|
|
Orange Bowl 1962
LSU 25 Colorado 7
|
|
Paul Dietzel’s Southeast Conference champions built up a 5-0 first quarter lead on 30 yard Wendell Harris' 30-yard field field goal and a safety scored when Gary Kinchen blocked a Charlie McBride punt out of the end zone. Dietzel had noticed a quirk in the Colorado center's snaps and used it to his team's advantage in this battle of top 10, once-beaten teams. Colorado came back to grab a 7-5 lead on Buff defender Loren Schweninger’s 59-yard pass interception return for a score early in the second quarter.
But the Tigers then methodically dismantled the Buffaloes, and though down by only four at halftime, one had the feeling that the struggling CU offense might not be able to get going in the second half. Colorado had only three plays, for as many yards, in the first quarter, and ran just 17 for 48 in the first half.
LSU took the lead for good in the second quarter, marching 82 yards for the score with Chuck Crawford going in from the one with 8:57 left in the first half to give the Tigers an 11-7 margin that held until the half.
The Tigers scored twice quickly in the third quarter to put the game away, with Jimmy Fields scoring on a nine yard run after a 43 yard drive following an 18 yard punt by the Buffs. Then, Gene Sykes blocked another McBride punt and recovered it himself in the endzone for a touchdown just as the period ended.
Sonny Grandelius’ Buffs managed only 129 yards in total offense against the LSU “Chinese Bandit” defense, while the Tigers earned 315 yards. CU had come into the game with a 9-1 mark, losing only to Utah and winning all seven Big Eight games to claim its first league crown.
With the victory, LSU finishes ranked 3rd in the nation in 1961. During the celebration, it was unknown that Coach Dietzel had coached his last game for LSU. Dietzel flew home to Baton Rouge after the game ready and accepted a five year, $100,000 contract offer from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Buffaloes pile on LSU's Wendall Harris after first half reception. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
In a key early play, LSU's Gary Kinchen (#51) blocks Charlie McBride's punt out of endzone for safety. |
|
|
|
|
|
John Meadows goes high to snare a pass along the sideline against LSU. |
|
|
|
|
|
Dietzel got a ride off the field following his last game for LSU. |
|
|
Attendance: 62,391
Scoring Summary
First Quarter LSU- FG Harris 30 LSU- Safety, Kinchen blocked punt out of end zone
Second Quarter CU- Schweninger 59 interception return (Hillebrand kick) LSU- Crawford 1 run (run failed)
Third Quarter LSU—Field 9 run (Harris kick) LSU—Sykes recovered blocked punt in end zone (Harris kick) Time: N/A
Individual Statistics
Rushing CU- Schweninger 5-9, Weidner 1-6 LSU- Gros 10-55, Field 8-36, Harris 6-26, Stovall 5-24, Amedee 9-20, Cranford 9-20, Wilkins 6-19
Passing CU- Weidner 11-36-98 LSU- Amedee 6-12-88, Field 2-6-21
Receiving CU- Hillebrand 4-52, Meadows 3-24, Mavity 2-15 LSU- Wilkins 3-58, Campbell 3- 30, Harris 1-14, Stovall 1-7
|
|
|
|
|
Jittery
Big Eight champion Colorado was outclassed by Louisiana State’s smooth
football hordes, and the Buffaloes lost a 25-7 decision in the 28th
Orange Bowl Classic before 62,391 onlookers.
