COLLEGE FOOTBALL - 1985 SEASON
02/09/85 - Alabama (20) @ (16) Georgia - In the season opener, Alabama won a close game with a TD pass with 15 seconds left to silence the home crowd. Georgia took the lead with 50 seconds left in the game after blocking a punt and recovering the ball in the end-zone, but Alabama QB Mike Shula (9-13-136-2) calmly led the Tide downfield and threw the winning 17 yard TD pass to WR Al Bell (4-77-2) with 15 seconds left. Georgia were led by QB Wayne Johnson (8-13-82-1) and RB Lars Tate (9-33-0). Alabama also featured LB Cornelius Bennett on defense (8, 1 Disc, ABC - Jackson/Broyles/Brant, NTSC)
07/09/85 - Florida (35) @ (23) Miami - #5 ranked Florida claimed state bragging rights with a big win in Miami. The Gators started fast and held a 20-7 lead at the half but the Hurricanes owned the 3rd quarter and pulled ahead 21-20 before the Gators closed out the game with 2 TD's in the 4th quarter to take the win. Florida were led by QB Kerwin Bell (20-28-248-4), RB's Neal Anderson and John L Williams (1 TD catch) and WR Ricky Nattiel (4-79-2). Miami were led by QB Vinny Testaverde (24-39-278-0 + 1 TD run), who was making his 1st college start, RB Alonzo Highsmith, WR's Michael Irvin and Brian Blades, DL Jerome Brown, LB Winston Moss and DB Bennie Blades. The game is also notable for Miami's last home loss before they started a 58 game home win streak which was finally ended in 1994 (10, 2008 re-broadcast with in-game comments from Florida players looking back at the game, 2 Discs, SUN Sports - Gallagher/Yarbrough, NTSC)
07/09/85 - Oklahoma State (31) @ (17) Washington - In the season opener for both teams in a rainy Husky Stadium, it was the visitors that came away with a tight win. Led by Sophomore RB Thurman Thomas (40-237-1 + 1 TD pass), the Cowboys broke open a 17-17 game in the 4th quarter with a TD pass from Thomas and a 49 yard interception return, to beat the Huskies. The 237 yards rushing were a collegiate career high for Thomas. Washington were led by QB Hugh Millen (21-38-232-2) and also featured WR Lonzell Hill (2 TD catches), DL Reggie Rogers, LB Joe Kelly and DB Vestee Jackson. The Cowboys also featured QB's Ronnie Williams and Rusty Rankin, DL Leslie O'Neal and DB Mark Moore (2 Interceptions) (8, Slightly grainy picture with light sparkles, 3 Discs, TNT - Nelson/Hornung, NTSC)
14/09/85 - UCLA (26) @ (26) Tennessee - #10 ranked UCLA stunned the Vol nation by coming back from a 26-10 deficit in the 4th quarter to tie the game and leave with a draw. Led by QB Tony Robinson (23-35-387-2 inc. 68 yard TD pass) the Vols built on a 13-10 half-time lead to go ahead 26-10 early in the 4th quarter. UCLA went to back-up QB David Norrie (10-15-138-2) and he led the Bruins on 2 scoring drives, including the game-tieing TD and 2 point pass play with 37 seconds left. Tennessee tried to get into FG range in the final seconds but ran out of time. UCLA also featured QB Matt Stevens (9-14-78-0), RB Gaston Green (24-194-1 inc. 72 yard TD run), WR's Mike Sherrard (7-120-0) and Flipper Anderson (1-25-1) and LB Tommy Taylor. Tennessee also featured RB Charles Wilson (12-45-0), WR Tim McGee (5-142-0) and DB Chris White (3 interceptions). Game is a combination from 2 sources ; 1st 2 drives of the game have occassional edited action, rest of the game is complete but has a slight jitter (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Jackson/Broyles/Brant, NTSC)
