1948 Dixie Bowl
The 1948 Dixie Bowl was the first post-season collegiate Dixie Bowl played at Legion Field. The game was sponsored by the Birmingham Parks and Recreation Department and American Legion General Gorgas Post No. 1.
The Arkansas Razorbacks, coached by John Barnhill, came into the game with a 5-4-1 regular season record (1-4-1 in the Southwest Conference). Rube McCray's William & Mary Indians, with their stolid rushing defense, were 9-1 in the Southern Conference and brought a #14 Associated Press ranking into the match-up in front of 21,000.
The Indians scored first by returning a fumbled quick-kick at the Arkansas 6-yard line. Hall of Fame fullback Jack Cloud scored from the one to take a 7-0 lead. He scored again to cap a 78-yard drive early in the 2nd quarter. Quarterback Stan Magdziak failed to convert the extra point, though, making the score 13-0.
Arkansas' Kenny Holland threw a 59-yard scoring pass to Ross Pitchard later in the quarter. The Razorback's Melvin McGaha intercepted Magdziak's pass in the ensuing drive and returned it 70 yards. Aubrey Fowler's extra point gave Arkansas its first lead at 14-13.
Henry Bland caught a Magdziak pass from the 6-yard line for an answering score in the third quarter, but again the Indians failed to convert. Arkansas drove 97 yards on the ensuing kickoff and Leon "Muscles" Campbell scored from 7 yards out to end the scoring, giving the Razorbacks a 21-19 win and their first bowl game victory in three attempts.
References
- "1948 Dixie Bowl" (June 24, 2014) Wikipedia - accessed May 12, 2015