1984 NCAA Division II National Champions

HISTORY 1984 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Ted Clem’s 50-yard field goal with no time remaining handed Troy an 18-17 win over North Dakota State and the 1984 Division II national championship in McAllen, Texas. With under 1:30 left in the game, Troy senior quarterback Carey Christensen, who had suffered a foot injury earlier in the season and split time with freshman Mike Turk, led Troy on a last-ditch drive. Starting from the Trojans’ 10-yard line, Christensen led Troy to the Bison 32.

With the clock running, the kicking team was rushed onto the field. Clem’s foot met the ball as the horn sounded, and his attempt sailed through the uprights for the win. “The Kick,” as it is known in Trojan football lore, was the longest field goal in Division II playoff history at the time. Clem was not the only freshman walk-on to make an impact on the Trojans winning the national title. Turk, who walked on in the spring of 1984, moved rapidly up the depth chart and was thrust into the starting role in the third game of the season after Christensen went down with a broken foot.

Turk carried the load the rest of the season as the starter, going on to earn Gulf South Conference “Freshman of the Year” honors. Then coached by Chan Gailey, the Trojans opened the season with a 26-7 win over Nicholls State. The defense held the Colonels to just 83 yards on the ground, with Rufus Cox delivering the striking blow on a 51-yard touchdown catch from Christensen.

Troy rolled through Florida A&M the next week, 17-3, and followed that up with a 35-26 win over Livingston. Holding on to a slim 28-26 lead, and with Livingston driving, Mike Brewster returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown to seal the win, which was marred by the loss of Christensen early in the game with a broken foot. Turk came on in relief, going 8-of-13 passing for 166 yards and a touchdown.

The Trojan offense racked up 468 yards, 382 on the ground, in a 41-10 win over West Georgia. The ground attack continued its pounding the next week, racking up 331 yards, 92 by Turk, in a 27-12 win over Valdosta State.

Trailing No. 10 Mississippi College 7-0 in the fourth quarter, the Trojans scored twice in the final six minutes to pull out a 14-7 win. Turk began the rally with a quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line. On the ensuing kickoff, Brewster forced a fumble, which Troy recovered at the Choctaw 20. One play later, Turk found Rufus Cox with a TD pass to preserve the Trojans’ victory. The offense was back in order against Delta State, racking up 459 yards in a 35-20 win over the Statesmen.

The Trojans then faced another setback, dropping a 13-10 decision to UNA. Troy had two chances late in the game, but an interception coupled with Clem missing a 39-yard field goal with nine seconds left, sealed Troy’s fate.

Troy bounced back to win its last two games and the Gulf South Conference title. The Trojans routed UT-Martin, 31-7, on Homecoming and wrapped up the regular season with a 42-39 victory over archrival Jacksonville State.

With the GSC title, the Trojans advanced to the Division II playoffs and hosted Central State (Ohio) in the quarterfinals. The wishbone offense flexed its muscles, running up 579 yards of offense, as Troy pulled out a 31-21 win. The semifinals were a repeat of the quarterfinals as the offense ruled the day. Troy pounded out 537 yards and demolished Towson State, 45-3, to advance to the title game.

SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

Date Opponent Sept. 8 Nicholls State Sept. 15 # Florida A&M

Score W, 26-7 W, 17-3 Sept. 22 West Alabama W, 35-26 Sept. 29 at West Georgia W, 41-10 Oct. 6 at Valdosta State W, 27-12 Oct. 13 at Mississippi College W, 14-7 Oct. 20 Delta State W, 35-20 Oct. 27 at North Alabama L, 13-10 Nov. 3 UT-Martin (HC) W, 31-7 Nov. 10 at Jacksonville St. W, 42-39

Quarterfinals

Nov. 24 Central State (Ohio) W, 31-21

Semifinals

Dec. 1 Towson State W, 45-3

Championship

Dec. 8 $ North Dakota St. W, 18-17 # - played in the Gator Bowl Jacksonville, Fla. $ - played at the Palm Bowl McAllen, Texas

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Rushing Player Att Yards TD Ted Horstead 238 1123 5 Mike Turk 132 556 8 Doug Brown 65 437 3

Passing Player A-C-I Yards TD Mike Turk 108-55-2 989 5 C. Christensen 80-45-0 813 5

Receiving Player

Catches Yards TD Rufus Cox 56 1169 7 Lee Hollingsworth 23 437 4

Interceptions Player Int. Yards TD Mike Brewster 3 51 1

Tackles Player Solo Assists Total Robert Bradley 74 61 135