The 1948 Sugar Bowl featured the fifth ranked Texas Longhorns and the sixth ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. In the first quarter, Texas scored on a 99-yard touchdown pass from Bobby Layne to Ralph "Peppy" Blount, as Texas opened a 7–0 lead. In the second quarter, Alabama tied the game on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Harry Gilmer to Ed White. In the third quarter, Texas's Vic Vasicek recovered a fumble in the end zone as Texas took a 14–7 lead. Lew Holder later returned an interception 18 yards for a touchdown making it 21-7. Layne scored on a 1-yard touchdown run making the final score 27-7. Layne was named Sugar Bowl Most Outstanding Player and became the first winner of the Miller Award.