Rally falls short, Ricks defeated in bowl
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Garden City Community College of Garden City, Kan., held off a late rally by Ricks College to defeat the Vikings, 19-17, in the third annual Real Dairy Centennial Bowl Nov. 17.
Trailing 13-3 after three quarters, Ricks capitalized on a 42-yard interception return by sophomore defensive back Randy Wadsworth that led to a 2-yard touchdown run by Troy Simpson. Steve Evans booted the extra point, and Ricks trailed by only three points at 13-10.Garden City, however, recovered a bobbled punt that led to another score and a 19-10 advantage. The Vikings fought back and scored on a 5-yard pass from Brian Downey to Eric Moss with 58 seconds remaining. Following the successful point after, Ricks attempted an on-side kick that was fielded on the first bounce by Garden City, which then ran out the clock.
The loss was the first in four consecutive post-season bowl appearances by the Vikings. Ricks is 4-2 in bowl games in the 1980s.
The Vikings' Wadsworth, an academic All-American, set a Centennial Bowl record with two interceptions returned 65 yards and was named defensive player of the game. His first interception set up Ricks' first score, a 37-yard Evans field goal. Viking punter Steve Young set another bowl record with a 75-yard kick.
The game ended Ricks' season at 8-2-1. The Vikings were third in the Western States Football League.
