1967 Liberty Bowl
| MVP | QB Jim Donnan (NC State) |
|---|---|
The 1967 Liberty Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game that featured the NC State Wolfpack and the Georgia Bulldogs.
Background
The Wolfpack finished 2nd in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Bulldogs finished 5th in the Southeastern Conference. This was NC State's first bowl since 1963, which was also in the Liberty Bowl. This was Georgia's first ever Liberty Bowl.
Game summary
A 65 yard drive by the Wolfpack culminated with a Jim Donnan touchdown pass to Harry Martel to make it 7-0 in the 2nd. Georgia responded with a 68 yard drive with Ronnie Jenkins scoring on a touchdown plunge to tie it before halftime. In the second half, the game was decided in the final minutes. NC State drove 73 yards and scored on a Tony Barchuk touchdown run to make it 14-7. Later on, the Bulldogs went on a 98 yard drive, trying to tie the score late in the game. However, QB Kent Lawrence was stopped one yard short of the goal line, as the Wolfpack held on to win the game. Donnan went 16-of-24 for 121 yards and a touchdown in an MVP effort. [1]
Jim Donnan later went on to coach the Georgia Bulldogs.
Aftermath
Georgia returned to the Liberty Bowl 20 years later in 1987. The Wolfpack returned in 1973.
Statistics
| Statistics | NC State | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| First Downs | 14 | 14 |
| Rushing Yards | 79 | 140 |
| Passing Yards | 128 | 136 |
| Total Yards | 207 | 276 |
| Interception Thrown | 1 | 0 |
| Return Yardage | 42 | 124 |
| Fumbles/Lost | 1-1 | 0-0 |
| Punts-Average | 7-35.5 | 6-28.8 |
| Yards Penalized | 45 | 67 |