College Football Week Extra – Touchdown Tom’s Holiday Bonus
Who’s gonna drive you home tonight

Who’s gonna tell you when
It’s too late
Who’s gonna tell you things
Aren’t so great

What year was it?

It was the year of the Apple Mac, Aids, Swale, Joe Kittinger and Alan Trammell.

Sting said farewell to the Police. Virgin Atlantic made its inaugural flight, and Miss America resigned. We lost Marvin Gaye and Indira Gandhi. Madonna caused a controversy, and the Miami Hurricanes were the No. 1 football team at preseason.

It was the year of “Where’s the beef” and “Do They Know It’s Christmas.”

As the year began, Brunei became a fully independent state, and “Night Court” debuted on ABC. Still in January, Wendy’s “Where’s the beef” commercial, with Clara Peller, made its first broadcast on television.

Later in January, a coal mine explosion in Japan killed 83. In Tampa, Florida, the Oakland Raiders beat the Washington Redskins, 38-9, in the Super Bowl. Barry Manilow sang the National Anthem, and the Raiders’ Marcus Allen was named the most valuable player.

Two days later, the Apple Macintosh personal computer was introduced and available for purchase. Before January came to a close, Michael Jackson’s hair caught fire during the filming of a Pepsi commercial.

In early February, Dr. John Buster and the research team at UCLA Medical Center announced the first embryo transfer from one woman to another, resulting in a live birth. On the same day, the Space Shuttle Challenger was launched – the 10th Space Shuttle mission.

A few days later, astronauts Bruce McCandless and Robert Stewart made the first untethered space walk, and the Winter Olympics opened in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia.

At the end of February, the U.S. Marine Corps pulled out of Lebanon. Michael Jackson won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards, and Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau announced his retirement.

On the first of March, Sting played his last concert with the Police. (The band would regroup 23 years later for a reunion tour.) A few days later, Iran accused Iraq of using chemical weapons, and a year-long strike began in the British coal industry.

In the middle of March, Sinn Fein’s Gerry Adams and three others were seriously injured in a gun attack by the Ulster Volunteer Force. The CIA’s station chief in Beirut, William Francis Buckley, was kidnapped by Islamic Jihad. Buckley later died in captivity. And “Kate and Allie” debuted on CBS.

As April began, Marvin Gaye was shot to death by his father, one day before his 45th birthday. In Seattle, Washington, Georgetown, under coach John Thompson, beat Houston, 84-75, to win the NCAA basketball championship. Patrick Ewing was named the most valuable player. Kentucky and Virginia were the other two Final Four teams.

A week later, the 56th Academy Awards were hosted by Johnny Carson. “Terms of Endearment” won Best Picture. Robert Duval won Best Actor for “Tender Mercies” and Shirley MacLaine won Best Actress for “Terms of Endearment.”

In mid-April, in Augusta, Georgia, Ben Crenshaw won the Masters, beating out Tom Watson by two strokes. More than one million people occupied the streets of Sao Paulo to demand direct presidential elections. It was the largest protest and public demonstration in the history of Brazil.

Near the end of the month, “Advance Australia Fair” was proclaimed the national anthem of Australia. Green and Gold were proclaimed Australia’s official colors. In the United States, medical researchers announced the discovery of the Aids virus.

On May 2, the International Garden Festival opened in Liverpool, England. Three days later, Sweden won the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Diggi-Loo, Diggi-Ley,” sung by the Herreys. Swale, ridden by jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. won the Kentucky Derby.

Three days after that, the Soviet Union announced it would boycott the Summer Olympics, and the Chicago White Sox defeated the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-6, in the longest game in Major League Baseball history – 25 innings. The game lasted eight hours and 26 minutes.

Still in May, the New Orleans World’s Fair opened, while the one-dollar coin was introduced in Australia. On the 19th of May, Everton beat Watford, 2-0, to win the FA Cup in Wembley Stadium, and the Edmonton Oilers beat the New York Islanders, 4-matches-to-1, to win the Stanley Cup. Mike Messier of the Oilers was named the most valuable player.

