January 2, 1956 – Orange Bowl Stadium
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
 
#1 Oklahoma Keeps Streaking
Oklahoma's 30-game winning streak remained intact as it swept by a strong Maryland squad 20-6, in a rematch of the 1954 Orange Bowl.
 
Oklahoma's streak had been kept alive since it beat Maryland 7-0 two years earlier. The Terrapins came into this game riding their own 15-game streak.
 
A slow first half produced only a Maryland touchdown, but the explosive speed of Bud Wilkinson's number one-ranked Sooners slowly wore down the Terrapins.
 
The Sooners took command in the third quarter. Quarterback Tommy McDonald's 32-yard punt return before Oklahoma's first offensive series put the ball at the Maryland 46. A seven-play drive ensued in which the Sooners raced from one play to the next in a speedup offense that confused the Terrapins. During one span, Oklahoma ran three plays in 38 actual seconds.
 
McDonald scored on a four-yard touchdown run to cap off the drive. On their next series, Oklahoma utilized the hurry-up offense once again. The 16-play drive ended with a 1-yard sneak by Jay O'Neal and a 14-6 lead.
 
The Terrapins threatened soon after, but a Jerry Tubbs interception stopped them at the Sooner 26. Maryland came right back and had a first down at the Oklahoma 30, but Carl Dodd intercepted a Lynn Beightol pass and raced 82 yards for the touchdown.
 

SCORING SUMMARY
UMD: Vereb 15-yard run (kick failed); OKLA: McDonald 4-yard run (Pricer kick); OKLA: O’Neal 1-yard run (Pricer kick); OKLA: Dodd 82-yard interception return (kick failed)
 
Oklahoma Head Coach: Bud Wilkinson
Maryland Head Coach: Jim Tatum