Bowling Ball: Numerous Versatile Athletes Played Hoops After FB Bowl Game

December 8th, 2019 - 17:13

There have been a striking number of hoopers over the years contributing to bowl football teams prior to switching from the gridiron to the hardwood. Former South Carolina football wide receiver/basketball guard Bruce Ellington, after throwing a touchdown pass to the Gamecocks' quarterback on a reverse and catching a go-ahead TD pass in the second half of the Capital One Bowl against Wisconsin six years ago, is among the all-time Top 10 "Men For All Seasons."

In an era of specialization, research reveals Ellington is the first major-college basketball regular to compete the same academic school year in three consecutive football bowl games. He joined Terry Baker (Oregon State), Mike Bush (Washington State), Rick Casares (Florida), Ronald Curry (North Carolina), Charles Davis (Purdue), Pete Elliott (Michigan), Fred Gibson (Georgia), Teyo Johnson (Stanford), Matt Jones (Arkansas), Terry Kirby (Virginia), Dave Logan (Colorado), Tony "Zippy" Morocco (Georgia) and Jerry Priestley (Georgia Tech) as athletes scoring a touchdown in a bowl game shortly before or after switching uniforms and making significant contributions to the school's basketball squad. Ellington, after pacing USC in pass receptions, cut short both his college football and basketball career by declaring early for the NFL draft (started two of three early-season hoop contests).

In the ultimate one-and-only achievement, Baker is the lone football Heisman Trophy winner to play in the basketball Final Four (1963). Kirby, a running back, and Matt Blundin, a quarterback, were teammates who competed in back-to-back years for Virginia football squads in bowl games (Florida Citrus following 1989 season and Sugar following 1990) before becoming members of Cavaliers hoop teams participating in the NCAA playoffs.

Michigan State's Andre Rison is among a striking number of athletes who "crafted" playing both sports at the highest collegiate level in the same school year. NFL all-time great tight end Tony Gonzalez (California) is among the following alphabetical list of versatile athletes since the end of World War II who played in at least one football bowl game the same school year they were a hooper (bowl year denotes when regular season was played):

Football-Basketball Player College FB Pos. Bowl Game(s) Two-Way Athlete Summary in Same Academic School Year
Doug Atkins Tennessee DE 1950 Cotton Eventual NFL first-round pick helped defeat Texas 20-14 before averaging 9.9 ppg for Volunteers' basketball squad.
Terry Baker Oregon State QB 1962 Liberty MVP's 99-yard run from scrimmage accounted for only points in 6-0 victory against Villanova before becoming runner-up in scoring (13.4 ppg) with Beavers' NCAA Tournament fourth-place finisher.
Octavus Barnes North Carolina WR 1994 Sun Set school bowl game records for receptions (nine) and receiving yards (165) in 35-31 setback against Texas before playing in five basketball contests under coach Dean Smith.
Connor Barwin Cincinnati TE 2006 International One solo tackle in 27-24 triumph against Western Michigan before averaging 1.2 ppg and 1.4 rpg for Bearcats' basketball team.
Matt Blundin Virginia QB 1989 Florida Citrus/1990 Sugar Backup in two defeats (31-21 vs. Illinois and 23-22 vs. Tennessee) while averaging 3.3 ppg and 4.6 rpg with two NCAA playoff teams for Cavaliers.
Larry Brown Georgia TE 1997 Outback Defeated Wisconsin 33-6 before averaging 6.3 ppg and 4.2 rpg for Bulldogs' NIT third-place team.
Mike Bush Washington State WR 2001 Sun A 46-yard TD reception helped defeat Purdue 33-27 before becoming Cougars' third-leading scorer with 10.9 ppg as hoop senior.
Rick Casares Florida FB-PK 1952 Gator Rushed 21 times for 86 yards, scoring first TD in Gators' bowl history, and kicked both extra points in 14-13 nod over Tulsa before All-SEC second-team selection paced hoop squad in scoring (15.5 ppg) and rebounding (11.5 rpg).
Rip Collins Louisiana State FB 1947 Cotton All-SEC pick helped LSU secure 15-1 edge in first downs and 255-54 advantage in net yards rushing in 0-0 tie with Arkansas in standoff known as Ice Bowl because of sleet and snow before earning letter for school's hoop squad.
Sam Craft Memphis RB 2015 Birmingham Scored seven touchdowns (5 rushing/2 receiving) for bowl team losing against Auburn, 31-10, before averaging 2.2 ppg under coach Josh Pastner.
