1968 VPI Gobblers football team explained

Year:1968
Team:VPI Gobblers
Sport:football
Conference:Independent
Record:7–4
Head Coach:Jerry Claiborne
Hc Year:8th
Stadium:Lane Stadium
Bowl:Liberty Bowl
Bowl Result:L 17–34 vs. Ole Miss

The 1968 VPI Gobblers football team represented the Virginia Polytechnic Institute or VPI (now known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or Virginia Tech) as an independent during the 1968 NCAA University Division football season. Led by eighth-year head coach Jerry Claiborne the Gobblers compiled an overall record of 7–4 and with a loss against Ole Miss in the Liberty Bowl. VPI played home games at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia.[1]

Game summaries

At No. 7 Alabama

Tech lost 14-7 to the 7th-ranked team in the nation in front of a crowd of 63,759 in Birmingham. At the time it was the largest audience in school history. The Gobblers scored on a blocked punt by Larry Creekmore recovered in the end zone by Jud Bronwell. Tech was dominated by the Crimson Tide defense, racking up only three first downs, the first coming in the fourth quarter.[2]

At William & Mary

The Tech special teams scored a touchdown and a safety by blocking two punts and put up its first offensive points of the year with a 20-yard field goal by Jack Simscack. The Gobblers defense pitched a shutout, helped by defensive back Ron Davidson who picked off three W&M passes.[3]

Roster

The following players were members of the 1968 football team according to the roster published in the 1969 edition of The Bugle, the Virginia Tech yearbook.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1968 Virginia Tech Hokies Schedule and Results. Sports Reference LLC. January 21, 2024.
  2. News: September 22, 1968 . 7th ranked Crimson Tide creams VPI . Sunday News, Lancaster, PA .
  3. News: Gobblers block out W-M, 12–0. The Miami Herald. September 29, 1968. October 26, 2022. Newspapers.com.
  4. Web site: Virginia Tech Bugle. The Bugle 1969. 88. 1969. 2019-08-25.