In just their fourth post-season appearance in school history, the Bears of Baylor University squared off against the heavily favored Tennessee Volunteers in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 1957.
It was not for nothing that the Baptist college was known as the hard-luck member of the Southwest Conference. The Bears had won their last championship way back in 1924 and would not win another until 1974.
Prior to the 1956 season, seven different Baylor teams had come close to breaking the frustrating drought only to finish second in the SWC gridiron race. Despite being a new hire as head coach, former star Bear Sam Boyd felt he had the horses to bring the conference trophy home to his alma mater.
Led by Del Shofner from Center, a halfback who could run 100 yards in less than ten seconds, and Texarkana’s Bill Glass, a consensus All-America at offensive guard, the 1956 squad would have met Boyd’s high expectations had Texas A&M and Texas Christian not been on the schedule.
Baylor had the misfortune to play the Aggies and the Horned Frogs on successive Saturdays. On Oct. 27, 1956, Bear Bryant’s boys, ineligible for SWC laurels and a bowl bid due to NCAA sanctions, beat the Bears 19-13 on their home field. The next week in Fort Worth, the Baylor defense effectively contained running-back Jim Swink, the number-two ground gainer in the nation the previous season. But TCU still prevailed 7-6.
After those two losses that all but eliminated them from title contention, the Bears might have thrown in the towel. But they maintained their resolve and won the last three games against Texas, SMU and Rice to wind up with an 8-2 overall record and a 4-2 mark in conference play.
Finishing behind A&M and TCU in the standings, Baylor was the best third-place bunch the Southwest Conference had seen in a long time. The Horned Frogs took the banned Aggies’ place in the Cotton Bowl, and the Bears’ 15th ranking in the polls earned them an invitation to the Sugar Bowl.
Today there are 44 bowl games with a mind-boggling 88 participants. A measley six victories in a dozen contests qualifies a team for the post-season. But in the 1950’s it was only the Cotton, Rose, Sugar and Orange along with the Sun and Gator and a handful of lesser events.
That explains why Baylor was so happy to play in the 1957 Sugar Bowl even if it meant facing the number-two team in the land. Undefeated and untied Tennessee had whipped all comers in the Southeast Conference and boasted Mr. Triple Threat, Johnny Majors, who lost a close and controversial vote for the Heisman Trophy to Paul Hornung of Notre Dame.
The SEC champs won the coin toss, but the cocky seven-and-a-half point favorites chose to kick rather than to receive. Bobby Peters made them regret that rash decision by returning the opening kickoff 52 yards to the Tennessee 44. The Bears reached the Vols’ four yard line on that opening possession but failed to put up any points, when an attempted field goal sailed wide of the uprights.
After a scoreless first quarter, Baylor drew first blood in the second. Sparked by a dazzling 54-yard dash by Del Shofner, the Bears tallied on a 12-yard pass from quarterback Bobby Jones to receiver Jerry Marcontell. A missed extra point left Baylor with a 6-0 advantage.
After a third-quarter penalty gave Tennessee the ball at Baylor’s 39, Johnny Majors shifted into high gear. Afraid to throw the ball after suffering two interceptions, he ran for most of the yardage that ended with the Volunteers’ one and only touchdown. The point-after was good, and Tennessee had a one-point lead.
Well into the fourth period, 7-6 looked like it might be the final score. Then Majors did the unthinkable muffing a punt deep in Volunteer territory. Baylor recovered and five running plays later scored the decisive touchdown on a one-yard quarterback sneak by Buddy Humphrey.
While his teammates were celebrating Baylor’s 13-6 upset of mighty Tennessee, one Bear sat on the bench crying his eyes out. In the heat of the moment during a second-half fracas, reserve fullback Larry Hickman kicked a Tennessee player in the face breaking his nose and causing a concussion.
Thrown out of the game for the flagrant foul, Hickman was still distraught in the Baylor locker room, where he stood all alone in a corner weeping uncontrollably. That night at a post-Sugar Bowl party, he addressed the entire Tennessee team.
“I hope someday that boy and you Tennessee players can find it in your hearts to forgive me for what I did. I’m sorry, truly sorry.”
The contrite Bear made a terrible mistake, but in the end he did himself, his team, his school and the sport of college football proud.
Here’s hoping the New Year brings health, happiness and prosperity for one and all.
