Mizzou Claims 1960 National Championship, Joining Four Other Schools Including Iowa
Missouri football has officially claimed the 1960 national championship, a move approved unanimously by the U.S. Senate earlier this month. The Tigers, who went undefeated at 11-0 that season, now share the title with four other programs, including the University of Iowa.
The announcement came Friday from Mizzou athletics, following a resolution introduced by Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., on Aug. 6. The Senate passed it unanimously the same day. This marks the first national championship in Mizzou football history.
Why Mizzou claims the 1960 title
The 1960 Tigers finished the season with a perfect record, aided by a forfeited victory over Kansas after the Jayhawks used an ineligible player. Mizzou capped the year with a win over Navy in the Orange Bowl, also claiming the Big Eight championship. The team reached No. 1 in the AP poll for one week and finished the season ranked No. 5.
“We appreciate Sen. Schmitt and the U.S. Senate for recognizing the accomplishments of our 1960 football team and for bringing renewed attention to a remarkable group of Tigers,” said Mizzou Director of Athletics Laird Veatch. “The 1960 team has an important place in Mizzou history, and after reviewing the historical record, we believe it is appropriate to honor that team as national champions.”
Iowa among five schools claiming the same title
Iowa, which went 8-1 in 1960 and finished No. 3 in the final AP poll, is one of four other schools that also claim the 1960 national championship. The others are Ole Miss (10-0-1, Sugar Bowl win, No. 2 final ranking), Minnesota (8-2, Rose Bowl loss, No. 1 final ranking), and Washington (10-1, Rose Bowl win, No. 6 final ranking).
Ole Miss and Missouri are the only two schools in the group for whom 1960 is their sole claimed national title. Mizzou stands alone as the only undefeated team among the five, thanks to the Kansas forfeit.
Schmitt: 'Kansas still lost'
Schmitt celebrated the recognition in a statement that highlighted the Tigers' perfect season and took a jab at their rival.
“Coach Dan Devine and Danny LaRose led the Mizzou Tigers to an undefeated season in 1960 — and now, the Senate has unanimously recognized them as the 1960 College Football National Champions,” Schmitt said. “For too long, fans and players who proudly represent their school in the Black and Gold have been deprived of this glory. More than six decades later, the Tigers are now taking their rightful place in history. Their championship was earned. Their record remains perfect. And Kansas still lost.”
How Mizzou will honor the 1960 team
Missouri will celebrate the 1960 national champions during halftime of its Sept. 19 game against Troy, which also marks the 100th anniversary of Memorial Stadium. The Tigers open their 2026 season Thursday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, debuting the newly renovated North End Zone.
Veatch emphasized the importance of honoring the past while focusing on the future.
“We have a unique opportunity this year to recognize the Tigers who built the history and tradition of Mizzou Football while keeping our eyes firmly on the future,” Veatch said. “As we celebrate 100 years of Memorial Stadium and open the Centennial Project, we want to properly honor the 1960 team and its legacy in Mizzou history. While we celebrate where we've been, our priority is where we're going next — supporting the 2026 Tigers and striving to capture the next Mizzou national championship.”
What this means for Iowa football fans
For Iowa fans, the shared claim is a point of pride. The Hawkeyes' 1960 squad, coached by Forest Evashevski, posted an 8-1 record and finished third in the nation. While Iowa has not officially celebrated the title with the same fanfare, the program has long considered itself a 1960 champion.
The recognition by Mizzou does not diminish Iowa's claim, as multiple schools have historically claimed titles from the pre-BCS era based on various ranking systems. The 1960 season remains one of the strongest in Hawkeyes history, and the program continues to honor that team's legacy.
FAQ: What is the 1960 national championship controversy?
Why are five schools claiming the 1960 title?
In 1960, no single national championship game existed. Multiple polling systems and selectors named different champions. Schools can claim a title based on any recognized selector, leading to shared championships. Iowa, Minnesota, Ole Miss, Washington, and now Missouri all have claims based on various rankings.
Did Missouri actually win the 1960 national championship?
Missouri went undefeated at 11-0, including a forfeit win over Kansas and an Orange Bowl victory over Navy. While the AP and UPI polls ranked them No. 5, other selectors recognized them as champions. The U.S. Senate's unanimous resolution adds political recognition, but the claim remains one of several for that season.
How does Iowa's 1960 team compare?
Iowa finished 8-1, losing only to Minnesota, and ended the season ranked No. 3 in the AP poll. The Hawkeyes' claim is based on selectors like the Football Writers Association of America. Both Iowa and Missouri have legitimate historical cases, and neither school's claim invalidates the other.