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Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Were you a Tech fan in 1952?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Paging long-, long-time Tech fans …
Anybody out there remember “Little Jakie” Rudolph’s $125,000 tackle? The one the former Tech defensive back made on Alabama’s Bobby Marlow to preserve a 7-3 win in 1952, and send the Jackets to the Sugar Bowl.
Pretty big play not only in Tech annals, but in college football history. The Jackets beat Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl to win their third mythical national title, finish unbeaten for the second season in a row, and keep alive Bobby Dodd’s 31-game unbeaten streak.
As for the nickname … the Sugar Bowl at the time had a $125,000 payout per team. So, the fourth-down tackle earned Tech that payday.
I’m going to write more about Rudolph, who passed away Sunday in Memphis, for Wednesday’s paper.
I’d love to hear from a couple fans who remember it, or perhaps former classmates/teammates of Rudolph.
If you can help e-mail me at mwinkeljohn@ajc.com.
Thanks.
Matt Winkeljohn
P.S. By the way, on Tech’s athletic website now (ramblinwreck.cstv.com), you can vote for the seven greatest plays in the school’s football history. The aforementioned play is a candidate. Go to the football link.
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