28/09/85 - Notre Dame (17) @ (35) Purdue - Purdue beat Notre Dame for the 2nd straight year thanks to big games from their Offense and Defense. On Offense, the Boilermakers out-gained Notre Dame 482 yards to 217 yards, while the Defense forced 6 sacks and scored a TD on an interception return. Purdue only led 14-3 at the half but dominated the 2nd half to take the win. Purdue featured QB Jim Everett (27-49-368-3), RB Rodney Carter, WR Mark Jackson, LB Fred Strickland and DB's Rod Woodson (30 yard interception return TD) and Cris Dishman. Notre Dame featured QB Steve Beuerlein (7-25-88), RB Allen Pinkett (21-45-0), WR Tim Brown and LB Cedric Figaro (8, Downloaded from the Internet, 1 Disc, TNT - Van Wieren/Kramer, NTSC)
28/09/85 - Texas (38) @ (34) Stanford - Texas travelled West to face Stanford for the first time and had to survive a furious 2nd half fight-back to get the win. Texas jumped out to a 24-10 lead at the half thanks to big plays in the running game that amassed 285 yards rushing. Texas scored on a 74 yard run by QB Brett Stafford, a 62 yard run by Darron Norris and a 55 yard pass from QB Todd Dodge to Donovan Pitts. But Stanford came out fired up for the 2nd half and clawed back to a tie behind the passing of QB John Paye and the rushing of RB Brad Muster. A late Texas TD gave them the lead again and then the defense held on 4th down with a minute to go to seal the win. The Longhorns also featured on Offense RB Eric Metcalf, in his 2nd game, and on Defense LB's Ty Allert and Britt Hager (8, Missing last 1 minute - no scoring missed, 2 Discs, CBS - Musberger/Parseghian, NTSC)
12/10/85 - Oklahoma (14) v (7) Texas
- In a big defensive game, #2 ranked Oklahoma shut-down the #17 ranked
Longhorns and secured their first "Red River Shootout" win since 1979.
The Sooners were led by QB Troy Aikman (67 yards passing + 1 TD) and
RB's Patrick Collins and Lydell Carr (220 yards total rushing) on
Offense and by LB Brian Bosworth (14 tackles + 1 INT) on Defense. The
Longhorns were led by QB Todd Dodge on Offense and LB Britt Hager on
Defense (8, Low Audio, 2 Discs, HSE - Worrell/Hitzges/Parks, NTSC)
19/10/85 - Miami (27) @ (14) Oklahoma - In the home opener of the season for the #3 ranked Sooners, they were upset by the upstart Hurricanes. Miami led 14-7 at the half with QB Vinny Testaverde (17-28-270-2) pulling the strings but the defense was also playing well, led by DL Jerome Brown (16 tackles, blocked FG, 1 sack). Oklahoma were led by Sophomore QB Troy Aikman (6-8-131-1) but he was knocked out of the game in the 2nd quarter with a broken ankle and replaced by Freshman QB Jamelle Holieway (1-6-20 + 17-57-0). Despite a great effort from Holieway, the Sooners couldn't make up the deficit and lost for the first (and only) time in 1985. Oklahoma were led on defense by LB Brian Bosworth (8, Wavy lines in the picture, Player-to-Recorder copy, 2 discs, ABC - Jackson/Broyles/Brant, NTSC)
19/10/85 - Purdue (27) @ (41) Ohio State - #11 Ohio State survived a scare at home, using 2 late TD's to put away the Boilermakers. Ohio State started fast, running out to a 17-0 lead in the 1st Quarter, but Purdue fought back to close to 17-10 at the half. Purdue QB Jim Everett (35-55-497-2), who had a huge game, ensured Purdue were tied 27-27 in the 4th Quarter, but 2 interceptions in the final 4:41 resulted in 2 Ohio State TD's to turn the game around for the Buckeyes and sealed the win. Both teams combined for 973 yards of total Offense. Ohio State featured QB Jim Karsatos (14-26-174-1), RB Keith Byars (23-106-2), in his first game back since suffering a broken foot in preseason, WR Cris Carter (1 TD catch) and LB's Pepper Johnson and Chris Spielman (1 Interception). Purdue also featured RB Rodney Carter, who caught a school record 15 passes for 190 yards, and DB Rod Woodson (8, Downloaded from the Internet - From the 2nd quarter onwards the picture gets occassionally wavy, 1 Disc, CBS - Bender/Vermeil, NTSC)
