1976 Orange Bowl
Encyclopedia
The 1976 Orange Bowl
was a college football
bowl game
played on January 1, 1976. The Oklahoma Sooners
, champions of the Big Eight Conference
, defeated the Michigan Wolverines, second-place finishers in the Big Ten Conference
, 14–6.
This was the sixth and final Orange Bowl played on artificial turf
. Poly-Turf
, similar to AstroTurf
, was installed before the 1970 season
and lasted six seasons. It was removed in early 1976, following Super Bowl X
, and replaced with natural grass.
Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It has been played annually since January 1, 1935 and celebrated its 75th playing on January 1, 2009...
was a college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
bowl game
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
played on January 1, 1976. The Oklahoma Sooners
1975 Oklahoma Sooners football team
The 1975 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football season of 1975-1976. The team was helmed by Barry Switzer in his third season as head coach. After sailing through their first eight games, Oklahoma suffered a surprising home loss to Kansas,...
, champions of the Big Eight Conference
Big Eight Conference
The Big Eight Conference, a former NCAA-affiliated Division I-A college athletic association that sponsored football, was formed in January 1907 as the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association by its charter member schools: the University of Kansas, University of Missouri, University...
, defeated the Michigan Wolverines, second-place finishers in the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
, 14–6.
This was the sixth and final Orange Bowl played on artificial turf
Artificial turf
Artificial turf is a surface manufactured from synthetic fibers made to look like natural grass. It is most often used in arenas for sports that were originally or are normally played on grass. However, it is now being used on residential lawns and commercial applications as well...
. Poly-Turf
Poly-Turf
Poly-Turf was a brand of artificial turf, manufactured by American Biltrite of Wellesley, Massachusetts. It was the first specifically designed for American football. It had a patented layered structure which included a "shock pad" between the artificial grass and the asphalt sub-surface...
, similar to AstroTurf
AstroTurf
AstroTurf is a brand of artificial turf. Although the term is a registered trademark, it is sometimes used as a generic description of any kind of artificial turf. The original AstroTurf product was a short pile synthetic turf while the current products incorporate modern features such as...
, was installed before the 1970 season
1970 college football season
The 1970 college football season was marked by tragedy, due to two airplane crashes. On October 2, one of the planes carrying the Wichita State football team crashed on the way to a game against Utah State, killing 31 people on board, including 14 players...
and lasted six seasons. It was removed in early 1976, following Super Bowl X
Super Bowl X
Super Bowl X was an American football game played on January 18, 1976 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 1975 regular season....
, and replaced with natural grass.
Fourth quarter
- Oklahoma - Steve DavisSteve Davis (quarterback)Steve Davis was a quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners from 1972–1976. He was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player of the 1976 Orange Bowl, when the Sooners won their 5th National Championship. Davis led the Sooners to a 32–1–1 record as their starting quarterback...
, 9-yard run (Tony DiRienzo kick) - Michigan - Gordon BellGordon Bell (American football)Gordon Granville Bell is a former American football running back, kickoff returner and punt returner who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1973–1975, and professionally for the New York Giants and St...
, 2-yard run (Rick Leach run failed)