1972 Sugar Bowl (January)

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
↑ "1972 Sugar Bowl (January)". Oklahoma Sooners Football Media Guide. Oklahoma Sooners Athletics. p. 157. Retrieved January 10, 2015.

Sugar Bowl Game

History Tulane Stadium Georgia Dome Mercedes-Benz Superdome College Football Playoff Broadcasters Tie-Ins Southeastern Conference Big 12 Conference

Games	1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 (Jan) 1972 (Dec) 1973 1974 1975 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 (Jan) 1995 (Dec) 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Notes	The 2006 game was played in Atlanta, Georgia because of Hurricane Katrina. Bolded years indicate the game was also the national championship game for Bowl Coalition, Bowl Alliance, or Bowl Championship Series.

Auburn Tigers bowl games

Pound sign (#) denotes national championship game.

Oklahoma Sooners bowl games

Pound sign (#) denotes BCS National Championship Game.

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