Burley Bowl - 1956
In November of 1956, Memphis State College received its second bowl bid in school history, but this time University officials accepted the invitation, and the team traveled to East Tennessee to participate in its first post-season event. The Tigers faced East Tennessee
State College at Memorial Stadium in Johnson City, Tenn., on November 22 and earned a 32-12 victory. Memphis broke open the game in the third quarter with 20 points after being held to six in the first half. Seven hundred fans on a frigid Thanksgiving afternoon witnessed Eddie Gebara score two third quarter rushing touchdowns, including a 64-yard run that gave the Tigers a 26-6 lead. Memphis State finished the season with a 5-4-1 record, while East Tennessee State College dropped to 4-5 on the year. Memphis had originally
received its first bowl invitation in 1938 to play in the Prune Bowl in California and asked bowl officials for a financial guarantee to help cover the cost of transporting the squad across country. When the guarantee did not come through, Memphis opted to stay home.
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Halfback Andy Nelson served as team co-captain and helped the 1956 Tiger Football team to its first post-season victory in the Burley Bowl.
1956 BURLEY BOWL
Memphis State College 32 East Tennessee State
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Memorial Stadium (8,000) November 22, 1956
2011 Memphis Football Experience
