The University of Missouri (Mizzou) has formally declared that it is the rightful owner of the 1960 national football championship, a claim bolstered by a unanimous Senate vote earlier this month. The announcement revives a debate that has simmered for decades among college‑football historians.
The 1960 Tigers' perfect season
That year, the Tigers finished undefeated at 11‑0, captured the Big Eight title, and briefly topped the Associated Press poll before settling at No. 5 in the final rankings. Their schedule included a forfeited win over Kansas due to an ineligible player and a decisive victory over Navy in the Orange Bowl, cementing a record that the university argues remains unmatched.
Senate endorsement and lingering rivals
Senator Eric Schmitt, R‑Mo., who championed the resolution, praised the 1960 squad for earning a perfect record and for representing the state with distinction. While Mizzou stands alone as the only institution that lists 1960 as its sole championship, other programs — Ole Miss, Iowa, Minnesota and Washington — also lay claim to the same title, each with their own undefeated or near‑undefeated seasons and notable bowl victories.
The university plans to honor the historic team during halftime of its September 19 game against Troy, marking the 100th anniversary of Memorial Stadium. The ceremony will spotlight the legacy of coaches such as Dan Devine and players like Danny LaRose, while also looking ahead to the upcoming renovation of the North End Zone, which will host the 2026 season opener against Arkansas‑Pine Bluff.