The 1955 Sun Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game that featured the Texas Western Miners and the Florida State Seminoles.
The Miners finished 3rd in the Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association in their second straight Sun Bowl, and fourth Sun Bowl in six years. As for the Seminoles, a 3âÂÂ3 start ended with 5 straight wins to close out the regular season. This was their first Bowl since the 1950 Cigar Bowl.
Harry Massey scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Seminoles an early 7âÂÂ0 lead, set up by a 25-yard kickoff return and a 48-yard rush both by Lee Corso. After Florida State lost both Corso (on a collision) and the ball after an ensuing punt, the Miners took advantage, scoring on a Rusty Rutledge touchdown catch from Jesse Whittenton to make it 7âÂÂ7 after one quarter. In the second, the Miners exploded for 27 points. Whittenton ran for a touchdown run from 7 yards out to make it 13âÂÂ7. Bob Forrest scored on a 45-yard touchdown run to make it 20âÂÂ7. Whittenton threw his 2nd touchdown pass to make it 27âÂÂ7. He then threw a pass to Rutledge from 16 yards out to make it 34âÂÂ7 at halftime. Forrest scored once again to make it 41âÂÂ7 Miners. The Seminoles finally responded with a Len Swantic touchdown pass to make it 41âÂÂ13 (after the kick was blocked). Whittenton made it 47âÂÂ13 on his 2-yard touchdown plunge. In the fourth quarter, the only score was on a Larry Massey touchdown pass to make it 47âÂÂ20. Future actor Burt Reynolds rushed for 35 yards on 7 carries for Florida State. Whittenton went 7 of 13 for 138 yards and three touchdowns passing and two touchdowns on 13 yards (on 8 carries) rushing in an MVP effort. The attendance for the game was estimated at 14,000.
The Miners went to the Sun Bowl thrice more in the next 12 years. As for Florida State, they returned once in 1966.