1950 Orange Bowl

1950 Orange Bowl was the sixteenth installment of the Orange Bowl. The game featured the Kentucky Wildcats of the Southeastern Conference and the Santa Clara Broncos, an independent program. Santa Clara (7-2-1 entering the game) was ranked #15 in the AP poll prior to the game.^[1] Kentucky (9-2, 4-1 SEC) had been ranked as high as #6 in the AP poll during the season but was ranked #11 entering the game.^[2]

The game was scoreless until the second quarter, following a Santa Clara turnover, as Kentucky's John Netoskie recovered a fumble on the Kentucky 49.^[3] A 14 play, 51-yard drive ended with a 2-yard touchdown run by Wilbur Jamerson; Bobby Brooks' point after gave Kentucky a 7-0 lead, a score that stood at the half after a 45 yard Babe Parilli-to-Bill Leskovar pass put Kentucky on the Santa Clara 3-yard line with Santa Clara stopping two rushing attempts as time expired.^[3] Kentucky coach Bear Bryant later said he should have called a passing play in order to allow for a field goal attempt if a touchdown was not scored.^[3]

Following a 9-yard punt, Santa Clara took possession on their own 46-yard line.^[3] A John Pasco to Larry Williams pass for 25 yards led to a 1-yard touchdown run by Pasco to tie the game at 7-7.^[3] A second Santa Clara touchdown came in the third quarter after a pass interference call against Kentucky helped set up a 4-yard touchdown run by Hall Haynes.^[3]

Parilli threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to Emery Clark but Brooks missed the point after, giving Santa Clara a 14-13 lead with 12 minutes remaining.^[3] With less than one minute left Santa Clara's Bernie Vogel scored on a 16-yard run for the final score of Santa Clara 21, Kentucky 13.^[3]

Bill Leskovar had 83 rushing yards (on 22 carries) for Kentucky.^[4]

References