Hill Watch...159 days!!!

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159 - With 1:59 remaining, Charlie Bauman intercepted OSUs Schlichter

Mar 25, 2024, 5:07 AM

On December 29, 1978, Ohio State and Clemson were set to compete in the 1978 Gator Bowl. It marked the first meeting of the two football programs in history.

One program boasted a head coach who had achieved legendary status. The other program boasted a head coach who had just achieved head coach status for the first time in his life.

Ohio State was led by legendary Head Coach Woody Hayes. According to Wikipedia, Hayes had a storied career at OSU:

“As head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Hayes led his teams to a 205–61–10 record (.761), including three consensus national championships (1954, 1957, and 1968), two other non-consensus national titles (1961 and 1970), 13 Big Ten conference championships, and eight Rose Bowl appearances. Hayes was a three-time winner of The College Football Coach of the Year Award, now known as the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award, and was "the subject of more varied and colorful anecdotal material than any other coach past or present, including fabled Knute Rockne", according to biographer Jerry Brondfield.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_Hayes

Clemson was led by Head Coach Danny Ford. Ford did not (yet) boast an impressive resume as head coach. That was not Ford’s fault, since he had never coached a single game as a head coach before. Ford was elevated from OL coach to Head Coach on December 10, after the 1978 regular season had ended.

The Game:

“Clemson was led by third team All-American QB Steve Fuller and a stout defense. ClemsonTigers.com describes the game scoring as follows:

Fuller engineered an 80-yard 15-play drive and finished it off with a four-yard run to give Clemson a 7-3 lead in the second period. Ohio State’s Art Schlichter, then a freshman, guided the Buckeyes to a touchdown drive with just 1:21 left in the half, but the extra point was blocked, making the score 9-7.

But, the Tigers drove down field behind some Fuller passes to the Ohio State 30 and Obed Ariri kicked a 47-yard field goal to put Clemson up 10-9 at the half.

Clemson scored the only points of the third period on a one-yard run by freshman Cliff Austin.
…
With 8:11 left and Clemson holding a 17-9 lead, Schlichter scored his second touchdown of the game to bring Ohio State to within two points. Ohio State went for the tie, but Jim Stuckey tackled Schlichter on a quarterback sweep to prevent the score and put Clemson up 17-15.

Ohio State got the ball back after a failed Clemson drive.”

https://clemsontigers.com/1978-gator-bowl-review-clemson-17-ohio-state-15-dec-29-1978-jacksonville-fl/

On the next play, Clemson clinches the victory – but, that’s when the melee broke out. Apparently, some coaches just don’t take losing like normal human beings (can you say “sore loser”). Also, according to ClemsonTigers.com:

“Faced with a third-and-five at the Clemson 24, second-team Tigers middle guard Charlie Bauman intercepted Schlichter when he dropped in coverage. It would be the only interception of Bauman’s four-year career and the only turnover of the night for the Ohio State offense.

On the return he was run out of bounds in front of the Ohio State bench. There was a scuffle that involved Ohio State head coach Hayes, and consecutive unsportsmanlike conduct penalties were called on Ohio State, giving Clemson excellent field position.”

Danny Ford – now a legend himself – later discussed this bizarre moment in his first game as head coach. According to David Hood on Tigernet, Coach Ford later described his interaction as a first-time head coach speaking with the head referee:

“When it came down to the end, I said what had happened. He said that one of their coaches hit one of your players.’ I said, ‘Well dang, I don’t even do that. What are you going to do?' He said that they were going to give them an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. I said, ‘I didn’t think that’s correct. I think you need to do more than that. He said that they had done all they were going to do. I was trying to show them that I was the head coach and I said, “Well Butch, I think I’m going to make history and pull our team off the field and cut the TVs off.’ He looked at me and said, ‘Son, do you want some advice?’ And I said, ‘Yes sir.’ He said, ‘If you don’t do something stupid, y’all are going to win the ballgame.’ I said, ‘yes, sir, Mr. Lambert. Carry on and let’s do it.’”

