Tampa Bay Football History Network - 1992 Hall of Fame Bowl

1992 Hall of Fame Bowl

For the sixth Hall of Fame Bowl, bids were accepted by two teams that had previously appeared in the game. Syracuse was ranked number sixteen in the nation with a 9-2 record, while Ohio State headed to the game ranked number twenty-three with a 7-4 record. For the second time in three years, John Cooper brought a Buckeye team to Tampa. Paul Pasqualoni was the first year head coach of the Orangemen. A crowd of 57,789 watched the only game were the bowl did not feature a southern team.

Syracuse jumped to a 14-0 first quarter lead with the help of a 50 yard TD pass, a goal line stand and another touchdown setup by a 57 yard pass to Qadry Ismail. With 8:03 left in the game, Ohio State linebacker Steve Tovar blocked a punt and Tito Paul recovered it in the end zone to tie the score at 17-17. Less than a minute later, Syracuse quarterback Marvin Graves tossed a 60 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Antonio Johnson for the winning touchdown. Syracuse became the first team to win two Hall of Fame Bowls, while Ohio State became the first to lose two. Graves went 18 for 31 for a career high 309 yards with an interception and two touchdowns. The Syracuse QB won MVP honors in the 24-17 victory.

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