26/10/85 - Texas (14) @ (44) SMU - SMU recorded their 1st ever home win against the Longhorns, using a strong rushing attack and a big game from their Defense to take the win. SMU led 13-6 at the end of a hard-hitting 1st half but RB Reggie Dupard (117 yards + 3 TD’s + 1 TD catch) and the Defense stepped up in the 2nd half to pull away and win the game. Texas committed 6 turnovers (4 fumbles, 2 interceptions) with LB Kit Case (2 INT's) having a big game while the Offense put up 408 yards of total Offense, including a 40 yard TD run and a bizarre 95 yard TD that started with a 50 yard run, then a fumble which was picked up by a WR and run the remaining 45 yards for a score. SMU also featured QB Don King (1 TD run, 1 TD pass), WR Ron Morris and DL Jerry Ball. Texas featured QB's Brett Stafford and Todd Dodge, RB Eric Metcalf, LB's Britt Hager and Ty Allert and DB John Hagy (8, Low audio with intermittent light tracking lines throughout the game - 1 Texas drive in the 4th quarter has edited huddles, 1 Disc, KTXA-21 - Coates/Samples, NTSC)
02/11/85 - Miami (35) @ (27) Florida State - In a shootout at the Doak Campbell Stadium, #11 ranked Miami used a strong 2nd half to beat #10 ranked Florida State. Both teams Defenses were at their hard-hitting best. The Miami Defense forced 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery and 2 sacks and held the Seminoles to only 3 points in the 2nd half. The Florida State Defense forced 7 sacks and held the Miami rushing attack to -18 yards. The difference in the game was at Quarterback. Florida State went with true Freshman Chip Ferguson (14-28-158-2) who was starting his first career game. Miami had Junior Vinny Testaverde (23-41-339-4) who had a sensational 2nd half, leading his team to 21 points, and carried the team on his back. Miami also featured RB's Melvin Bratton and Alonzo Highsmith, WR's Michael Irvin (1 TD catch) and Brian Blades (2 TD catches), DL Daniel Stubbs and Kevin Fagan and LB's Winston Moss and George Mira Jr.. Florida State also featured RB Victor Floyd (14-72-0), WR Hassan Jones (3-44-1), LB Paul McGowan and DB's Martin Mayhew and freshman Deion Sanders (9, 2020 re-broadcast - No half-time and a couple of edited huddles but otherwise complete, 2 Discs, ABC - Brant/Grosscup, PAL)
02/11/85 - Texas Tech (21) @ (34) Texas - Texas got back to winning ways with a big win over the Red Raiders at a rainy Memorial Stadium in Austin. Texas used a strong rushing attack (274 total yards + 3 TD's) and an opportunistic passing attack to run out to a 21-0 lead in the 2nd quarter before Texas Tech went for a change at QB, bringing on back-up Billy Joe Tolliver (9-22-202-1 + 178 yards rushing & 1 TD). Even though he ran and threw for his 1st career TD's, the deficit was too much to make up and Texas ran out easy winners. Texas featured QB Brett Stafford (9-11-177-1 + 10-69-1), RB's Charles Hunter (19-75-0), Darron Norris (13-44-1) and Eric Metcalf (11-50-0), WR Everett Gay (2-79-1) and LB Britt Hager (10 tackles, 1 sack). Texas Tech also featured QB Aaron Keesee, RB's Ansell Cole and Isaac Garnett, WR's Wayne Walker (80 yard TD run) and Tyrone Thurman, LB's Brad Hastings and Mark Kinsey and DB's Scott Davis and King Simmons (7, Downloaded from the internet, Good picture but wavy lines - JIP on opening drive of the game and ends with 42 seconds left in the game - No scoring missed, 1 Disc, Raycom - Harmon/Wilkinson, NTSC)
