Sugar Bowl

1951

Kentucky 13

Oklahoma 7

Kentucky Fight Song

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Oklahoma, the goliath of college football and holder of the greatest streak in modern times, fell yesterday in the Sugar Bowl before Kentucky, 13-7, on the jet-like passes of Babe Parilli and the vicious line play of Walt Yowarsky.

The defeat, before a capacity crowd of 82,000, was Oklahoma's first since the opening game of the 1948 season- 32 games ago. Two of those victories were in the preceding two Sugar Bowl games.

The mighty Sooners, ranked first in the nation in the Associated Press poll, started toward their downfall in this chilly, windy day in the first quarter, Yowarsky recovered a fumble by Oklahoma Quarterback Claude Arnold on the Oklahoma 25 and on the next play, Parilli passed to Wilbur (Shorty) Jamerson for a touchdown (video).

Four other Oklahoma fumbles kept the national champions in trouble and not until late in the fourth quarter could the Sooners rip down field as they have done so successfully for three seasons.

Five times in nine games this year Oklahoma trailed opponents, sometimes badly. Each time Oklahoma came back to victory and late in the game today it looked like the Sooners might again.

Kentucky, however, would not let them. Oklahoma managed one touchdown very late and might have challenged again but the Southeastern Conference champions from the blue grass stood stalwart in the final minutes, protecting their lead.

An Oklahoma runner bobbled the ball after a Kentucky punt and Yowarsky was there to cover it for Kentucky. That cut the life out of Oklahoma and gave even greater spirit and dash to Kentucky.

Yowarsky, who was by far the greatest linesman on the field, which also held three All-Americas. He made at least 20 decisive tackles in addition to being in the right place when Oklahoma fumbled.

Parilli, a second-string All-America, passed far less than usual; apparently Kentucky was satisfied lo play it safe with a 13 point lend. However, when Parilli passed, he usually connected. The long pass from Parilli to Al Bruno set up the Wildcats' second touchdown.

On the sixth play of the game, Oklahoma Quarterback Arnold fumbled on his 23 and Yowarsky recovered for Kentucky. The ball dumping was expensive.

On the next play, Parilli, “the Kentucky Babe was rushed badly on a pass pattern. He jumped to throw on the Oklahoma's 23 but couldn’t spot a catcher. He squirmed around among Oklahoma tacklers until he spotted Jamerson deep in the Oklahoma end zone.

Kentucky's All-America Tackle Bob Gain, another line star, made the conversion. For the 15 minutes the game was fluid but fruitless in touchdowns.

The Wildcats got the ball on their 19 and 81 yards down the field they went in seven quick plays. Their second touchdown was set up principally on another brilliant Parilli pass. "The Babe" threw down the middle of the field to Bruno who was finally knocked down by Jack Lockett on Oklahoma's one foot line (video). Jamerson banged across for his second honor. Gains’ kick was no good and Kentucky had 13 points.

Oklahoma had several good chances to score in the second half but Kentucky was too much except on one of the thrusts.

The Sooners, usually a five or six touchdown production outfit, finally managed to get going in the fourth quarter. Gain tried a field goal for Kentucky and missed. Oklahoma took over and blasted for 80 yards, mostly on the fine running of Billy Vessels and Heath.

Arnold, with nothing like the passing and ball handling wizardry of Parilli, threw a looping pass to Merrill Green for the touchdown (video). The play covered 17 yards. All-American tackle , Jim Weatherall, kicked the point.

Babe Parilli (#10) was the inspirational leader of the Wildcats in 1950.

OU's future Heisman winner, Billy Vessels, carries behind blocking of Leon Heath (#40).

Heath carries behind blocking of Ed Lisak (#45) as future LSU coach, Charlie McClendon (#87) of Kentucky moves in.

Heath rumbles against Kentucky.

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