1950’s Game History

Two former Jacksonville Navy hands faced off in the fifth edition of the Gator Bowl. For the second year in a row, the Missouri Tigers would be upset in the Gator Bowl. The Tigers came in one of the highest scoring teams in the country while the Terrapins had the second ranked defense nationally. Tatum’s defense turned two fumbles and an interception into three first half touchdowns as the Terrapins toppled the Tigers 20-7.

MVP: Bob Ward (T, Maryland)

Coaches: Jim Tatum (Maryland), Don Faurot (Missouri)

Total Payout: $90,000

Attendance: 18,409

Chairman: Robert M. Smith

All-Americans: Bob Ward (G, Maryland)

Awards: Dick Modzelewski (T, Maryland) Outland Trophy (Outstanding Interior Lineman)

Maryland-20      Misouri-7

MD-Bob Shemonski, 11-yd. run (Bob Dean kick) — MD-Ed Modzelewski, 3-yd. run (Dean kick) — MD-Shemonski, 6-yd. run (kick failed) — UM-Phil Klein, 5-yd. run (John Glorioso kick)

Rushing: N/A

Passing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

The Gator Bowl expanded its reach to the outskirts of the country to arrange a matchup between Wyoming and Washington & Lee (VA) in the 1951 game. Washington & Lee considered the hat-wearing Cowboys to be nothing more than rejects from the Tennessee Volunteers.Despite a small showing from the Wyoming fans, the Cowboys used the Generals’ trash talk as motivation. 29 year-old quarterback Eddie Talboom led the westerners to a 20-7 thumping.

MVP: Eddie Talboom (QB, Wyoming)

Coaches: Bowden Wyatt (Wyoming), George Barclay (Washington & Lee)

Total Payout: $55,000

Attendance: 7,362

Chairman: Frank E. Snell, Sr.

All-Americans: Eddie Talboom (HB, Wyoming), Dewey McConnell (E, Wyoming)

Wyoming-34    Washington & Lee-13

WY-Dick Campbell, 8-yd pass from Eddie Talboom (kick failed) — WY-Talboom, 2-yd. run (Talboom kick) — WY-John melton, 25-yd. run (Talboom kick) W&L- Gil Bocetti, 3-yd. run (Harry Brewer Kick)

Rushing: WY– Eddie Talboom 14-31.

Passing: WY – Eddie Talboom 10-16-0, 141 yards

Receiving: N/A

Clemson took on the, Gator Bowl newcomer, Miami Hurricanes in the 1952 game in front of 35,000 rowdy spectators. The Tigers would prove to be the most explosive offense never to score in a Gator Bowl game. Miami’s back Jim Dooley had four interceptions and propelled his Hurricanes to a 14-0 shutout. The largest Gator Bowl to date brought in around $1 million dollars to the city of Jacksonville.

MVP: Jim Dooley (HB, Miami)

Coaches: Andy Gustafson (Miami), Frank Howard (Clemson)

Total Payout: $114,211

Attendance: 34,577

Chairman: Sam W. Wolfson

Miami (FL)-14      Clemson-0

UM- Harry Mellios, 11-yd. run (Elmer Tremont Kick) — UM-Mellios 2-yd. run (Tremont kick)

Rushing – UM- Harry Mellios 20-50, Johnny Bow 13-33, Jim Dooley 8-18, Mike Vacchio 4-17, Anthony Constantino 4-4, Jack Hacket 1-(minus 3). CU- Nathan Gressette 16-64, Billy Hair 12-35, Jim Shirley 7-33, Buck George 9-13.

Passing – UM- Jack Hackett 2-20-0, 55 yards. CU- Billy Hair 6-20-4, 88 yards.

Receiving – UM- Ed Lutes 1-40, Frank McDonald 1-15. – CU- Glenn Smith 4-55, Otis Kempson 1-31, Nathan Gressette 1-2.

The neighboring Florida Gators made their first bowl appearance in program history in Jacksonville in 1953. Tulsa, who came in with the nation’s leading offense and the nation’s leading rusher, Howard Waugh, provided a great matchup for the favored Gators. In what turned out to be a defensive battle, the boys of Gainesville held off the Tulsa Golden Hurricane 14-13, to win their first ever postseason game.

MVP: J. “Papa” Hall (HB, Florida), Marv Matusak (G, Tulsa)

Coaches: Bob Woodruff (Florida), J.O. Brothers (Tulsa)

Total Payout: $101,290

Attendance: 28,340

Chairman: Bill Nimnicht, Sr.

