1955 Gator Bowl

Teams

Vanderbilt

The 1955 Vanderbilt squad finished the regular season 7–3. The Commodores lost to Georgia, Ole Miss and Tennessee. They accepted an invitation to play in the Gator Bowl in the days following their loss to Tennessee. The appearance was the first all-time bowl appearance for Vanderbilt.

Auburn

The 1955 Auburn squad finished the regular season 8–1–1. The Tigers lost to Tulane and tied Kentucky in route to their third-place finish in the conference. They accepted an invitation to play in the Gator Bowl against Vanderbilt in the days following their victory over long-time rival Alabama. The appearance was the fifth overall bowl appearance and third consecutive in the Gator Bowl for the Tigers.

Game summary

Vanderbilt got on the scoreboard first after Don Orr threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Joe Stephenson to give the Commodores a 7–0 lead. Auburn responded on the next drive to tie the game at seven after Howell Tubbs connected with Fob James for a 38-yard touchdown reception. The Commodores retook a 13–7 lead on the next drive after Orr scored on a three-yard touchdown run to cap a five-play, 76-yard drive that included a 45-yard run by Orr himself. After having a 51-yard Orr touchdown pass called back because of a holding penalty, Vanderbilt scored later in the quarter on a one-yard Orr touchdown run. The Commodores then scored their final points on the first play of the fourth quarter when Don Hunt scored on a one-yard touchdown run to give Vanderbilt a 25–7 lead. Auburn scored the final points of the game late in the fourth when Joe Childress caught a seven-yard touchdown pass from Jimmy Cook to make the final score 25–13. For their performances, Vanderbilt quarterback Don Orr and Auburn running back Joe Childress mere named co-MVPs of the game.

References

References

1. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). "Bowl/All-Star Game Records: Most Valuable Players in Former Major Bowls". NCAA.org.
2. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). "Bowl/All-Star Game Records: Major Bowl Game Attendance". NCAA.org.
3. (December 31, 1955). "Auburn six point choice over Vandy today". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
4. Vanderbilt University. (Spring 2009). "Where Are They Now?". Vanderbilt.edu.
5. Walker, Teresa M.. (January 1, 2009). "Vanderbilt wins first bowl game since 1955". The Tuscaloosa News.
6. (2009). "2009 Commodore Football Media Guide". Vanderbilt University.
7. (November 29, 1955). "Vanderbilt, Tigers Gator Bowl foes". St. Petersburg Times.
8. Anderson, Norris. (January 1, 1956). "Vandy surprises favored Auburn". The Miami News.