1982 Liberty Bowl

1982 Liberty Bowl
1234 Total
Illinois 0690 15
Alabama 7077 21
Date December 29, 1982
Season 1982
Stadium Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
Location Memphis, Tennessee
MVP Alabama DB Jeremiah Castille
Attendance 54,123
United States TV coverage
Network Metro Sports
Announcers Harry Kalas and Joe Kapp

The 1982 Liberty Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game held on December 29, 1982, in Memphis, Tennessee, at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The game featured the Illinois Fighting Illini, of the Big Ten Conference, and Alabama Crimson Tide, of the SEC. Alabama won the game, 21–15.

Alabama entered the game with a 7–4 record, losing their final three games. The team was led by coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, who was coaching his final game after twenty-five years with the program, announcing he would retire and hand over control of the team to Ray Perkins following the game.[1] Bryant's retirement made the Liberty Bowl one of the most covered games that season as many news stations and newspapers sent reporters to cover the game.[2][3]

Illinois was led by head coach Mike White and quarterback Tony Eason. The team was making their first bowl appearance since 1964, winning all three of their previous bowls.

Game

In the first quarter, Ricky Moore began the scoring as he punched in a 4-yard touchdown run to give Alabama an early lead. Illinois scored their own touchdown in the second quarter as Joe Curtis scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, but kicker Mike Bass missed the extra point which gave Alabama a 7–6 halftime lead.

Wide receiver Jesse Bendross extended Alabama's lead when he scored on an 8-yard touchdown run off a reverse. Illinois rallied behind quarterback Tony Eason following a touchdown pass to Oliver Williams and a 23-yard field goal from Mike Bass. Craig "Touchdown" Turner scored the final points in the fourth quarter for Alabama from a 1-yard touchdown run.

Defensive back Jeremiah Castille was named the game's MVP after intercepting three passes from Tony Eason. Despite giving up 444 total offensive yards from Illinois, 423 passing yards by Eason, Alabama won the game 21–15.

The Tide intercepted seven passes in this game, four from Eason and three from backup quarterback Kris Jenner. Jenner was in the game for only three plays, all of which came after Eason had to leave the game after taking a hard hit from the Alabama defense. On all three plays, Jenner attempted a pass which was intercepted.

Bear Bryant finished with a collegiate record of 323 victories, 85 losses, and 17 ties.[4] Bryant died of a heart attack January 26, 1983—less than four weeks after the Liberty Bowl.[5]

Scoring summary

Quarter Team Scoring summary Score
Illinois Alabama
1 Alabama Ricky Moore 4-yard touchdown run, Peter Kim kick good 0 7
2 Illinois Joe Curtis 1-yard touchdown run, Mike Bass kick no good 6 7
3 Alabama Jesse Bendross 8-yard touchdown run, Peter Kim kick good 6 14
Illinois Oliver Williams 2-yard touchdown reception from Tony Eason, two-point conversion no good 12 14
Illinois Mike Bass 23-yard field goal 15 14
4 Alabama Craig Turner 1-yard touchdown run, Peter Kim kick good 15 21
15 21

Statistical summary

Team Statistics

(Rushing-Passing-Total): UI - 21-423-444; UA - 217-130-347.

Individual Statistical Leaders

Rushing (Att.-Yds.-TD): UI - Curtis 7-13-1, Richard Ryles 4-10-0; UA - Moore 13-65-1, Jeff Fagan 6-38-0, Turner 11-36-1.

Passing (Att.-Comp.-Int.-TD-Yds.): UI - Eason 55-35-4-1-423, Kris Jenner 3-0-3-0-0; UA - Walter Lewis 13-7-2-0-130.

Receiving (No.-Yds.-TD): UI - Mike Martin 8-127-0, Williams 7-84-1, Tim Brewster 6-55-0; UA - Jesse Bendross 3-51-0, Joey Jones 2-60-0.

References

  1. "After many a splendid season, the Bear hangs up his hat". Sports Illustrated. 1982-12-27. Archived from the original on 2008-12-06. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  2. "The Liberty Bowl 1982". Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  3. "Bear bow makes Libert Bowl a hot ticket". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 1982-12-23.
  4. "Bear Bryant dies of heart attack". Los Angeles Times. 1983-01-27.
  5. "Alabama in tears over loss of 'Bear'". Syracuse Herald-Journal. 1983-01-27.
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