1961 Cotton Bowl Classic

The 1961 Cotton Bowl Classic was a post-season college football bowl game between the Southwest Conference champion Arkansas Razorbacks and the champions of the ACC, the Duke Blue Devils. Duke defeated Arkansas, 7-6, in front of 70,500 spectators.

Setting
Arkansas won the SWC in 1960, led by star RB/PR/DB/P Lance Alworth. He led the nation in punt return yardage, and was ninth in the country in kick return yardage. The Hogs defeated #11 Texas and #10 Rice, but lost to #20 Baylor and #2 Ole Miss.

Duke won the ACC, and would win it again the next two years. The Blue Devils had 4 first team-all conference players.

Game summary
In a game full of stars such as Lance Alworth of Arkansas and Don Altman and Tee Moorman of Duke, Dave Unser came up biggest. His block of a Mickey Cissel PAT gave the game to Duke.

Alworth provided a memorable play when he snagged a high snap on a punt. Under pressure from Duke defenders, he then rolled right and sprinted upfield. While running he punted the ball deep, which went out at the Duke 2. Two plays later he returned a Duke punt for a touchdown. The extra point, however, was blocked by Dave Unser, giving the Hogs only a 6-0 lead.

In the fourth quarter, the Blue Devils hooked together five passes from Altman to Moorman in one drive that culminated in a tying TD and go ahead extra point.

Duke moved to 3-3 in bowls with the win, while Arkansas' record in the postseason dropped to 2-2-2.