1977 Grantland Rice Bowl Explained

Game Name:Grantland Rice Bowl
Date Game Played:December 3
Year Game Played:1977
Football Season:1977
Football Division:NCAA Division II
Stadium:Memorial Stadium
City:Anniston, Alabama
Attendance:10,000
Visitor School:North Dakota State University
Visitor Name Short:North Dakota State
Visitor Nickname:Bison
Visitor Conference:North Central Conference
Visitor Coach:Jim Wacker
Visitor Record:9–1–1
Visitor 1Q:0
Visitor 2Q:0
Visitor 3Q:0
Visitor 4Q:7
Home School:Jacksonville State University
Home Name Short:Jacksonville State
Home Nickname:Gamecocks
Home Conference:Gulf South Conference
Home Coach:Jim Fuller
Home Record:10–2
Home 1Q:10
Home 2Q:14
Home 3Q:7
Home 4Q:0
Last Game Ever Played:yes

The 1977 Grantland Rice Bowl was an NCAA Division II game following the 1977 season, between the North Dakota State Bison and the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. The game was played in Anniston, Alabama at Memorial Stadium as the Gamecocks' normal venue – Paul Snow Stadium – was being renovated.[1] Jacksonville State defensive tackle Jesse Baker was named most valuable defensive player, and his teammate quarterback Bobby Ray Green was named most valuable offensive player.[2] This was the last playing of the Grantland Rice Bowl, as the NCAA discontinued use of bowl names for the Division II semifinals after 1977.

Notable participants

Jacksonville State defensive tackle Jesse Baker was selected in the 1979 NFL draft. Baker and head coach Jim Fuller are inductees of the university's hall of fame.[3]

North Dakota State running back Gordy Sprattler was selected in the 1979 NFL draft, and wide receiver / kicker Mike McTague was selected in the 1979 CFL Draft. McTague and quarterback Mark Speral are inductees of the university's athletic hall of fame.[4]

Scoring summary

[5] [6]

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Jaxmen roll on . . . newspapers.com . November 29, 1977 . February 20, 2017.
  2. News: Jax State offensive line 'had something to prove' . Charles . Hollis . . . newspapers.com . December 4, 1977 . February 20, 2017.
  3. Web site: Hall of Fame . jsugamecocksports.com . February 20, 2017.
  4. Web site: Bison Athletic Hall of Fame . gobison.com . February 19, 2017.
  5. News: Jacksonville State Downs North Dakota State, 31-7 . . Fort Lauderdale News . . newspapers.com . December 4, 1977 . February 20, 2017.
  6. News: Jacksonville State Romps In Grantland Rice Bowl . . . newspapers.com . December 4, 1977 . January 25, 2017.