By Darin Hayes Today, on September 1, we are going to discuss a bit of action that occurred in Junction, Texas.
Some NCAA records, firsts that occurred in Baltimore and Carolina, an Appalachian State upset, as well as some big legends of the game, especially a couple from Miami who are celebrating today in just a moment. This is the Pigskin Daily History Dispatch, a podcast that covers the anniversaries of American football events throughout history on a day-to-day basis. This is your host, Darren Hayes, and we’re broadcasting from the Pigpen in Western Pennsylvania, bringing you the memories of the gridiron one day at a time.
We are here to bring you the latest football history news, and we’re going to start with September 1. So let’s get at it.
On September 1, 1937, the fourth annual Chicago Charities College All-Star Game was played in the Windy City, with the College Players defeating the Green Bay Packers, 6-0, in a nail-biter watched by over 84,000 fans at Soldier Field.
If you recall the Chicago Charities College All-Star Game, it lasted from the 1930s to the mid-1970s and typically featured the NFL champion, the defending champion, playing against a team of College All-Stars —the best that college football could offer. And in the beginning, the College Players were probably the favorites in the game because college was king back then, and the NFL was starting to gain momentum. However, this was a bit of a surprise, as the College Players knocked off the Green Bay Packers. So we can reflect on that to 1937.
Also, on September 1, 1954, in Junction, Texas, the legendary head coach of the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide opened up his 10-day camp for his players. Yes, that was Bear Bryant who inspired both the book and its subsequent TV movie called The Junction Boys. This date, 1984, in NCAA College Football, Willie Totten of Mississippi State University passed for over 536 yards and 9 touchdowns, setting a record for Division I-AA college football.
The leading receiver in that game, catching Totten’s passes? Well, it was none other than the legendary Jerry Rice, who dragged in 17 catches and a total of 294 yards and 5 trips to the end zone for the great receiver Jerry Rice.
Then, in 1996, fast-forward to Baltimore, Ravens quarterback Vinny Testaverde leads the Ravens over the Oakland Raiders 17-14 for the franchise’s first win in their new city, with their new colors and nickname. The franchise, as you may recall, was formerly the Cleveland Browns.
Art Modell moved the team that season in 1995, much to the dismay of everybody in Cleveland, but to the joy of everybody in Baltimore. The rest is history. They’re still playing in Baltimore.
Also, in 1996, on September 1, Erickson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, opened up as the Carolina Panthers outlasted the Atlanta Falcons 29-6. A few years later, in 2006, a new era in NFL management began on September 1. It starts as Roger Goodell takes over the reins as the NFL commissioner from the retiring Paul Tagliabue.
Then, a year later, in 2007, a significant shocker occurred in the NCAA when Appalachian State pulled off what many believe to be the most crucial upset in NCAA football history. When they knocked off the University of Michigan, 34-32. App State’s Cory Lynch blocked a 37-yard field goal attempt by Michigan kicker Jason Gingwell at the Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to preserve the win.
It is that time when we want to recognize and gain a little glimpse of history from each of those famous players, and what better way to do it than on the anniversary of their birthday? So, we’ll get right to it.