1943 Game Recap / Allstate Sugar Bowl

Ninth Annual Sugar Bowl Classic ~ January 1, 1943
#7 Tennessee 14 (Final: 9-1-1)
#4 Tulsa 7 (Final: 10-1-1)

Passing and punting were Tulsa's forte coming into the contest, but it was Tennessee's strong defense and solid ground game that made the difference in the game.

While the Golden Hurricane tried to ride the throwing and kicking of Glenn Dobbs (he completed a record nine straight passes at one point and had a 76-yard punt), the Vols proceeded with a steady rushing attack spearheaded by Clyde Fuson and Billy Gold, each of whom scored a touchdown.

Early in the second quarter, Dobbs put the Hurricane on top with a nine-yard flick to Cal Purdin for a touchdown. Tennessee came right back with Bill Gold slashing into the end zone from the 3, but the conversion failed and Tulsa led at the half.

In the second half, the Tennessee defense clamped down, focusing on Dobbs. After holding the Tulsa offense and forcing a punt, Tennessee's Denver Crawford burst into the end zone and blocked the Tulsa punt for a safety and a Volunteer advantage.

Tulsa desperately tried to battle back with its passing game, but a tipped ball was intercepted by Dick Jordan, setting up the clinching score, a one-yard dart by Clyde Fuson for a 14-7 lead.

The last effort by the Hurricane was snuffed by another interception, this one by Jim Powell, who had tipped the earlier interception.

Tulane Stadium
Att: 58,361

Tennessee 0 6 2 6 - 14
Tulsa 0 7 0 0 - 7

SCORING SUMMARY
Tulsa: Cal Purdin 9-yard pass from Glenn Dobbs (LeForce kick)
Tenn: Billy Gold 2-yard run (Kick failed)
Tenn: Safety: Denver Crawford blocked punt out of end zone
Tenn: Clyde Fuson 1-yard run (Kick failed)

Tennessee	Team Stats	Tulsa
14	First Downs	10
208	Rushing Yards	-39
7-17-0	Passing	17-27-2
88	Passing Yards	168
296	Total Yards	129
10-41.0	Punting	14-43.0
2-2	Fumbles-Lost	0-0
9-100	Penalties-Yds	5-44

Rushing
Tennessee: Clyde Fuson 14-57, 1 TD; Cifer 11-48
Tulsa: Erickson 1-9

Passing
Tennessee: Walter Slater 7-15, 88 yards
Tulsa: Glenn Dobbs 11-16, 98 yards; Keithley 6-11, 70 yards

Receiving
Tennessee: Gaffney 2-30; Hust 2-20
Tulsa: Judd 8-101; Cal Purdin 5-36