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Story
January 3, 1956
Atlanta Daily World
Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia
What is this article about?
Georgia Tech won 7-0 over Pittsburgh in the 1956 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, with the sole touchdown from a fumble and pass interference. Bob Grier became the first Black player in the Deep South bowl, highlighting racial integration in sports.
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ATLANTA DAILY WORLD
Tuesday, January 3, 1956 5
a Georgia Tech Rambles' Over Pittsburgh 7 To 0
BY PAT J. McDONNELL
NEW ORLEANS (INS) Pittsburgh Panthers made one costly mistake Monday, and Georgia Tech speedily converted it into a 7-0 victory in the 22nd annual Sugar Bowl Classic at New Orleans.
The Pittsburgh team rose to tremendous heights just before the first half ended and again in the final minutes of the game in an effort to overcome the slim margin.
But Georgia Tech turned back one 79 yard drive at the one just seconds before the first half was over.
The Panthers were knocking at the Tech four-yard line when the game ended.
It was the first bowl engagement for a Pittsburgh team since a Rose Bowl Triumph 19 years ago.
It was the fifth straight post-season victory for coach Bobby Dodd's Atlanta rambling wrecks maintaining Dodd's record of never being defeated in a bowl.
The touchdown came early. The action remained until the final
down, and the rugged Pittsburgh eleven pushed its way to the shadows of the goal, but could never emerge into the light.
Georgia Tech elected to receive picked up only five yards net, and booted to Pitt. Quarterback Pete Neft fumbled on fourth down, and Tech guard Allan Ecker snared it on the Pittsburgh 32.
Wade Mitchell tossed a long high pass intended for Lanky end Don Ellis in the end zone. Bobby Grier, the Pittsburgh fullback who made a bit of football history by being the first Negro ever to play in this deep-south bowl, was back in a safety position.
Like a major league outfielder, Grier ran following the descending spiral and in reaching for it bumped Ellis. The officials ruled the pass complete on the one-yard line.
An edgy guard moved too soon and Pitt drew an off-sides penalty, and there was the lighter Tech team sitting on the one-half yard line.
It took but one effort for Mitchell to sneak through the middle for the game's only score.
Then, with halfback George Volkert holding, quarterback Mitchell neatly kicked the extra point.
Late in the second period, Pittsburgh's heavy line finally succeeded in spreading the Georgia Tech forward and Dick Bowen, Connie Salvaterra and Lou Cimarolli bulldozed their way from the Pitt 20 to the Georgia Tech two as the period neared its close.
The crushing Pitt offensive rolled up six first downs-the last one to the nine. But the Tech line gave increasingly meagre yardage with each successive play.
Bobby Grier carried through center to the one and Salvaterra got to the foot line when Tech took over on downs.
Grier started the contest, becoming the first Negro to play in a sugar bowl game. Injured fullback Tom Jenkins appeared briefly, then was replaced by Grier.
Tuesday, January 3, 1956 5
a Georgia Tech Rambles' Over Pittsburgh 7 To 0
BY PAT J. McDONNELL
NEW ORLEANS (INS) Pittsburgh Panthers made one costly mistake Monday, and Georgia Tech speedily converted it into a 7-0 victory in the 22nd annual Sugar Bowl Classic at New Orleans.
The Pittsburgh team rose to tremendous heights just before the first half ended and again in the final minutes of the game in an effort to overcome the slim margin.
But Georgia Tech turned back one 79 yard drive at the one just seconds before the first half was over.
The Panthers were knocking at the Tech four-yard line when the game ended.
It was the first bowl engagement for a Pittsburgh team since a Rose Bowl Triumph 19 years ago.
It was the fifth straight post-season victory for coach Bobby Dodd's Atlanta rambling wrecks maintaining Dodd's record of never being defeated in a bowl.
The touchdown came early. The action remained until the final
down, and the rugged Pittsburgh eleven pushed its way to the shadows of the goal, but could never emerge into the light.
Georgia Tech elected to receive picked up only five yards net, and booted to Pitt. Quarterback Pete Neft fumbled on fourth down, and Tech guard Allan Ecker snared it on the Pittsburgh 32.
Wade Mitchell tossed a long high pass intended for Lanky end Don Ellis in the end zone. Bobby Grier, the Pittsburgh fullback who made a bit of football history by being the first Negro ever to play in this deep-south bowl, was back in a safety position.
Like a major league outfielder, Grier ran following the descending spiral and in reaching for it bumped Ellis. The officials ruled the pass complete on the one-yard line.
An edgy guard moved too soon and Pitt drew an off-sides penalty, and there was the lighter Tech team sitting on the one-half yard line.
It took but one effort for Mitchell to sneak through the middle for the game's only score.
Then, with halfback George Volkert holding, quarterback Mitchell neatly kicked the extra point.
Late in the second period, Pittsburgh's heavy line finally succeeded in spreading the Georgia Tech forward and Dick Bowen, Connie Salvaterra and Lou Cimarolli bulldozed their way from the Pitt 20 to the Georgia Tech two as the period neared its close.
The crushing Pitt offensive rolled up six first downs-the last one to the nine. But the Tech line gave increasingly meagre yardage with each successive play.
Bobby Grier carried through center to the one and Salvaterra got to the foot line when Tech took over on downs.
Grier started the contest, becoming the first Negro to play in a sugar bowl game. Injured fullback Tom Jenkins appeared briefly, then was replaced by Grier.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Personal Triumph
What themes does it cover?
Triumph
Bravery Heroism
What keywords are associated?
Sugar Bowl
Georgia Tech
Pittsburgh Panthers
Bob Grier
Color Barrier
Football Victory
What entities or persons were involved?
Bob Grier
Wade Mitchell
Bobby Dodd
Pete Neft
Allan Ecker
Don Ellis
George Volkert
Dick Bowen
Connie Salvaterra
Lou Cimarolli
Tom Jenkins
Where did it happen?
New Orleans
Story Details
Key Persons
Bob Grier
Wade Mitchell
Bobby Dodd
Pete Neft
Allan Ecker
Don Ellis
George Volkert
Dick Bowen
Connie Salvaterra
Lou Cimarolli
Tom Jenkins
Location
New Orleans
Event Date
Monday
Story Details
Georgia Tech defeated Pittsburgh 7-0 in the Sugar Bowl, scoring on a fumble recovery and pass interference call involving Bob Grier, the first Negro to play in the game. Pittsburgh mounted drives but failed to score.