On this date in Wildcat history: Wildcats beat Bearden 50 years ago under Coach Emory Hale

On This Date in Wildcat Football History, Sept. 27, 1974: The Wildcats entertained the Bearden Bulldogs and won a thriller 21-20. Blocked kicks, fumble recoveries, an Oak Ridge sophomore quarterback and a future University of Tennessee quarterback were the main storyline, along with comeback after comeback by Coach Emory Hale ’s Wildcats team.

Oak Ridge trailed 7-0 ,14-7 and then 20-14 with Bearden’s last lead coming with only 5:05 to play in thegame. The Bearden extra point sailed left, giving the Wildcats the opening they needed to win the game. Future Vol David Rudder was the Bulldog quarterback and after his team stuffed Oak Ridge’s offense on three plays, forcing them to punt, the Bearden signal caller mishandled an option pitch to Bearden running back Mike Barlow and was scooped up by Brian Roebuck. Roebuck scampered 34 yards for the tying touchdown. Kurt Johnson added the extra point and the Wildcats led 21-20 with 1:26 left in the game.

The game wasn’t over however, as Bearden marched all the way down to the Oak Ridge 10-yard line, where they lined up for a 27-yard game winning field goal with 8 seconds left in the game.

Wildcat Steve Love smashed through the Bearden line to block the kick, which gave the Wildcats the win. Oak Ridge sophomore quarterback Dean Nichols and running back Brian Roebuck would both score touchdowns for the Wildcats and both - one year later on Thanksgiving Day - would win the first of three State Championships for legendary Head Coach Emory Hale.

On this day 50 years ago, the Wildcats took down Bearden, 21-20.

Tonight: Oak Ridge hosts it’s rival since 1943, the Clinton Dragons. We’ll broadcast the game on FM 92.7 and stream it live on YouTube Channel-Prepradio.

David Clary has been the "Voice of the Wildcats" for more than 40 years and may be heard during football season on FM 92.7 and on YouTube on the Prepradio Channel .

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: On this date in Wildcat history: Wildcats beat Bearden 50 years ago under Coach Emory Hale