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30 Years Ago TODAY - 12/17/1988

PostPosted:Mon Dec 17, 2018 3:48 pm
by FUBeAR
Furman Football defeated Georgia Southern 17-12 in Holt Arena in Pocatello, Idaho to capture the 1988 NCAA Division I-AA Football National Championship.

And the people say...AMEN!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU_ZXbVhFuQ

NCAA Division I-AA Football Final : Furman Staves Off Georgia Southern, 17-12
December 18, 1988|Associated Press


POCATELLO, Ida. — Wade Sexton recovered a Georgia Southern fumble at the Furman 10-yard-line late in the game, and the Paladins won the NCAA Division I-AA championship with a 17-12 victory Saturday night.

The Paladins (13-2), of the Southern Conference, avenged a 44-42 loss to independent Georgia Southern (12-3) in the 1985 championship game.

Furman had a 17-6 lead when Mark Giles blocked a punt and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown to pull Georgia Southern close in the final quarter.

The Eagles threatened to score late in the game when they had a first down at the 10, but quarterback Raymond Gross fumbled on the next play, and Sexton recovered. The Paladins ran the clock inside the final minute before turning the ball over to Georgia Southern on downs.

Jeff Blankenship, the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year, stopped the Eagles' last-ditch attempt when he intercepted Gross' pass at midfield and returned to the Georgia Southern 15, where Furman ran out the clock.

Frankie DeBusk hit tight end Greg Key for a 19-yard scoring pass in the first quarter; Glen Connally kicked a 37-yard field goal in the second, and Dwight Sterling scored from 5 yards out in the third quarter for the Paladins.

Georgia Southern, trying to become the first team to win the Division I-AA national title three times, couldn't move the ball consistently or score an offensive touchdown against the Furman defenders, who led the nation in scoring defense.

Re: 30 Years Ago TODAY - 12/17/1988

PostPosted:Mon Dec 17, 2018 4:12 pm
by Flagman
I was there, with the flag!

Re: 30 Years Ago TODAY - 12/17/1988

PostPosted:Mon Dec 17, 2018 4:34 pm
by AstroDin
ditto! it was a great trip…

Re: 30 Years Ago TODAY - 12/17/1988

PostPosted:Mon Dec 17, 2018 4:41 pm
by Flagman
AstroDin wrote:
Mon Dec 17, 2018 4:34 pm
ditto! it was a great trip…
Astro was 10 or 11. :lol:

Re: 30 Years Ago TODAY - 12/17/1988

PostPosted:Mon Dec 17, 2018 6:31 pm
by AstroDin
Flagman wrote:
Mon Dec 17, 2018 4:41 pm
AstroDin wrote:
Mon Dec 17, 2018 4:34 pm
ditto! it was a great trip…
Astro was 10 or 11. :lol:
I was a youngster… pretty sure Paul C was there too.

Re: 30 Years Ago TODAY - 12/17/1988

PostPosted:Mon Dec 17, 2018 6:45 pm
by Paul C
I was there. Traded my Furman T shirt I was wearing to an Idaho St fan for his sweatshirt after the game. Turned out to be my favorite sweatshirt until I. Uh. Outgrew it.

Re: 30 Years Ago TODAY - 12/17/1988

PostPosted:Mon Dec 17, 2018 7:16 pm
by furman88
My wife and I were there also. Interesting trip, we ran into Erk Russell at an event downtown and got a picture with him and his big cigar. He was very cordial even though we were covered in purple. Wished him the best and told him he was going to lose. He had a big grin, and did lose.