The Longhorns tied for second in the Southwest Conference, with a 3–2 start followed by with five victories in their final six games of the regular season, including a victory over #9 Texas A&M. Auburn started 7–0 on the season, reaching as high as #5 in the polls, before a loss to #11 Florida. A loss to #2 Alabama three weeks later sealed their fate in second place in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) alongside Georgia. This was the seventh straight bowl appearance for both the Tigers and the Longhorns. This was the first appearance in the Gator Bowl for the Longhorns, and Auburn's third Gator Bowl of the decade.
Game summaryedit
After Texas punted the ball to the Auburn 40 after failing to advance the ball from their own 4 after the opening kickoff. Auburn promptly drove the ball 60 yards, culminated by a 7-yard pass from Phil Gargis to Ed Butler. After the Longhorns fumbled the ball at their own 27, the Tigers scored two plays later, on a Mitzi Jackson touchdown plunge, nine minutes into the game. The Longhorns drove from their 23 to the Auburn 18, before they settled for a Billy Scott field goal from 35 yards out. In the second quarter, Jim McKinney blocked a Longhorn punt that fell into the end zone for a safety, making it 16–3 at halftime. In the fourth quarter, a Mike Fuller interception gave the Tigers the ball at the Longhorn 29. A few plays later, Butler caught another touchdown pass from Gargis (with Nugent catching the conversion pass) to make it 24–3. With nine seconds remaining, the Tigers added in their final points on a Chris Wilson 28 yard field goal. Phil Gargis went 6-of-11 for 60 yards and 2 interceptions and 2 touchdowns, with 14 carries for 51 yards, in a co-MVP effort. Earl Campbell went for 91 yards on 23 carries for the Longhorns in an co-MVP effort.[1]
Aftermathedit
Jordan retired the following season. The Tigers did not return to a bowl until 1982. Neither has returned to the Gator Bowl since this game.
Statisticsedit
Statistics
Texas
Auburn
First downs
14
19
Rushing yards
203
256
Passing yards
98
70
Total offense
301
326
Passing (C–A–I)
10–21–3
7–13–2
Punts–average
4–28.8
2–45.5
Fumbles–lost
5–4
7–5
Penalties–yards
5–37
6–70
Time of Possession
28:06
31:54
Referencesedit
^(PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 10, 2017.
May 04, 2024
1974, gator, bowl, college, football, bowl, game, that, featured, texas, longhorns, auburn, tigers, 30th, gator, bowltexas, longhorns, auburn, tigers, sec3, 27head, coach, darrell, royal, head, coach, ralph, jordanapcoaches1110, apcoaches651234, totaltexas, 30. The 1974 Gator Bowl was a college football bowl game that featured the Texas Longhorns and the Auburn Tigers 1974 Gator Bowl30th Gator BowlTexas Longhorns Auburn Tigers 8 3 9 2 SWC SEC3 27Head coach Darrell Royal Head coach Ralph JordanAPCoaches1110 APCoaches651234 TotalTexas 3000 3Auburn 142011 27DateDecember 30 1974Season1974StadiumGator Bowl StadiumLocationJacksonville FloridaMVPQB Phil Gargis Auburn RB Earl Campbell Texas RefereeR Pete Williams SEC split crew SEC SWC Attendance63 811United States TV coverageNetworkABCGator Bowl lt 1973 1975 gt Contents 1 Background 2 Game summary 3 Aftermath 4 Statistics 5 ReferencesBackground editThe Longhorns tied for second in the Southwest Conference with a 3 2 start followed by with five victories in their final six games of the regular season including a victory over 9 Texas A amp M Auburn started 7 0 on the season reaching as high as 5 in the polls before a loss to 11 Florida A loss to 2 Alabama three weeks later sealed their fate in second place in the Southeastern Conference SEC alongside Georgia This was the seventh straight bowl appearance for both the Tigers and the Longhorns This was the first appearance in the Gator Bowl for the Longhorns and Auburn s third Gator Bowl of the decade Game summary editAfter Texas punted the ball to the Auburn 40 after failing to advance the ball from their own 4 after the opening kickoff Auburn promptly drove the ball 60 yards culminated by a 7 yard pass from Phil Gargis to Ed Butler After the Longhorns fumbled the ball at their own 27 the Tigers scored two plays later on a Mitzi Jackson touchdown plunge nine minutes into the game The Longhorns drove from their 23 to the Auburn 18 before they settled for a Billy Scott field goal from 35 yards out In the second quarter Jim McKinney blocked a Longhorn punt that fell into the end zone for a safety making it 16 3 at halftime In the fourth quarter a Mike Fuller interception gave the Tigers the ball at the Longhorn 29 A few plays later Butler caught another touchdown pass from Gargis with Nugent catching the conversion pass to make it 24 3 With nine seconds remaining the Tigers added in their final points on a Chris Wilson 28 yard field goal Phil Gargis went 6 of 11 for 60 yards and 2 interceptions and 2 touchdowns with 14 carries for 51 yards in a co MVP effort Earl Campbell went for 91 yards on 23 carries for the Longhorns in an co MVP effort 1 Aftermath editJordan retired the following season The Tigers did not return to a bowl until 1982 Neither has returned to the Gator Bowl since this game Statistics editStatistics Texas Auburn First downs 14 19 Rushing yards 203 256 Passing yards 98 70 Total offense 301 326 Passing C A I 10 21 3 7 13 2 Punts average 4 28 8 2 45 5 Fumbles lost 5 4 7 5 Penalties yards 5 37 6 70 Time of Possession 28 06 31 54References edit 2015 Auburn Bowl Guide PDF Archived from the original PDF on July 10 2017 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1974 Gator Bowl amp oldid 1170788293, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
