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| Alabama head football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant gets a victory ride from Crimson Tide players Lou Green (58), Byron Braggs (47) and Marty Lyons (93) after Alabama beat Ohio State 35-6 to win the 1978 Sugar Bowl and the national championship in college football. |
By AL BROWNING
News Sports Editor
The Tuscaloosa News
January 4, 1978
NEW ORLEANS, La. - Less than two minutes remained in the first half of the 44th annual Sugar Bowl football game here Monday afternoon and Ohio State was knocking at the Alabama end zone door.
The Buckeyes trailing 13-0, had the ball at the Crimson Tide 11-yard line with a first down. But three plays gained only six yards and it was time for a gut check in the Lousiana Superdome.
On fourth down Ohio State flanker Jim Harrell ran around right end and appeared headed for a touchdown. But Alabama defenders Don McNeal and Wayne Hamilton (Leesburg High School, Okahumpka Florida) wrestled him out abounds at the three yard line and the Crimson Tide ran out the clock to end the half.
Alabama went to a 35-6 victory and holding its breath today as the Associated Press today names its national champion. The third ranked Crimson Tide is a favorite with fifth ranked Notre Dame and sixth ranked Arkansas to win the coveted crown.
"When we stopped them on the goal line just before halftime. I knew we were going to go on a play a great game," said Hamilton the 6-5, 230 pound sophomore who played so brilliantly in a 21-20 regular season victory over then No.1 Southern Cal.
"It boiled down to either stopping'em or letting'em get back into the game we stopped'em."
Alabama kept stopping Ohio State's offensive thrusts, either with crucial third down tackles or pass interceptions. The Crimson Tide intercepted three passes and batted down four more.
The Buckeyes only gained 263 yards, 60 below their season average.
Alabama defensive standouts were as many as those wearing red on the field.
"We don't have any superstars on our defensive team," said end Dewey Mitchell when asked how Alabama shut down the big powerful Ohio State offense. "We united for a cause and got the job done."
"There are three things that makes our defense - effective, togetherness, unity and closeness."
"I think this was our best defensive effort of the season. We gave a little, sure, but we never snapped."
Mitchell, a senior from Tampa, Fla. played one of his finest games, making seven tackles and breaking up two passes.
"I was motivated for this one," Mitchell said. "We all were."
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