1982 - IOWA 17, (at) Arizona 14: Although we had been to the Rose Bowl the year before, the climb to #1 in 1985 began on this night. With many of us having to wait for the Monday afternoon paper to get the box score, a new QB by the name of Chuck Long took us to a place that has proven nearly impossible to win at and began his ascent towards being our best–ever QB. I did say that I evaluated these games based on the impact the game has shown to have through the years. This one REALLY stood out as an important win in building the Fry legacy.
Hayden Fry's "Top 25" - #20
- Thread starter GVGiant44
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guffus
Well-Known Member
I remember that this game actually was on tv late on Saturday night so there was no need to wait for box score on Monday morning, well, at least where I lived, anyway. I think it was one of those cheap syndication networks that did the broadcast.
It really was a very important game for the Chuck Long legacy. Iowa started out 0-2 in 1982. Chuck Long started the first game but got benched after game 1 in favor of Tom Grogan. Grogan was asked why Long got benched when Haydon Fry had predicted that Long was "destined for greatness". Grogan replied "well maybe I'm destined for greatness too" well Grogan struggled in game 2. Fry decided to go back to Long against Arizona, and Long did enough to pull out a tough 17-14 win.
I don't remember Long playing like a superstar, but he did enough. I even remember Long running the ball himself a couple of times to pick up some key yards. Something Long hardly ever did later in his career.
After this game nobody really questioned ever again who should be the starter at QB.
It really was a very important game for the Chuck Long legacy. Iowa started out 0-2 in 1982. Chuck Long started the first game but got benched after game 1 in favor of Tom Grogan. Grogan was asked why Long got benched when Haydon Fry had predicted that Long was "destined for greatness". Grogan replied "well maybe I'm destined for greatness too" well Grogan struggled in game 2. Fry decided to go back to Long against Arizona, and Long did enough to pull out a tough 17-14 win.
I don't remember Long playing like a superstar, but he did enough. I even remember Long running the ball himself a couple of times to pick up some key yards. Something Long hardly ever did later in his career.
After this game nobody really questioned ever again who should be the starter at QB.
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