University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Football History Book
July 2, 1999 | Football
July 2, 1999
Oklahoma 14- Carolina 6
January 1, 1949
New Orleans, La.
Attendance: 85,000
The Tar Heels returned to the Sugar Bowl in 1949 and were defeated 14-6 by the University of Oklahoma, representing the Big Seven Conference. A record crowd of 85,000 turned out to see the Charlie Justice-led Tar Heels battle Bud Wilkinson's Sooners.
Carolina threatened early, advancing via a Justice to Art Weiner 23-yard pass play to the OU 15. Justice's next pass, however, was intercepted by linebacker Myrle Greathouse who rumbled 59 yards to the Carolina 13. Sooners' quarterback Jack Mitchell scored the first points of the day on a two-yard run.
The Heels capitalized on an OU fumble later in the first quarter and Justice marched the team down to the two, from where Hosea Rodgers scored. The conversion was wide right.
Carolina advanced to the OU eight late in the first half, but could not score.
The Sooners regained the lead for good in the third quarter. Quarterback Darrell Royal connected for 37 yards with Frankie Anderson and two plays later, Lindell Pearson ran it in from eight yards out.
Justice was brilliant, rushing for 84 yards and passing for another 57.
Oklahoma 7 0 7 0 - 14 Carolina 6 0 0 0 - 6OK - Mitchell 2 run (Ming kick) NC - Rodgers 2 run (kick failed) OK - Pearson 8 run (Ming kick)
OU UNC First Downs 14 12 Rushes-Yardage 65-186 32-128 Passing Yardage 43 78 Passes 1-3-0 8-19-2 Total Offense 229 206 Return Yardage 69 15 Punts-Average 6-36.8 8-38.0 Fumbles Lost 1 0 Yards Penalized 40 35
Rushing Carolina: Justice 16-84, Rodgers 12-25, Highsmith 1-12, Kennedy 5-7. Oklahoma: Heath 12-58, Thomas 19-51, Mitchell 17-31, Pearson 11-22, Royal 5-19, Jones 1-5.
Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Yds) Carolina: Justice 6-13-1-57, Rodgers 2-6-1-21. Oklahoma: Royal 1-1-0-43, Pearson 0-1-0-0, Mitchell 0-1-0-0.
Receiving Carolina: Kennedy 4-25, Weiner 3-35, Cox 1-8. Oklahoma: Anderson 1-43.
