Tangerine Bowl
1964
East Carolina 14
Massachusetts 13
In
1964, the Massachusetts Redmen won the Yankee Conference for the second
straight year, losing only to Harvard. Massachusetts was led by
quarterback Jerry Whelchel, who had been drafted by San Diego of the
American Football League at the end of the season. East Carolina College
was a probationary member of the Southern Conference and was ineligible
for the conference title. Losing only to Richmond, they were paced by
fullback Dave Alexander who averaged 109 yards rushing per game. The two
teams, both 8-1 on the season, squared off in the 1964 Tangerine Bowl
for the NCAA Atlantic Coast Small College Championship.
Three fumbles and a pass interception hindered the ECC in the first half while Whelchel directed UMASS to a 7-0 half time lead. The score came on a 12-yard pass to Kenney Palm. Whelchel converted the PAT. In the third quarter, the Redmen added to their lead as Whelchel again teamed with Palm for 61 yards and six points. This time Whelcel missed the point after. With the score at 13-0, East Carolina’s offense had been ineffective and the Pirates were seemingly looking at a long trip back to North Carolina. But, Welchel’s kick for the extra point was wide and the Redmen held a 13-0 lead. Few realized how costly the missed extra point would prove to be.
After an exchange of punts, the Pirates drove 44 yards to the 2-yard line with George Richardson going in for the touchdown from there. The Pirates decided to try for a two-point conversion, but the referee ruled that Dave Bumgarner had trapped Bill Cline’s pass and the score remained 13-6.
In the fourth quarter, East Carolina drove 91 yards to a touchdown with 7:41 remaining. On the drive, Cline connected with end Whitty Bass for 68 yards to the Redmen 23. The Pirates climaxed the drive with Cline going around end for nine yards and the touchdown. Trailing 13-12, the Pirates again elected to go for the two-point conversion. This time, Cline’s pass to Pete Crane was successful and the Pirates led, 14-13.
ECC’s Bill Cline was named the outstanding player of the game.
The official signals the winning touchdown for ECC.
The Tangerine Bowl trophy.
Attendance: 8,000
Scoring Summary
Second Quarter
UM - Palm 13 pass from Whelchel (Whelchel kick)
Third Quarter
UM - Palm 61 pass from Whelchel (kick failed)
ECC - Richardson 3 run (pass failed)
Fourth Quarter
ECC - Cline 9 run (Crane pass from Cline)