All-Americans: Charles LaPradd (T, Florida), Mark Matuszak (T, Tulsa)

Florida-14            Tulsa-13

UF-Rick Casares, 2-yd. run (Casares kick) — UF-J. Hall, 37-yd. pass from Fred Robinson (Casares kick) — TU-J.C. Roberts. 3-yd. run (Tom Miner kick) — TU-Howard Waugh, 2-yd. run (kick failed)

Rushing: TU-Dick Kercher 16-71, Howard Waugh 15-64, J.C. Roberts 8-39, Chuck Kelly 4-17, Bobby Halladay 5-15, Ronnie Morris 8-(minus 24). UF-J. Hall 17-94, Rick Casares 21-86, Buford Long 9-32, Tommy Haddock 2-30, Doug Dickey 5-(minus 9).

Passing: TU- Ronnie Morris 10-16-1, 132 yards. UF-Doug Dickey 4-5-0, 65 yards, Fred Robinson 3-6-1, 36 yards

Receiving: TU- Tom Miner 6-77, J.C. Roberts 3-41, Bobby Halladay 1-14. UF-J Hall 2-66, Jack O’Brain 2-22, Tommy Haddock 1-14, Rick Casares 1-7, Buford Long 1-(minus 8).

1954 was a battle of two rags-to-riches teams: one from Auburn, Alabama and the other from Lubbock, Texas. The Texas Tech Red Raiders were led into Jacksonville by Jackson High School graduate Coach DeWitt Weaver. Ralph “Shug” Jordan’s Auburn Tigers led by future Gator Bowl Hall of Fame quarterback, Vince Dooley, enjoyed a 13-7 halftime lead. But, the King Ranch-bred Bobby Cavazos ran for three touchdowns to push The Red Raiders to a 35-13 thumping of the Tigers.

MVP: Bobby Cavazos (RB, Texas Tech), Vince Dooley (QB, Auburn)

Coaches: DeWitt Weaver (Texas Tech), Ralph “Shug” Jordan (Auburn)

Total Payout: $89,503

Attendance: 28,641

Chairman: James McGregor

Texas Tech-35            Auburn-13

AU- Bobby Duke, 1-yd. run (Joe Davis kick) — TT-Bobby Cavazos, 6-yd. run (Jack Kirkpatrick kick) — AU-Vince Dooley, 10-yd. run (kick failed) — TT-Paul Erwin, 52-yd. pass from Kirkpatrick (Kirkpatrick kick) — TT-Don Lewis, fumble recovery in end zone (Kirkpatrick kick)– TT-Cavazos, 59-yd run (Kirkpatrick kick) — TT-Cavazos, 2-yd. run (Kirkpatrick kick)

Rushing: TT-Bobby Cavazos 13-141, Jones 2-44, Johnson 7-31, Don Lewis 5-12, Green 1-11. AU-Vince Dooley 14-56, Bobby Duke 4-37, Bob James 6-28, Minor 4-32, Hataway 3-16.

Passing: TT-Jack Kirkpatrick 3-4-0, 95 yards, Johnson 1-2-0, 6-yards, Hill 1-1-0, 31 yards, Don Lewis 1-1-0, 13 yards. AU-Vince Dooley, 4-8-0, 49 yards, Freeman 2-7-0, 23 yards, Davis 0-1-0, 0 yards.

Receiving: N/A

Auburn returned to Jacksonville in less than a year later on New Year’s Eve to attempt redemption in the 10th year of the Gator Bowl. The Gator Bowl had now climbed to the top of the ranks of post-season football games. This game also became the first to be televised as it was broadcast on CBS. The Baylor Bears became the first team from the Southwest Conference to play in the Gator Bowl. They also became the first team west of the Mississippi River to lose to Auburn. Joe Childress ran for two scores as the revenge filled Tigers throttled Baylor 33-13.

MVP: Joe Childress (FB, Auburn) Billy Hooper (QB, Baylor)

Coaches: Ralph “Shug” Jordan (Auburn), George Sauer (Baylor)

Total Payout: $102,508

Attendance: 28,426

Chairman: Sam Butz

Network: CBS

All-Americans: Bill Glass (G, Baylor)

Auburn-33           Baylor-16

Au- Bobby duke, 1-yd. run (Joe Davis kick) — TT-Bobby Cavazos, 6-yd. run (Jack Kirkpatrick kick) — AU-Vince Dooley, 10-yd. run (kick failed) — TT-Paul Erwin, 52-yd. pass from Kirkpatrick (Kirkpatrick kick) — TT-Don Lewis, fumble recovery in end zone (Kirkpatrick kick)– TT-Cavazos, 59-yd run (Kirkpatrick kick) — TT-Cavazos, 2-yd. run (Kirkpatrick kick)

Rushing: BU-L.G. Dupre 8-69, Allen Jones 8-27, Reuben Saage 5-22, Weldon Holley 1-5, Bobby Jones 2-3, Delbert Shofner 3-0, Billy Hooper 6-(minus 21). AU-Joe Childress 20-134, Bobby Freeman 12080, Dave Middleton 12-60, Fob James 6-71.

