Tampa Bay Football History Network - 1989 Hall of Fame Bowl

1988 Hall of Fame Bowl

Several changes were in the works for Tampa's second Hall of Fame Bowl. The Mizlou Network wanted to reduce the rights fees and coverage area, so the balance of the contract with Mizlou was bought-out for $100,000. After moving the game to a more popular January 2 date, an agreement was signed with NBC to broadcast the game.

Bowl organizers landed a marquee matchup for the second game, as it was the first meeting between tradition rich powerhouses Michigan and Alabama. Alabama was making a record fortieth bowl appearance, Michigan went bowling for the nineteenth time. Gary Moeller stood in for Wolverine head coach Bo Schembechler, who had heart bypass surgery two weeks earlier, but the result was credited to Schembechler's record. Bill Curry was in his first year as head coach of the Crimson Tide. Both teams were unranked with 7-4 records, but their loyal following generated an attendance figure of 61,075.

Michigan running back Jamie Morris scored on a Hall of Fame Bowl record 77 yard run six minutes into the third quarter. It was Morris' bowl record third TD, he had scored on runs of 25 and 14 yards earlier, and it gave the Wolverines a 21-3 advantage. Alabama's points came on a record 51 yard field goal by Phillip Doyle. Running back Bobby Humphrey (149 yards rushing and 1 TD) and QB Jeff Dunn (23 of 40 for 269 yards with a TD and an interception) lead the comeback, as Alabama went on to score the next 21 points. The game would not be decided until the final minute. Michigan had a fourth and three at the Alabama 20 with less than a minute to play. They could have kicked the three points for the tie, or went for the first down, but Moeller decided to go for the win. Michigan quarterback Demetrius Brown hit a wide open John Kolesar on a 20 yard pass in the end zone, with 50 seconds on the clock, to secure a 28-24 victory. Jamie Morris, who rushed for a career high 234 yards and still holds the bowl game record with a 10.2 yards per carry average, was named the game MVP. The Wolverines were penalized only once for five yards.

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