Oil Bowl

1946

Georgia 20
Tulsa 6

Georgia Fight Song

Following a one year hiatus due to the war, the Oil Bowl resumed in 1946. Georgia had won the 1943 Rose Bowl, but World War II interrupted the playing career of many college athletes, including the great Charley Trippi, who served in the Air Force. After discharge, he returned to Sanford Stadium for the final six games in 1945. The transition wasn't easy for Trippi because coach Wally Butts had implemented a new offensive system while he was away, switching from the single wing to a T-formation. It took Trippi a while to get the feel of the new offense, but he learned to like it because it gave him more opportunities to throw the ball, something he did well.
 

In the season finale against Georgia Tech in 1945, Trippi set an SEC record for passing yards in a single game at the time (323) and also gained 61 yards rushing for a total of 384 yards total offense, which was another SEC record at the time. On the year, Georgia lost only to Rose Bowl bound Alabama and LSU to finish 8-2 and 18th in the AP poll. Tulsa was making its fifth straight postseason bowl appearance, which was the longest postseason streak at that time. They were led by hard running fullback, Camp Wilson. The Canes lost only to Big Ten champion, Indiana and undefeated Oklahoma A&M to go 7-2 and finish just ahead of Georgia at 17th in the AP poll. The Oil Bowl was a great pairing and compensated both teams for exclusion from the major established bowls.
 

It was a very windy day in Houston and the fortunes of the teams hinged on wind direction. The Bulldogs scored on their second possession of the first quarter with 7 minutes gone in the game, driving 44 yards after a Tulsa punt by Hardy Smith into the wind traveled only 16 yards. Trippi carried for 25 yards to the Hurricane 19. Rabbit Smith carried up the middle for eleven, then scored from three yards out for the Bulldogs.

As the second quarter opened, Tulsa gained the wind advantage. Hardy Smith kicked a tremendous 71 yard punt that sailed over Trippi’s head and changed the complexion of the game, forcing the Bulldogs to start from their own three. Just as Georgia had capitalized on a poor punt, Tulsa capitalized on a fumble with six minutes remaining in the half. Bulldog quarterback John Rauch was hit as he threw and fumbled. It was recovered at the Georgia 13 yard line by Chubby Grigg. Five plays later, Camp Wilson went over for the touchdown from one yard out giving Tulsa what would be their only score of the game.

The score remained 7-6 through three quarters as Tulsa took to the air but was ineffective. The final period and this game belonged to the All-American, Trippi. With the ball at his own 47 yard line, Trippi faded far back to his 30 and fired a bullet pass downfield which was hauled in by John Donaldson on the Tulsa eight and he scored. The pass sailed 62 yards in the air and nestled squarely into Donaldson’s hands.

The crowd in Houston was awed by Trippi’s pass, but had little time to reflect on it as lightening struck again. Tulsa punted and Trippi gathered the ball in at his own 32. He moved to the right and was apparently stopped by two Tulsa defenders. He eluded one then bowled over Hardy Brown, reversed his direction and streaked 68 yards to the endzone. Georgia fans still regard this punt return as the greatest in Georgia history and many regard Trippi’s overall performance as the greatest bowl game performance in Bulldog history.

Tulsa had two more opportunities to score but failed. Later, Tulsa coach Henry Frnka said, “They just had too much speed for us.” Of Trippi he said, “What do I think of Trippi? Just what you do. He’s a great back.”

Houston street banner celebrates Oil Bowl.

Trippi carries in Oil Bowl.

Camp Wilson

Georgia's Rabbit Smith drives toward goal.

Attendance: 27,000

Scoring Summary

First Quarter
UGA - Smith 3 run (Jernigan kick)

Second Quarter
TU - Wilson 1 run (Brown kick failed)

Fourth Quarter
UGA - Donaldson 47 yard pass from Trippi (Jernigan kick)
UGA - Trippi 68 punt return (Jernigan kick failed)
 

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