Peach Bowl

1974

Texas Tech 6

Vanderbilt 6

Texas Tech Fight Song

Vanderbilt Fight Song

In the 7th Peach Bowl game, Vanderbilt, making its first bowl appearance in 19 years, locked horns with Texas Tech in a defensive struggle that ended in a tie.

It was not known at the time, but the 1974 Peach Bowl would be the last game for Steve Sloan to coach Vanderbilt. The 1974 Commodores entered the seventh annual Peach Bowl in Atlanta Stadium with a 7-3-1 record. Only 31,695 fans were in attendance with the majority belonging to Vanderbilt. Their opponent was Texas Tech, who was coached by Jim Carlen. It was known that this would be Carlen’s last game at Tech, as he would become the new head coach at South Carolina.

Both defenses would dominate the game. Defensive tackle Dennis Harrison was a Commodore freshman and dominated on defense to earn MVP honors. His blocked field goal attempt was a key factor in preventing a Commodore loss (video).

Late in the first half, Vanderbilt quarterback David Lee, overthrew a pass to Walter Overton that was intercepted in the Red Raider end zone. A few plays later, Jay Chesley picked off a Tech pass returning the ball to the Rader 14-yard line. The short drive stalled and Mark Adams booted a Vandy field goal good for 30 yards. The Commodores led, 3-0.

Randy Olsen made an endzone interception to negate a Vanderbilt drive with 5 minutes remaining in the first half. Tech then drove 79 yards to the Commodore 1 yard line with :47 seconds remaining in the first half, but Vandy mounted a goal line stand. On first and goal, Tech running back Larry Isaac was stopped for no gain. With one timeout and the clock down to 14 seconds, Isaac was stymied again for no yards gained. Only two seconds remained when the Raiders attempted another rush into the stubborn Vandy line. The results were the same as Tech failed to advance the ball on third down and the clock expired. The 12,000 Vanderbilt fans roared as the outstanding defensive stand occurred in their end zone.

Midway through the third quarter, Tech drove from their own 7 to the Vanderbilt 10 and Brian Hall tied the game with a 26 yard field goal (video). Later, a Tech fumble gave Vanderbilt another scoring opportunity at the Raider 18-yard line. After three plays failed to make a first down, Adams kicked a 26-yard field goal and a 6-3 Commodore lead with 5:11 left in the game (video).

Laurence Williams took the Vanderbilt kickoff 54 yards (a then Peach Bowl record) to set up Tech’s final field goal. The Raiders eventually kicked a 35-yard field at the 2:27 mark to finalize the score at 6-6 (video). Tech and Hall did have a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter, but the 265 pound freshman, Harrison, blocked a 33-yard 4th quarter field goal attempt.

Several Peach Bowl records were recorded that day in the “fewest” category. They include: times penalized, one each; points scored both teams, 12; passes completed both teams, 8 (Tech 3, Vandy 5); yards passing both teams, 95 (Tech 35, Vandy 60); yards total offense both teams, 541 (Tech 341, Vandy 200); first downs one team, Vandy 10.

Vanderbilt was led in rushing by Jamie O’ Rourke with 76 yards. Isaac and Cliff Hoskins led the Raider rushers with 101 and 116 yards respectively. Because of the deadlocked game, Peach Bowl officials announced that duplicate champions trophies would be awarded.

“We get a trophy which we will put in McGugin Center that will serve to remember this bowl team,” said Sloan. “But we don’t need the trophy to remember this team. Vanderbilt fans everywhere will recall this year and this football team. And they will be as proud as I am.

“I just want everyone to know that being associated with this Vanderbilt football team, you guys have worked so hard, has given me my biggest thrill as a player or as a coach. I’m thrilled to be a part of this team. Sloan, only 30 years old, shocked the Vanderbilt community by announcing weeks later that he was leaving the Commodore program for the now vacated coaching position at Texas Tech. Sloan was Carlen’s replacement.

It is regarded as one of the most boring bowl games ever, but it was a classic defensive battle.

Mark Adams kicks one of his two field goals for Vandy.

Vandy quarterback David Lee carries the ball through Tech line.

Tech's Brian Hall kicked tied it with his fourth quarter field goal.

Vanderbilt's Dennis Harrison blocked Hall's 4th quarter field goal attempt to preserve the tie.

The low scoring tie didn't earn many accolades from fans.

Attendance- 31,695

Scoring Summary

Second Quarter
VU- FG Adams 31

Third Quarter
TT- FG Hall 26

Fourth Quarter
VU- FG Adams 26
TT- FG Hall 35

Individual Statistics

Rushing

VU- O'Rourke 17-76, Sadler 8-31, Garcia 4-21

TT- Hoskins 13-116, Isaac 20-101, Garner 9-38

Passing

VU- Lee 5-14-60

TT- Dunevan 3-8-35

Receiving

VU- Burton 2-36, O'Rourke 2-15, Mathers 1-9

TT- Felux 2-21, Williams 1-14

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