University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Football History Book
July 2, 1999 | Football
July 2, 1999
Rice 27- Carolina 13
January 1, 1950
Dallas, Texas
Attendance: 75,000
Charlie Justice had another great day in the 1950 Cotton Bowl, but it just wasn't enough as the Tar Heels fell to fifth-ranked Rice, 27-13. The Owls had a 9-1-0 record, while Carolina came in at 7-3 and was ranked 16th.
Rice and Carolina played to a scoreless draw in the opening quarter, but Rice opened the scoring in the second quarter when quarterback Tobin Rote hooked up with Billy Burkhalter for a 44-yard touchdown. Bobby Lantrip's three-yard run built a 14-0 halftime lead, and the Owls kept right on rolling i n the third quarter.
On its second possession of the second half, Rice traveled 77 yards in six plays, capped by Rote's 17-yard scoring pass to "Froggie" Williams. Burkhalter made it 27-0 with a 12-yard fourth quarter score.
The Tar Heels got two touchdowns in the final eight minutes. Justice hit Paul Rizzo for a two-yard touchdown pass and then Rizzo ran it in from two yards.
Justice managed 59 yards rushing and another 63 in the air, while Art Weiner led the Tar Heels with five receptions for 41 yards. Billy Hayes topped the UNC rushing attack with 107 yards on 19 carries.
The 1950 Cotton Bowl marked the end of the "Choo-Choo" Justice era that began in 1946. The Tar Heels went 32-9-2 in that time and played in three major bowl games.
Rice 0 14 7 6 - 27 Carolina 0 0 0 13 - 13RI - Burkhalter 44 pass from Rote (Williams kick) RI - Lantrip 3 run (Williams kick) RI - Williams 17 pass from Rote (Williams kick) RI - Burkhalter 12 run (kick failed) NC - Rizzo 2 pass from Justice (kick failed) NC - Rizzo 2 run (Williams kick)
UNC Rice First Downs 16 18 Rushes-Yardage 48-174 54-226 Passing Yardage 80 152 Passes 9-22-1 11-19-1 Total Offense 254 378 Punts-Average 6-38.0 4-42.8 Fumbles-Lost 3-1 2-1 Penalties-Yardage 4-30 3-26
Rushing Carolina: Hayes 19-107, Justice 16-59, Rizzo 10-8, Weiner 1-3, Clements 1-(-1), Gantt 1-(-2). Rice: Burkhalter 16-74, Lantrip 14-63, Wyatt 14-51, Rote 6-24, Campbell 1-6, Proctor 1-3, Glauser 1-3, Silver 1-2.
Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Yds) Carolina: Justice 7-14-0-63, Hayes 2-8-1-17. Rice: Rote 9-17-1-140, Glass 2-2-0-12.
Receiving Carolina: Weiner 5-41, Powell 2-24, Justice 1-8, Rizzo 1-7. Rice: Williams 4-55, McCurry 3-18, Wyatt 2-22, urkhalter 1-44, Taylor 1-13.