You can’t go on
Thinking nothing’s wrong
Who’s gonna drive you home tonight

Before May came to a close, overnight floods raged through neighborhoods of Tulsa, Oklahoma, as nearly 15 inches of rain fell in four hours. Fourteen people were killed.

A week into June, a deadly F5 tornado destroyed the town of Barneveld, Wisconsin, killing nine people and injuring 200. The tornado caused $25 million in damage. On the same day, Billy Joel performed at Wembley Stadium in London.

Two days later, in Paris, Ivan Lendl beat John McEnroe to win the men’s singles at the French Open. Martina Navratilova beat Chris Everett to win the women’s singles. Two days after that, in one of the greatest NBA finals ever, the Boston Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the seventh game to capture their 15th NBA championship. The Celtics Larry Bird was named most valuable player.

Summer was underway and while not yet able to listen to the games on the radio, college football fans were listening to “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before” by Julio Iglesias & Willie Nelson; “You Might Think” by The Cars; “Borderline” by Madonna; “Sister Christian” by Night Ranger; “The Longest Time” by Billy Joel; “Breakdance” by Irene Cara; “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” by Deniece Williams; “Run Runaway” by Slade; “Oh Sherrie” by Steve Perry; “I’ll Wait” by Van Halen, and “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper.

In mid-June, the Canadian entertainment company Cirque du Soleil was founded. In Mamaroneck, New York, at the Winged Foot Golf Club, Fuzzy Zoeller defeated Greg Norman in an 18-hole playoff to win the U.S. Open Golf Championship.

Meanwhile, the radio stations were playing “Self Control” by Laura Branagan; “Dance Hall Days” by Wang Chung; “The Heart Of Rock & Roll” by Huey Lewis & The News; “The Reflex” by Duran Duran; “Jump (For My Love)” by The Pointer Sisters; “Eyes Without A Face” by Billy Idol; “I Can Dream About You” by Dan Hartman; “Stay The Night” by Chicago; “No Way Out” by Jefferson Starship; “Almost Paradise” by Mike Reno & Ann Wilson; “It’s A Miracle” by Culture Club, and “If Ever You’re In My Arms Again” by Peabo Bryson.

Who’s gonna pick you up
When you fall
Who’s gonna hang it up
When you call

On June 22, Virgin Atlantic Airways made its inaugural flight, while five days later, France beat Spain, 2-0, to win the Euro Soccer Championship. On the last day of June, John Turner became Canada’s 17th prime minister, and Elton John played the famous “Night and Day” concert in Wembley Stadium in London.

As July began, Liechtenstein became the last country in Europe to grant women the right to vote. A week later at Wimbledon, John McEnroe defeated Jimmy Connors for the men’s singles title, and Martina Navratilova beat Chris Everett-Lloyd for the women’s singles title.

In mid July, Beverly Burns became the first female captain of a Boeing 747. Near San Diego, California, 41-year-old James Oliver Huberty sprayed a McDonald’s restaurant with gunfire, killing 21 people.

As the summer air grew thicker and warmer, the DJs were playing and college football fans were listening to “Legs” by ZZ Top; “What’s Love Got To Do With It” by Tina Turner; “Magic” by The Cars; “Doctor! Doctor!” by The Thompson Twins, and “Infatuation” by Rod Stewart.

On the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, Seve Ballesteros won the British Open Golf Tournament, with a two-stroke victory over Bernhard Langer and Tom Watson. The next day, Vanessa Williams became the first Miss America to surrender her crown, after nude photos of her appear in Penthouse magazine.

The summer airwaves were filled with music, including “Dancing In The Dark” by Bruce Springsteen; “Don’t Walk Away” by Rick Springfield; “Sunglasses At Night” by Corey Hart; “When Doves Cry” by Prince, and “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” by Elton John.

At the end of July, the summer Olympics opened in Los Angeles.

