Liberty Bowl

1984

Auburn 21

Arkansas 15

Auburn Fight Song

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)- The big play- only a fingertip away for Arkansas- became reality for Auburn and halfback Bo Jackson, whose 40-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown run gave the 16th-ranked Tigers a 21-15 Liberty Bowl victory.

Despite four pass interceptions by the Auburn secondary- one turned into a 35-yard TD run by cornerback Kevin Porter- Arkansas, 7-4-1, came within a whisker of capping its 1984 season with an upset victory Thursday night at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

After seeing an early 3-0 lead turned into a 14-3 first-quarter deficit on a 2-yard run by Jackson and Porter's TD return, the Southwest Conference Razorbacks gave Auburn and Coach Pat Dye everything they expected and a little more before becoming the Tigers' ninth victim in 13 starts.

"They did exactly what we thought they'd do, and they did it well," Dye said. "The only thing that beat Arkansas is four turnovers."

The Razorbacks put on a determined rally in the fourth quarter, scoring on a 2-yard run by fullback Marshall Foreman with 11:56 remaining to cut the Southeastern Conference Tigers' lead to 14-9. Then they came within one play of possibly taking home the trophy.

That play, on fourth-and-one from the Tiger 46, saw Arkansas halfback Bobby Joe Edmonds drop a sure touchdown pass from quarterback Brad Taylor in the open at the Tiger 15.

Five plays later, Jackson, who gained 88 yards on 18 carries and was named the game's MVP, slithered through the hands of the Razorback defense at the Arkansas 38 and raced into the end zone with the deciding touchdown.

"We went for it all on fourth-and-one," said first-year Arkansas Coach Ken Hatfield. "We felt the play would be open. If we scored, it would put us ahead and would force them to throw the ball late in the game when they were tired."

Edmonds said it was a case of "being too open."

"It was a lack of concentration. It looked like the pass would be long, then I thought I'd have to dive for it. Then the ball was there and I knew 1 was in trouble when I felt it go off my hands and into the air," said Edmonds, who set a Liberty Bowl record for pass receptions with 10, covering 68 yards.

After Jackson's scoring run, the Razorbacks got a 25-yard TD pass from Taylor to split end James Shibest with 3:10 remaining, but could not move past their own 45 as the clock ran out on their final possession.

"I told our team they would have to fight and scratch the whole game if they were to beat Arkansas, and that's exactly what they did," Dye said.

"Everybody knew coming into the game that Arkansas wasn't that big." said Jackson. "They're quick and get around the football. I didn't expect a game like this at all. I thought we'd be able to move the football well, but they proved me wrong on the first series."

Despite the loss, Hatfield found little fault with his players.

"This team left a tradition for teams in years to come." said the Arkansas coach.

"They never doubted they'd win. Even on the last play our players felt they would win."

For Dye, who has led Auburn to 9, 11 and 9-win seasons in the last three years, the victory was viewed as a springboard for an Auburn program which was ranked No 1 in the preseason.

"Winning the game certainly makes it just that much better a trip for us.” said Dye.

"This is a good way to end the season and look ahead to next season "

Bo Jackson's big runs won the 1984 Liberty Bowl.

Taylor almost brought the Hogs back in the 4th quarter.

Attendance- 50,108

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

Ark- FG Horne 31

Aub- Jackson 2 run (kick failed)

Aub- Porter 35 interception return (Washington run)

Fourth Quarter

Ark- Foreman 2 run (pass failed)

Aub- Jackson 40 run (Knapp kick)

Ark- Shibest 25 pass from Taylor (kick failed)

Individual Statistics

Rushing

Aub- Jackson 18-88, Agee 4-29, Campbell 2-21, Wayer 6-14

Ark- Foreman 15-42. Thomas 9-54, Forte 1-11,

Passing

Aub- Washington 5-12-84

Ark- Taylor 17-34-201, Nutt 1-4-25.

Receiving

Aub- Jackson 1-25, Beauford 1-24, Gainous 1-17, Weygand 1-10

Ark- Edmonds 10-68, Shibest 5-84, Young 1-32, White 1-24, Lueders 1-15

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