Memphis State University - DeSoto Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

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Winning Season Puts the Roar back into The 1983 football season was a big step for Memphis State. After succesive 1-10 seasons, the Tigers put some ferociousness back into their roar. We ' ve accomplished one of our season goals, said Tiger quarterback Danny Sparkman, who earned this year ' s starting assignment from Trell Hooper and Page Belongy. The thing I remember most is our first win over Ole Miss, our archrival. MEMPHIS STATE 37, OLE MISS 17 (Liberty Bowl) — This win meant the most to Tiger fans, since they had up short against Ole Miss for the past three years. NORTH CAROLINA 24, MEMPHIS STATE 10 (Chapel Hill, N.C.)— The highly-touted Tar Heels got all they could handle from a scrappy bunch of Tigers. North Carolina jumped to 10-0 before MSU stormed back to tie the Tar Heels by intermission. The Tigers drove 80 yards in 1 2 plays for a Sparkman to Smokey Jordan touchdown pass from six yards out. A Tar Heel fumble gave the Tigers possession at the Carolina 1 2 but MSU had to settle for a 28-yard Don Glosson field goal. VIRGINIA TECH 17, MEMPHIS STATE 10 (Liberty Bowl)— Virginia Tech ' s defense had a real nasty reputation, and the Tigers agreed after a disappointing loss. It was a game marked by missed scoring opportunities and inconsistency on offense. Tiger scores came with a dazzling 73-yard pass from Sparkman to Jordan and a 26-yard field goal by Glosson. ALABAMA44, MEMPHIS STATE 13 (Tuscaloosa) — The Tigers learned a good first half does not a game make. MSU charged to a 10-3 halftime lead before 60,000 stunned fans. Glosson kicked a first-quarter field goal and tight end Ricky Sparkman made a falling catch on a four- yard pass from cousin Danny to start Tiger fans thinking upset of the century. The Tide ' s lone score was a 42-yard field goal. The second half, however, was all Alabama, and MSU fans wondered who kidnapped the Tiger team that played the first half. Save a 48-yard field goal by Glosson, The Crimson Tide drowned the Tigers with a 21 -point third quarter and a 20-point fourth quarter. MEMPHIS STATE 28, TULANE 25 (Liberty Bowl) — Tulane quarterback Jon English probably wished he had not gotton a court-order to allow him to take on the Tigers. MSU ' s secondary came up with four interceptions. After Tulane jumped to a 3-0 lead, Rozell Clayton took a screen pass from Sparkman and raced down the sideline 41 yards for a 7-3 lead. Again Tulane jumped ahead with two third-quarter touchdowns before Enis Jackson made his first college reception, a 71-yard TD pass from Sparkman. Defensive back Donnie Elder intercepted an English pass and returned it 13yards for another touchdown and a 21- 17 Tiger lead. Jackson was not through, hooking up with Sparkman for an 18-yard touchdown pass and a 28-17 lead. Tulane scored another touchdown and moved to within three, 28-25, after a two- point conversion and the Green Wave mounted its final effort with time running out. English threw into the end zone but Percy Nabors, who had two interceptions on the night, tipped the ball and freshman Clay Bitner made the interception to preserve a 28-25 victory. SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI 27, MEMPHIS STATE 20 (Liberty Bowl)— Heavily favored Southern Miss blew to a 27-0 lead in the fourth quarter before David Alford, Wide Receiver Rob Arthur, Defensive Back Irving Duke Atkins, Fullback Clyde Avant, Flanker Ken Balkunass, Offensive Guard Harold Beane, Defensive Tackle John Beard, Wide Receiver Nathan Beason, Defensive End Eric Becton, Running Back Page Belongy, Quarterback Clay Bittner, Defensive Back Dwight Blalock, Tight End David Booth, Defensive End Dennis Borcky, Defensive Tackle Chip Bowers, Rover Glenn Boyd, Fullback Andy Bramlett, Linebacker Don Bramlett, Defensive End David Brandon, Tight End Eric Brooks, Quarterback Ken Brown, Running Back Eric Caldwell, Wide Receiver Greg Capshaw, Fullback Bevin Carpenter, Linebacker 162 Football

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the Tigers Memphis State started what could have been called the greatest comeback of all time. With fans streaming for the exits, freshman Jerry Harris returned a kick off 98 yards and gave MSU life. Less than two minutes later, Sparkman hit Eric Becton with a 12-yard TD pass. With 3:27 left, the Tigers capped another drive when Spark- man hooked up with James ' Punkin ' Williams on a six-yard touchdown pass. MSU ' s last-ditch effort to score with 1:26 left fell short and US M held on for a 27-20 win. MEMPHIS STATE 24, VANDERBILT 7 (Nashville) — After an off week, the Tigers took to the road for three games and got off to a good start. Glosson ' s 32-yard field goal and Dwight Blalock ' s stumbling catch gave Msu a 10-7 lead after one quarter. Vanderbilt was not to score again, but the Tigers got insurance as Williams ran over defenders for a 20-yard touchdown run and Jeff Womack ran all over the field shedding tacklers before being credited with a nine-yard TD jaunt. MEMPHIS STATE 30, MISSISSIPPI STATE 13 (Starkville Miss.)— The Tigers Continued on Page 166 The Tigers didnt knuckle under on this play against Virginia Tech. They held the line, but that wasn ' t enough as MSU fell prey to Virginia Tech (10-17) in the second home game of the season. A Kevin Chapman, Running Back Rozell Clayton, Fullback Kurt Crain, Linebacker Derrick Crawford, Wide Receiver Edell Davis, Offensive Guard Tom Dorian, Offensive Guard Steve Droke, Defensive Back David East, Center Donnie Elder, Defensive Back Jeff Ellis, Defensive End David Esp, Offensive Tackle Eric Fairs, Linebacker Curt Garrett, Fullback Ted Gate wood, Fullback Don Glosson, Kicker Jon Graunke, Defensive Tackle Charles Greenhill, Defensive Back Gary Harper, Offensive Tackle Michael Harper, Flanker Jerry Harris, Flanker Tim Harris, Defensive End Carl Harrison, Running Back Wally Hatfield, Punier Gregg Hauss, Kicker Football 163