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Gator Bowl 1979
North Carolina 17 Michigan 15 |
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When several teams with better records were snubbed by the bowl committees, they pointed at North Carolina's 7-3-1 record and fifth-place finish in the Atlantic Coast Conference, a conference that is still trying to erase its basketball-only reputation.
"We started out real well (with victories over South Carolina and Pittsburgh), but we seemed to slump the middle of the season. This team didn't expect to go to a bowl, so we wanted to make the most out it," said North Carolina running back Amos Lawrence after the Tar Heels' 17-15 victory over Michigan Friday night.
The Tar Heels were the heavy underdogs and took some abuse from the local press during Gator Bowl week.
"We wanted this- all week long we wanted it. To tell the truth, the coaches worked us to death," Lawrence said. "We didn't think Michigan had any respect for us at all. They were saying bad things about the Atlantic Coast Conference," said Lawrence, a junior who has compiled three 1,000-yard seasons and gained 118 yards on 23 carries Friday.
Lawrence's running and sharp passing by quarterback Matt Kupec, who hit 11 of 17 passes for 101 yards, helped North Carolina sustain long drives through the first three quarters.
The Tar Heels' defense came up with two interceptions and a fumble recovery in the second half to hold off Michigan.
"I don't think this necessarily says anything about the Big Ten," said North Carolina Coach Dick Crum. "But it does say that the Atlantic Coast Conference plays very good football."
The Wolverines were plagued by injuries in the game, most notably a knee injury that sidelined starting quarterback John Wangler in the second quarter.
Wangler was off to a hot start, completing six of eight passes for 203 yards, including a 30-yard scoring pass to Anthony Carter.
"Wangler hit some big plays," Coach Bo Schembechler said. "Losing him was one of those things. A good football team has to overcome that.”
"We're not bad," he added. "But we're not good enough. That's the story of our season."
It marked the second straight year for a 17-15 ACC victory over the Big Ten. Last year, Clemson defeated Ohio State by that score. And it was the seventh straight time Schembechler's team has lost in a bowl game.
Before the game, Schembechler had pointed out that Michigan's losses - in the Rose Bowl five times and the Orange Bowl once - all came against teams ranked near the top.
The Wolverines finished 8-4, their worst record in Schembechler's 11 seasons.
"I feel sorry for two people - me and Bo," said Michigan tackle Curtis Greer, who ended his collegiate career Friday.
"It's getting to be a big thing with him."
On Monday, Baylor will meet Clemson in the Peach Bowl in the afternoon and Purdue will take on Tennessee in the Bluebonnet Bowl at night.
Four big games are scheduled for New Year's Day - Arkansas against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, Nebraska against Houston in the Cotton Bowl, Ohio State against Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl and, at night, Florida State against Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.
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B.J. Dickey pitches just before he is sacked. Dickey replaced injured starter John Wangler. |
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Michigan's Dom Marsh grabs a reception. |
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Michigan couldn't hold onto the ball. Roosevelt Smith fumbles in the 4th quarter. |
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| Gator Bowl team media guides. | |
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Attendance: 70,407
Scoring Summary
Second Quarter UM- FG Virgil 20 UM- Carter 53 yard pass from Wangler (kick failed) UNC- Paschal 1 run (Hayes kick)
Third Quarter UNC- Farris 12 yard pass from Kupec (Hayes kick)
Fourth Quarter UNC- FG Hayes 32 UM- Carter 30 yard pass from Dickey (Dickey pass failed)
Individual Statistics
Rushing UM- Woolfolk 16-63, Smith 8-51, Dickey 11-42, Edwards 4-15 UNC- Lawrence 2-118, Paschal 14-49
Passing UM- Wangler 6-8-203, Dickey 11-18-125 UNC- Kupec 18-28-161
Receiving UM- Carter 4-141, Woolfolk 5-43, Marsh 3-46, Betts 3-41 UNC- Lawrence 5-38, Chatham 5-37
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) After the Gator
Bowl issued North Carolina an invitation, the Tar Heels began wondering
if they were supposed to issue an apology.
