Safety Eric Turner was the 2nd overall pick of the 1991 draft by the Cleveland Browns. The UCLA Bruin is the highest selected Defensive Back in Draft history. Turner earned the first of his two Pro Bowl selections in 1994 when he tied for the league lead with 9 Interceptions, including a huge pick in the ‘94 AFC Wildcard game against New England where Cleveland pulled out their last playoff win, 20-13. Sadly E-Rock passed away in 2000 at age 31 from cancer. Happy Birthday! R.I.P.
College Football
Hey, Man, That's My Heisman!
Did you know that Bo Jackson’s Heisman Victory in 1985 was by the 2nd closest margin in Heisman history? Can you name the Hawkeye hurler who he topped by just 45 votes? For a bonus point. Which winner won by the closest margin?
Randy Moss & His Cat In The Hat Socks
Who remembers Randy Moss rocking the ‘Cat in the Hat’ Socks back in 1996? That day Randy hauled in 8 passes for 288 yards and 3 touchdowns in a Marshall University 59-14 victory over Delaware in the Division I-AA Playoffs. Happy Birthday Randy!
James Francis - The Swatting Baylor Bear
Talk about a killer Senior Year!! James Francis Baylor Class of 1989. ::
129 tackles. 12 tackles for a loss, 4 INT’S, 3 Fumble Recoveries, and an insane NCAA Record 8 blocked kicks.
In the final game of his career on November 25th, 1989, James & his Baylor teammates dominated state rival Texas, in a 50-7 win. The 1st Baylor victory vs the Longhorns in 38 years.
The Timeout Game - Starring Errict Rhett
In the infamous 1993 ‘Timeout Game’ aka ‘Mud Bowl’ between Florida & Georgia, Running Back Errict Rhett ran for 183 yards & 2 Touchdowns, including a 1 yard leap over the pile to cap off a 21 play drive in the 3rd quarter. Rhett earned All-American honors while carrying the rock for the Gators that year compiling over 1200 yards and 11 touchdowns. Happy Birthday Errict!
Happy Birthday - David Palmer!!
Name That Hurricane ??
This Miami Hurricane won the 1993 Big East Defensive Player of the Year Award as a Senior at The U.
He also earned First Team All-American honors that season.
He was an integral part in the Canes 1991 National Championship season, as well as the runner up campaign of 1992. He finished his career at Miami with 174 career tackles & 23 sacks, good for 5th all time.
He also happens to be from my hometown of Lake Worth, Florida. I have a memory of his younger step brother Kyle being on my pee wee football team.
Can you name that Cane??
Sonny Sixkiller
Happy Birthday Bennie Blades!
Safety Bennie Blades left the University of Miami as it's all time INT leader with 19, including 10 alone in 1986. The hard hitting Blades Brother was a key part in Miami's 12-0 1987 Championship season. The Int record would be broken by Ed Reed, who finished his years at the U with 21. Happy Bday Bennie!
Barry Sanders 1988 Season
For a bonus. Can you name the Houston Halfback who topped the category?
Freshman Faulk Scores 7 Touchdowns In One Game!
Did you know that in his very first game at San Diego State Marshall Faulk scored Seven freaking Touchdowns!! That’s right 7!! He also ran for 386 yards on 37 carries scoring 44 points on his own in an Aztecs 55-34 victory over Pacific. Happy Birthday Marshall!
University of Tampa Spartans
Since the worlds focus is in Tampa this weekend. Let’s give a shout out to these three University of Tampa Spartans Football Stars of the past. They led the 1972 squad to a 10-2 record and a 21-18 victory over Kent State in the Tangerine Bowl.
One would become a standout 2x Super Bowl winning Wide Receiver. One would end up being the overall # 1 selection in the 1973 NFL Draft, & future actor. While the last became the pro wrestler better known as Mr. Wonderful. Can you Name All Three? For a Bonus Point what future Hall of Fame Linebacker suited up for Kent State that day?
The Black Heart Game
Little bit of a Blaze Mystery Monday for ya guys. When we found out today was Garrison Hearst’s Birthday we went back into the Blaze Files to find this image of Garrison from a 1991 Georgia Bulldogs battle with the Auburn Tigers. Man, Garrison was tops in Tailback swag of the early ‘90s. But, we wondered. What’s up with that Black Heart Patch on his jersey? A proper blurry Youtube dive took us to November 16th, 1991 and a 37-27 Bulldogs win in Athens. Turns out most of the Georgia players were wearing the patch. We’ve got some FREE Blaze going to any fan out there who can tell us the meaning behind the Black Heart? b.t.w. I haven’t found the answer yet either.
Happy Birthday Bill Goldberg!
Happy 54th Birthday Bill Goldberg!! I’ve got an Issue of Blaze going to the reader who can tell us to what Team & in what Round of the 1990 NFL draft the Georgia Bulldog Defensive Tackle went. ?!? Did you know Goldberg was the 3rd to last pick in the 1995 NFL Expansion Draft, after being selected by the Carolina Panthers? He never played for them.
Rocket Ismail
Willie Totten & Jerry Rice - Satellite Express
We’re sending out a birthday cheer to our guy, Mr. Jerry Rice. Let’s go back to October 13th, 1984 during Jerry’s senior season when the 4-0 Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils were taking on the Grambling Tigers led by the great coach Eddie Robinson. Jerry & his main man, Quarterback, Willie ‘Satellite’ Totten were setting the record books on fire that 1984 season. Through the first 4 games the Devils were averaging a crazy 57 points a game! Willie had thrown 30 TD’s already, and Jerry had caught 14 of them. Valley would beat Grambling that day 48-36, for the school’s first victory ever over the Tigers. By season’s end The ‘Satellite Express’ had set all new Division I-AA records, with Willie’s 58 TD’s along with Jerry’s 112 catches, for 1,845 yds, and an insane 27 touchdowns.
On This Day- The Miracle at Michigan
Who doesn’t love a ‘Hail Mary’ ending? One of the wildest College Football conclusions I can remember as a youngster was the ‘Miracle at Michigan’ which took place on this date back in 1994. Kordell Stewart’s 60 yard heave found the arms of Michael Westbrook to cap off a 13 point Colorado comeback in the final 2 minutes for a 27-26 Buffaloes victory.
Quack Attack - Alex Molden
Two Sport Star - Kirk Gibson
Kirk Gibson earned All-American honors in two sports for his 1978 Senior season at Michigan State. The trusty Wide Receiver hauled in 42 passes for 806 yards and 7 touchdowns, while also batting .390, hitting 16 homers and driving in 52 for the Spartans Baseball squad. Happy Birthday Kirk!
Ricky Williams - Longhorn Debut
Did you know that Ricky Williams was the 1st Texas Longhorn Running Back to start as a true Freshman since Earl Campbell had done it in 1974. The ‘Texas Tornado’ started off strong in his September 2nd, 1995 debut matchup against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors rushing for 95 yards on 10 carries, catching 1 pass for 48 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns during the Horns 38-17 win. Happy Birthday Ricky!