1946 Raisin Bowl
Encyclopedia
The 1946 Raisin Bowl was a college football
bowl game
played between Drake Bulldogs
and Fresno State Bulldogs
at Ratcliffe Stadium
in Fresno, California
. The game marked the first bowl game for Drake and the third for Fresno State. It was sponsored by the Fresno Chambers of Commerce.
The Drake took the early 6-0 first quarter lead on a Wallace Rooker 1-yard run, but missed the PAT. Fresno State would score a second quarter touchdown courtesy of a Jack Kelly 19-yard run, tying the game 6-6. The ensuing PAT was blocked by Drake, leading to a 6-6 halftime score. The third quarter would see Fresno State take their only lead of the game on a Mel Gustafson 1-yard run. Fresno State again missed the PAT. The lead would last only a quarter as a fourth quarter Drake touchdown pass from Jack Coupe to Charles McDowell set up the game winning extra point by Jim Baer. Fresno State set a bowl record of nine turnovers. The Drake defense intercepted six passes and recovered three fumbles in the 13-12 victory.
The victory would improve Drake's bowl record to 1-0. Fresno State fell to 2-1 in bowl games. Drake became the first Iowa
team to participate in a college football
bowl game
game.
Drake- Rooker 1 yard run (failed PAT)
Second Quarter
Fresno State - Kelley 19 yard (blocked PAT)
Third Quarter
Fresno State - Gustafson 1-yard run (failed PAT)
Fourth Quarter
Drake- Coupe 24 yard pass to McDowell (Baer Kick)
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 between Drake Bulldogs
Drake Bulldogs football
The Drake Bulldogs football program represents Drake University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level. Drake began competing in intercollegiate football in 1893.-Historic 1922 season:...
and Fresno State Bulldogs
Fresno State Bulldogs football
The Fresno State Bulldogs football team represents California State University, Fresno in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The green “V” on the Bulldogs' helmets, uniforms, field symbolize California Central Valley, specifically the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural valley from which they...
at Ratcliffe Stadium
Ratcliffe Stadium
Ratcliffe Stadium is located on the campus of Fresno City College in Fresno, California. Opened in 1926 but renamed in 1941 after their first football coach, Emory Ratcliffe, the stadium hosted the NCAA football Raisin Bowl from 1946 through 1949 and was home to the Fresno State Bulldogs football...
in Fresno, California
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
. The game marked the first bowl game for Drake and the third for Fresno State. It was sponsored by the Fresno Chambers of Commerce.
The Drake took the early 6-0 first quarter lead on a Wallace Rooker 1-yard run, but missed the PAT. Fresno State would score a second quarter touchdown courtesy of a Jack Kelly 19-yard run, tying the game 6-6. The ensuing PAT was blocked by Drake, leading to a 6-6 halftime score. The third quarter would see Fresno State take their only lead of the game on a Mel Gustafson 1-yard run. Fresno State again missed the PAT. The lead would last only a quarter as a fourth quarter Drake touchdown pass from Jack Coupe to Charles McDowell set up the game winning extra point by Jim Baer. Fresno State set a bowl record of nine turnovers. The Drake defense intercepted six passes and recovered three fumbles in the 13-12 victory.
The victory would improve Drake's bowl record to 1-0. Fresno State fell to 2-1 in bowl games. Drake became the first Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
team to participate in 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...
game.
Scoring summary
First QuarterDrake- Rooker 1 yard run (failed PAT)
Second Quarter
Fresno State - Kelley 19 yard (blocked PAT)
Third Quarter
Fresno State - Gustafson 1-yard run (failed PAT)
Fourth Quarter
Drake- Coupe 24 yard pass to McDowell (Baer Kick)