A Trip Down Memory Lane: EMU Pulls Off Monumental Upset In the California Bowl

The Eastern Michigan University football team will take on San Jose State University in the 26th Annual Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Kickoff for the game will be at 3:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. MT) on ESPN. The Eagles will face off against San Jose State for the second time in the postseason, as the matchup is a rematch of the 1987 California Bowl. The then-Hurons were a 17-point underdog, but EMU prevailed with a 30-27 win over the Spartans in Fresno, Calif., Dec. 12, 1987.

In the lead up to the game, EMU Athletics looks back at that 1987 season and the Cal Bowl triumph in a three-part series authored by EMU Emeritus Media Relations Director Jim Streeter.

Part 1 - EMU's "Road Warriors" Turn in Record-Wrecking Season

Part 2 - EMU's "Road Warriors" Make Plans for Their Final Road Trip

Part 3 - EMU Pulls Off Monumental Upset In the California Bowl

All of the preparation was complete. The daily practices were history as were all of the special events for "Bowl Week." Game time was finally here as the Eastern Michigan University Hurons were set to take on the San Jose State University Spartans in the Seventh Annual California Bowl, Saturday, Dec. 12, 1987, at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, Calif.

Head Coach Jim Harkema's Hurons were 17-point underdogs heading into the battle with the high-scoring Spartans of San Jose. While most people agreed with that pre-game prediction of an easy San Jose State win, the EMU team and its faithful fans knew that the Green and White would be prepared to pull off the major upset.

As the sun rose on game day, it looked like the weather would be perfect for a football game. There was plenty of sun and cool weather as dawn broke and before the final gun sounded late in the evening after a 1:30 p.m. start, there would be all sorts of changes in that weather report, from sun to a small spot of rain to fog to cool temps as the night closed in on the San Joaquin Valley.

One reporter described the climate on game day as, "A day that included sun, rain and fog could not dampen the competitive spirit of the Eastern Michigan football team."

Despite all of the vagaries of the weather, the two teams matched up in a great battle of prolific offenses and hard-hitting defenses as EMU shocked the collegiate football world with a 30-27 victory.

Eastern, trailing 27-23 with just 3:59 left in the game, senior quarterback Ron Adams threw a long, arching pass to senior wide receiver Craig Ostrander for a 32-yard touchdown and Tim Henneghan added the PAT kick to give EMU the 30-27 lead. That would be the last score of the game as the Hurons' defense held on for one of the most memorable wins in school history.

Senior tailback Gary Patton would be voted the Most Valuable EMU player after rushing for 130 yards and one touchdown. The game was covered by a host of media representatives from both schools and the following leading paragraphs from printed newspaper stories captured the magic of the thrilling EMU bowl victory.

It All Came Together for EMU at Cal Bowl
By Don VanderVeen-Ypsilanti Press

FRESNO, Calif.— Eastern Michigan University senior quarterback Ron Adams believed in it.
Tailback Gary Patton proclaimed it.
Coach Jim Harkema directed it.
And when it all came together, the Hurons lived one of the greatest upset in college bowl game history with a thrilling 30-27 California Bowl victory over high-favored San Jose State in front of 24,000 fans at Bulldog Stadium Saturday.
The Hurons, who entered the game as a 17-point underdog, came from behind twice in the second half to give Harkema his "greatest win ever."

Road Warriors Slay Spartans
By Doug Hill-Eastern Echo

FRESNO, Calif.—-The long and winding road that had stops for the Eastern Michigan University football team in parts of Michigan and Ohio came to an end here in California Saturday as the Hurons upset the San Jose State University Spartans, 30-27, in California Bowl VII.
They returned home Sunday as the first Mid-American Conference team in the last three years to win the contest, and now have the respect of many west coast football fans.

Hurons Win on TD Pass Late in Game
By Mick McCabe-The Detroit Free Press

FRESNO, Calif.—Unbelievable.
EMU, the unloved stepsister of the Mid-American Conference, pulled off the biggest upset in school history Saturday when it dumped heavily favored San Jose State University, 30-27, in the California Bowl.
The EMU defense contained San Jose's heralded QB Mike Perez while the EMU offense used the passing of quarterback Ron Adams and the running of tailback Gary Patton to end the Pacific Coast Athletic Association's domination over the MAC.

Hurons' Harkema Savors Cal Bowl Win
By Justice B. Hill-USA Today

FRESNO, Calif.—As usual, Coach Jim Harkema wouldn't speak of the past. Why spoil the greatest moment in EMU's football history.
"We told them, 'Win this one for yourselves and don't worry about anybody else,' Harkema said after the Hurons upset San Jose State, 30-27, in Saturday's California Bowl. "And they went out and got it."

Hurons Upset Spartans in Cal Bowl
By Bob McCarthy-The Fresno Bee

FRESNO, Calif.—Blame it on the wishbone, Ron Adams, the outrageous point spread, Gary Patton, the penalties that struck at the worst possible times, Craig Ostrander...fate, misfortune, even the elements.
On the other hand...
Credit a well-executed option attack, Jim Harkema, the fire that often emanates from a 17-point underdog, Big Brother up the road taking the less fortunate under its wing.
There was plenty of blame for San Jose State fans to spread around and nothing but credit for Eastern Michigan University zealots to bestow upon their worthies after the Hurons pulled out a 30-27 upset victory in Bulldog Stadium.

Broken Nose Didn't Break Huron's Spirit
By Ron Orozco-The Fresno Bee

FRESNO, Calif.—Craig Ostrander decided he could live with the broken nose he sustained early in the fourth quarter of Saturday's California Bowl VII.
That's because, six minutes later, Eastern Michigan's junior receiver caught a game-winning 32-yard touchdown pass—beating the same San Jose State cornerback who had popped him a good one. The TD gave the Hurons a stunning 30-27 victory over the Spartans at Bulldog Stadium.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

A Trip Down Memory Lane: EMU Pulls Off Monumental Upset In the California Bowl

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