1983 Sun Bowl

Last updated

1983 Sun Bowl
50th Sun Bowl
1234Total
Alabama14140028
SMU00707
DateDecember 24, 1983
Season 1983
Stadium Sun Bowl
Location El Paso, Texas
MVPWalter Lewis, Alabama QB
Referee John McClintock (Big Eight)
Attendance41,412
United States TV coverage
Network CBS
Announcers Gary Bender and Pat Haden
Sun Bowl
 < 1982   1984 > 

The 1983 Sun Bowl, part of the 1983 bowl game season, took place on December 24, 1983, at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, United States. The competing teams were the Alabama Crimson Tide, representing the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and the SMU Mustangs of the Southwest Conference (SWC). Alabama was victorious in by a final score of 28–7. This was the 50th edition of the Sun Bowl (49th playing between college teams).

Contents

Teams

Alabama

The 1983 Alabama squad finished the regular season with a 7–4 record and losses against Penn State, Tennessee, Boston College and Auburn. Following their loss against Boston College, university officials announced they accepted an invitation to play in the Sun Bowl. The appearance marked the first for Alabama in the Sun Bowl, and their 27th overall bowl game appearance.

SMU

The 1983 SMU squad finished the regular season with a record of 10–1 and as SWC runner-up with their only loss coming against Texas. The appearance in the Sun Bowl marked the second for SMU in the game, and their 10th overall bowl game appearance.

Game summary

Coming into the 50th annual Sun Bowl, the Mustangs were heavily favored over the Crimson Tide. [1] At #6, SMU was the highest ranked team in Sun Bowl history. [2] Alabama dominated play in the first half and took a 28–0 lead into halftime. The Crimson Tide scored touchdowns in the first quarter on a pair of Ricky Moore runs from one and eleven yards respectively. [1] In the second quarter, Bama scored touchdowns on a one-yard Walter Lewis run and on a 19-yard Lewis pass to Joey Jones. [1] In the second half, both defenses were dominant with the only points coming on a 15-yard Lance McIlhenny touchdown pass to Marquis Pleasant in the third to bring the final score to its 28–7 margin. [1] Entering the game, the Mustangs had only allowed four rushing touchdowns all season only to see the Tide score three on the ground in the first half and outgain the Mustangs in total offense 303 to 105 yards. [1] For his performance, Alabama quarterback Walter Lewis was named the Sun Bowl MVP. [3]

Scoring summary

Scoring summary
QuarterTime Drive TeamScoring informationScore
Plays Yards TOP AlabamaSMU
17:337 plays, 59 yards2:17AlabamaRicky Moore 1-yard touchdown run, Van Tiffin kick good70
12:183 plays, 51 yards1:04AlabamaRicky Moore 11-yard touchdown run, Van Tiffin kick good140
213:3815 plays, 91 yards6:22AlabamaWalter Lewis 1-yard touchdown run, Van Tiffin kick good210
21:093 plays, 62 yards:28Alabama Joey Jones 19-yard touchdown reception from Walter Lewis, Van Tiffin kick good280
311:293 plays, 78 yards:20SMUMarquis Pleasant 15-yard touchdown reception from Lance McIlhenny, Jeff Harrell kick good287
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.287

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Mitchell, Billy (December 25, 1983). "Bama overwhelms SMU with explosive first half". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1B. Retrieved November 14, 2010.
  2. "Alabama 28, SMU 7 | Recaps - Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl | December 31, 2021 | el Paso, Texas".
  3. Mitchell, Billy (December 25, 1983). "Perkins pleased with Bama play". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1B. Retrieved November 14, 2010.