1958 Orange Bowl


The 1958 Orange Bowl matched the Duke Blue Devils and the Oklahoma Sooners, played in Miami, Florida, on New Year's Day.

Background

This was Duke's second Orange Bowl appearance in four seasons, having last appeared in January 1955. They finished second in the Atlantic Coast Conference to North Carolina State, though Duke was invited due to the Wolfpack being on probation. Oklahoma was champion of the Big Seven Conference for the twelfth straight year and were in the Orange Bowl for the fourth time in six seasons.

Game summary

Despite being outgained in yards and having more penalties, Oklahoma converted six Duke mistakes into touchdowns. Dave Baker returned an interception 94 yards to give the Sooners an early 7–0 lead. Clendon Thomas scored on a touchdown run after a bad punt formation on Duke. Hal McElhaney narrowed the lead on his own touchdown run to make it 14-7 at halftime.
Carl Dodd increased Oklahoma's lead to 21–7, but George Dutrow ran in for a touchdown to make it 21–14 at the end of three quarters. Sandefer and Baker both scored in the fourth quarter and Hobby caught a pass from Baker as Oklahoma scored three times in three minutes on three more Duke turnovers to make it 41–14. McElhaney narrowed the lead on his second touchdown of the game. Duke was given another chance to narrow it again, but the Sooners intercepted George Harris' pass for the second time as Dick Carpenter returned it for a touchdown and sealed the game for Oklahoma, who won their third Orange Bowl in five seasons.

Aftermath

This remains Duke's last Orange Bowl appearance; Oklahoma returned the following year and won again.

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