Memorable Moments: Driscoll's Six Pack Still in Place - CSURams.com

panggilansaja.blogspot.com

By: John Hirn

Story Links

Over the past 10 years several passing records in the Colorado State history books have been broken by either Garrett Grayson, Nick Stevens or K.J. Carta-Samuels. However, the oldest passing record which has not been broken remains the six touchdown passes by CSU legend Mark Driscoll on October 19, 1974. It remains as one of the oldest records in the CSU history books and occurred on a day where more than just Mark Driscoll stood out as an offensive power.

It was Homecoming at Hughes Stadium and the Rams had not won a game in nearly a month. A tie against BYU had its own sorted story, and losses to Memphis and Utah State had second-year head coach Sark Arslanian in need of some offensive power.

The defense, led by Loren Mulkins and All-American Kevin McLain, had been operating as a well-oiled machine -- the Rams offense had only lost by a combined three points in the previous two losses. They were just a hair away from opening up an offense that boasted one of the finest passing combinations in the country.

Mark Driscoll, a junior from La Junta, Colo., and senior Willie Miller from Birmingham, Ala., teamed up as one of the best quarterback/wide receiver combinations in the country. The Rams offense was a powder keg ready to explode, and the Nevada Wolf Pack were the perfect victims to have this offensive power unleashed upon them.

With 24,472 fans packed into Hughes Stadium on a beautiful day, the power of Driscoll to Miller unleashed early with a 46-yard pass on the Rams' first play to set up Driscoll's first TD toss, a 32-yard strike into Miller's hands. A Clark Kemble field goal later in the first quarter gave the Rams a 10-0 lead.

Driscoll's next touchdown pass came early in the second quarter, this time a 36-yarder to Miller to put the Rams up 17-0. A rushing touchdown by Ron Harris broke up the passing TD's for the time being, but Driscoll found Miller for a 12-yard touchdown pass later in the second quarter. Three of the four Rams touchdowns had been pass plays to Miller, but just as the second half ended, Driscoll found a new receiver in Dan O'Rourke on a 54-yard bomb for his fourth of the day. The Rams went to the locker room at halftime with a commanding 38-3 lead.

The Rams had the ball first after the half, and before Nevada could plant their cleats in the Hughes Stadium grass, Driscoll had his offense rolling again. Driscoll found Pete Clark on an 8-yard pass for his fifth touchdown of the day, putting Rams ahead 45-3. Driscoll completed his day with his sixth touchdown pass, targeting O'Rourke, late in the third quarter to put the Rams ahead 52-17.

Coach Sark had seen enough in his star quarterback and pulled Driscoll from the game at the beginning of the fourth quarter for senior Jack Graham to get some playing time. Driscoll's day ended with 305 yards passing, six touchdown passes and 11 yards rushing. He not only broke the school record for single-game touchdown passes, he also set at the time the record for most touchdown passes in a season which stood until 1997 and remains tied for 8th overall to this date.

Graham and the Rams finished off the Wolf Pack and the final score stood 66-17 and 571 total yards. The Ram faithful, enjoying the offensive power, chanted for more passing touchdowns as the game continued in the fourth quarter. Coach Sark called off the dogs and put in as many reserve players as he could. Of the 97 Rams on the roster, 68 played in the game that day, including third-string quarterback Rich Judah.

Driscoll was not the only record breaker; Miller broke the CSU record for the all-time receiving yards that stood until Jeff Champine broke it in 1983. Miller also set a record to that date for most touchdown receptions in a single game which was not broken until Rashard Higgins caught four touchdown passes in 2014. Clark Kemble became the nation's leading kicker for PATs, and 10 Hughes Stadium records fell that day alone.

Although the 1974 Rams continued to rebuild under Arslanian, the passing combination of Driscoll to Miller remains as one of the greatest in school history. Driscoll's six touchdown passes in one game is a record which has stood for 46 years and may be a difficult one to break in the near future.
 

Print Friendly Version

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"in" - Google News
October 25, 2020 at 01:22AM
https://ift.tt/34sizFm

Memorable Moments: Driscoll's Six Pack Still in Place - CSURams.com
"in" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2MLa3Y1
https://ift.tt/2YrnuUx

Bagikan Berita Ini