16/11/85 - Maryland (31) @ (34) Clemson - Maryland stayed unbeaten in the ACC with a 5-0 record but needed a FG in the final seconds to take the win. In a game of momentum swings, Maryland shook off a 24-17 deficit at the half to take a 31-24 lead into the final minutes before Clemson tied the game. The Terps then drove the length of the field and won the game on a 20 yard FG with 2 seconds left. After the ensuing game-ending kick-off, both teams took part in a big fight on the Clemson sideline. Maryland were led by QB Stan Gelbaugh (381 yards + 3 TD's inc. 50 yard TD pass), RB's Alvin Blount and Rick Badanjek, WR Azizuddin Abdur-Ra'oof, TE Ferrell Edmunds and DB Keena Covington. Clemson were led by QB Rodney Williams and RB's Stacey Driver and Kenny Flowers (8, Low Audio + Last 3 minutes of game time has tracking issues - 2nd half JIP 12:05 due to network problem, 2 Discs, CBS - Bender/Davis, NTSC)
30/11/85 - Auburn (23) @ (25) Alabama - In one of the greatest "Iron Bowls" ever, Alabama stunned #7 ranked Auburn with a last-play FG. The Tide led 16-10 at the half and also at the start of the 4th quarter, before both teams suddenly found some Offense in the 4th quarter. The final quarter saw 4 lead changes with the final change coming after the Tide had driven 45 yards to the Tigers 35 yard line with 6 seconds left. Alabama trotted out their FG team and kicker Van Tiffin nailed a 52 yard FG to win the rivalry game. Alabama also featured QB Mike Shula (14-28-192-1), RB Gene Jelks (18-192-1 including a 74 yard TD run), WR Al Bell and LB Cornelius Bennett. Auburn featured QB Pat Washington, RB's Bo Jackson (31-142-2 while playing with broken ribs) and Reggie Ware (1 TD run), OL Steve Wallace and DL Tracy Rocker (9, ESPN Classic re-broadcast, 1 hour 24 minutes hi-lites, 1 Disc, ABC - Jackson/Broyles/Brant, PAL)
30/11/85 - Notre Dame (7) @ (58) Miami - In Notre Dame coach Jerry Faust's last game, the Irish suffered their worst ever defeat at the hands of a Miami team led by QB Vinny Testaverde (22-32-356-2) and Coach Jimmy Johnson. Miami led 27-7 at the half and the didn't let up even with their back-ups in the game. Notre Dame featured QB Steve Beuerlein, RB Allen Pinkett and WR Tim Brown. Miami featured WR Michael Irvin and RB Alonso Highsmith on Offense and Jerome Brown and George Mira Jr on Defense (9, 3 Discs, CBS - Musberger/Parseghian, NTSC)
07/12/85 - SMU (13) @ (35) Oklahoma - #4 Oklahoma ended the season with a big inter-conference win against the Mustangs from the SWC. With the win the Sooners booked a place in the Orange Bowl with a chance to play for the National Championship. SMU started well and scored on their opening drive but the Sooners reeled off 28 unanswered points to take control of the game. The star for the Sooners was QB Jamelle Holieway (3-40-1 + 23-126-2) who was playing suffering from the flu. The #1 ranked Defense also had a big game, led by DL Tony Casillas and LB Brian Bosworth. Oklahoma also featured RB's Spencer Tillman (1 TD run), Patrick Collins (1 TD run) and Lydell Carr and TE Keith Jackson. SMU featured QB Don King, RB Reggie Dupard (24-117-2), WR Ron Morris and DL Jerry Ball. Keith Jackson broadcast the 1st half but had to miss the 2nd half because of flu, with Tim Brant moving up from the sideline to take over the commentary (8, Downloaded from the Internet, 1 Disc, ABC - Jackson/Broyles/Brant, NTSC)
22/12/85 - Holiday Bowl - Arkansas (18) v (17) Arizona State - #14 ranked Arkansas ended a successful season with a last minute win in the Holiday Bowl. Led by QB Jeff Van Raaphorst (14-27-167-1) and WR Aaron Cox (1 TD catch) the Sun Devils took a 14-7 lead in at the half. Arkansas fought back in the 4th quarter, led by dual QB's Mark Calcagni and Greg Thomas, and won the game on a 37 yard FG with 23 seconds left. Arkansas also featured RB's Bobby Joe Edmunds (7-43-1 + 7-93-0) and James Rouse. Arizona State also featured RB Mike Crawford (18-103-0), DL Dan Saleaumua, LB Greg Battle (14 tackles) and DB David Fulcher (8, 55 mins hi-lites, 1 Disc, Lorimar Sports Network - Hammond/Donahue, PAL)