Ed Crawford Mississippi DB 1955 Sugar Thwarted any comeback attempt by TCU with interception in Rebels' 14-13 win in 1956 Cotton Bowl after 21-0 Sugar Bowl setback against Navy previous year before earning hoops letter as 6-3 forward.
Sam Crenshaw Penn State WR-DB 1997 Citrus Caught two passes for 53 yards as freshman for Joe Paterno-coached team losing bowl game against Florida, 21-6, before collecting two points and one rebound in five basketball contests.
Ronald Curry North Carolina QB 1998 Las Vegas Curry's 48-yard TD scamper put Tar Heels in front to stay in 20-13 win over San Diego State before averaging 2.8 ppg and 1.7 apg for hoop squad upset in first round of NCAA playoffs by Weber State.
Charles Davis Purdue TE 2004 Sun His 6-yard TD reception from Kyle Orton put Boilermakers ahead with just over one minute remaining but Arizona State marched 80 yards in four plays to win 27-23 before Davis averaged 2.9 ppg and 3.1 rpg in coach Gene Keady's swan song.
Matt Davison Nebraska SE 1999 Fiesta Leading Husker receiver in three bowl games, including 31-21 nod over Tennessee, before starting two Big 12 Conference basketball contests.
Rickey Dudley Ohio State TE 1994 Florida Citrus Caught two passes for 26 yards in 24-17 setback against Alabama before averaging team-high 7.5 rpg.
Bruce Ellington South Carolina WR 2011 Capital One/2012 Outback/2013 Capital One Season-long 45-yard kickoff return in 30-13 win over Nebraska and caught game-winning TD pass with only seconds remaining in 33-28 victory against Michigan before averaging 10.5 ppg while finishing Gamecocks' leader in either assists or steals.
Pete Elliott Michigan B 1947 Rose Bowl Rushed seven times for 53 yards and caught 1-yard TD pass in 49-0 romp over Southern California before averaging 6 ppg for Wolverine hoopers.
Percy Ellsworth Virginia S 1994 Independence Integral part of defense leading nation in interceptions helped Cavaliers end four-game bowl losing streak with 20-10 verdict over TCU before appearing in all four contests with Midwest Regional runner-up in NCAA tourney.
James Francis Baylor LB 1986 Bluebonnet Eventual NFL first-round pick helped Bears beat Colorado 21-9 before averaging 2.2 ppg and 2.2 rpg while shooting 52.2% from floor.
Fred Gibson Georgia WR 2001 Music City Opened scoring with 15-yard TD reception but Boston College rallied to prevail 20-16 before Gibson averaged 4.9 ppg with Bulldogs' NCAA playoff team.
Tony Gonzalez California TE 1996 Aloha Established Cal bowl record with nine receptions in 42-38 reversal against Navy before averaging 6.8 ppg and 4.5 rpg with Bears' squad losing against North Carolina in East Regional semifinals.
Gregg Guenther Southern California TE 2003 Rose Part-time starter for national champion managed one reception for 19 yards from QB Matt Leinart in 28-14 win against Michigan before averaging 5.6 ppg and 4.7 rpg with Trojans' hoop squad.
Ross Hales Indiana TE 1993 Independence Caught 34-yard pass in second quarter of 45-20 loss against Virginia Tech before making token appearance for Coach Bob Knight in Hoosiers' 67-58 win over Temple in NCAA playoffs.
Cecil Hankins Oklahoma A&M B 1945 Cotton Two-way back and top pass receive for Aggies team that trounced TCU before playing forward and leading basketball squad in scoring in NCAA playoffs for 1945 national titlist.
Jesse Holley North Carolina WR 2004 Continental Tire Caught five passes for 66 yards in 37-24 defeat against Boston College before appearing in a couple of NCAA tourney contests for 2005 national champion under coach Roy Williams.
Joe Howard Notre Dame WR 1983 Liberty Caught one pass for 43 yards in 19-18 decision over Doug Flutie-led Boston College before averaging 5.5 ppg and 3.3 apg as part-time starter with Irish NIT runner-up.
Ortege Jenkins Arizona QB 1997 Insight.com Primary signal caller for UA as freshman threw 19 TD passes (one while throwing for 348 yards vs. Washington), but only played briefly in fourth quarter of 20-14 bowl game win against New Mexico. Scored 15 points in 13 games under coach Lute Olson, appearing in waning moments of three NCAA playoff contests.
