6-3-3 Defense

Thrilling as it was, the Rose Bowl contest could not match the game played later on in Miami for suspense. The Orange Bowl provided one of the wildest endings of any bowl game ever as Penn State defeated Kansas 15-14. Trailing 14-7 with just over a minute remaining, Penn State Quarterback Chuck Burkhart hit Bob Campbell with a desperation pass from his own 49, and Campbell made it to the Kansas 3-yd. line. On third down, Burkhart rolled out for the score. His pass for a two-point conversion failed, but Kansas was penalized for having twelve men on the field. On the second try, Burkhart handed off to Campbell, who carried the ball over for the victory. A later look at game films indicated that Kansas may have had twelve men on the field for at least the last three plays. Quipped one Kansas coach: "No wonder we were able to stop them. The 6-3-3 defense is pretty tough to run against."

Some Kansas fans will undoubtedly criticize Coach Pepper Rodgers for the loss. But other football followers could only admire him. Late in the fourth Quarter, while ahead 14-7, Kansas had the ball on the Penn 5-yd. line. It was fourth down and a yard to go; a field goal would almost certainly have put the game out of Penn State's reach. But Rodgers, who insists that college football ought to be fun, let his team take the gamble. Instead of trying for the field goal, Kansas went for a touchdown--and failed.

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