| 1955 Sun Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Date | January 1, 1955 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Season | 1954 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stadium | Kidd Field | ||||||||||||||||||
| Location | El Paso, Texas | ||||||||||||||||||
| MVP | QB Jesse Whittenton (Texas Western) | ||||||||||||||||||
The 1955 Sun Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game that featured the Texas Western Miners and the Florida State Seminoles.
Background[edit]
The Miners finished 3rd in the Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association in their second straight Sun Bowl, and fourth Sun Bowl in six years. As for the Seminoles, a 3–3 start ended with 5 straight wins to close out the regular season. This was their first Bowl since the 1950 Cigar Bowl.
Game summary[edit]
Harry Massey scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Seminoles an early 7–0 lead, set up by a 25-yard kickoff return and a 48-yard rush both by Lee Corso. After Florida State lost both Corso (on a collision) and the ball after an ensuing punt, the Miners took advantage, scoring on a Rusty Rutledge touchdown catch from Jesse Whittenton to make it 7–7 after one quarter. In the second, the Miners exploded for 27 points. Whittenton ran for a touchdown run from 7 yards out to make it 13–7. Bob Forrest scored on a 45-yard touchdown run to make it 20–7. Whittenton threw his 2nd touchdown pass to make it 27–7. He then threw a pass to Rutledge from 16 yards out to make it 34–7 at halftime. Forrest scored once again to make it 41–7 Miners. The Seminoles finally responded with a Len Swantic touchdown pass to make it 41–13 (after the kick was blocked). Whittenton made it 47–13 on his 2-yard touchdown plunge. In the fourth quarter, the only score was on a Larry Massey touchdown pass to make it 47–20. Future actor Burt Reynolds rushed for 35 yards on 7 carries for Florida State. Whittenton went 7 of 13 for 138 yards and three touchdowns passing and two touchdowns on 13 yards (on 8 carries) rushing in an MVP effort.[1]
Scoring Summary[edit]
- 1st - Florida State - Massey 1-yard run (Graham kick)
- 1st - Texas Western - Rutledge 56-yard pass from Whittenton (Whittenton kick)
- 2nd - Texas Western - Whittenton 7-yard run (kick failed)
- 2nd - Texas Western - B. Forrest 45-yard run (Whittenton kick)
- 2nd - Texas Western - D. Forrest 19-yard pass from Whittenton (Whittenton kick)
- 2nd - Texas Western - Rutledge 16-yard pass from Whittenton (Whittenton kick)
- 3rd - Texas Western - B. Forrest 11-yard run (Whittenton kick)
- 3rd - Florida State - Feamster 45-yard pass from Swantic (kick blocked)
- 3rd - Texas Western - Whittenton 2-yard run (kick failed)
- 4th - Florida State - Odom 16-yard pass from Massey (Graham kick)
Aftermath[edit]
The Miners went to the Sun Bowl thrice more in the next 12 years. As for Florida State, they returned once in 1966.
Statistics[edit]
| Statistics | Texas Western | Florida State |
|---|---|---|
| First Downs | 17 | 13 |
| Yards Rushing | 253 | 139 |
| Yards Passing | 149 | 155 |
| Total Yards | 402 | 294 |
| Punts-Average | 4–44.0 | 6–26.6 |
| Fumbles-Lost | 2–2 | 3–2 |
| Interceptions Thrown | 0 | 2 |
| Penalties-Yards | 7–65 | 3–25 |
References[edit]
- ^ "History: Bowl Summaries". 2007 UTEP Miners Football Media Guide. El Paso, Texas: University of Texas El Paso Department of Athletics. 2007. p. 153. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 5, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2015.