The bowls now are settled: Rose—Ohio State and Oregon; Cotton—Navy and Rice; Sugar—Mississippi and Texas; Orange—Duke and Oklahoma; Gator—Tennessee and Texas A&M
THE EAST
With cold rain slanting down on Philadelphia's Municipal Stadium, Navy greeted Army with a deceptive offense and an alert and varied defense, soundly bounced the Cadets 14-0. Captain and Halfback Ned Oldham, voted by newsmen the game's best back, scored both touchdowns (a six-yard burst and a 44-yard punt return) and kicked both conversions. All afternoon, the Middy line contained Army's explosive halfbacks; Pete Dawkins was allowed but 63 ground yards and the celebrated Bob Anderson a niggardly 18 (see page 20).
Two days earlier, in mild Philadelphia rain, Pennsylvania put on the brisker ground show, moved through Cornell 14-6 in the 64th renewal of their fine old series. The victory, Coach Steve Sebo's first in four against the Cornellians, sadly pointed up the importance of Quarterback-Tailback Fran Riepl to his Quaker team. Scholarly Riepl, injured in the opener against Penn State and out through Penn's five ensuing losses, returned in November to guide Sebo's multiple offense. Penn then defeated Yale, Columbia and the Big Red.
In still another rain bath, Holy Cross washed away the last of any Boston College bowl hopes, clipping the Eagles 14-0. It was a gooey fumble derby in which the Crusaders lost five fumbles but recovered eight of Boston College's.
Providence fans, starved all fall for that big day of Brown football, got it with all the trimmings on Thanksgiving Day as the Bruins plastered Colgate 33-7.
THE SOUTH
Auburn put the finishing touches on a Southeast Conference title, a national championship and Alabama's Coach J. B. (Ears) Whitworth by creaming the Crimson Tide 40-0. Rumors began even before the game that Whitworth was to be replaced by current Texas A & M coach and ex-'Bama boy Bear Bryant.
Unimpressive Mississippi stumbled through the last hoop in its way to the Sugar Bowl by squeezing past Mississippi State 7-7.
Cowed by Coach Bowden Wyatt's half-time tongue lashing, Tennessee shaped up, roared for two touchdowns in the first couple minutes of the second half and defeated Vanderbilt 20-6. Vol hero Bobby Gordon, playing his last game in Knoxville, rushed for 91 yards, scored once and finally left the game borne high on deafening cheers.
On Turkey Day, VMI, aiming for its first undefeated season in over three decades, feasted off the Gobblers of VPI 14-6, took the Southern Conference crown from West Virginia and promptly voted to decline any postseason bowl invitation.
THE MIDWEST
USC, acclimated to the beaches of Santa Monica, froze up solid in South Bend's 22° weather, lost its ninth and last game of a dreadful season, bowing to Notre Dame 40-12. For the Irish it was Sophomore Day: Rookies Monty Stickles, Jim Crotty and Pat Doyle scored touchdowns, Doyle's coming on a 92-yard kickoff return.
THE SOUTHWEST
Rice, climaxing a brilliant late-season rush toward the Southwest Conference title and a Cotton Bowl bid, erupted for two touchdowns at the outset of the third period, tossed in another about 20 minutes later and bounced poor old Baylor 20-0. The Bears won the statistics battle but unfortunately lost their key quarterback with a back injury. Fragile Doyle Traylor (SI, Oct. 7) came unmendably apart for the first time this season and was carted off in the first period.
Texas, another late surprise, picked up a SWC red ribbon and a shot at the Sugar Bowl by nudging Texas A&M 9-7. John Crow, the Aggies' All-America halfback, played another breathtaking game—sad proof to Aggie fans that one Crow does not a season make. Afterwards, A&M released Coach Bear Bryant from his contract.
Oklahoma won its second straight by manhandling Oklahoma state 53-6. Halfback Clendon Thomas scored twice, finished his career as alltime top Sooner scorer (216 points) and rusher (2,120 yards).
THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
Lee Grosscup, accidentally kneed in the face, saw spot service as Utah wrapped up the Skyline Conference title by racing past Utah state 21-6. Only 17,000 fans forsook turkey for football as Quarterback Gross-cup completed eight of 13 passes on his way to a new national completion record of 68.2%.
Wyoming coaches and players dropped a 13-14 decision to Denver U. and $10 suspended fines to a Denver judge for disturbing the peace of a hotel after the game.