Steve Joachim Penn State QB 1971 Cotton Seven of 16 completions for John Hufnagel's backup went for touchdowns during season for team defeating Texas, 30-6, in bowl game. Joachim collected two points and two rebounds in one basketball game with the Nittany Lions under coach John Bach before transferring to Temple and winning Maxwell Award.
Teyo Johnson Stanford WR 2001 Seattle A 4-yard fourth-quarter TD reception closed gap prior to bowing against Georgia Tech 24-14 before averaging 5.8 ppg and 4 rpg with Cardinal NCAA playoff squad.
Don Jonas Penn State HB 1960 Liberty Scored a touchdown in 41-12 victory against Oregon before converting both of his free-throw attempts in one basketball game.
Matt Jones Arkansas QB 2003 Independence Scored go-ahead TD, rushed 7 times for 74 yards and completed 6 of 14 passes in 27-14 verdict over Missouri before averaging 5 ppg and 4.5 rpg as Hogs hooper.
Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones Kentucky SE 1947 Great Lakes Leader in pass receptions from QB George Blanda under legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant for squad beating Villanova 24-14. All-SEC first-team selection in basketball averaged 9.3 ppg for Adolph Rupp's 1948 NCAA titlist.
Bill Kaliden Pittsburgh QB 1956 Gator Backup for team losing against Georgia Tech, 21-14, before converting one free throw over three basketball games with the Panthers.
Bronson Kaufusi Brigham Young DE 2012 Poinsettia Recorded sack in 23-6 victory against San Diego State before collecting 21 points and 34 rebounds in 20 hoop games for NIT semifinalist.
Corbin Kaufusi Brigham Young DL 2016 Poinsettia Posted four tackles in 24-21 triumph against Wyoming before 6-10 center collected 10 points and 15 rebounds in 16 hoop games for BYU.
Don King Syracuse RB 1961 Liberty Teammate of Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis was member of football squad coming from behind to nip Miami (Fla.), 15-14, before averaging 5 ppg and 3.9 rpg.
Jeff King Virginia Tech TE 2004 Sugar Caught three passes for 12 yards in 16-13 setback against Auburn before collecting 18 points and 23 rebounds in 16 games as hoop freshman with Hokies.
Erron Kinney Florida TE 1996 Sugar Caught three passes for 40 yards as redshirt freshman with Steve Spurrier-coached team capturing national title upon defeating Florida State, 52-20. Averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.3 rpg in six basketball games under coach Billy Donovan.
Terry Kirby Virginia RB 1989 Florida Citrus/1990 Sugar Rushed for 139 yards in 29 carries with one TD in losses against Illinois (31-21) and Tennessee (23-22) before averaging 2.8 ppg in two seasons with Cavaliers' hoops squad.
E. Roy Lester West Virginia E 1948 Sun Caught 16 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns for football squad defeating UTEP, 21-12, in bowl game before scoring 16 points in 11 basketball games.
Marcedes Lewis UCLA TE 2002 Las Vegas Future NFL first-round pick caught six passes for 51 yards and one touchdown as freshman backup for team beating New Mexico in bowl game before he collected nine points and four rebounds in seven basketball contests under Bruins coach Steve Lavin.
Dave Logan Colorado WR 1975 Bluebonnet His 4-yard TD reception gave Buffaloes 14-0 lead prior to them succumbing against Texas 38-21 before becoming basketball team's runner-up in scoring (12.7 ppg) and rebounding (6.5 rpg).
Ron Logback New Mexico State QB 1960 Sun Backup to QB Charley Johnson for undefeated team finishing 11-0 after beating Utah State, 20-13. Collected 9 points and 19 rebounds in 10 basketball games for Aggies after appearing in NCAA Tournament the previous year.
Gene Lorendo Georgia WR 1948 Orange Caught 22 passes for 440 yards and one touchdown for football team losing bowl game against Texas, 41-28, before scoring four points playing briefly with the Bulldogs' basketball squad.
Kendell Mack Auburn OT 1997 Peach The Tigers defeated Clemson in bowl game, 21-17, before Mack collected 11 points and 4 rebounds in eight basketball games under coach Cliff Ellis.
David Macklin Penn State DB 1996 Fiesta Member of football squad defeating Texas, 38-15, before freshman collected 13 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in 15 basketball games.
