1937 Sugar Bowl

The 1937 Sugar Bowl was the third edition of the Sugar Bowl and matched the LSU Tigers and the Santa Clara Broncos. It was played on Friday, January 1, 1937, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana.[2][3][4][5]

1937 Sugar Bowl
Santa Clara Broncos LSU Tigers
(7–1) (9–0–1)
Independent SEC
21 14
Head coach: 
Buck Shaw		 Head coach: 
Bernie Moore
AP
6
AP
2
1234 Total
Santa Clara 14070 21
LSU 0707 14
DateJanuary 1, 1937
Season1936
StadiumTulane Stadium
LocationNew Orleans, Louisiana
FavoriteLSU [1]
RefereeAlvin Bell (SWC;
split crew: SWC, Pacific Coast, SEC)
Attendance38,483

Background

LSU had allowed only 33 points during the regular season while cruising to a second straight Southeastern Conference championship with an undefeated regular season, with a non-conference tie at Texas early in the season. Santa Clara was an independent, which cost them an invite to the Rose Bowl due to not being a Pacific Coast Conference member; Washington won the PCC.

The Broncos were 7–0 when the Sugar invitation was made, but then were shut out 9–0 by Sammy Baugh and TCU on December 12 in San Francisco.[6] LSU was spurned by the Rose Bowl committee as well, paving the way for Santa Clara's first bowl game and LSU's second straight Sugar Bowl.[7]

In the final AP poll released in late November, LSU was second and Santa Clara was sixth.

Game summary

Rain that had started the previous day continued throughout the game, which contributed to sixteen turnovers and 25 punts. LSU could not overcome a sloppy first quarter in which they had no first downs and allowed the Broncos to score twice. Manny Gomez caught a touchdown pass from Nello Falaschi and Norman Finley caught a touchdown pass from Bruno Pellegrini, both in a span of seven minutes. LSU narrowed the lead in the second quarter on Gus Tinsley's touchdown catch from Bill Crass, and Santa Clara led 14–7 at halftime.[2][3][4]

Falaschi scored on a touchdown run in the third quarter to give the Broncos a 21–7 lead. Rocky Reed caught a touchdown pass late in the game to close the margin to 21–14, but the game was already sealed as neither team threatened again, affected by the wet weather. Notably, Shaw loaned shoes from nearby Loyola University to give his team an advantage on the wet field in the second half.[8]

Aftermath

LSU reached their third consecutive Sugar Bowl the following year, in a rematch with Santa Clara, and the Broncos won again in the rain.

Statistics
StatisticsSanta
Clara		LSU
First Downs107
Yards Rushing10844
Yards Passing74125
Total Yards182169
Punts-Average12–42.013–36.0
Fumbles Lost46
Interceptions42
Penalty Yards420

References
  1. "L.S.U. is choice at Sugar Bowl". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. January 1, 1937. p. 11.
  2. "Santa Clara whips L.S.U." Pittsburgh Press. United Press. January 2, 1937. p. 9.
  3. "Santa Clara's passing upsets L.S.U., 21 to 14". Milwaukee Journal. United Press. January 2, 1937. p. 8.
  4. "Santa Claras surprise L.S.U." Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. January 2, 1937. p. 9.
  5. "Santa Clara runs roughshod over L.S.U., 21 to 14". St. Petersburg Times. Associated Press. January 2, 1937. p. 11.
  6. Sullivan, James A. (December 13, 1936). "Texas Christian punctures Santa Clara's perfect record". Pittsburgh Press. United Press. p. 1, sports.
  7. "Reference at www.allstatesugarbowl.org".
  8. "Reference at www.allstatesugarbowl.org". Archived from the original on November 1, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
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