1972 Sugar Bowl (January)
| 1972 Sugar Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Date | January 1, 1972 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Season | 1971 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stadium | Tulane Stadium | ||||||||||||||||||
| Location | New Orleans, Louisiana | ||||||||||||||||||
| MVP | QB Jack Mildren (Oklahoma) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Referee | James M. Artley (SEC) (split crew between SEC and Big 8) |
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| Attendance | 84,031 | ||||||||||||||||||
| United States TV coverage | |||||||||||||||||||
| Network | ABC | ||||||||||||||||||
| Announcers | Chris Schenkel and Bud Wilkinson | ||||||||||||||||||
The 1972 Sugar Bowl was the last Sugar Bowl played in January until 1977. As such, it featured the Auburn Tigers of the Southeastern Conference and the Oklahoma Sooners of the Big Eight Conference.
Background
Both teams were ranked in the top 5 in the polls, as this game was a tale of duality. Both teams averaged over 300 yards on the season, though Oklahoma's record setting 566 yards a game was more notable than Auburn's 393. Both teams started the season 9-0, with both teams losing late in the season to their respective arch-rivals, who were likewise undefeated and untied. Auburn lost to Alabama, and Oklahoma lost to Nebraska, the losses costing both teams a conference title. To add insult to injury, both of the teams they lost to ended up playing in the national championship game, essentially making this a runner-up game.[1] Auburn was playing in their first Sugar Bowl game while Oklahoma was playing their 4th and first since 1951.
Game summary
While he did not throw many passes (4), quarterback Jack Mildren used his legs to help win the game and the MVP award, running 30 times for 149 yards and three touchdowns. Leon Crosswhite helped start the scoring with a touchdown run on OU's first drive. Mildren scored three straight touchdown runs to make it 25-0 by the second quarter and after a punt return touchdown by Joe Wylie, it was 31-0, which ended up being the lead at halftime. Unger scored two rushing touchdowns in the 2nd half to narrow the lead to 34-14, but Priutt made it 40-14 on his touchdown run as Auburn added a meaningless Pat Sullivan touchdown pass to make the final score 40-22. Oklahoma had more yards, less turnovers (2 to 3), more first downs, and ultimately, more points. Oklahoma won their first Sugar Bowl since 1950.[2][3]
Aftermath
The Sooners would return in December to the Sugar Bowl once again and win, becoming the only school ever to win the same bowl game twice in the same calendar year. Auburn would wait 12 years for their next Sugar Bowl, winning that one.
Statistics
| Statistics | Oklahoma | Auburn |
|---|---|---|
| First Downs | 28 | 15 |
| Yards Rushing | 439 | 40 |
| Yards Passing | 11 | 250 |
| Total Yards | 450 | 290 |
| Punts-Average | 5-35.4 | 5-48.6 |
| Fumbles-Lost | 5-2 | 5-1 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 2 |
| Penalties-Yards | 3-12 | 0-0 |
References
- ↑ http://www.allstatesugarbowl.org/site435.php
- ↑ http://www.allstatesugarbowl.org/site125.php
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
