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This game marked the Classic’s Silver Anniversary, as well as a
dazzling performance by Arkansas’ spectacular halfback, Lance Alworth.
But, it was the men from Duke, led by Don Altman, the Blue Devil
quarterback, Claude “Tee” Moorman, the All-America “lonesome end,” and
big Dave Unser that had the final say.
For three quarters, Alworth enjoyed a tremendous afternoon, running,
receiving, returning kickoffs and punts as well as handling the Hogs’
punting chores, while under intense pressure from Duke’s massive
defenders. His most exciting play of the day came in the third quarter.
Arkansas was forced to punt at the Blue Devil 41. The snap was high and
Alworth had to leap to control it. When he came down, four Duke linemen
were less than a step away, ready to make the kill. Alworth took off to
his right, cut downfield and while running at near top speed, dropped
the ball and kicked it. The ball angled toward the corner and bounced
out of bounds at the two. It was an unbelievable play. Duke kicked the
ball back to the Razorbacks two plays later and it was Alworth again who
provided the suspense. Taking it at the Duke 49, Alworth- the nation’s
leading punt returner- shot through an opening and was in the clear, on
his way to the end zone for his first return touchdown. The way both
teams’ defensive units were playing, Alworth’s score seemed enough to
win even though Mickey Cissell’s extra point attempt was blocked by
Unser.
But, as much as the third period belonged to Arkansas, the fourth
quarter momentum swung to the Blue Devils. Returning an Alworth punt to
its 27, Duke launched its one big drive of the afternoon. Slowly and
methodically, Altman directed the Duke attack. Ten minutes remained.
Five times Altman connected with Moorman, his favorite receiver, in
their march up the field. For most of the afternoon, Moorman truly was
“lonesome.” At times he never joined his teammates in the huddle. With
the ball resting on the Arkansas 30, Alworth almost came up with yet
another big play, as he leaped in front of Moorman for a sure
interception. But, the ball slipped through his grasp and into the Duke
receiver’s hands. The drive ended with Altman’s nine-yard scoring toss
to Moorman. The score now tied, Art Browning added the extra point, and
with 2:45 left, the Blue Devils held a slim 7-6 advantage. As Alworth
retreated near his goal line to receive the Duke kickoff, there still
was a glimmer of hope. But just as he prepared to turn on his remarkable
speed, Unser came up with his second key play of the afternoon, crashing
into Alworth at the 32. The ball tumbled free and Duke recovered.
For Arkansas, the game was over.
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Attendance- 70,500
Scoring Summary
Third Quarter
Ark- Alworth 49 punt return
Fourth Quarter
Duke-Moorman 9 pass from Altman (Browning kick)
Individual Statistics
Rushing
Duke- Wilson 13-32, Wright 9-26, Arrington 5-14, McGee 3-10
Ark- Alberty 13-44, Alworth 11-33, Horton 5-32, McKinney 10-31
Passing
Duke- Altman 12-15-83
Ark- McKinney 4-10-58
Receiving
Duke- Moorman 8-45, Wilson 3-30
Ark- Alworth 3-41, Collier 2-30
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