Bluegrass Bowl

Background of the Bluegrass Bowl

Game organizers expected the Bluegrass Bowl to be an annual event in Louisville, starting with the 1958 contest. The first choices for the game were the University of Kentucky and the University of Alabama, which went 5-4-1 in its first season under Bear Bryant, who had previously coached at UK for eight seasons. But the Wildcats (who had received poor treatment from the Louisville crowd during a 51-0 win over the University of Hawaii at Cardinal Stadium in their season opener) turned down the bid, with the team's lettermen voting 18-12 against. (Kentucky's players voting to turn down bowl bids was nothing new: they said no to the Gator Bowl in 1953, despite a 7-2-1 record in Bryant's final season in Lexington, and again in 1954 after going 7-3.) Alabama also declined; Oklahoma State University and Florida State University eventually accepted invitations.

Bowl organizers successfully negotiated a national television contract with ABC, with a 100-mile blackout. A crowd of 15,000 (less than half capacity) was expected for the inaugural game. Tickets were priced at $6.50 each, though due to unenthusiastic demand they were being sold for $1.50 on the day of the game. (Parking cost 25 cents.)

1958 Bluegrass Bowl

Oklahoma State entered the game ranked #19 in both the AP and UPI polls, while Florida State was unranked. Florida State was an independent with a 7-3 regular season record; Oklahoma State was also 7-3 as an independent, having left the Missouri Valley Conference after the 1956 season and not joining the Big Eight Conference until 1960. Florida State was playing in their third ever bowl game, under head coach Tom Nugent who was in his final season as Florida State's coach. Oklahoma State, coached by Cliff Speegle, was appearing in its fourth ever bowl game.

The game was played at Cardinal Stadium on the grounds of the Kentucky Exposition Center, just behind Freedom Hall, where that year's NCAA basketball championship had been held. Kickoff was at 1:30 p.m., with a game time temperature of 20°F, and falling. The playing field was icy and slippery, causing the players to forego cleats and wear tennis shoes instead. The cold weather on top of the general indifference to the contest kept the attendance low; crowd estimates were in the 5,000-10,000 range, and many accounts state that just over 7,000 attended.

In the first quarter, Florida State took two drives into Oklahoma State territory but missed 16- and 23-yard field goal attempts.

Early in the second quarter, Oklahoma State halfback Duane Wood ran 17 yards for a score, putting the Cowboys up 7-0. Late in the second quarter Oklahoma State again drove deep into Florida State territory but on fourth and 5 Florida State defender Ron Hinson stripped the ball from Oklahoma State's Forrest Campbell just a foot from the goal line.

Florida State fumbled twice in the third quarter. Oklahoma State took the second fumble for a 10-play, 39 yard touchdrown drive capped by another Duane Wood touchdown run. Wood then caught a pass for a two-point conversion to give Oklahoma State a 15-0 lead.

Florida State scored a fourth-quarter touchdown without a successful conversion, giving Oklahoma State a 15-6 win.

Media coverage

ABC's coverage of the otherwise forgettable Bluegrass Bowl was notable for two reasons: it was the last broadcast of Harry Wismer and the first national telecast to feature Howard Cosell. It was also the first-ever national broadcast of a Florida State football game. Due to the cold weather, the press covering the game deserted the windowless press box and all crowded into a single enclosed, heated room with windows for the game.

Aftermath

In January 1959 officials stated that paid attendance for the game was 3,152 and actual income was $18,132. The Bluegrass Bowl organizers proclaimed the game a success despite the low attendance and stated that the game would be played again in 1959, but it was not.

Statistics

Florida State

Oklahoma State

Florida State

Oklahoma State

Florida State

Oklahoma State