Chris Stewarts' SOM College Football Cards for the ASTRO-BLUEBONNET BOWL
Played December 31,1977 in the Houston Astrodome
Cards for 1977 Texas A&M Aggies
Link to Other SOM CFB Content on this Blog
Texas A&M (8-3) vs. USC (7-4)
The Bluebonnet Bowl was not where USC and Texas A&M were supposed to wind up. The preseason pollsters figured that USC would win its 23rd Pac-8 championship and Texas A&M its 13th Southwest Conference title. But the Trojans' conference losses to California and Washington and the Aggies' inability to handle Arkansas or Texas precluded trips to Pasadena and Dallas and diverted both teams to Houston. Much the same thing happened in 1975, when the Aggies and the Trojans got the late-season lazies and ended up playing each other in the Liberty Bowl. USC won that one, 20-0.
Both teams had offenses that were brilliant on occasion, but USC was better defensively and had a definite edge in passing. Rob Hertel's 15 touchdown throws and 1,897 yards broke Trojan records, and Randy Simmrin tied Lynn Swan's career reception mark of 95. Tailback Charles White was a 1,291-yard back, giving the Trojans balance. The defense, featuring Clay Matthews and Dennis Thurman, was the stingiest in the Pac-8 against the run. USC's losses, especially at California and Washington, were a result of offensive lapses; one gets the feeling of a significant opportunity missed with this team.
Part of the inconsistency was due to the fact USC lost 15 men to pro football from the 11-1 1976 team that beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl, including Ricky Bell, Vince Evans, Gary Jeter and Marvin Powell. Hertel, a second baseman who hit .329 on the Trojan baseball team, stuck around for his senior season at quarterback instead of trying his luck in pro baseball. Hertel was the best backup signal-caller in the Pac-8; Sophomore Tailback White was “one of the best breakaway threats I’ve ever seen,” according to second-year Trojan Coach John Robinson.
Complementing white at fullback was Mosi Tatupu, who Robinson says, “is about as easy to tackle as a Coke machine.” Paving their way was a young, powerful offensive line led by Sophomore Tackle Anthony Munoz and Guard Pat Howell, who Robinson said, “(was)...the best lineman on our team and a potential All-American.” The coach also rated Wide Receiver Randy Simmrin and Tight End William Gay as All-America candidates.
Although not overpowering, the Trojan defense led by 4 All-Americans can hold its own against most offenses. DE Walt Underwood, LB Clay Matthews, CB Ricky Odom and SS Dennis Thurman (all “6” rated defenders) restrict opponents to 3.2 yds/carry (4.0 after sack adjustments) vs. the run and a 48.1% pass completion percentage. The defense’s biggest strength is they don’t give up a lot of big pass plays—the Trojans limit opponents to 11 yds/completion with only one play over 50 yards all season.
Texas A&M's biggest problem was catching up when it fell behind. The Aggie wishbone was not well suited for passing. Quarterback David Walker threw 107 times for only 749 yards. With more balance, A&M might have lived up to expectations. Certainly, with giant Fullback George Woodard and flashy Halfback Curtis Dickey, its running game was potent. The two backs rushed for 1,107 and 978 yards, respectively. A&M's 3,304 yards left the Aggies only 5.9 yards a game behind Texas as the SWC's top rushing team.
Curtis Dickey gets ready to break one
The key to the Aggie Wishbone was “super-sized” FB Woodard who averaged 4.5 yds/carry (14 TDs) and could keep the chains moving by routinely blasting up the middle and off-tackle for 5-6 yards a clip. If defenses focused on the inside runs, A&M could pressure the edges by running the option to RHB David Brothers (5.2 yds/carry) and LHB Dickey (5.5 yds/carry, 6 TDs) who was a threat to take it “all the way” on any play. QB David Walker pulled the trigger for the Wishbone and averaged 3.7 yds/carry (4.5 after sack adjustments). Although not a strength, the Aggies were able to throw the ball effectively for a Wishbone team, completing 48% of their passes for a healthy 14.8-yard average.
The Aggies were solid group on defense. While they had no All-American selections, they did boast 4 All-Southwest Conference (SWC) Team players in DE Phil Bennett, DT Johnnie Donahue, LB Kevin Monk and SS Carl Grulich (all “5” rated). Although you could occasionally run on the Aggie defense that yielded 3.6 yds per carry (4.3 after sack adjustments), throwing on them could be quite challenging. A&M only allowed a mere 42.6% completion rate and picked off 17 passes in 1977, averaging 12.4 yds/return. PK Tony Franklin rivaled Russell Erxleben and Steve Little as one of the best kickers in the SWC and the nation.
The problem was when the Aggies lost, they lost big: 41-3 to Michigan and 57-28 to Texas. And after the Texas game the Aggies were lackluster in a 27-7 victory over Houston. As for USC, the Trojans closed out their season with an uplifting last-minute 29-27 win over UCLA, which was playing at home for a Rose Bowl bid.
Both Bluebonnet Bowl teams had momentum, but USC was the more likely to keep it; and they did, Rob Hertel threw for four touchdown passes for the Trojans, while Charles White and Dwight Ford both had 100 yards rushing. The Aggies turned it over five times in a 47-28 USC win.
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