July 2nd Clemson Historic Picture And Trivia Question Of The Day

Today’s photo is of a decorated game ball noting Clemson’s 1949 Gator Bowl win over Missouri.
The 1948 season was a significant landmark in Clemson history. Believe it or not, Frank Howard was on the “hot seat” entering the season.
The Tigers were coming off back-to-back 4-5 seasons. The win solidified Howard’s stature at Clemson.
Trivia Question
Frank Howard often told the story of the player that saved him his job in that 1949 Gator Bowl win and throughout the 1948 season leading up to that Gator Bowl. Who was the player that Howard thought saved his coaching career?
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Trivia Answer: Fred Cone is the player Howard attributes to keeping his job. It was in this Missouri game in the Gator Bowl that Howard Clemson faced a fourth-and-three at the Missouri 45. It was either gamble for the first down or punt to Missouri and give it a chance to kick a field goal and win the game. Howard called for a play to give it to Cone, who ran over left tackle and hit a stone wall, but he kept digging, slid off to the outside and found some wiggle room. He turned a “nothing” play into a six-yard gain and a first down at the Missouri 39. The Tigers ran out the remaining time and had the victory and the school’s first perfect season since 1900.

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Fred Cone

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Correct!