ON THIS DATE IN 1970: Larry Sherrer’s 172 yards just enough
On this date in 1970, Hawaii needed every yard to beat tiny Linfield College in front of 17,181 fans at Honolulu Stadium.
Running back Larry Sherrer provided just enough. Sherrer toted the load 33 carries for 172 yards, the most important being the last 10 to give the ‘Bows the lead for the first time with less than five minutes left.
Quarterback Mike Biscotti started UH’s fourth quarter comeback with a five-yard passing TD to Dave Patterson. That pulled Hawaii within four points. He hit Henry Sovio for 17 yards on the next drive and Sherrer took it the rest of the way.
Sherrer, a transfer from Oklahoma, finished his college career the next year as the program’s leading career scorer.
He earned a shot with the New York Giants but severed a groin muscle in practice and released. He hooked up with the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL and scored the club’s only touchdown in a Grey Cup victory.
The following spring Sherrer fell 700 feet in a hang-gliding accident and spent five weeks in the hospital being told he would never walk again. He played again 18 months later but retired with a back injury in 1977. He went on to get a degree from UH and is now an ophthalmologist on Kauai.
It was at the old Honolulu Stadium and his ophthalmology practice is on Kauai. I am happy you highlighted his UH and CFL accomplishments. I thought he was one of the best RBs to play for Hawaii. Fullback Bill Massey was in the backfield with Sherrer. There were many great running backs that played for Hawaii, but I thought they were the best backfield combo in UH history.
Thanks, H-Man.
It was a good game. I transferred from Cal and thought Linfield was a small D3 school. Boy was I wrong. They were hitting and making plays. Our D settled in after getting punched in the mouth and Larry had a great night. We were 9-2 that year and could have been better than that!
Great article…brings back many memories….
You guys choke me up. Those were some of the best UH football games. Can’t forget Larry Arnold at quarterback. And there’s one game I’ll never forget, although it was a blow-out loss (1969/57-16) to Oregon at the Termite Palace and it was raining. Rashad Ahmad (then Bobby Moore) was Mr.
everything on offense. His athleticism was unforgettable.