New Year’s Day bowl memories: Part 7

Quarterback Jeff Van Raaphorst led his Arizona State Sun Devils to the 1987 Rose Bowl championship.

Source: https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/asu/2016/12/17/reliving-1987-rose-bowl-asu-22-michigan-15/95384888/

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The 1987 New Year’s Day bowl season was a bit anticlimactic for a very simple reason. The Fiesta Bowl had engineered a master stroke. Because they could invite whatever teams organizers wanted, and were not obligated to invite any particular conference champion or representative, they invited the number one and number two ranked team to play in a true national championship game. They also moved the game to January 2 to maximize the impact and attention.

However, the bowl games still provided some memories, although mine is gritting my teeth because I would miss that game. It was not broadcast on peasant vision no matter how hard I hoped and prayed.

First time is the charm
The 1986 Arizona State Sun Devils qualified for the Rose Bowl for the first time in their history, after joining the Pac-10 nine years earlier. They were led by quarterback Jeff Van Raaphorst, who I remember very well. They also had big-play receiver Aaron Cox. The Wolverines still had quarterback Jim Harbaugh, runningback Jamie Morris, and offensive lineman Jumbo Elliott.

I recall the game going back and forth, Jamie Morris running well, and Jeff Van Raaphorst playing well. Van Raaphorst would ultimately lead them to victory and be named the most valuable player.

He went on to play briefly in the NFL for Atlanta.

What I will always remember is an argument I had with my best friend Chris Vining. He kept referring to the quarterback as John Van Raaphorst. I kept telling him his name was Jeff. I was unable to convince him his name was Jeff. Years later he kept insisting it was John.This was in the days before Wikipedia or any other way to check.

A friend of mine once said Wikipedia is an argument solver. It sure would have been in 1987.

Third place game
The 1987 Orange Bowl was also a bit anticlimactic, because of the Fiesta Bowl. The Oklahoma Sooners were back and ranked third in the country, playing the Arkansas Razorbacks. Because number one was playing number two at the Fiesta Bowl, and the winner most certainly would be voted the national champion, Oklahoma would likely not move up in the rankings, unless maybe to second.

Worse for them, their only loss came at the hands of the Miami Hurricanes, who were playing Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl. So there really was no chance to move up, only down if they lost to the unranked Razorbacks.

Oklahoma was the defending national champion, and still loaded with talent. Jamelle Holieway was still at quarterback. Spencer Tillman, Lydell Carr, Patrick Collins and Anthony Stafford were still running the ball; Keith Jackson was still at tight end; and Derrick Shepard was still playing receiver and runningback. On defence they still had Brian Bosworth and Dante Jones at linebacker; and Sonny Brown and Tony Rayburn in the secondary. Bosworth was an All-American but was suspended from the Orange Bowl because he tested positive for steroids. Dante Jones would be taking his place.

The only player I recall at all from Arkansas was receiver James Shibest. Wikipedia reveals their quarterback was named John Bland.

The game was never close, as Oklahoma ran roughshod over the Razorbacks, going up 42-0 late into the fourth quarter. Holieway had a couple touchdowns and so did Tillman. I remember thinking Arkansas was under siege. That was highlighted for me when Shibest fielded a punt and just got snowed under.

The only thing in doubt was whether Oklahoma would pitch a shut out. With less than minutes to go, Arkansas scored. They went for the two-point convert and Shibest got it. I recall feeling happy for him because he did take a beating.

With the Orange Bowl done, the only thing left to determine the national champion was the Fiesta Bowl the next day.

Cotton Bowl
I do not remember too much about the Cotton Bowl. Texas A&M played Ohio State. The Aggies still had Kevin Murray playing quarterback and Roger Vick running the ball, while the Buckeyes had Chris Spielman playing linebacker. To be honest, I am sure I tuned in but I did not get very engaged in this game at all.

Ohio State ended up winning, preventing Texas A&M from winning their second straight Cotton Bowl.

Parting thoughts
I never did see the Fiesta Bowl, and I would have loved it. I was cheering so hard for Penn State because Miami had morphed into an arrogant, swaggering, cocky team.

To make matters worse, I went to Lethbridge on Jan. 2 with my friend Mat. It was snowing and blowing, and we had to make a stop at a tire shop for his car. While we waited, one of the guys came out into the lobby talking to another guy.

One guy asked, “Who are you picking?”

“Penn State, with that defence.”

I was surprised more than anything, because back then I never heard anyone talking about college football.

In the end, that guy was right, because Penn State won the game, sealing victory with a late interception.

That is probably what I remember most about the 1987 bowl season.

That was my Grade 12 year, and in June we all went our separate ways. There really would only be one more New Year’s Day bowl season for me, before things changed forever.