(Thank you, again, David Hood, for these excellent articles!)
https://www.tigernet.com/story/football/Danny-Ford-talks-1978-Gator-Bowl-punch-heard-world-12307

After that moment of clarity, Ford did send his team back on the field. Clemson ran out the clock to complete a 17-15 victory and an 11-1 season!

Woody Hayes did not survive the morning as Ohio State’s coach (apparently, punching an opposing player has a way of getting you fired quickly).

Two other items of note:
- Charlie Baughman later admitted he never felt the punch.
- Clemson and Ohio State would not meet again until 2013, and 2026, and 2019, and 2020.

The game-clinching play, the career-ended punch, and the ensuing melee can all be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEVJyf0ft3I

Soon afterward, Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update managed to interview Woody Hayes at his home. (I had to turn my speakers up a bit, but it is definitely worth a watch):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaQL6JuTSy8

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Clemson: Academic Excellence! Athletic Excellence!

Lamont Hall (1994-1997) played tight end at a time when Clemson did not throw often – whether to a tight end, receiver, or otherwise. None-the-less he put some strong receiving stats before moving on to a successful NFL career.

At Clemson:

According to ClemsonTigers.com, Hall achieved the following highlights during his time at Clemson:

In 1997: Starting tight end who has played in every game the last four years (47) and has played over 1200 plays from scrimmage, not to mention his contributions on special teams…played in the East/West Game in San Francisco and improved his stock with the NFL scouts during that time…winner of Joe Francis Leadership Award as outstanding leader of the 1997 Clemson team…had 17 catches for 159 yards, most catches by a Clemson tight end since 1986 when Jim Riggs caught 17
…
…outstanding blocker who led the Clemson team in knockdown blocks with 66

In 1996: Played in all 12 games and started in nine…made eight catches for 101 yards …second-team All-ACC, first Tiger tight end to make and all-star team in 12 years…sixth in receiving yardage and receptions…the only Clemson tight end with a catch in 1996

After Clemson:

Lamont Hall played one season for the Green Bay Packers in 1999. He then played for the New Orleans Saints between 2000 and 2005. Over the course of his NFL career he amassed the following stats according to Pr-Football-Reference.com:

- 19 Receptions for 127 Yards (6.7 Average)
- 2 Receiving Touchdowns

According to Wikipedia, Hall has invested his post-NFL career into the next generations:

“After finishing up in the NFL, Hall used his Clemson University teaching diploma, teaching Social Studies for many different grade levels. Hall currently teaches at Fort Mill Middle School in Fort Mill, South Carolina. He coaches at the school and has never won a championship.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamont_Hall

Kudos to you, Mr. Hall!!

Hill Watch...159 days!!!

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

Let's go Tigers!***

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

ALL IN!!!***

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

159 - With 1:59 remaining, Charlie Bauman intercepted OSUs Schlichter

Re: 159 - With 1:59 remaining, Charlie Bauman intercepted OSUs Schlichter

Re: 159 - With 1:59 remaining, Charlie Bauman intercepted OSUs Schlichter

Re: 159 - With 1:59 remaining, Charlie Bauman intercepted OSUs Schlichter

Re: 159 - With 1:59 remaining, Charlie Bauman intercepted OSUs Schlichter

Re: 159 - With 1:59 remaining, Charlie Bauman intercepted OSUs Schlichter

I always refer to the ending of that game as "The punch that a whole tv viewing

Re: I always refer to the ending of that game as "The punch that a whole tv viewing

Re: I always refer to the ending of that game as "The punch that a whole tv viewing

Re: I always refer to the ending of that game as "The punch that a whole tv viewing

Re: 159 - With 1:59 remaining, Charlie Bauman intercepted OSUs Schlichter

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

159 - TE Lamont Hall Gained 159 Yards Receiving His Senior Season (1997)

Re: 159 - TE Lamont Hall Gained 159 Yards Receiving His Senior Season (1997)

Go Tigers!!!! What a great weekend!!!***

Slowly but Shirley!!! We're getting there!!

Good morning MfO!

It was a long and busy weekend. I was tired but enjoyed every minute of it.

Without a doubt,

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

Go Tigers!***

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

Re: Hill Watch...159 days!!!

GO TIGERS!!!***

Go Tigers***

Thanks, O.J.!

Roar!

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