Early in August, the African republic of Upper Volta changed its name to Burkina Faso. During the middle of the month, the Red Hot Chili Peppers released their first album – The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Summer was coming to an end and football fans couldn’t wait for the season to begin. Miami (Florida) was the No. 1 team in the preseason polls. The top songs on the radio were “The Glamorous Life” by Sheila E.; “Round And Round” by Ratt; “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr.; “I’m Free (Heaven Help The Man)” by Kenny Loggins; “Missing You” by John Waite; “Panama” by Van Halen; “Stuck On You” by Lionel Richie; “The Warrior” by Patty Smyth & Scandal, and “She’s Mine” by Steve Perry.

Who’s gonna pay attention
To your dreams
Who’s gonna plug their ears
When you scream

In Birmingham, Alabama, at the Shoal Creek Golf Club, Lee Trevino won the PGA Championship, beating Gary Player and Lanny Wadkins by four strokes.

Just days before the first games of the season, college football fans were grillin’ and chillin’ to “State Of Shock” by The Jacksons; “Sexy Girl” by Glen Frey; “Rock Me Tonite” by Billy Squier; “All Of You” by Julio Iglesias & Diana Ross; “Lights Out” by Peter Wolf; “When You Close Your Eyes” by Night Ranger; “If This Is It” by Huey Lewis & The News; “She Bop” by Cyndi Lauper; “Dynamite” by Jermaine Jackson, and “Cruel Summer” by Bananarama.

At the end of August, the Space Shuttle Discovery took off on its maiden voyage.

A few days into September, the Sandinista Front won the Nicaraguan general elections, and the Space Shuttle Discovery landed after its maiden voyage at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

On September 8, Louisiana-Lafayette beat Louisiana Tech 17-16 on a 21-yard field goal by Patrick Broussard as time expired. The same day, Michigan beat Miami 22-14. Two days later, Nebraska became the No. 1 team in the country.

At the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament, John McEnroe beat Ivan Lendl for the men’s singles title, and Martina Navratilova defeated Chris Everett-Lloyd for the women’s singles title.

Meanwhile, the college football season was underway and fans were tailgating to “Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince & The Revolution; “Hard Habit To Break” by Chicago; “The Lucky One” by Laura Branagan; “There Goes My Baby” by Donna Summer; “Cover Me” by Bruce Springsteen; “Caribbean Queen” by Billy Ocean, and “I Just Called To Say I Love You” by Stevie Wonder.

The next day, the game show “Jeopardy” returned to television with new host Alex Trebek. A day later, country music singer Barbara Mandrell suffered serious injuries in a head-on automobile collision on a Tennessee highway.

In mid-September, Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler hosted the first MTV Music Video Awards show. The Cars won Video of the Year for “You Might Think.” Madonna stole the show with a controversial performance of her hit song “Like a Virgin.”

You can’t go on
Thinking nothing’s wrong
Who’s gonna drive you home tonight

On September 15, Syracuse beat Northwestern 13-12 on a two-yard touchdown pass from Todd Norley to Jim Tait as time expired. Don McAulay kicked the extra point to secure the win.

On television, “E/R,” “Punky Brewster,” “Highway to Heaven,” “The Cosby Show,” “Who’s the Boss,” “Three’s a Crowd,” “Miami Vice,” and “Murder She Wrote” all premiered in September.

A first class postage stamp cost 20 cents. A gallon of gas was $1.27, and the price of a loaf of bread was 71 cents.

Brian Mulroney was sworn in a Prime Minister of Canada. Joe Kittinger became the first person to cross the Atlantic Ocean, solo in a hot-air balloon, and Hezbollah car-bombed the U.S. Embassy annex in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 24 people.

