The 1946 Raisin Bowl was a college football bowl game played between Drake Bulldogs and Fresno State Bulldogs at Ratcliffe Stadium in Fresno, California. The game marked the first bowl game for Drake and the third for Fresno State. It was sponsored by the Fresno Chambers of Commerce, in the first Raisin Bowl.
The Drake took the early 6âÂÂ0 first quarter lead on a Wallace Rooker one-yard run, but missed the PAT. Fresno State scored a second-quarter touchdown courtesy of a Jack Kelly 19-yard run, tying the game 6âÂÂ6. The ensuing PAT was blocked by Drake, leading to a 6âÂÂ6 halftime score. In the third quarter, the Bulldogs took their only lead of the game on a Mel Gustafson one-yard run. Fresno State again missed the PAT. The lead lasted only a quarter as a fourth quarter Drake touchdown pass from Jack Coupe to Charles McDowell set up the game winning extra point by Jim Baer. Fresno State set a bowl record of nine turnovers. The Drake defense intercepted six passes and recovered three fumbles in the 13âÂÂ12 victory the game ended with a very close score.
The victory wimproved Drake's bowl record to 1âÂÂ0. Fresno State fell to 2âÂÂ1 in bowl games. Drake became the first Iowa team to participate in a college football bowl game.
First quarter
DrakeRooker 1-yard run (PAT failed)
Second quarter
Fresno StateKelley 19 yard (PAT blocked)
Third quarter
Fresno StateGustafson 1-yard run (PAT failed)
Fourth quarter
DrakeCoupe 24-yard pass to McDowell (Baer Kick)