1937 Orange Bowl: Mississippi State football makes its first bowl appearance in Miami vs. Duquesne Dukes
The first bowl game for the Mississippi State football team ever. The 1937 Orange Bowl. Mississippi State was a bit of an underdog here and interestingly enough, the Maroons were able to take an early and notable lead over Duquesne. State held onto that lead and was up 12-7 heading into the fourth quarter.
Unfortunately for Mississippi State football fans, this game ended up ending in heartbreak and was a bit of a foretaste for more frustrating State games in the future.
Duquesne Dukes tailback Boyd Brumbaugh was able to hurl a pass to Ernie Hefferlie, who wound up taking the ball 72 yards into the end zone. And that put an end to Mississippi State’s hopes of upsetting Duquesne in Florida.
As a result of the loss, the Bulldogs, coached by Ralph Sasse, ended the season at 7-3-1.
It wasn’t all bad though. Mississippi State’s very own Ike Pickle (yes, that’s an incredible and real name) was able to smack a punt for a grand old 82 yards that set a record for the Orange Bowl. Which, you know, 82-yard punts are really impressive! And it was a punt by a man named Ike Pickle!