1985 Peach Bowl Explained

Game Name:Peach Bowl
Date Game Played:December 31
Year Game Played:1985
Football Season:1985
Stadium:Fulton County Stadium
City:Atlanta, Georgia
Visitor School:United State Military Academy
Visitor Name Short:Army
Visitor Nickname:Cadets
Visitor Record:8 - 3
Visitor Conference:Independent
Visitor Coach:Jim Young
Visitor 1Q:7
Visitor 2Q:14
Visitor 3Q:7
Visitor 4Q:3
Home School:University of Illinois
Home Name Short:Illinois
Home Nickname:Fighting Illini
Home Record:6 - 4 - 1
Home Coach:Mike White
Home 1Q:3
Home 2Q:13
Home 3Q:7
Home 4Q:6
Mvp:Offense: Rob Healy (Army)
Defense: Peel Chronister (Army)
Referee:Jimmy Harper (SEC)
Attendance:29,857
Us Network:CBS
Us Announcers:Gary Bender and Steve Davis

The 1985 Peach Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia between the Army Cadets and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini on December 31, 1985. The game was the final contest of the 1985 NCAA Division I-A football season for both teams, and ended in a 31 - 29 victory for Army, the second bowl victory in school history.

Game summary

On a cold and rainy day in Atlanta, Army scored two touchdowns on halfback option plays and took advantage of four Illini turnovers to carry an eight-point lead into the final five minutes. Trailing 31–23 with less than a minute remaining, Illinois quarterback Jack Trudeau hit All-American receiver David Williams for a 54-yard touchdown to bring the Fighting Illini within two points of a tie. Trudeau's two-point conversion pass attempt was broken up by reserve safety Peel Chronister, and Army handed Illinois its third consecutive Bowl defeat in the 1980s. Trudeau set Peach Bowl records with 38 completions in 55 attempts for 401 yards, and tight end Cap Boso caught a record 9 receptions. The game saw 16 Peach Bowl records broken or tied.[1]

Scoring summary

Quarter Team Scoring summary Score
Army Illinois
1 ArmyRob Healy 22-yard touchdown run, Craig Stopa kick good7 0
Illinois Chris White 45-yard field goal7 3
2 IllinoisCap Boso 1-yard touchdown reception from Jack Trudeau, Chris White kick good7 10
Army Doug Black 1-yard touchdown run, Craig Stopa kick good14 10
ArmyBennie White 33-yard touchdown reception from William Lampley, Craig Stopa kick good21 10
IllinoisDavid Williams 15-yard touchdown reception from Jack Trudeau, pass failed21 16
3 Illinois Ray Wilson 1-yard touchdown run, Chris White kick good21 23
ArmyScott Spellmon 26-yard touchdown reception from Clarence Jones, Craig Stopa kick good28 23
4 Army Craig Stopa 39-yard field goal31 23
IllinoisDavid Williams 54-yard touchdown reception from Jack Trudeau, pass failed31 29
31 29

Statistical summary

Team Statistics

(Rushing-Passing-Total): UI - 77-401-478; ARMY - 291-94-385

Individual Statistical Leaders

Rushing (Att.-Yds.-TD): UI - Thomas Rooks 10-35-0, Wilson 8-31-1; ARMY - Healy 23-107-1, Lampley 16-76-0, Black 15-73-1.

Passing (Att.-Comp.-Int.-TD-Yds.): UI - Trudeau 55-38-2-3-401; ARMY - Healy 6-3-1-0-35.

Receiving (No.-Yds.-TD): UI - David Williams 7-109-2, Stephen Pierce 6-92-0, Anthony Williams 5-59-0, Cap Boso 9-52-1.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Top 10 Games in Peach Bowl History. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Alex Makrides. December 25, 2017. March 21, 2019.