1954
January 1, 1954 – Orange Bowl Stadium
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Sooner Defense Shuts Down No. 1
Top-ranked University of Maryland, minus All-America quarterback Bernie Faloney, was shut out for the first time in 51 games by fourth-ranked Oklahoma, 7-0, in the 20th Orange Bowl Classic.
The Terrapins, champions of the new Atlantic Coast Conference, were college football's dynasty. During the regular season, the Maryland defense had allowed a mere 84 rushing yards per game.
Despite losing Faloney to a knee injury early in the week, the Maryland offense came out smoking. Behind backup Charlie Boxold, the Terrapins rolled to a first down at the Sooner 4-yard line on the game's second drive. But the Big Seven champions held as Ralph Felton's plunge on fourth down came up six inches short.
Maryland continued to knock: eight times inside Sooner territory, but came away empty. While Terp kickers failed to connect on two field goals, Oklahoma's Larry Griggs took an option pitch 28 yards for the game's only score.
The Sooner offense dominated the Maryland defense, collecting 217 yards.
The match-up was the first of five straight Atlantic Coast Conference-Big Seven clashes.
|
|
OKLA |
UMD |
|
First Downs |
10 |
13 |
|
Rushing Attempts |
47 |
52 |
|
Rushing Yards |
208 |
176 |
|
Passes Attempted |
6 |
12 |
|
Passes Completed |
4 |
5 |
|
Had Intercepted |
0 |
1 |
|
Passing Yards |
22 |
36 |
|
Total Offense |
230 |
212 |
|
Punts/Avg. |
7/31.3 |
5/29.0 |
|
Fumbles/Lost |
2/2 |
2/1 |
|
Penalties/Yards |
7/45 |
3/15 |
|
SCORE BY QUARTERS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oklahoma |
0 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
- |
7 |
|
Maryland |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
- |
0
|
SCORING SUMMARY
OKLA: Griggs 25 run (Leake kick)
Oklahoma Head Coach: Bud Wilkinson
Maryland Head Coach: Jim Tatum