Michigan's 1st Trip To the Gator Bowl: 1979 - A Summary
This was a good summary of Michigan 1st bowl trip to Jacksonville, FL Gator Bowl back in 1979 with photos. Not a good result, but Michigan played very well.
The game was played on December 28th (not yet a New Year's Day game) and was broadcast at 7 p.m. EST (night game).
One of Michigan's finest defensive teams from an experience stand point. Some notable Wolverine players: WR Anthony Carter, DE Curt Greer, LB Ron Simpkins, TB Roosevelt Smith, QB John Wangler and TE Doug Marsh.
UNC's stars were DE/LB Lawrence Taylor, TB Amos Lawrence, QB Matt Kupec.
December 6th, 2010 at 3:04 PM ^
LT's cheap-shot on Wangler is what blew out the knee.
December 6th, 2010 at 3:06 PM ^
KARMA
December 6th, 2010 at 4:31 PM ^
My sophmore year and I remember it well. We had an apartment on Geddes overlooking the old train station and the Gandy Dancer. I had a Gator Bowl party at the apt and people thought I was nuts cause it was "only" the Gator Bowl and not the Rose Bowl!
Boy those were the days.......
December 6th, 2010 at 3:31 PM ^
Torched Ole Miss 35-3 20 years ago. Michigan's offense was so dominate in that game (over 700 yards of offense) that the entire offensive line was named as the game's MVP.
December 6th, 2010 at 3:42 PM ^
This game took place 41 days before I was born. But I've read about it. The kicking game was this team's major flaw all season and it had an impact on all four losses...all of which were by 3 points or less.
In the Gator Bowl, we missed an extra point and a chip shot field goal. That was the difference in a 2 point game where we weren't even playing our starting quarterback.
Bo didn't use Wangler's injury as an excuse but I don't think Tar Heel fans should have prided themselves on this victory either. When your opponent's QB throws for 200 yards by the second quarter on you and then can't play the rest of the game because of an injury, well, that's a gift.
North Carolina is NOT a team we should have a losing record against even though we have only played once.
December 6th, 2010 at 3:52 PM ^
I have the game on tape and will need to review it.
I seem to recall Wangler was rolling out left to pass and got tackled (piggy backed) from behind by Taylor and landed wrong (hard on the knee).
December 6th, 2010 at 4:36 PM ^
My memory (admittedly hazy since I haven't seen a replay in years) is that the cheap shot wasn't LT tackling Wangler, but it was after Wangler was on the ground, LT still had his leg in his hands and rolled while on the ground himself, twisting Wangler's knee.
If I'm wrong, mea culpa. I still never liked Taylor anyhow.
December 6th, 2010 at 5:38 PM ^
I met John Wangler briefly about 10 or so years ago and asked about the LT play, I can't remember his response, but the distaste for LT, written on Wangler's face, I won't soon forget.
My brother in law was at the game and to this day still talks about what a vicious play it was by LT to break Wangler's leg. According to my brother in law, after the play was over, LT grabbed Wangler's leg and just SNAPPED it. Pure dirtiness.
It was probably 20 years after that Gator Bowl game, my brother in law was retelling the story for the 400 time, I informed him that it was LT who broke Wangler's leg. He has now worked the LT part into the story whenever he tells it. And, same brother in law just happens to already have tickets for this years Gator Bowl, been planning the trip for months, what a break (no pun intended).
December 6th, 2010 at 4:37 PM ^
This game was one of the first I remember watching as a boy. I remember one of the announers saying Wangler had promised to be back healthy the next year. And what a year that was -- a Rose Bowl victory. Also, I remember Mike Jolly being injured in that game.
December 6th, 2010 at 5:50 PM ^
It was my first and only bowl game. Drove down in with a roommate from college and spent time south of Jacksonville. I remember the game being over once Wangler was hurt and the stadium at the time was kind of a pit. The most indelible memory was the 20 hour straight drive home.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:11 PM ^
Roosevelt Smith and he told me about how dirty the players down south were(not that they arent today). At the end of pile ups they would eye gouge,punch nuts, etc. Very physical yet talented players, could not understand the reasons behind the dirty play, other than trying to intimidate, why in the hell they needed to.