Tampa Bay Football History Network - 1994 Hall of Fame Bowl

1994 Hall of Fame Bowl

Hall of Fame Bowl officials agreed to a two year deal with the Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences to matchup their third place teams beginning in January 1996. The fourth place teams from the Big Ten and Atlantic Coast Conferences would appear in the 1994 and 1995 games.

Michigan, ranked number twenty-two with a 7-4 record, made a return visit to Tampa. North Carolina State, also 7-4, would represent the ACC in the first meeting between the two teams. The Wolverines were coached by Gary Moeller and the Wolfpack were coached by Mike O'Cain. A light rain fell early in the game and the announced attendance was 52,649.

North Carolina State controlled the ball for eleven minutes of a scoreless first quarter and running back Gary Downs finished with 102 yards on the ground. Things would quickly deteriorate for the Wolfpack. Four interceptions and two lost fumbles, for a total of six turnovers, would bring about their demise. Michigan's Derrek Alexander returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter and Clarence Thompson return an interception 43 yards for a TD in the third. Michigan quarterback Todd Collins was 11 out of 22 for 189 yards, but MVP honors went to Wolverine running back Tyrone Wheatley. He ran for 103 yards in the first half, 124 yards during the game and had a pair of touchdowns. Michigan scored a record six touchdowns, and Peter Elezovic converted a record six extra points, as they posted the largest margin of victory in a 42-7 rout.

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