|
Featured Moment: December 13, 1969
On Dec. 13, 1969, future Hall of Fame quarterback/running back Bobby
Anderson (11) helped the
Colorado Buffaloes defeat Alabama 47-33 in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis,
TN. (Photo:
NFF)
Report researched
and written by College Football Hall of Fame Curator and Historian Kent
Stephens
Posted by Bonesville.net on
Nov. 17, 2012
FEATURED MOMENT
December 13, 1969:
Hall of Fame backs Bob Anderson of Colorado and Johnny Musso of Alabama
squared off in a high-scoring Liberty Bowl in Memphis, TN. On the day,
Anderson gained a Liberty Bowl record-setting 254 yards while scoring
three touchdowns. Musso, who would be honored as an NFF National
Scholar-Athlete in 1971, scored twice for Hall of Fame coach Bear
Bryant’s Crimson Tide. Colorado jumped off to a 17-0 lead. Alabama
responded with two touchdowns, bringing the score to 17-13 after a
failed two-point conversion. Three more scores in the final 2:38 of the
first half, including a 91-yard touchdown kickoff return by Colorado’s
Steve Engel, gave the Buffs a 31-19 lead going into the break. By the
end of the third quarter, 'Bama had taken the lead, 33-31, only to see
Anderson score twice more in the fourth quarter. Colorado won going away
47-33. Head coach Eddie Crowder and the Buffs posted an 8-3 record for
the season with a No. 16 rank in the final AP Poll. Alabama finished
6-5.
OTHER NOTABLE DATES
December 10, 1966:
Virginia Tech got into the spirit of playing in the Liberty Bowl by
utilizing the seldom used Statue of Liberty play; some old school quick
kicks; and a no-huddle offense, which was highly unconventional at the
time. These strategies and a tight defense, headed by Hall of Fame
safety Frank Loria, held ninth ranked Miami (FL) to 16 yards of total
offense in the first half. But Miami defensive end and Hall of Famer Ted
Hendricks did an equally great job in stopping the Hokie offense, and
the Hurricanes prevailed for a 14-7 victory in Memphis. Miami finished
8-2-1 with a No. 9 ranking while the Hokies also turned in an 8-2-1
record.
December 11, 1982:
After four previous bowl losses, Wisconsin notched its first ever bowl
victory with a win in the Independence Bowl over Kansas State, which was
also experiencing a milestone with its inaugural bowl appearance. Badger
quarterback Randy White threw two scoring tosses in the UW 14-3 win.
Cold weather in Shreveport, LA, led to five turnovers and 14 punts. The
win gave the Badgers a 7-5 record while Kansas State finished the season
6-5-1. The game also made history as ESPN’s first live telecast.
December 12, 1987:
In a back and forth contest that featured three fourth quarter lead
changes, Eastern Michigan prevailed over San Jose State at the
California Bowl in Fresno. Trailing 17-14 at the half, SJSU took the
lead on a Mike Perez touchdown pass, only to see EMU regain the edge
23-21on a Garry Patton scoreboard scamper. Back came the Spartans 27-23
as James Saxton scored from 16 yards out. The Eagles prevailed 30-27
when Ron Adams connected with Craig Ostrander for the game's final
score. Both Eastern Michigan and SJSU ended the season with 10-2
records.
December 14, 1995:
An entertaining Las Vegas Bowl saw No. 25 Toledo defeat Nevada 40-37 in
overtime. Rocket RB Wasean Tait's second touchdown of the game gave
Toledo a 21-7 lead in the second quarter. But Hall of Fame coach Chris
Ault’s Wolfpack never quit. The Pack closed to within four points on Ken
Minor’s second TD run in the third quarter. Every time Nevada scored,
Toledo would respond. The Rockets held a 34-24 lead when Minor scored
again. They subsequently tied the game, 34-34, on a Damon Shea field
goal, sending the battle to overtime. Shea opened the OT with his third
field goal. Only to see, Tait score for the fourth time as Toledo
celebrated. Toledo head coach Gary Pinkel and the Rockets finished the
season 11-0-1 and ranked No. 24 in the AP Poll while Nevada posted a
final 9-3 record.
December 15 1962:
Bitterly cold weather made for unpleasant conditions for two
eastern-based bowl games. In New York, a sparse crowd of 6,166 witnessed
a 36-34 Nebraska win over Miami (FL) in the final Gotham Bowl. The
weather was not any better in Philadelphia as Oregon State defeated
Villanova 6-0 in the Liberty Bowl. Hall of Famer and Heisman Trophy
winner Terry Baker provided the game’s only score and assured Oregon
State the victory with a dramatic 99-yard touchdown run.
December 16, 1978:
In the first ever Garden State Bowl, held in East Rutherford, NJ,
Arizona State defeated the home state Rutgers Scarlet Knights 34-18.
Rutgers' first-ever bowl appearance started well as it established a
10-0 lead. But the Sun Devils responded behind the leadership of
quarterback Mark Malone, who threw for three touchdown passes and ran
for two more. ASU and Hall of Fame coach Frank Kush finished the season
9-3 and the Scarlet Knights also closed out the season 9-3.
12/08/2012 02:51 AM |
