Raisin Bowl

1948

 

Pacific 26

Wichita State 14

 

 

Pacific Fight Song

 

Note: The 1948 Raisin Bowl was played on January 1 at Fresno, CA. By today’s standards, the game would appear to be a match of two smaller colleges and of little significance. But, in 1948, this game was considered one of the most interesting contests of that bowl season.

 

The College of Pacific, located in Stockton, CA had brought their program to a new level in the early forties under the leadership of college football’s immortal coach, Amos Alonzo Stagg. At 84 in 1946, Stagg had left the program in the hands of his assistant, Larry Siemering. The Tigers were led by 17 year-old freshman sensation, Eddie LeBaron. LeBaron was named to the small college “little All-American” team that year and was already drawing comparisons to Notre Dame’s Heisman winner, Johnny Lujack. LeBaron was the finest T-Formation quarterback in the country and had guided COP to an 8-1 regular season record and the California Collegiate Athletic Association title. Pacific had also won the Grape Bowl over Utah State back in December.

 

Wichita came to Fresno with a 7-3 record in the Missouri Valley Conference under Ralph Graham, who was coaching his last game. Linwood Sexton finished the season as the nation’s 9th leading rusher with 685 yards and led the nation’s 7th ranked offense. The 3rd Annual Raisin Bowl was played before 14,000 fans with temperatures in the 50’s and a clear sky that allowed the fans a panoramic view of the snow-capped mountains to the east. The odds-makers favored the Tigers. All in all, it was a tremendous match-up.

 

 

Fresno, Calif. (AP)- The College of the Pacific Tigers, with speed and deception behind a massive line, scored a 26-14 football victory over the University of Wichita Shockers in the third annual Raisin Bowl.

The speed and passing of the Tigers' wonder boy, 17-year-old Eddie LeBaron enabled Pacific to outplay the Kansans before drive his teammates to about 13,000 fans.

Pacific dominated the statistics in a game full of long runs and spectacular pass completions. Each team made three goal line stands within its 10 yard line.

Wichita scored after one minute of play when Don Brown of Pacific fumbled the kickoff when hit by all-Valley performers, Mike Knopick and Paul Houser, forced a fumble on the return and the Shocks recovered at the Pacific 17 yard line. Jim Nutter recovered for Wichita and Co-Captain Art Hodges made the touchdown from the 12 yard line with two defenders hanging on him.

The Tigers roared back to score three minutes later with a five play scoring drive when LeBaron, on a beautiful piece of deception, passed to John Rohde for 34 yards and a touchdown. Pacific failed on the PAT and Wichita led 7-6.

The second Pacific score came in the second quarter on a 52 yard punt return by speedy Bob Heck. Pacific led 13-7 at the half.
 

The Shockers opened the 2nd half with runs by Nutter and Hodges pushing the ball to the COP three-yard line where the drive stalled. Pacific answered with a 91-yard drive to the Shocker 6-yard line but, on 4th and five, Hap Houlik broke up a LeBaron pass at the goal line. The score remained 13-7 as the game entered the 4th quarter.
 

Early in the fourth period, a Wichita drive stalled inside the five-yard line and LeBaron drove the Tigers 97 yards in 7 plays. Ray Hunter went over left guard for three yards for the score and a 20-7 lead with six minutes to play.

But, Wichita battled back into the game. On the ensuing kickoff, Sexton returned the ball to the 47 and the Shocks went into action. WU drove to the 1 foot line where Hodges plunged in to make the score 20-14 with 5:00 remaining.

 

Pacific wasn’t through, however, and scored on a drive of 63 yards in less than a minute remaining. Bruce Orvis ran 56 yards to the Wichita three yard line and John Poulos carried the ball over two plays later.

 

Wichita drove to the COP 3-yard line in the final moments, but the drive and the game ended at the Pacific 12-yard line. The final score was 26-14.

The Raisin Bowl was won in the trenches as Pacific was able to prevent Wichita’s vaunted offense from punching the ball across on several occasions and was able to open holes in the Shocker’s line as the game progressed. Incredibly, Wichita was outgained 501 to 249 yards in total offense. Coach Ralph Graham made no excuses; “It was a nice ballgame, cleanly played and well officiated.”

 
Wichita's Linwood Sexton carries against COP.

 

Pacific's Don Brown moves through Wichita defense

 

From Pacific student yearbook.

Eddie LeBaron and Coach Larry Siemering (right).

 

Attendance- 14,000

 

Scoring Summary

 

First Quarter

WSU- Nutter 12 run (Kick good)

COP- Rohde 34 yard pass from LeBaron (Kick failed)

 

Second Quarter

COP- Heck 52 yard punt return (Hardin kick)

 

Fourth Quarter

COP- Hunter 3 run (Hardin kick)

WSU- Hodges 1 run (Kick good)

COP- Poulos 3 run (Kick failed)

 

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