1967 Sugar Bowl

1967 Sugar Bowl
Nebraska Cornhuskers Alabama Crimson Tide (9–1) (10–0) 7 34 Head coach:  Bob Devaney Head coach:  Bear Bryant AP Coaches 6 6 AP Coaches 3 3
1 2 3 4 Total Nebraska 0 0 0 7 7 Alabama 17 7 3 7 34
Date	January 2, 1967
Season	1966
Stadium	Tulane Stadium
Location	New Orleans, Louisiana
MVP	Ken Stabler, Alabama QB
Referee	Earl Jansen (Big Eight) (split crew, Big 8 and SEC)
Attendance	82,000

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.

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.^[1] Instead voters rewarded Notre Dame 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.^[1] The Fighting Irish and Spartans both finished 9–0–1 and were ranked #1 and #2 in the polls, while Alabama finished third.^[1] 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 Oklahoma by a score of 10–9.^[2] 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.^[2]

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 Kelley 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.^[3] A six-yard Wayne Trimble touchdown run in the second quarter gave the Crimson Tide a 24–0 lead at the half.^[3] 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.^[3] Alabama closed the game with a 45-yard Ray Perkins touchdown reception from Ken Stabler to bring the final score to 34–7.^[3] 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.^[4]

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Nebraska Alabama 1 10:03 8 plays, 72 yards Alabama Leslie Kelley 1-yard touchdown run, Steve Davis kick good 0 7 1 7:27 4 plays, 71 yards Alabama Ken Stabler 14-yard touchdown run, Steve Davis kick good 0 14 1 00:26 4 plays, 8 yards Alabama 30-yard field goal by Steve Davis 0 17 2 7:01 10 plays, 71 yards Alabama Wayne Trimble 6-yard touchdown run, Steve Davis kick good 0 24 3 3:31 Alabama 40-yard field goal by Steve Davis 0 27 4 70 yards Nebraska Dick Davis 15-yard touchdown reception from Bob Churchich, Larry Wachholtz kick good 7 27 4 6 plays, 80 yards Alabama Ray Perkins 45-yard touchdown reception from Ken Stabler, Steve Davis kick good 7 34 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 7 34

References

1. "Notre Dame No. 1, Tide's third". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. December 6, 1966. p. 6. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
2. "Alabama hopes to prove it's No. 1". The Pittsburgh Press. United Press International. December 31, 1966. p. 7. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
3. Land, Charles (January 3, 1967). "Tide makes believer of Nebraska, 34–7". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
4. Land, Charles (January 3, 1967). "Ken Stabler named MVP". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9.