National Football Foundation

Lambert Trophy winner Syracuse defeated Southwest Conference Co-Champion Texas in the Cotton Bowl to claim the inaugural MacArthur Bowl. Coached by College Football Hall of Famer Ben Schwartzwalder, Syracuse finished 11-0 after a 23-14 victory against the Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl. The Orange recorded five shutouts and defeated opponents by an average margin of 31 points per game. The 1959 Syracuse team featured Hall of Fame running back Ernie Davis, and 1959 NFF National Scholar-Athlete and running back Gerhard Schwedes.

Representing the pinnacle of team achievement in college sports, the trophy was the gift of an anonymous donor, who commissioned Tiffany & Co. to craft it from 400 ounces of silver, in honor of NFF founder General Douglas A. MacArthur. It took eight months to make, and the trophy features MacArthur's famous quote: "There is no substitute for victory."