1936 Sun Bowl

The 1936 Sun Bowl was the first Sun Bowl held between college teams, the idea devised by Dr. Charles M. Hendricks. The festivities included a parade and a Sun Court.

Background

The Cowboys finished second in the Border Conference to Arizona, who coincidentally gave the Aggies (then known as New Mexico A&M) their only loss of the season.

Game summary

Despite four touchdowns combined in the game, play was marred by 15 turnovers that had 10 fumbles and five interceptions. A NCAA record was set for most punts combined, with 29. It was a physical game that was only 7–7 at halftime. After Ed Cherry gave the Cowboys the lead again on a touchdown run, the Aggies went to work again. Despite four interceptions on the day, Lem Pratt managed to throw a pass to Hooky Apodaca that he lateral to Lauro Apodaca, who ran 35 yards to score the tying touchdown. The game had no more points from that point on despite desperate efforts on both sides, clinching the first tie game in Sun Bowl history. ^[1][2]

Aftermath

The Cowboys would make four more appearances, the last in 1958. The Aggies would make two more appearances, the last in 1960. There would not be a tie Sun Bowl game again until 1940 Sun Bowl.

Statistics

References