The 1949 Sugar Bowl to the Sugar Bowl featured the third-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels and the fifth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners. In the first quarter, Oklahoma scored on a 1-yard Mitchell touchdown run as the Sooners jumped out to a 7–0 lead. North Carolina answered with a 2-yard touchdown run from Rodgers as the score became 7–6. In the third quarter, Oklahoma scored on an 8-yard touchdown run from Pearson. Oklahoma won the game, 14–6. Oklahoma's "General" Jack Mitchell was named Sugar Bowl MVP.