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Pineapple Bowl 1949
Oregon State 47 Hawaii 27
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The Oregon State Beavers, then known as Oregon State College, were once again the opposing team for the Hawaii Rainbows in the 1949 Pineapple Bowl. The Beavers had traveled to the Islands to defeat the Rainbows in the 1940 game. The fans showed up for the 1949 version of the Pineapple Bowl to the tune of 15,000. OSU had compiled a 5-4-3 overall record in Coach Lon Stiner’s final season. The Warriors posted a 7-3-1 record, but had lost by lopsided scores to the most legitimate competition the faced that regular season, Michigan State, UTEP and Nevada.
The Beavers were heavily favored in the game and started moving early behind strong line blocking to grab a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Substitute center, Bob Krell, recovered a Hawaii fumble on the Rainbow’s 46 yard line. It took the Beavers only six plays to score. Fullback Andy Knudsen cracked over from six inches for a 7-0 lead.
Later in the quarter, Krell leaped high to intercept a Rainbow pass at midfield and return it to the Hawaii two. OSU Coach Lon Stiner then shifted Krell to the offensive backfield and gave him a shot at scoring, but he was stopped just short. Halfback Ken Carpenter then tossed a pass to fullback Dick Twenge for the touchdown.
The Beavers added another score before Hawaii responded with a 70 yard scoring drive led by John Dang and Dick Mamiya. Each team managed to score again before the half. The halftime score stood at 27-14.
Early in the third period, Hawaii surprised Oregon State with a powerful 71 yard drive. Running back Jyan Hirota plunged in from two yards out to bring the Rainbows to within a touchdown. But, Oregon State took control of the game, scoring three touchdowns in rapid succession to put it out of reach.
The final score of the game was by Hawaii and came in the last minute of the game following a 65 yard drive.
The Beavers kept it on the ground and wore Hawaii down. Ken Carpenter and Knudsen led the way with two touchdowns apiece and the team completed only five passes, but for 112 yards. The Rainbows won much of the statistical war, with more total yards, more first downs, and more passing yards by game's end. The Beavers controlled the outcome due to Hawaii’s five turnovers on four interceptions and one fumble. Hawaii’s Hirota scored three touchdowns to lead all scorers.
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Harry Kahuanui scores Hawaii's final touchdown on a reception in the last minutes of the game.
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| Don Samuels carries around end for Oregon State. | |
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| Kiyoshi Matsuo of Hawaii brings down Oregon State's Bud Gibbs after completed pass. | |
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| Samuels is grabbed from behind by Louis Collins as Hawaii's James Asato (45) arrives to assist. | |
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Attendance- 15,000
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