College football fans were celebrating their wins and mourning their losses to “Drive” by The Cars; “Torture” by The Jacksons; “Our We Ourselves?” by The Fixx; “On The Dark Side” by John Cafferty; “Some Guys Have All The Luck” by Rod Stewart; “Lucky Star” by Madonna; “Strut” by Sheena Easton, and “We’re Not Gonna Take It” by Twisted Sister;

Late in September, the first compact disc manufacturing plant in North America opened in Terre Haute, Indiana. Previously, CDs had to be imported from Japan or West Germany. The United Kingdom and the Peoples Republic of China signed the initial agreement to eventually return Hong Kong to China.

September 29, Syracuse beat Nebraska 17-9. Two days later, Texas became the No. 1 team in the country.

On the first of October, Montana, the only state in the United States without its own Public Broadcasting Service, launched Montana PBS. A few days later, Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space, aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger.

NBC broadcast “The Burning Bed,” featuring Farah Fawcett as a woman who kills her abusive husband. The fact-based film was televisions highest-rated show for the year. Aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, astronaut Kathryn Sullivan became the first American woman to perform a space walk.

Who’s gonna hold you down
When you shake
Who’s gonna come around
When you break

On October 13, UCLA beat Washington State 27-24 on a 47-yard field goal by John Lee, as time expired. The same day, Oklahoma tied Texas 15-15. Two days later, Washington became the No. 1 team in the country.

During the middle of October, the Provisional Irish Republican Army attempted to assassinate Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the British Cabinet in a hotel bombing in Brighton, England. The Detroit Tigers beat the San Diego Padres 4-games-to-1 to win the World Series. The Tigers’ Alan Trammell was named the most valuable player.

A few days later, in October, the Polish secret police kidnapped Jerzy Popieluszko, a Catholic priest who supported the Solidarity movement. His dead body was found 11 days later.

The world first learned of the severe famine in Ethiopia, where thousands of people had already died from starvation and 10 million more lives were at risk. Two days later, the European Economic Community made more than $2 million available to help combat the famine in Ethiopia.

At Halloween, college football fans were being tricked or treated to “Swept Away” by Diana Ross; “Out Of Touch” by Daryl Hall & John Oates; “I Feel For You” by Chaka Khan; “Who Wears These Shoes?” by Elton John; “Desert Moon” by Dennis DeYoung; “Better Be Good To Me” by Tina Turner; “I Can’t Hold Back” by Survivor; “What About Me?” by Kenny Rogers, Kim Carnes & James Ingram; “Blue Jean” by David Bowie; “Teacher Teacher” by 38 Special, and “It Ain’t Enough” by Corey Hart.

On the last day of October, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India was assassinated by her two Sikh security guards in New Delhi. Riots broke out, killing 20,000 Sikhs. Rajiv Gandhi became prime minister.

Early in November, Bryan Adams released his breakout album “Reckless.” The album topped the charts in the U.S. and spawned several hit singles.

November 10, USC beat Washington 16-7. Two days later, Nebraska became the No. 1 team in the country.

In mid-November, the New Orleans World’s Fair closed.

As the college football season was nearing the end, college football fans were singing to “Penny Lover” by Lionel Richie; “When Doves Cry” by Prince & The Revolution; “All Through The Night” by Cyndi Lauper; “We Are The Young” by Dan Hartman; “The War Song” by Culture Club, and “No More Lonely Nights” by Paul McCartney.

On November 17, Louisiana-Lafayette beat Tulsa 18-17 on a 45-yard field goal by Patrick Broussard, as time expired, and Temple beat West Virginia 17-16 on a 36-yard field goal by Jim Cooper, as time expired. The same day, Oklahoma beat Nebraska 17-7. Two days later, BYU became the No. 1 team in the country.

Who’s gonna tell you when
It’s too late
Who’s gonna tell you things
Aren’t so great

On November 23, Boston College beat Miami (Florida) 47-45 on a 48-yard, Hail-Mary touchdown pass from Doug Flutie to Gerald Phelan.

At Thanksgiving, college football fans were stuffing themselves with turkey and pumpkin pie, while listening to “Sea Of Love” by The Honeydrippers; “All I Need” by Jack Wagner; “Walking On The Thin Line” by Huey Lewis & The News; “Valotte” by Julian Lennon; “Jungle Love” by The Time; “Do What You Do” by Jermaine Jackson, and “We Belong” by Pat Benatar.

