1961 Liberty Bowl

The 1961 Liberty Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game played on December 16, 1961. The third edition of the Liberty Bowl, the game featured the Syracuse Orangemen and the Miami Hurricanes, both independent programs.

1961 Liberty Bowl
3rd Liberty Bowl
Miami Hurricanes Syracuse Orangemen
(7–3) (7–3)
Independent Independent
14 15
Head coach: 
Andy Gustafson		 Head coach: 
Ben Schwartzwalder
APCoaches
NR19
APCoaches
1416
1234 Total
Miami 6800 14
Syracuse 0087 15
DateDecember 16, 1961
Season1961
StadiumPhiladelphia Municipal Stadium
LocationPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
MVPRB Dick Easterly
Attendance15,712

Background

Syracuse running back Ernie Davis became the first African-American football player to win the Heisman Trophy. This was Syracuse's fifth bowl game in 8 years. Miami was making their first bowl appearance since 1952.

Game summary

Jim Vollenweider scored on a 12-yard touchdown run to give Miami a 6–0 lead (though the extra point failed) in the first quarter. Nick Spineli scored on a 60-yard punt return to add onto the lead, and George Mira scored on the conversion pass to make it 14–0 at halftime. Syracuse culminated a 42-yard drive with an Ernie Davis touchdown plunge to make it 14–8 (with a Dave Sarette pass to Dick Easterly to get the two-point conversion). On the first play of the fourth quarter, Miami fumbled the ball, and Bill Schoonover recovered at the Orange 49. Nine plays and 51 yards later, Sarette threw a touchdown pass to Easterly to make it 14–14, with the extra point proving to be important. Ken Erickson's extra point was good, as the Orange won, 15–14. Ernie Davis rushed for 140 yards on 30 carries. Easterly caught four passes for 50 yards.[1][2]

Aftermath

Davis died of leukemia before he ever played a snap in the National Football League. Miami returned to the Liberty Bowl in 1966, while Syracuse returned in 1996.

Statistics
StatisticsSyracuseMiami
First Downs2111
Rushing Yards221109
Passing Yards14894
Total Yards369203
Punts-Average7-31.49-30.3
Punt Return Yards1478
Kickoff Return Yards6032
Fumbles-Lost3-23-1
Penalties-Yards5-353-29
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References
  1. http://cuse.com/sports/2006/1/26/1961libertybowl.aspx
  2. http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/mifl/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/bowl-history-records.pdf
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