Syracuse Defeats Texas, 23-14
Fights Punctuate Wild Cotton Bowl Game
Steers Outmanned, But Not Outfought
1/2/1960
Syracuse proved unquestionably Friday its right to be ranked as the No. 1 team in the nation. It also proved that perhaps it belongs among some of the best college elevens in history.
But the proof was delivered the hard way, against a Texas team which was outmanned but never outfought. Syracuse won, 23-14.
It was a stirring, exciting game, marked by rugged play (some blows were thrown), rhubarbs, howls at the officials by partisans of both sides, the booms of the Syracuse students' cannon, whose ammunition consists of powder, newspaper and ladies' hose, and the establishment of two records.
All-time Cotton Bowl Classic results
The Games
• 1930s | 1940s | 1950s
• 1960s | 1970s | 1980s
• 1990s | 2000s
One of the records was an electrifying, 87-yard pass play for a touchdown by Syracuse on the second play of the game, and the other was one which Orange fans savored into the night – the first bowl victory ever scored by a Syracuse team.
Late in the second period, Syracuse had a touchdown called back after Whitey Easterly, second-string quarterback, had passed to end Ken Ericson for 41 yards and an apparent touchdown. It was ruled, however, that the end did not have possession of the ball when he crossed the goal line; he was hit by Texas' Bobby Gurwitz and fumbled the ball through the end zone.
Meanwhile, back at midfield, words were being thrown about by both teams after Syracuse was caught holding. Coach Ben Schwartzwalder came onto the field and so did his opposite number, Darrell Royal. Players charged each other but the melee finally was quieted. Texas refused the holding penalty and the touchback went into effect.
The Orangemen lived up to their reputation, demonstrating power, passing and finesse on the attack and strong resistance.
But they were not able to shove the Longhorns around, as they had the 10 opponents who had the misfortune to be on their schedule.
They had averaged the awesome total of 451 yards a game. Against Texas, they got 314. They had held their enemies to 96 yards a game. Texas made 244, and outgained the famed Orangemen on the ground by a dozen yards.
Those are dull-sounding statistics, but they are significant. They do not, however, alter the score, and Syracuse certainly deserved the victory. Texas simply made a much better showing than most persons anticipated. The Longhorns were 2-touchdown underdogs and were beaten by one. In typical fashion, they made a stirring comeback: behind, 15-0 at the intermission, they scored twice in the second half.
Halfback Ernie Davis of Syracuse, who scored 16 of the Orangemen's points, was voted the game's most outstanding back. He made two touchdowns and four points after, gained 57 yards rushing and 87 passing. Guard Maurice Doke of Texas was the press box choice of the best lineman.
Syracuse stunned the Texans with its spectacular scoring pass after less than two minutes had been played. Texas kicked off and Syracuse put the ball into play from its 26. Doke threw Baker for a 1-yard loss and then a Syracuse pass was nullified by a penalty against the Orange for illegal use of hands.
The football was placed on the 13-yard line. Then Dave Sarette, the daring, gambling quarterback of the national champions, pitched out to the Syracuse captain and halfback, Ger Schwedes.
Schwedes lofted the ball far downfield, to the racing Davis, who was being guarded by Texas Quarterback Bobby Lackey. The two men bumped together on the Syracuse 48, just as the ball came into the grasp of Davis. The Syracuse star held onto the pass, turned goalward and was free to run the remaining distance unhampered.
The pass play was the longest in major bowl game records.
Tackle Bob Yates kicked the extra point. Syracuse had a 7-point lead after only one minute and 23 seconds had expired.
Midway of the second period, Syracuse scored on an 80-yard drive, pounding through the Longhorn line for lengthy gains. Two passes were mixed into the attack. Texas almost stood off the Orangemen but wasn't quite up to the task. Syracuse had first down on the one. Texas kept them from the goal line three times but on the fourth try, from about six inches away, Davis hit right guard for the touchdown. Schwedes missed on a pass attempt for extra points but Texas was holding, so the foe got another try. This time, on a fake placement kick, Schwedes passed to Davis for the two points.
Syracuse led 15-0.
But at the opening of the second half, the Texans got back into the game with a 69-yard scoring pass from Lackey to Jack Collins, the outstanding sophomore halfback from Dallas.
A Lackey pass to Ramirez on an attempt for two points was stopped short.
Texas trailed then, 15-6. But a pass interception by Davis a few minutes later set up the final Syracuse score. Davis grabbed a Collins pass at the Steer 36 and scrambled to the 24. From there he exploded to the 3 on one of the game's better runs. Schwedes rammed across from there and Sarette passed to Davis for a crucial two points that left Texas still needing more than one touchdown to catch up.
Those points, plus a stirring Syracuse goal line stand that stopped the Steers a half foot from a touchdown late in the third quarter, left Texas still a bit out of range after its final score in the final period.
That Steer touchdown came on a 54-yard drive. Lackey made the final yard with a dive over right guard and then passed for two extra points to End Richard Schulte. But time and nine points still were on Syracuse's side.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]