The 1961 edition to the Orange Bowl featured the fifth ranked Missouri Tigers and the fourth ranked Navy Midshipmen. Navy jumped to a 6-0 lead with a 98-yard fumble return for a touchdown. But Missouri answered when Norm Beal intercepted Navy’s Hal Spooner, rumbling down the sideline for a 90-yard return, giving Missouri a 7-6 advantage. They then drove 80 yards for a second touchdown, and led 14-6 at half.