At the end of the month, in London, Band Aid, assembled by Bob Geldof, recorded the charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas” to raise money to combat the famine in Ethiopia.

On December 2, Bob Hawke’s government was reelected in Australia. The next day, a lethal gas leak at a Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India, killed more than 8,000 people and sickened more than 500,000. The final death toll reached 23,000.

A couple days later, Hezbollah militants hijacked a Kuwait Airlines plane and killed four passengers.

The consensus All-American first team offense consisted of wide receiver David Williams – Illinois (6-3, 195) Los Angeles, CA; wide receiver Eddie Brown – Miami of Florida (6-0, 185) Miami, FL; tight end Jay Novacek – Wyoming (6-4, 211) Gothenburg, NE; tackle Bill Fralic – Pitt (6-5, 285) Penn Hills, PA; tackle Lomas Brown – Florida (6-5, 277) Miami, FL; guard Del Wilkes – South Carolina (6-3, 255) Columbia, SC; guard Jim Lachey – Ohio State (6-6, 274) St. Henry, OH; guard Bill Mayo – Tennessee (6-3, 280) Dalton, GA; center Mark Traynowicz – Nebraska (6-6, 265) Bellevue, NE; quarterback Doug Flutie – Boston College (5-9, 177) Natick, MA; running back Keith Byars – Ohio State (6-2, 233) Dayton, OH; running back Kenneth Davis –TCU (5-11, 205) Temple, TX; running back Rueben Mayes – Washington State (6-0, 200) North Battleford, SK, Canada, and placekicker Kevin Butler – Georgia (6-1, 190) Stone Mountain, GA.

Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie won the Heisman Trophy, beating out Keith Byars (Ohio State running back), Robbie Bosco (BYU quarterback) and Bernie Kosar (Miami quarterback).

Flutie also won the Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Award, given to college football’s most outstanding player.

You can’t go on
Thinking nothing’s wrong
Who’s gonna drive you home tonight

Virginia Tech defensive tackle Bruce Smith won the Outland Trophy, given to the most outstanding interior lineman. Texas defensive tackle Tony Degrate won the Lombardi Award, given to the most outstanding lineman or linebacker.

“All Through the Night” became the fourth single to make the Top 5 from Cyndi Lauper’s album “She’s So Unusual.” As a result, Lauper became the first woman to have four singles from one album reach Billboard’s Top 5.

Some of the best albums of the year were “Reckoning” by R.E.M.; “The Unforgettable Fire” by U2; “The Swing” by INXS; “Learning to Crawl” by The Pretenders; “Heartbeat City” by The Cars; “Sparkle in the Rain” by Simple Minds; “Into the Gap” by The Thompson Twins, and “Red Hot Chili Peppers” by The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Also, “Tonight” by David Bowie; “Love Life” by Berlin; “Hysteria” by The Human League; “All Over the Place” by The Bangles; “Shout” by Devo; “The Story of a Young Heart” by A Flock of Seagulls; “Parade” by Spandau Ballet; “New Sensations” by Lou Reed, and “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen.

Also, “Purple Rain” by Prince and The Revolution; “The Smiths” by The Smiths; “Hatful of Hollow” by The Smiths; “Stop Making Sense” by The Talking Heads; “Alchemy” by Dire Straits; “Reckless” by Bryan Adams; “The Works” by Queen; “Private Dancer” by Tina Turner; “Grace Under Pressure” by Rush; “Body and Soul” by Joe Jackson, and “Isolation” by Toto.

During the middle of December, Cisco Systems was founded, and ABC purchased ESPN from Getty Oil.

