Alabama’s Top 10 Sugar Bowls: No. 10, 1975 Alabama vs. Penn State

The Alabama Crimson Tide can be making its seventeenth look within the Sugar Bowl, probably the most of any workforce, when it squares off in opposition to the No. 9 Kansas State Wildcats inside Caesars Superdome on Dec. 31 (11 a.m. CT on ESPN).

BamaCentral is counting down the Prime 10 Sugar Bowls for Alabama:

#4 Alabama 13 (Remaining: 11-1-0, #3)
#10 Penn State 6 (Remaining: 9-3-0, #10)

It wasn’t thought of the strongest of bowl matchups, however what it lacked in affecting the nationwide championship image the 1975 Sugar Bowl made up for with scores of storylines.

Amongst them, Alabama was driving an eight-year shedding streak, which Paul “Bear” Bryant desperately needed to finish. The Crimson Tide’s first bowl victory since January 1, 1967 (a 34-7 victory over Nebraska within the Sugar Bowl) was a 13-6 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions.

It was additionally the primary Sugar Bowl performed contained in the climate-controlled Louisiana Superdome.

The important thing play got here within the fourth quarter, after Crimson Tide quarterback Richard Todd known as a timeout.

“We had a sweep known as to the left facet, however I didn’t just like the protection they have been in. I didn’t need to take the prospect of working a play,” Todd stated. “So I known as time. I went over to the sidelines and Coach Bryant type of winked at me. He known as a move.”

Sophomore broad receiver Ozzie Newsome, who was already nicely on his technique to a Corridor of Fame profession, ran a slant-and-go route and beat the one protection for a 55-yard achieve to arrange the one landing of the sport, an 11-yard sweep by halfback Mike Inventory.

Alabama gained 13-6 and Todd, who accomplished 10 of 12 passes for 205 yards, was named the sport’s most beneficial participant. However afterward, probably the most urgent query reporters had for Bryant wasn’t concerning the outing, Newsome’s reception, or the truth that the No. 3 Tide wouldn’t transfer up and stay third within the remaining polls.

They needed to know why the coach didn’t put on his trademark houndstooth hat.

“My mom at all times taught me to not put on a hat indoors,” he replied, a lot to please of Crimson Tide followers in every single place.

Alabama Recap

Richard Todd, Alabama’s senior quarterback, placed on an offensive present, finishing 10 of 12 passes for 205 yards. In working the Tide’s wishbone offense to close perfection, he was named the sport’s Most Useful Participant. Todd handed 55 yards to separate finish Ozzie Newsome to arrange the sport’s solely landing within the fourth quarter.

Todd, who had suffered a lower finger on Christmas Day, got here out along with his finger bandaged, and Penn State stacked its protection whereas daring him to throw. That technique value the Nittany Lions dearly within the early going. 

Joe Dale Harris, a shock starter, ran a turn-in sample whereas Todd launched his throw simply earlier than being engulfed by the protection. With State’s minimal protection, Harris broke free and turned the quick move right into a 54-yard achieve. That play ultimately led to a 25-yard area objective by Danny Ridgeway and a 3-0 Alabama lead that held as much as the half.

Penn State’s Chris Bahr tied the rating with a 42-yard area objective within the third quarter, however Todd introduced the Tide again rapidly. On the Penn State 35 following a timeout, Todd pump faked PSU freshman Invoice Crummy and Newsome broke again to the sideline and caught the move 25 yards downfield, being introduced down on the 10. Todd misplaced 4 yards recovering a fumble, however Mike Inventory swept into the tip zone behind a ferocious block by Newsome.

Bahr lower the margin to 10-6 with a 37-yard ϐield objective within the fourth quarter, however Ridgeway answered for Alabama with a 28-yard kick for a 13-6 lead. With 3:19 left, Penn State bought its final probability. The Nittany Lions inched out to their 39 earlier than Alabama stopped the Nittany Lions on a fourth-and-one play with 1:15 to go.

Tremendous Bowl Abstract

For the Sugar Bowl debut within the already-world-famous Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans was handled to a pair of coaches would go down in historical past as true legends: Alabama’s Bear Bryant and Penn State’s Joe Paterno. In reality, it was Bryant who had beneficial Paterno’s Nittany Lions as his opponent for the sport.

Bryant was usually downplaying his probabilities, even in opposition to a most popular opponent, one which figured to be 13 ½ factors behind Alabama at sport’s finish, even with an injured Crimson Tide quarterback. “I feel we’ll win,” Bryant stated, then swiftly added, “if I don’t overcoach ’em.”

It was the traditional Bryant fashion – laid again, understated and homespun. However the Bear needed badly to interrupt his bowl skein. He walked out for the kickoff with out his trademark houndstooth hat. Bryant would say later he was taught by no means to put on a hat indoors. However he was looking for one thing that may carry his workforce good luck – and a victory. That was the rationale he let spouse Mary Harmon Bryant experience on the workforce bus to the Superdome….

“Lordy, it positive didn’t come simple,” grumbled Bear, who took particular care to notice that Penn State had dropped his backs for losses 9 instances. “We beat a helluva soccer workforce tonight,” he stated. “Anybody who doesn’t suppose that’s an fool.”

Coach Joe Paterno got here into the Alabama locker room the place Todd was surrounded by newsmen. “I need to congratulate you on an amazing sport,” stated the Nittany Lions coach. When he realized Todd was subsequent planning on going to the Senior Bowl, Paterno quipped, “I’d prefer to advocate you for that one. It’s the least I can do since Bear beneficial me for this one.”

Recap excerpted from the ebook “Sugar Bowl Traditional: A Historical past” by Marty Mulé.

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