Georgia Tech football trivia

[golftango18yankeejuliet]

In 1972, GT travelled to Michigan to play Michigan State. The starting safety that year was Gary Faulkner but even though he was healthy and wasn't in any kind of trouble, he didn't start that game. Who started at safety and why?

 

[golftango18yankeejuliet]

In 1972, Michigan State had a much larger team than Tech and was known for their running game. MLB Joe Harris was given jersey #40 (instead of his usual #50) and started at safety. Even though MSU was heavily favored to win, Tech won handily.

 

[oldfoggy]

Even though MSU was heavily favored to win, Tech won handily.

As I recall Tech did not win handily but was in control all the way. MSU made a come back and closed the score to respectable. McAshen(sp) on the 1st play (maybe the second) from scrimmage threw a long TD pass and Tech was never behind after that. I traveled to MSU (East Lansing) and saw the game. The one thing I noticed about MSU's offensive and defensive lines everyone of them had a beer belly. May be good in extremely cold weather but in an early game in September when it's hot caused MSU in the 4th qtr to be sucking wind.

 

[76tornados]

Where have all of the beer bellies gone in football? Play geography and weather like Dodd used to.:laugher:

 

[76tornados]

I was referring to something I read in the Kim King book. Somethin' that Bear said about Dodd finding ways to take advantage of things like that.

 

[oldfoggy]

Where have all of the beer bellies gone in football? Play geography and weather like Dodd used to.:laugher:

Wasn't Dodd coaching but I sat with a guy don't remember his name, his son was a LB or safety or something like that and his son ended up playing for the Giants Van or Von something. Anyway I told him before the game started that MSU was in trouble he asked why and I pointed out the beer bellies. Told him (and it was hot that day) that with those guts MSU would be suffering by games end. I was dead nuts on, after the game he agreed with me and said Tech was much better conditioned for a hot game.

 

[DeepSnap]

...his son was a LB or safety or something like that and his son ended up playing for the Giants Van or Von something.....

Brad Van Pelt was pretty good...... played fourteen seasons as LB in the NFL. He played for the New York Giants from 1973 to 1983, the Los Angeles Raiders from 1984 to 1985, and the Cleveland Browns in 1986. He was selected to the Pro Bowl five times from 1976 to 1980. He is the father of current Denver Broncos quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt. Won the 1972 Maxwell Trophy as a S & is a member of the College FB Hall of Fame.

 

[golftango18yankeejuliet]

You're probably talking about Brad Van Pelt (#10) who was their safety. By the way, after the Friday jog around, an MSU coed walked by the team getting on the bus and asked Brad Bourne who our team was. When he told her, she told him that that was impossible because she had seen football players and they were bigger. Brad was a defensive tackle.

 

[oldfoggy]

Brad Van Pelt was pretty good...... played fourteen seasons as LB in the NFL. He played for the New York Giants from 1973 to 1983, the Los Angeles Raiders from 1984 to 1985, and the Cleveland Browns in 1986. He was selected to the Pro Bowl five times from 1976 to 1980. He is the father of current Denver Broncos quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt. Won the 1972 Maxwell Trophy as a S & is a member of the College FB Hall of Fame.

Yep that's the guy. I thought I remembered it was Van Pelt but was not sure. I bought a ticket, his dad was standing beside me in line going into the stadium. he asked a few questions about Tech I told him what I knew and felt about Tech, we then ended up sitting next to each other, the game was not a sellout so we scooted together actually our seats were about 2 apart. Dang nice guy Van Pelts dad. I almost began to feel bad for him during the game and I was a little more subdued than usual during a Tech game. But he was a good sport and seemed to know that we or they could not win every game. Mr Van Pelt if you see this post my hats off to you.