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| 44th Annual Sugar Bowl Classic ~ January 2, 1978 #3 Alabama 35 (Final: 11-1-0, #2) #9 Ohio State 6 (Final: 9-3-0, #10)  Coaching legends Paul "Bear" Bryant and Woody Hayes were well-matched, but Alabama's Jeff Rutledge was not as the Tide rolled over the Buckeyes 35-6 before 76,811, a then-Superdome football record. Rutledge, the Miller-Digby honoree, hit 8-of-11 passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns as Alabama, ranked No. 2, moved to a 21-0 lead through three periods. Major Ogilvie and Johnny Davis blew it open with successive fourth-period touchdowns after Ohio State had pulled to within 21-6 on Rodney Gerald's 38-yard pass to Jim Harrell. Louisiana Superdome Att: 76,811 Alabama 0 13 8 14 - 35 Ohio State 0 0 0 6 - 6 SCORING SUMMARY Ala: Nathan 1-yard run (Chapman kick) Ala: Bolton 27-yard pass from Rutledge (Kick failed) Ala: Neal 3-yard pass from Rutledge (Nathan pass from Rutledge) OSU: Harrell 38-yard pass from Gerald (Run failed) Ala: Ogilvie 1-yard run (Chapman kick) Ala: Davis 5-yard run (Chapman kick)
Rushing Ala.: Davis 24-95, 1 TD; Crow 5-46 OSU: Springs 10-74; Logan 13-57 Passing Ala.: Rutledge 8-11-0, 109 yards, 2 TDs OSU: Gerald 7-17-3, 103 yards, 1 TD Receiving Ala.: Newsome 2-45; Ferguson 2-28 OSU: Hunter 2-25; Springs 2-6 Miller-Digby Award recipient: Jeff Rutledge, Alabama quarterback  |