1967 Sugar Bowl
Encyclopedia
The 1967 Sugar Bowl
, part of the 1966 bowl game season, took place on January 2, 1967, at Tulane Stadium
in New Orleans, Louisiana
. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference
(SEC), and the Nebraska Cornhuskers
, representing the Big Eight Conference
(Big 8). Alabama won the game 34–7.
after coach Ara Parseghian
, with his team tied 10-10 with Michigan State
with 1:10 to go, chose to play for the tie rather than attempt to win the game. The Fighting Irish and Spartans both finished 9–0–1 and were ranked #1 and #2 in the polls, while Alabama finished third. The appearance marked the fifth for Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, and their 20th overall bowl appearance.
by a score of 10–9. In a rematch of the 1966 Orange Bowl
, the appearance marked the first for Nebraska in the Sugar Bowl, and their 7th overall bowl appearance.
and Ken Stabler
scored touchdowns on runs of one and 14 yards with Steve Davis adding a 30-yard field goal late in the quarter. A six-yard Wayne Trimble touchdown run in the second quarter gave the Crimson Tide a 24–0 lead at the half. After extended their lead to 27–0 after a 40-yard Steve Davis field goal, Nebraska scored their first points early in the fourth quarter. Dick Davis made a 15-yard touchdown reception from Bob Churchich to cut the lead to 27–7. Alabama closed the game with a 45-yard Ray Perkins touchdown reception from Ken Stabler to bring the final score to 34–7. Alabama quarterback Ken Stabler was selected as the games Most Valuable Player
for completing 12 of 18 passes for 218 yards and two total touchdowns.
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
, part of the 1966 bowl game season, took place on January 2, 1967, at Tulane Stadium
Tulane Stadium
Tulane Stadium was an outdoor football stadium located in New Orleans, Louisiana from 1926 to 1980. Officially known as the Third Tulane Stadium, it replaced the "Second Tulane Stadium" where the Telephone Exchange Building is now located...
in New Orleans, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
(SEC), and the Nebraska Cornhuskers
1966 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
The 1966 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team was the representative of the University of Nebraska and member of the Big Eight Conference in the 1966 college football season...
, representing the Big Eight Conference
Big Eight Conference
The Big Eight Conference, a former NCAA-affiliated Division I-A college athletic association that sponsored football, was formed in January 1907 as the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association by its charter member schools: the University of Kansas, University of Missouri, University...
(Big 8). Alabama won the game 34–7.
Alabama
The 1966 Alabama squad finished the regular season as SEC champions with a record of 10–0. Although undefeated and playing as two-time defending national champions, Alabama did not win the national title in 1966. Instead voters rewarded Notre Dame1966 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
The 1966 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame during the 1966 college football season. The Irish, coached by Ara Parseghian, ended the season undefeated with 9 wins and one tie, winning the national championship...
after coach Ara Parseghian
Ara Parseghian
Ara Raoul Parseghian is a former American football player and coach of Armenian descent. He served as the head football coach at Miami University , Northwestern University , and the University of Notre Dame , compiling a career college football record of 170–58–6...
, with his team tied 10-10 with Michigan State
1966 Michigan State Spartans football team
The 1966 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1966 college football season.-Regular season:The 1966 Michigan State Spartans football vs. Notre Dame football game remains one of the greatest, and most controversial, games in college football history...
with 1:10 to go, chose to play for the tie rather than attempt to win the game. The Fighting Irish and Spartans both finished 9–0–1 and were ranked #1 and #2 in the polls, while Alabama finished third. The appearance marked the fifth for Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, and their 20th overall bowl appearance.
Nebraska
The 1966 Nebraska squad finished the regular season as Big 8 Champions with a record of 9–1. The only loss of the season came in their final game against OklahomaOklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
by a score of 10–9. In a rematch of the 1966 Orange Bowl
1966 Orange Bowl
The 1966 Orange Bowl of the Orange Bowl featured the third ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers and the fourth ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.Alabama scored first on a 32 yard touchdown pass from Steve Sloan to Ray Perkins as Alabama took a 7-0 lead. In the second quarter, Nebraska's Bob Churchich threw a 33...
, the appearance marked the first for Nebraska in the Sugar Bowl, and their 7th overall bowl appearance.
Game summary
In a game dominated by Alabama, the Crimson Tide scored on its first three offensive possession to take a 17–0 lead. Leslie KelleyLeslie Kelley
Leslie Howard Kelley is a former American football fullback/linebacker in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints. He played college football at Alabama and played just 3 seasons in the NFL without ever starting.-External links:*...
and Ken Stabler
Ken Stabler
Kenneth "Kenny" Michael Stabler , is a former American football quarterback in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders , the Houston Oilers , and the New Orleans Saints...
scored touchdowns on runs of one and 14 yards with Steve Davis adding a 30-yard field goal late in the quarter. A six-yard Wayne Trimble touchdown run in the second quarter gave the Crimson Tide a 24–0 lead at the half. After extended their lead to 27–0 after a 40-yard Steve Davis field goal, Nebraska scored their first points early in the fourth quarter. Dick Davis made a 15-yard touchdown reception from Bob Churchich to cut the lead to 27–7. Alabama closed the game with a 45-yard Ray Perkins touchdown reception from Ken Stabler to bring the final score to 34–7. Alabama quarterback Ken Stabler was selected as the games Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
for completing 12 of 18 passes for 218 yards and two total touchdowns.