1982 Liberty Bowl

NCAAFootballSingleGameHeader
Name=Liberty Bowl
Year=1982
Type=bg
Date=December 29, 1982
Stadium=Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
City=Memphis Tennessee
Visitor Name Short=Illinois
Visitor Nickname=Fighting Illini
Home Name Short=Alabama
Home Nickname=Crimson Tide
Visitor Record=7–5
Home Record=7–4
Visitor Coach=Mike White
Home Coach=Bear Bryant
Visitor1=0
Visitor2=6
Visitor3=9
Visitor4=0
Home1=7
Home2=0
Home3=7
Home4=7
Attendance=54,123
MVP=Alabama DB Jeremiah CastilleThe 1982 Liberty Bowl was held on December 29, 1982, in Memphis, Tennessee at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The game featured the Illinois Fighting Illini, of the Big 10 Conference, and Alabama Crimson Tide, of the SEC. Alabama would win the game 21–15.

Alabama entered the game with a 7–4 record, losing their final three games. The team was led by legendary 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. [cite web| url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1126253/1/index.htm| title=After many a splendid season, the Bear hangs up his hat| publisher="Sports Illustrated"| date=1982-12-27| accessdate=2008-09-10] Bryant's retirement made the Libery Bowl one of the most covered games that season as many news stations and newspapers sent reporters to cover the game. [cite web| url=http://www.mmbolding.com/bowls/Liberty_1982.htm| title=The Liberty Bowl 1982| accessdate=2008-09-10] [cite journal| title=Bear bow makes Libert Bowl a hot ticket| publisher="Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"| date=1982-12-23| accessdate=2008-09-11]

Illinois was led by head coach Mike White and quarterback Tony Eason. The team was making their first bowl debut 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 would score their own touchdown in the second quarter as Joe Curtis from a 1-yard touchdown run, but kicker Mike Bass missed the extra point which gave Alabama a 7–6 halftime lead.

Jesse Bindross extended Alabama's lead when he ran it in for an 8-yard touchdown. 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 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. Bear Bryant finished with a collegiate record of 323 victories, 85 losses, and 17 ties. [cite journal| title=Bear Bryant dies of heart attack| publisher="Los Angeles Times"| date=1983-01-27| accessdate=2008-09-11] Bryant died of a heart attack January 26, 1983—less than four weeks after the Liberty Bowl. [cite journal| title=Alabama in tears over loss of 'Bear'| publisher="Syracuse Herald-Journal"| date=1983-01-27| accessdate=2008-09-11]

Scoring summary

References

External links

* [http://www.mmbolding.com/bowls/Liberty_1982.htm The Liberty Bowl 1982]