January 1, 1963 – Orange Bowl Stadium
 
JFK Watches ‘Bama’s Show
President John F. Kennedy was one of 73,380 fans to witness Alabama linebacker Lee Roy Jordan single-handedly turn back Oklahoma, 17-0.
 
Jordan, who met Kennedy during the coin toss, recorded 31 tackles as a defensive battle took shape right from the start. The tough Alabama defense had allowed only 39 points all season and had not been scored upon twice in any game.
 
After ‘Bama had taken a 7-0 lead on a 25-yard pass from sophomore Joe Namath to Richard Williams, Oklahoma botched its best scoring opportunity. The Sooners lost a fumble on the Alabama 7-yard line, after a 56-yard Ron Fletcher-to-Allen Bumgardner pass led them down the field.
 
In the second quarter a 15-yard Cotton Clark run stretched the 'Bama lead to 14-0, and the Tide extended that to 17-0 on Tim Davis' 19-yard FG.
 
Both teams compiled 260 yards of total offense, but Oklahoma was unable to get into the end zone. Despite his fumble, Grisham earned 107 tough yards on the ground for the Sooners.
 

                                           
SCORING SUMMARY
ALA: Williamson 25-yard pass from Namath (Davis kick); ALA: Clark 15-yard run (Davis kick); ALA: Davis 19-yard FG
 
Alabama Head Coach: Paul “Bear” Bryant
Oklahoma Head Coach: Bud Wilkinson