1955 Sun Bowl

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1955 Sun Bowl
Florida State Seminoles Texas Western Miners
(8–3)(7–3)
Independent Border Conference
2047
Head coach: 
Tom Nugent 		Head coach: 
Mike Brumbelow
1234Total
Florida State706720
Texas Western72713047
DateJanuary 1, 1955
Season 1954
Stadium Kidd Field
Location El Paso, Texas
MVPQB Jesse Whittenton (Texas Western)
Attendance14,000
Sun Bowl
 < 1954   1956 > 

The 1955 Sun Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game that featured the Texas Western Miners and the Florida State Seminoles.

Contents

Background

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

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] The attendance for the game was estimated at 14,000. [2]

Scoring summary

Aftermath

The Miners went to the Sun Bowl thrice more in the next 12 years. As for Florida State, they returned once in 1966.

Statistics

StatisticsTexas WesternFlorida State
First Downs1713
Yards Rushing253139
Yards Passing149155
Total Yards402294
Punts-Average4–44.06–26.6
Fumbles-Lost2–23–2
Interceptions Thrown02
Penalties-Yards7–653–25

References

  1. ↑ "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.
  2. ↑ "Texas team routs FSU by 47 to 20". The Tampa Tribune. January 2, 1955. Retrieved April 5, 2025– via Newspapers.com.


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