1958 Orange Bowl Explained

Game Name:Orange Bowl
Subheader:24th Orange Bowl
Date Game Played:January 1
Year Game Played:1958
Football Season:1957
Home Name Short:Oklahoma
Home Nickname:Sooners
Home Record:9–1
Home Rank Ap:4
Home Rank Coaches:4
Home 1Q:7
Home 2Q:7
Home 3Q:7
Home 4Q:27
Visitor Name Short:Duke
Visitor Nickname:Blue Devils
Visitor Record:6–2–2
Visitor Rank Ap:16
Visitor Rank Coaches:14
Visitor 1Q:0
Visitor 2Q:7
Visitor 3Q:7
Visitor 4Q:7
Odds:Oklahoma by 10 points[1]
Type:bg
Referee:John Donohue (ACC;
split crew: ACC, Big Seven)
Attendance:76,318

The 1958 Orange Bowl matched the Duke Blue Devils and the Oklahoma Sooners, played in Miami, on New Year's Day.[2]

Background

This was Duke's second Orange Bowl appearance in four seasons, having last appeared in January 1955. They finished second in the Atlantic Coast Conference to North Carolina State, though Duke was invited due to the Wolfpack being on probation. Oklahoma was champion of the Big Seven Conference for the twelfth straight year and were in the Orange Bowl for the fourth time in six seasons (the two absences were due to the conference's rescinded no-repeat rule).

Game summary

Despite being outgained in yards and having more penalties, Oklahoma converted six Duke mistakes (2 fumbles, 2 interceptions, a blocked punt and a wild snap) into touchdowns. Dave Baker returned an interception 94 yards to give the Sooners an early 7–0 lead. Clendon Thomas scored on a touchdown run after a bad punt formation on Duke. Hal McElhaney narrowed the lead on his own touchdown run to make it 14-7 at halftime.

Carl Dodd increased Oklahoma's lead to 21–7, but George Dutrow ran in for a touchdown to make it 21–14 at the end of three quarters. Sandefer and Baker both scored in the fourth quarter and Hobby caught a pass from Baker as Oklahoma scored three times in three minutes on three more Duke turnovers to make it 41–14. McElhaney narrowed the lead on his second touchdown of the game. Duke was given another chance to narrow it again, but the Sooners intercepted George Harris' pass for the second time as Dick Carpenter returned it for a touchdown and sealed the game for Oklahoma, who won their third Orange Bowl in five seasons.[3] [4]

Aftermath

This remains Duke's last Orange Bowl appearance; Oklahoma returned the following year and won again.

Statistics

Statistics OU Duke
First Downs 1116
Yards Rushing165231
Yards Passing 11497
Total Yards 279328
Punts-Average 7-34.710-28.1
Fumbles-Lost 2-13-2
Interceptions32
Penalties-Yards 12-1503-25

Notes and References

  1. News: Ohio State 20-point Rose pick . Milwaukee Sentinel . Associated Press . January 1, 1958 . 4, part 4 .
  2. News: Sooners cash in on six mistakes; crush Duke, 48-21 . Milwaukee Sentinel . Associated Press . January 2, 1958 . 3, part 2 .
  3. Web site: The 1950s | Orange Bowl.
  4. Web site: Duke Bowl Recap: 1958 Orange Bowl - Oklahoma 48, Duke 21 - Duke University Blue Devils | Official Athletics Site - GoDuke.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20150105043215/http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=205818969 . 2015-01-05 . live . 2015-01-05 .