With Christmas in the air and bowl games near, college football fans were doing their shopping to “The Wild Boys” by Duran Duran; “Run To You” by Bryan Adams; “Born In The USA” by Bruce Springsteen; “Understanding” by Bob Seger; “The Boys Of Summer” by Don Henley; “Call To The Heart” by Giuffria; “Solid” by Ashford & Simpson; “Jamie” by Ray Parker Jr.; “Like A Virgin” by Madonna; “You’re The Inspiration” by Chicago, and “Tender Years” by John Cafferty.

In the first bowl games of the year, Air Force downed Virginia Tech, 23-7, in the Independence Bowl, while in the California Bowl, UNLV beat Toledo, 30-13.

Oh you know you can’t go on
Thinking nothing’s wrong
Who’s gonna drive you home tonight

Some of the popular movies of the year were “Footloose;” “Blame It On Rio;” “Against All Odds;” “Splash;” “Police Academy;” “Romancing The Stone;” “The Natural;” “Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom,” and “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.”

Also, “Ghostbusters;” “The Karate Kid;” “The Muppets Take Manhattan;” “Revenge of the Nerds;” “Purple Rain;” “Red Dawn;” “Tightrope;” “A Soldier’s Story;” “Amadeus;” “The Little Drummer Girl;” “The Terminator,” and “The Killing Fields.”

BYU beat Michigan, 24-17, in the Holiday Bowl. The very next day, Florida State and Georgia tied 17-17 in the Florida Citrus Bowl. Maryland edged Tennessee in the Sun Bowl, 28-27, and in the Cherry Bowl, Army downed Michigan State, 10-6.

Some of the better reads during the year included “Poland” by James Michener; “The Name of the Rose” by Umberto Eco; “Berlin Game” by Len Deighton; “The Auerbach Will” by Stephen Birmingham; “Almost Paradise” by Susan Isaacs; “The Aquitaine Progression” by Robert Ludlum; “The Danger” by Dick Francis; “The Haj” by Leon Uris; “Floodgate” by Alistair MacLean; “Deep Six” by Clive Cussler; “The Witches of Eastwick” by John Updike, and “. . . And Ladies of the Club” by Helen Hooven Santmyer.

Also, “The Wheel of Fortune” by Susan Howatch; “Possessions” by Judith Michael; “Lincoln” by Gore Vidal; “First Among Equals” by Jeffrey Archer; “The Fourth Protocol” by Frederick Forsyth; “Tough Guys Don’t Dance” by Norman Mailer; “Crescent City” by Belva Plain; “The Outsider” by Howard Fast; “The Miko” by Eric Van Lustbader; “Love and War” by John Jakes; “Strong Medicine” by Arthur Hailey; “Ride a Pale Horse” by Helen MacInnes, and “The Sicilian” by Mario Puzo.

Well-known people who were born during the year included Jeff Francoeur; Cheryl Burke; Prince Fielder; Mark Zuckerburg; Scarlett Johansson; Katy Perry, and LeBron James.

Also, Theo James; Prince Harry; Fernando Torres; Carmelo Anthony; Tim Lincecum; Ryan Lochte; Lindsey Vonn; Chris Bosh; Charl Schwartzel, and Sasha Cohen.

Who’s gonna pick you up
When you fall
Who’s gonna hang it up
When you call

The consensus All-American first team defense consisted of defensive lineman Bruce Smith – Virginia Tech (6-4, 275) Norfolk, VA; defensive lineman Tony Degrate – Texas (6-4, 280) Snyder, TX; defensive lineman Ron Holmes – Washington (6-4, 255) Lacey, WA; defensive lineman Tony Casillas – Oklahoma (6-3, 272) Tulsa, OK; linebacker Greg Carr – Auburn (6-2, 215) Birmingham, AL; linebacker Jack Del Rio – USC (6-4, 235) Hayward, CA; linebacker Larry Station – Iowa (5-11, 233) Omaha, NE; defensive back Jerry Gray – Texas (6-1, 183) Lubbock, TX; defensive back Tony Thurman – Boston College (6-0, 179) Lynn, MA; defensive back Jeff Sanchez – Georgia (6-0, 183) Yorba Linda, CA; defensive back David Fulcher – Arizona State (6-3, 220) Los Angeles, CA; defensive back Rod Brown – Oklahoma State (6-3, 188) Gainesville, TX, and punter Ricky Anderson – Vanderbilt (6-2, 190) St. Petersburg, FL.

