With a new red helmet that was stripped of any adornment other than white player identification numerals on the rear of the shell, heavy losses from graduation, and obvious defensive weaknesses, Coach Fry was not enthusiastic about moving what loomed as a tough game against Texas A&M, from a latter season contest to a September 16 season opener. The game was a barn burner with back-up quarterback, 5’4” Ines Perez completing ten of twelve passes and LeVias showing his All America pedigree. LeVias overcame the Aggies go-ahead score with forty-four seconds left, by returning the subsequent kickoff and then catching the winning touchdown pass with only four seconds remaining. However, the ’66 come-from-behind moxie was absent with a weak running game and inconsistent defense and a seven game losing streak left the Mustangs at 3-7 despite Mike Livingston’s sterling passing. He finished ranked fourth in the nation and the SMU attack was ninth in passing as the quarterback who would play twelve pro years for the Chiefs threw for 1750 yards and the team averaged a SWC record 220.7 passing yards per game. Reliable kicker Dennis Partee would star for the Chargers from ’68 through 1975.