Tampa Bay Football History Network - 1993 Hall of Fame Bowl

1993 Hall of Fame Bowl

After NBC decided they would no longer broadcast the game, bowl organizers signed a deal with the ESPN cable network to televise the Hall of Fame Bowl. The three year deal would see ESPN televise the game at 11:00 a.m. on New Year's Day. At that time, bowl officials decided not to be involved with the bowl coalition and conference alignments.

This year's game saw the winner of the first Hall of Fame Bowl make a return visit. The Boston College Eagles, coached by Tom Coughlin, had an 8-2-1 record and a number seventeen ranking. Their opponent would be the Tennessee Volunteers, who were 8-3 and ranked number sixteen. This was the first game for Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer, who took over when Johnny Majors retired on December 5. 52,056 came out to watch the game under perfect weather conditions for football.

In what would be the highest scoring game in the history of the bowl, Tennessee opened a 14-0 lead and held a 14-7 advantage at the half. The Volunteers scored on all three of their third quarter positions to take 31-7 lead and were ahead 38-7 during the fourth quarter. Boston College rallied in the final period, scoring 16 unanswered points, but fell short in a 38-23 defeat. Eagles quarterback Glenn Foley competed 23 of 46 passes for 268 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Tennessee quarterback Heath Shuler completed 18 of 23 for 245 yards with four touchdowns and set the completion percentage record at 78.2 percent. Shuler hooked up with Mose Phillips on the longest pass play in the history of the bowl game for a 69 yard touchdown. Tennessee wide receiver Corey Fleming (102 yards receiving) caught two TD passes, as did Boston College tight end Pete Mitchell (100 yards receiving). Shuler was named the game's MVP. Tom Coughlin said after the game, "I'm not happy with the outcome at all." New head coach Phillip Fulmer said, "I'm not sure what I do next. Answer questions?"

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