Right after Christmas, Iowa beat Texas, 55-17, in the Freedom Bowl, and Auburn downed Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl, 21-15.

Famous people who passed away during the year included Ansel Adams; Walter Alston; Richard Basehart; Count Basie; Ellsworth Bunker; Richard Burton; Truman Capote; Frank Church; Jackie Coogan; Diana Dors; Indira Gandhi, and Marvin Gaye.

Also, Janet Gaynor; Sam Jaffe; Andy Kaufman; Ray Kroc; Peter Lawford; James Mason; Ethel Merman; Sam Peckinpah; Walter Pidgeon; William Powell; Ernest Tubb; Fred Waring; Johnny Weissmuller; Meredith Wilson; Jackie Wilson; Lillian Hellman, and Waite Hoyt.

Near the end of December, Oklahoma State downed South Carolina, 21-14, in the Gator Bowl. Kentucky edged Wisconsin in the Hall of Fame Bowl, 20-19, and in the Aloha Bowl, SMU beat Notre Dame, 27-20.

The most popular TV shows of the year were “Murder She Wrote;” “Crazy Like A Fox,” “The A-Team;” “Dynasty;” “Simon & Simon;” “Knots Landing;” “The Cosby Show;” “Family Ties;” “Dallas;” “Falcon Crest;” “Kate & Allie,” and “Newhart.”

Also, “Riptide;” “Hotel;” “Highway To Heaven;” “Magnum P.I.;” “Cheers;” “Night Court;” “Trapper John, M.D.;” “Scarecrow and Mrs. King;” “Cagney & Lacey;” “Remington Steele;” “The Fall Guy;” “Hill Street Blues,” and “Webster;”

During the final days of the year and on New Year’s Eve, college football fans were partying, drinking and singing to “Foolish Heart” by Steve Perry, “Misled” by Kool & The Gang; “Easy Lover” by Philip Bailey & Phil Collins; “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid; “Love Light In Flight” by Stevie Wonder; “Missing You” by Diana Ross; “Loverboy” by Billy Ocean; “Operator” by Midnight Star; “The Heat Is On” by Glenn Frey, and “I Want To Know What Love Is” by Foreigner.

At the close of the year, the unemployment rate was 7.5% and the DOW closed at 1,211.

On New Year’s Eve, Virginia edged Purdue in the Peach Bowl, 27-24, while West Virginia beat TCU, 31-14, in the Bluebonnet Bowl.

At the 13th annual “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on ABC television, Jermaine Jackson, Ronnie Milsap, Night Ranger, Scandal, John Waite and Barry Manilow were the featured performers.

In the final bowl games of the season, Boston College beat Houston, 45-28, in the Cotton Bowl, while UCLA beat Miami (Florida) in the Fiesta Bowl, 39-37.

Also, USC took the Rose Bowl, beating Ohio State, 20-17. In the Sugar Bowl, Nebraska beat LSU, 28-10. And finally, Washington beat Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, 28-17.

BYU, under coach LaVell Edwards, finished the season at 13-0. The Cougars were declared the national champions by AP and UPI.

Who’s gonna drive you home tonight

“Drive” was recorded by the Cars, an American rock band. The song was written by band member Ric Ocasek and sung by bassist Benjamin Orr. “Drive” hit the charts on August 4 and remained there for 21 weeks, throughout the entire football season, until mid-December. It was the Cars biggest international hit and their highest charting single, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Cars were a Boston-based band that got its start at the Rat Club. The other members of the band were Elliot Easton, Greg Hawkes and David Robinson.

The year and football season was 1984.

Touchdown Tom
December 18, 2015
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

P.S. The Cars disbanded in 1988. Benjamin Orr died from cancer in 2000.