John Meyers Washington WR-DT 1959 Rose Caught six passes for 99 yards during season with first of back-to-back Rose Bowl winners before switching to defensive line and becoming six-year NFL starter. Joined UW's basketball squad for game against UCLA day after first Rose Bowl victory.
Leonard Mitchell Houston DE 1978 Cotton UH squandered 34-12 lead when Joe Montana-led Notre Dame scored 23 unanswered points in fourth quarter to win by one before Mitchell averaged 5.4 ppg and 5.6 rpg for Cougars' hoop squad.
John Moala Brigham Young TE 1996 Cotton Caught one pass for 18-yard touchdown during season with team topping Kansas State, 19-15, in postseason before collecting 8 points and 25 rebounds in nine basketball games.
Tony "Zippy" Morocco Georgia HB 1950 Presidential Cup Scored two second-half touchdowns (30-yard run from scrimmage and 65-yard punt return) as Co-MVP in 40-20 setback against Texas A&M before averaging 9.7 ppg with Bulldogs' basketball team.
Jordan Norwood Penn State WR 2006 Outback Posted team-high four pass receptions in 20-10 win against Tennessee before grabbing one rebound and dishing out one assist in four basketball games.
Prince Parker Virginia Tech TE 2010 Orange Caught one pass for four yards with Frank Beamer-coached squad finishing season with 40-12 loss against Stanford before making his only field-goal attempt and grabbing one rebound in four basketball games under coach Seth Greenberg.
Brent Petrus Cincinnati TE 1997 Humanitarian Three-year backup QB caught 10 passes for 254 yards and one touchdown as TE his senior season for the Bearcats' first bowl team in 46 years (beat Utah State, 35-19). Averaged 2.5 ppg and 2.2 rpg while shooting 64.4% from the floor under UC coach Bob Huggins, participating in two 1998 NCAA tourney games.
Nate Poole Marshall WR 1997 Motor City Teammate of Randy Moss caught 26 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns during freshman season for bowl team losing to Ole Miss, 34-31, before sinking all four free-throw attempts in two basketball games.
Jerry Priestley Georgia Tech QB 1965 Gator One-yard touchdown run early in fourth quarter helped propel Yellow Jackets to 31-21 win over Texas Tech before he competed in eight basketball games later in school year.
Bryan Randall Virginia Tech QB 2003 Insight Threw for more passing yards (398) than future NFL star Aaron Rodgers (394) in 52-49 setback against Cal before averaging 3.1 ppg and 1.3 rpg for the Hokies under coach Seth Greenberg.
Pat Richter Wisconsin E 1962 Rose Registered then Rose Bowl-record 11 pass receptions in 42-37 setback against USC as senior co-captain before averaging 3.3 ppg and 4.3 rpg in eight basketball games.
Andre Rison Michigan State WR 1987 Rose Had two long pass receptions (55 and 36 yards) in a 20-17 win against USC before registering 24 points and 42 assists in 18 games for the Spartans' basketball squad.
Clifton Robinson Auburn WR-PR 1997 Peach The Tigers topped Clemson, 21-17, before freshman collected 22 points, six rebounds and six assists in 12 basketball games under coach Cliff Ellis.
Dave Robinson Penn State LB-WR 1960 Liberty Two-way performer for PSU squad overwhelming Oregon, 41-12, before he made two free throws and grabbed five rebounds in two basketball games for the Nittany Lions.
Nate Robinson Washington CB 2002 Sun His QB sack helped Huskies get off to strong start before bowing against Purdue 34-24 prior to freshman pacing hoopers in scoring (13 ppg).
Reggie Rogers Washington DL 1984 Orange Eventual NFL first-round draft choice helped upend Oklahoma 28-17 before averaging 5.7 ppg and 3.9 rpg with Huskies' hoop squad.
Robert Royal Louisiana State TE 2000 Peach Defeated Georgia Tech, 28-14, after setting school record for tight ends with five touchdown receptions in Nick Saban's first season as coach of the Tigers. Collected 10 points and six rebounds in five basketball games after turning in his cleats.
Bill Saul Penn State LB 1959 Liberty Defeated Alabama 7-0 before averaging 6.1 ppg and 4 rpg with Nittany Lions' hoopers.
Otto Schnellbacher Kansas E 1947 Orange Football co-captain finished career with records for receptions (58) and receiving yards (1,069) standing for 22 years. Leading scorer for KU's hoop squad in 1947-48.
