1971 Peach Bowl

The 1971 Peach Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game between the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Ole Miss Rebels.

Background

The Yellow Jackets were playing their last game under coach Bud Carson, while comepeting in their second straight bowl game. This was the 15th straight season of postseason play for the Rebels, who tied for 4th in the Southeastern Conference. This was the first Peach Bowl played at Atlanta Fulton-County Stadium. Unfortunately, the field turned soggy prior to the game, getting worse as the game progressed.^[1][2]

Game summary

The Rebels scored 38 straight points in the first half, starting with Norris Weese's touchdown run. Porter added in two touchdown runs, and touchdown passes from Lyons and Weese as the Yellow Jackets could not respond until the first half was almost over, on a Bill Healy run. Georgia Tech scored once more on another Healy run to make it 38-12. Ole Miss only scored once in the half on Hinton's second field goal, but Georgia Tech only scored once more as well on Healy's third touchdown run as Ole Miss stymied the Yellow Jackets, forcing three turnovers. Weese threw 7-of-14 for 116 yards along with 32 yards on 11 carries. Greg Ainsworth rushed for 119 yards on 28 carries.^[3][4]

Scoring Summary

• Ole Miss — Weese 1 run (Hinton PAT)
• Ole Miss — Hinton 25 FG
• Ole Miss — Porter 2 run (Hinton PAT)
• Ole Miss — Porter 10 run (Hinton PAT)
• Ole Miss — Felts 15 pass from Lyons (Hinton PAT)
• Ole Miss — Myers 11 pass from Weese (Hinton PAT)
• Georgia Tech — Healy 2 run (Run failed)
• Georgia Tech — Healy 1 run (Pass failed)
• Ole Miss — Hinton 30 FG
• Georgia Tech — Healy 1 run (Run failed)

Aftermath

As it turned out, this was the last bowl season for the Rebels until 1983. Georgia Tech reached a bowl the following year and reached the Peach Bowl until 1978. They have never won a Peach Bowl.

Statistics

References