(Note: The following story was written by A.V. Gullette from the Associated Press and edited by UNM Media Relations.)
EL PASO, Texas — A final quarter forward pass, starring tailback R.W. MacGruder of San Marcos, gave Southwestern of Texas a 7-0 victory over the University of New Mexico in the 9th Annual Sun Bowl.
The 37-yard toss from fullback R.L. Cooper clicked after the underdog New Mexico Lobos had beaten back the highly-touted ground game of Southwestern’s Pirates through three quarters and eight minutes of the final period. The Pirates took the ball at the start of the fourth quarter on the 13. A pass, MacGruder to Cooper, made 27 and the two backs hit the line for a first down and MacGruder broke loose for 22 yards to the New Mexico 19.
Here New Mexico held and taking the pigskin, punted to the 46. Cooper passed to Hollon, Pirate end, for a first down and then to MacGruder for the winning tally.
The Lobos threatened only twice, in the second and third periods, but could not get beyond the Southwestern 16.
The game started under cloudy skies, but the sun broke through in the second half and playing conditions were nearly ideal.
The vaunted Southwestern defense held the Lobosto just four first downs and 48 yards total offense.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Southwestern | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | |
| New Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Scoring | ||||||
| SW – MacGruder 34 pass from Cooper (Collins kick) | ||||||
| Statistics | ||||||
| UNM | SW | |||||
| First Downs | 4 | 12 | ||||
| Rushing Yards | 38 | 214 | ||||
| Passing Yards | 10 | 65 | ||||
| Passing | 3-10-0 | 7-10-1 | ||||
| Total Offense | 48 | 279 | ||||
| Fumbles-Lost | 1-0 | 1-1 | ||||
| Penalties-Yards | 4-20 | 4-20 | ||||
| Punts-Avg. | 11-38.0 | 5-35.0 | ||||
| Punt Returns | 2-7 | 4-66 | ||||
| Kickoff Returns | 1-17 | 1-30 | ||||