The 1948 Sun Bowl matched the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Miami (Ohio) Redskins.
Blackburn helped Gillman coach this game for a team that went undefeated and was champion of the Mid-American Conference.
The original Sun Bowl invitation had been extended to Lafayette, but was declined when the host campus refused to allow the participation of Lafayette star running back, David Showell, based on a University of Texas ban on black players.
Tech retaliated with a Jim Conley touchdown run to make it tied at halftime.
After Bill Hoover blocked a Red Raider punt, Paul Shoults gave Miami the lead with his touchdown run.