30/12/85 - Gator Bowl - Florida State (34) v (23) Oklahoma State - Florida State used a surprising passing game to beat the Cowboys and claim the Gator Bowl win. The Seminoles were without their top 3 WR's and the Cowboys probably expected the Noles to run early and often. But the Noles, led by QB Chip Ferguson (20-43-338-2) passed on 15 of their first 20 plays en-route to a 13-0 lead at the half. The Cowboys did fightback to a within 10 points, led by QB Ronnie Williams (21-43-263-2) and RB Thurman Thomas (26-97-0 + 1 TD pass), but the Noles closed out the game to take the victory. Florida State also featured on Offense RB Tony Smith (24-201-0) and on Defense LB Paul McGowan and DB Deion Sanders (1 INT). Oklahoma State also featured WR Hart Lee Dykes (8-104-1) and DL Leslie O'Neal (7, 2 Discs, ABC - Michaels/Grosscup, NTSC)
01/01/86 - Orange Bowl - Penn State (10) v (25) Oklahoma - #3 ranked Oklahoma won its third national championship, beating #1 ranked Penn State in Miami. Both teams were evenly matched in the 1st half, with the Sooners holding a 16-10 lead at the break. But Oklahoma stepped it up in the 2nd half, shutting out the Nittany Lions while sealing the game with 9 unanswered points. The Offense racked up 228 yards rushing while the Defense, led by DL Tony Casillas, LB Brian Bosworth (13 tackles) and DB Sonnny Brown (2 Interceptions) forced 5 turnovers (4 interceptions, 1 fumble). Oklahoma also featured QB Jamelle Holieway (3-6-91-1 + 12-1-0), RB Lydell Carr (19-148-1 including a 61 yard TD run) and TE Keith Jackson (2-83-1 including a 71 yard TD pass). Penn State featured QB's John Shaffer (10-22-74-0) and Matt Knizner (8-11-90-0), RB's DJ Dozier (12-39-0) and Tim Manoa (1 TD run) and WR Michael Timpson (8, Downloaded from the Internet, 1 Disc, NBC - Criqui/Trumpy/Cefalo, NTSC)
11/01/86 - Shrine Bowl - East (18) v (7) West - In the annual charity match for the Shriners Hospital, the East used a strong rushing attack and great defense to beat the West. The East led 15-7 at the half thanks to great defensive effort from LB John Offerdahl (Western Michigan) and 83 yards and 2 TD runs from MVP RB Garry James (LSU). The West, led by QB's Robbie Bosco (BYU) and Mark Rypien (Washington State), had trouble making any headway against the East defense and were plagued by turnovers. The East also featured QB's Steve Bradley (Indiana) and Brian McClure (Bowling Green), RB's Charles Sanders (Slippery Rock) and Rick Badanjek (Maryland), DL Jon Hand (Alabama) and LB Byron Lee (Ohio State). The West also featured WR Webster Slaughter (San Diego St), TE Brent Jones (Santa Clara), RB Reuben Mayes (Washington State), LB Willie Pless (Kansas) and DB Mark Collins (Cal State-Fullerton) (8, 55 mins hi-lites, 1 Disc, Mizlou - Scott/Fiala/Grad, PAL)
18/01/86 - Senior Bowl - North (31) v (17) South - A star-studded game that was meant to showcase a Heisman Trophy winner ended up as a shop window for a late replacement QB as the North upset the South. North QB Mark Rypien (Washington State) played the majority of the game after an injury to starter Mike Norseth (Kansas) and threw for 168 yards and 3 TD's to break open a tight 7-3 game at the half. He was also helped by game MVP RB Napoleon McCallum (Navy) and a strong defensive effort from DL Tim Green (Syracuse), LB's John Offerdahl (Western Michigan) and Joe Kelly (Washington) and DB Vencie Glenn (Indiana State). The South were led by RB Bo Jackson (Auburn), who was held to just 48 yards rushing, QB's Darryl Dickey (Tennessee), Pat Washington (Auburn) and Jeff Wickersham (LSU), WR Ernest Givins (Louisville), DL Tim Harris (Memphis State) and LB Ty Allert (Texas) (8, 55 mins hi-lites, 1 Disc, Mizlou - David/Perkins/Dixon, PAL)