Jan. 1, 1965 - Fred Marshall (pictured) guided Arkansas on a nine-play, 80-yard touchdown drive in the final period today that carried the Razorbacks to a 10-7 Cotton Bowl victory over Nebraska before a crowd of 75,504.
Marshall had lost the ball twice on fumbles and spent a harried afternoon in the face of tremendous pressure by Nebraska’s young defensive line. Then the quarterback hit on passes for 12, 11, 10, and 28 yards and added a 10-yard first-down run after having been trapped.
The Arkansas touchdown, scored by a reserve tailback, Bobby Barnett, from 3 yards out with 4:41 left and a 31-yard first-quarter field goal by Tom McKnelly broke a three-game bowl losing streak by the nation’s No. 2-ranked Razorbacks. McKnelly added the extra point.
But Nebraska’s power, blended with fine passing by a sophomore quarterback, Bob Churchich, and precisely executed draw plays led by a 154-pound fullback, Frank Solich, had threatened to spoil Arkansas’ pregame 6-point favorite role.
Churchich and Solich were helped by a sophomore halfback, Harry Wilson, who scored the Cornhuskers’ touchdown in the second quarter from 1 yard out after he had set it up with a 36-yard pass reception from Churchich and a 10-yard smash.
Wilson, a 189-pound sophomore who was the game’s outstanding runner, also had a 45-yard run in the last quarter. But a fierce Arkansas defense, sparked by linebacker Ronnie Caveness and two sophomore tackles, Jim Williams and Loyd Phillips, turned back that threat and forced Nebraska to punt.
Marshall was voted outstanding player of the game and Caveness the game’s outstanding defensive player.
“Our big worry in preparing for the bowl,” said Arkansas’ chief assistant coach, Jim Mackenzie, “was that we anticipated more mistakes than during the season. You always have to get back the quickness and the mental sharpness which you lose during a month’s layoff.
“So, we tried to sell the kids that no matter how bad things might look, they had to keep their poise and confidence. I guess they did.”
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