Passing: BU-Billy Hooper 9-15-0, 112 yards, Bobby Jones 1-3-1, 22 yards. AU-Bobby Freeman 3-7-0, 53 yards.

Receiving: BU-Charles Smith 4-48, James Ray Smith 2-49, James Amyett 2-23, Delbert Shofiner 1-17, Weldon Holly 1-3, AUJim Hall 1-33, Jim Pyburn 1-16, Jimmy Long 1-4.

The 1955 game was highly regarded as the most successful game in the Gator Bowl’s short history. The Auburn Tigers made their third appearance in a row in Jacksonville, and basically were the home team in the matchup. Vanderbilt was playing in their first bowl game in program history. Vanderbilt’s quarterback Don Orr electrified the crowd, scoring three touchdowns, and becoming the first ever unanimous MVP of the game. The Commodores rolled the Tigers 25-13, in front of 32,000 fans and millions more watching at home.

MVP: Don Orr (QB, Vanderbilt), Joe Childress (RB, Auburn)

Coaches: Art Guepe (Vanderbilt), Ralph “Shug” Jordan (Auburn)

Total Payout: $142,619

Attendance: 32,174

Chairman: Glenn Marshall Jr.

Network: CBS

All-Americans: Joe Childress (FB, Auburn), Frank D’Agostino (T, Auburn)

Awards: Zeke Smith (G, Auburn) Outland Trophy (Outstanding Interior Lineman)

Vanderbilt-25           Auburn-13

VU-Joe Stephenson, 8-yd. pass from Don Orr (Earl Jalufka kick) — AU-Fob James, 38-yd. pass from Howell Tubbs (Tubbs kick) — VU-Orr, 3-yd. run (kick failed) — VU-Phil King, 1-yd. run (kick failed) — VU-Charlie Horton, 1-yd. run (kick blocked) — AU-Red Phillips, 4-yd. pass from Jimmy Cook (kick failed)

Rushing: AU-Joe Childress 15-58, Fob James 9-42, Robert Hoppe 6-33, Howell Tubbs 11-15, Jimmy Cook 2-6, Shell 2-5. VU-Charlie Horton 13-57, Don Orr 10-43, Hunt 6-39, Phil King 10-33, Morgan 1-6, Scalen 1-3, Jakaley 1-(minus 1), Steve PePoy 2- 9 minus 3).

Passing: AU-Howell Tubbs 4-9-0, 101 yards, Jimmy Cook 3-3- 0, 41 yards,Bill Burbank 0-1-0, 0 yards. VU-Don Orr 4-6-1, 67 yards,Gerald Sturm 1-2-0, 27 yards.

Receiving: AU-Fob James 2-51, Elliott 2-41, Red Phillips 2-28, Joe Childress 1-22. VU-Scalen 2-44, Joe Stephenson 2-23, H. Brown 1-27.

A rematch of the previous year’s Sugar Bowl proved to be, arguably, the biggest spectacle of the year in post-season football.A game that many believed solidified the Gator Bowl’s presence in college football was a five touchdown barnburner. The Bobby-Dodd-led Jackets turned two Panthers turnovers into touchdowns and pulled away with a hard fought 21-14 victory. The game was broadcast on 187 television stations and reached an impressive 60 million viewers.

MVP: Wade Mitchell (QB, Georgia Tech), Corny Salvaterra (QB, Pittsburgh)

Coaches: Bobby Dodd (Georgia Tech), John Michelosen (Pittsburgh)

Total Payout: $149,776

Attendance: 32,256

Chairman: Roger Main

Network: CBS

All-Americans: Don Stephenson (C, Georgia Tech), John Guzik (G, Pittsburgh), Joe Walton (E, Pittsburgh)

Georgia Tech-21           Pittsburgh-13

GT-Ken Owen, 3-yd. run (Wade Mitchell kick) — GT-Jerry Nabors, 6-yd. pass from George Volkert (Mitchell kick) — PIT-Dick Bowan, 42-yd. pass from Corny Salvaterra (Joe Walton pass from Salvaterra) — GT-Paul Rotenberry, 5-yd run (Mitchell kick) — PIT-Salvaterra, 1-yd. run (kick good)

Rushing: PIT-Jelic 10-66, Passodelis 10-38, Salvaterra 16- 36, Theodore 3-34, Bowen 4-16, DiPasquale 4-13, Haley 3-12, Bagamery 2-11, Jenkins 2-11, Lewis 2-9.

