1938 Sun Bowl

The 1938 Sun Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Background

The Red Raiders were champion of the Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association for the first time in school history, which earned them the right to be invited to their first ever bowl game. The Mountaineers' only loss in the season was to Pittsburgh (the eventual champion). This was the first Sun Bowl played at Kidd Field.

Game summary

A fumble by the Red Raiders on their own five yard line was recovered by the Mountaineers at the three. But West Virginia was stopped three times as fourth down approached. However, David Issac picked up his own fumbled while avoiding three tackles and dashed into the end zone, giving them a 7-0 lead. Before the half ended, Tech went on a drive. Led by quarterback Ed Smith, the Red Raiders drove 80 yards, culminating on a Charlie Calhoun one-yard rush for a touchdown. But the extra point was blocked, leaving the game at 7-6. As it turned out, Emmett Moan's extra point kick for West Virginia proved to be the winning margin. A 92 yard touchdown run by Harry Clarke (who ran for 132 yards) was called back for holding, which would've given them the lead. Texas Tech had more yards, completed passes and first downs than the Mountaineers, but their two turnovers cost them dearly. ^[1]

Aftermath

The Mountaineers waited 11 years for their next bowl game, which turned out to be the Sun Bowl. The Red Raiders have played in the Sun Bowl eighht more time since this game, though they've only won once.

References