On December 29, 1934, the first ever Sugar Bowl was played in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game featured the Tulane Green Wave, who had a record of 9-1 and were the host team, and the undefeated Temple Owls, who had a record of 7-0-2.
The game was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to move the ball. Tulane's star player, Claude "Little Monk" Simons, had a tough time finding room to run against Temple's stout defense. However, in the fourth quarter, Simons broke free for a 61-yard touchdown run, giving Tulane a 7-0 lead.
Temple fought back and drove deep into Tulane territory, but the Green Wave defense held strong. With just seconds remaining, Temple's quarterback, Dave Smukler, threw a desperation pass into the end zone, but it was intercepted by Tulane's Dick Hardy, sealing the victory for the Green Wave.
The game was played in front of a crowd of 22,026 fans at Tulane Stadium, which was a record attendance for a football game in the South at the time. The victory was a huge moment for Tulane and the city of New Orleans, as it put them on the map as a major player in college football.
The Sugar Bowl has since become one of the most prestigious bowl games in college football, featuring some of the best teams in the country each year. The game has been played annually since 1935, with the exception of 1942, when it was cancelled due to World War II.
Some other notable Sugar Bowl moments include the 1973 game, which featured Notre Dame's stunning comeback victory over Alabama, and the 2006 game, which saw West Virginia's Pat White lead the Mountaineers to a thrilling victory over Georgia.
