December 13, 1941) is an American former college football player who started as a quarterback and defensive back for the Texas Longhorns in the early 1960s. He was the starting quarterback on Texas' first national championship team in 1963. In his final game, he set the NCAA record for most yards per pass completion in a bowl game and three Cotton Bowl records on his way to being named the game's Offensive MVP. He still holds the Cotton Bowl record for most yards per pass completion.

Early life

Carlisle was born in Kaufman, Texas, but moved to Athens, Texas, in November, 1955. He was called Duke to differentiate himself from his father and grandfather, both also named Emmett. At Athens, he played quarterback and led his high school to three consecutive district titles, as well as the state quarterfinals in his junior year.

Football Arriving at Texas in 1960, Carlisle played on an undefeated freshman team. During his sophomore season in 1961, Carlisle was the starting safety and also saw some playing time as the third-string quarterback behind Mike Cotten and Tommy Wade.

In 1962, after Wade was injured in the preseason, Johnny Genung was named the starting quarterback, but a close call against Oklahoma led to head coach Darrell Royal naming Carlisle as the starter against #6 Arkansas in Little Rock. Down by 3 in the 4th quarter, Texas took over on their own 10 with Carlisle leading the Longhorns to midfield. He was then replaced by Genung who led the Longhorns down to the 3 yard line before handing the ball to running back Tommy Ford for the win. Carlisle sealed the game by intercepting Arkansas on the subsequent possession, but Genung was the hero and Carlisle wouldn't start at quarterback again until the next season. He did start every game on defense though.

By 1963 though, Carlisle had taken the starting quarterback role from Wade and started every game, earning 2nd team all-conference honors. He led the team to an 11–0 record and to Texas' first ever national title in football. Texas started the season ranked #5, but by the time the Red River Rivalry rolled around they were #2 and Oklahoma was #1. The game became the first #1 vs. #2 that Texas has ever played in, and after they won, Carlisle appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Texas won the following six games to win both the Southwest Conference and National Championships. Perhaps Carlisle's most important contribution towards the national title came not behind center, but on defense. Against Baylor, in the only game (and only series) in which he played safety during his senior year, he had a game-saving end-zone interception to preserve a 7–0 win. and the Kansas City Chiefs drafted him in the 6th round (42nd overall) of the 1964 AFL draft. He was signed by the Packers, but was cut in training camp. The Dallas Cowboys picked him up, but he spent the entire 1964 season on the taxi squad before an injury ended his career.

Later life In 1965, after leaving the NFL,

In 1974 Duke was inducted into the University of Texas Athletic Hall of fame; in 2000, he was inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame; and in 2008, the field house at Athens High School was named for him.