Look Back At Memorable Performances In The 1978 Gator Bowl And The 1982 Orange Bowl

Dec. 25, 1999

Clemson will compete in its 23rd bowl in school history on December 30 in Atlanta when the Tigers face Mississippi State in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Below are some memorable individual performances by Clemson players in the 1978 Gator Bowl and the 1982 Orange Bowl.

1978 GATOR BOWL – CLEMSON 17, OHIO STATE 15 Steve Fuller was a coach on the field for the Tigers as he either passed or ran with the ball on 37 of Clemson’s 80 plays. He gained 161 yards of total offense and scored one of Clemson’s two touchdowns.

Charlie Bauman provided the key defensive play of the game with an interception at the Clemson 24 with just two minutes left. Ohio State never got the ball back. It was the only interception of Bauman’s four-year career.

Bubba Brown, a linebacker, recorded 22 tackles in the win. That total ties for the third most ever by a Clemson defensive player in a game. Brown later went on to make 22 tackles the following season against NC State.

1982 ORANGE BOWL – CLEMSON 22, NEBRASKA 15 – TIGERS WIN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Jeff Davis won defensive MVP honors for his 14 tackles and one fumble recovery. He was a major reason the Nebraska offense, which featured future Heisman Award winner Mike Rozier and future NFL All-Pro Roger Craig, gained just 256 yards of total offense.

Homer Jordan won offensive MVP honors as he threw 134 yards and was Clemson’s second leading rusher with 46 yards. His running on Clemson last possession allowed the Tigers to ice the game.