Passing: PIT-Salvaterra 3-10-2, 67 yards, Lewis 0-1-0, 0 yards.

Receiving: PIT-Bowen 1-42, Walton 1-21, Brown 1-4.

Heisman Trophy winner John David Crow headlined the 1957 matchup between the Aggies and Volunteers. The game, as predicted, was a low scoring one. So low scoring that it still stands, and may forever stand, as the lowest scoring game in Gator Bowl history. Crow ran all over the Volunteers but was unable to score. Tennessee’s fourth-string fullback Sammy Burklow kicked his only field goal of the year late in the fourth quarter to topple Texas Paul “Bear” Bryant’s Aggies. The game has the highest attendance to date of over 40,000 people.

MVP: Bobby Gordon (TB, Tennessee), John David Crow (HB, Texas A&M)

Coaches: Bowden Wyatt (Tennessee), Paul “Bear” Bryant  (Texas A&M)

Total Payout: $166,391

Attendance: 41,160

Chairman: Julian Jackson

Network: CBS

All-Americans: Bill Johnson (G, Tennessee), John David Crow (HB, Texas A&M), Charles Krueger (T, Texas A&M)

Awards: John David Crow (HB, Texas A&M) Heisman Memorial Trophy (Outstanding College Football Player)

Tennessee-3    Texas A&M-0

UT-Sammy Burklow, 17 Yd. field goal

Rushing: UT-Bobby Gordon 32-60, Tommy Bronson 11-31, Bill Anderson 1-20, Carl Smith 5-19, Al Carter 5-5. A&M-John Davis Crow 14-46, Roddy Osborne 12-31, Lloyd Taylor 7-25, Richard Gay 4-18, Charles Milstead 3-11.

Passing: UT-Bobby Gordon 4-6-0, 56 yards. A&M- Charles Milstead 2-5-0, 16 yards,Roddy Osborne 1-2-0, 11 yards,Bobby Conrad 0-1-0,0 yards.

Receiving: UT-Landon Darty 2-26, Bill Anderson 1-20, Tommy Potts 1-10. A&M- Don Smith 1-11, Bobby Marks 1-11, Roddy Osborne 1-5.

Rain poured down on the Rebels of Oxford and the Gators of Gainesville, as the two Southeastern Conference powerhouses attempted to return the Gator Bowl to its touchdown normalcy. Instead the teams only managed a measly 10 points combined, which all came in the first quarter. Florida’s stand-out quarterback Jimmy Dunn lost three fumbles which helped the Rebels maintain their lead for three full quarters. Dunn, however, was a true class act staying late to sign autographs for the Gator Bowl faithful.

MVP: Bobby Franklin (QB, Mississippi), David Hudson (RE, Florida)

Coaches: John Vaught (Mississippi), Bob Woodruff (Florida)

Total Payout: $178,612

Attendance: 41,312

Chairman: Van Fletcher

Network: CBS

All-Americans: Vel Heckman (T, Florida), Charlie Flowers (FB, Mississippi), Jake Gibbs (QB, Mississippi), Jack Simpson (G, Mississippi), Marvin Terrell (G, Mississippi)

Mississippi-7    Florida-3

UM-James Anderson, 1-yd. run (Robert Khayat kick) UF – Billy Booker, 17-yd, field goal

Rushing: UF-Bill Newbern 5-59, Bob Milby 10-35, Sonny Gilles
3-20, Don Deal 6-18, Doug Partin 3-9, Billy Booker 6-8. UM-James
Anderson 9-62, Kent Lovelace 7-28, Charles Flowers 4-20,
Cowboy Woodruff 3-10, Bobby Franklin 5-14, Jimmy Hall 3- 9.

Passing: UF-Jimmy Dunn 5-11, 58 yards. UM-Bobby Franklin
2-7-0, 27 yards.

Receiving: UF-Dave Hudson 3-22, Russell Dilts 1-13, Doug Partin
1-13. UM-Larry Grantham 1-15, Jerry Daniels 1-12.