The University of Missouri’s athletics department has formally recognized the 1960 football team as national champions, a designation that emerges from a blend of historic performance and recent legislative endorsement.
Legislative Backing
Senator Eric Schmitt introduced a resolution that passed without opposition, officially naming the 1960 squad as the university’s national champions and seeking to correct a long‑standing omission from the official record.
The team finished the season with a 10‑1 record, highlighted by victories over Navy and Heisman Trophy winner Joe Bellino in the Orange Bowl, while a forfeit against Kansas — ordered by the Big Eight Conference due to recruiting violations — tempered the narrative.
At the time, a variety of national polls and rating systems crowned different champions — Minnesota, Mississippi, Washington, and Iowa each claimed the title in their respective rankings — leaving Mizzou without a consensus crown.
Mizzou Director of Athletics Laird Veatch voiced strong support, emphasizing the team’s significance in the school’s legacy and the importance of preserving its story for future generations.
The honor will be cemented on September 19, when the Tigers host Troy in their 100th Anniversary Game; a halftime ceremony will celebrate the players, coaches, and the enduring impact of that era.