1967 College Football Recap
The showdown of the 1967 season was between UCLA quarterback Gary Beban and Southern Cal halfback O.J. Simpson.
Meeting on the final day of the regular season with a Rose Bowl trip and the Heisman Trophy on the line, the two All-Americas put on quite a show. Playing with badly bruised ribs, Beban passed for 301 yards and two touchdowns, while Simpson had a 64–yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to win the game 21–20.
Simpson, a junior, got to the Rose Bowl. Beban, a senior, got the Heisman.
For Southern Cal and coach John McKay it was the second national championship in six years. USC beat No.4 Indiana in Pasadena to end the season at 10–1. The only blemish was a 3–0 loss to No.7 Oregon State.
Tennessee and Oklahoma, ranked just behind USC in the final AP and UPI polls, faced each other in the Orange Bowl. The Vols lost their opener to UCLA then won nine straight, including a 24–13 decision over Alabama that ended Bama's three-year unbeaten streak at 25. The Sooners were also 9–1, losing only to Texas. In Miami, Tennessee trailed 19–0 at the half, pulled to within 19–17 then 26–24, but lost when a last second field goal try sailed wide.
SWC champ Texas A&M returned the Cotton Bowl after a 26–year absence and upset Alabama, 20–16. Bear Bryant helped carry Aggie coach Gene Stallings off the field. Stallings played for Bryant at A&M.
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