Game Summary - December 23, 1986
Boston College 27, Georgia 24
After years of trying to land a college bowl game for the Tampa Bay area, The Hall of Fame Bowl kicked-off its first game in Tampa Stadium with Boston College and Georgia. The inaugural game two days before Christmas would prove to be one of the most exciting ever witnessed by those who weathered the rainy night.
The Bulldogs started the scoring with a James Jackson touchdown run, but BC countered with a pair of field goals and TDs for 20 unanswered points as the weather didn't seem to bother the Eagles passing offense.
The second half was all Georgia, however, as a Jacobs field goal and an 81 yard interception return by Gary Moss pulled the Bulldogs within a field goal after three periods.
Another Jackson TD in early in the fourth period regained the lead for the Bulldogs. Then with time running out Boston College regrouped to mount one final drive, and with just 32 seconds remaining, quarterback Shawn Halloran connected with Kelvin Martin in the end zone to steal the win from the Bulldogs. Halloran finished 31 of 52 for 316 yards and Martin caught 9 passes for 98 yards. Troy Stradford added 122 yards on the ground.