Dick Schnittker Ohio State E 1950 Rose Rushed once for five yards in 17-14 victory against California before All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection was game-high scorer in two 1950 NCAA playoff contests for Buckeyes.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins Washington TE 2011 Alamo Caught five passes for 59 yards in highest-scoring regulation bowl game in history (67-56 loss to RGIII-led Baylor) before collecting seven points and nine rebounds in four NIT contests for Huskies' semifinalist.
Jim Skala Michigan E 1950 Rose Caught two passes for 33 yards with football team going on to defeat favored Cal, 14-6, prior to averaging 7.5 ppg on UM's hoop squad.
Dick Soergel Oklahoma State QB 1958 Bluegrass Completed 6 of 12 passes for 77 yards and 2-point conversion in 15-6 win against Florida State before averaging 8.5 ppg and 4.9 rpg for Pokes' basketball squad plus posting 8-1 pitching record and winning national championship baseball game.
Peter "Pat" Stark Syracuse QB 1952 Orange Blasted by Bart Starr-led Alabama, 61-6, before averaging 9.7 ppg for SU's hoop squad.
Roy "Rebel" Steiner Alabama E-DB 1947 Sugar All-SEC choice was leading pass receiver for Crimson Tide squad losing to Texas, 27-7, before forward earned a letter for Bama's basketball team.
Tai Streets Michigan WR 1996 Outback Wolverines' leading receiver had only two catches for 12 yards in 17-14 setback against Alabama before collecting four points and seven rebounds in 13 basketball games for NIT titlist coached by Steve Fisher.
Syniker Taylor Mississippi FS 1999 Independence Tied for team lead with three interceptions for football squad that edged Oklahoma, 27-25, before starting six basketball games en route to averaging 2.2 ppg and 2.3 rpg.
Adalius Thomas Southern Mississippi DE 1997 Liberty All-CUSA defensive lineman for team pounding Pitt, 41-7, on gridiron before competing in three basketball games for USM after being a hoop regular as power forward the previous season.
Lamar Thomas Miami (Fla.) WR 2000 Cotton Caught one pass for 14 yards in 46-3 trouncing of Texas before collecting 16 points and 4 rebounds in four basketball games.
Wilson Thomas Nebraska WR 2001 Rose Huskers leading receiver caught three passes for 36 yards in 37-14 loss against Miami (Fla.) before averaging 4.6 ppg and 3.8 rpg.
Willie Townsend Notre Dame WR 1972 Orange Irish's top pass catcher and teammates lost to Johnny Rodgers-led Nebraska 40-6 before averaging 2.1 ppg for Digger Phelps-coached hoop squad.
Charlie Ward Florida State QB 1992 Orange/1993 Orange Completed 39-of-73 passes for 473 yards in back-to-back victories over Nebraska (27-14 and 18-16) while pacing FSU in assists and steals average his final two hoop campaigns.
Derek Watson South Carolina RB 2002 Outback Lou Holtz protege rushed for 27 yards on 11 carries and caught four passes for 37 yards in 31-28 win against Ohio State before scoring one point in two minutes of one hoops game.
Charlie West Texas-El Paso DB 1967 Sun Bobby Dodd's pupil eventually named to 75th Anniversary of All-Sun Bowl Team collected two points and one rebounds in two games under Miners coach Don Haskins.
Ron Widby Tennessee P 1965 Bluebonnet/1966 Gator Nation's top punter for coach Doug Dickey's second of first two Vols football teams that both went to bowl games (wins over Tulsa 27-6 and Syracuse 18-12) while also being an All-SEC basketball selection (including 50-point outburst in final home game).
De'Runnya Wilson Mississippi State WR 2013 Liberty Caught three passes from Bulldogs QB Dak Prescott for 37 yards in 44-7 win against Rice before collecting 6 points and 11 rebounds in seven hoop games.
Pat Wilson Michigan State QB-DB 1956 Rose Substituted in as DB for Earl Morrall (his roommate) in 17-14 win against UCLA. Single-platoon football permitted one substitution among the starting 11. Went on to average 6.1 ppg and 3.4 rpg in 14 hoop contests.
Irvin "Whiz" Wisniewski Michigan E 1947 Rose Caught four passes for 73 yards in 1947 as member of 10-0 national championship team as sophomore before scoring two points in Wolverines' first NCAA playoff win (66-49 against Columbia in 1948 Eastern Regional third-place game).