Top 300 Finishes in College Football History (150-101)
- Michael Miller
- 1 day ago
- 51 min read
150. Oct. 8, 2022-(17) Oregon St. 28, Stanford 27 (Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California)
The Build Up: Oregon St. started 3-0 but lost back-to-back games to ranked opponents to fall to 3-2. Meanwhile, Stanford was 1-3 with 3 straight losses to ranked opponents.
The Game: Stanford took a 24-10 lead into the 4th before Ben Gulbranson threw a 21-yard TD to Silas Bolden, but they couldn’t convert on the 2-point attempt to remain behind 24-16 with 14:50 left. Damien Martinez had a 43-yard TD run to cut it to 24-22 but another failed 2-point attempt left it that score. Joshua Karty kicked a 46-yard FG to give Stanford a 27-22 lead with 58 seconds remaining.
The Finish: Oregon St. drove to their own 44 where Gulbranson threw a pass up for grabs to Tre’Shaun Harrison who leapt and caught the ball over a defender and then outraced the defense for a 56-yard TD with only 13 seconds left to give the Beavers the miraculous win.
How they ended up: The win was the first of 3 straight for Oregon St. and the first of 7 wins in their last 8 games to finish 10-3. Meanwhile, Stanford went just 3-9.
149. Jan. 1, 2005-#6 (5) Texas 38, #13 (14) Michigan 37 (Rose Bowl, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California)
The Build Up: This was the first meeting between these historic programs. #6 Texas was controversially selected to play this Rose Bowl game instead of #4 Cal after unashamed lobbying from Longhorn coach, Mack Brown, which also prevented this from being a traditional Big Ten vs. Pac-10 matchup. Texas’ only loss came to #2 Oklahoma, while Cal’s only loss was to #1 USC, which were playing each other for the national title. Meanwhile, Michigan was 9-2 having to share the Big Ten title with Iowa after a loss to unranked Ohio State, but they got the Rose Bowl berth thanks to a head-to-head win over the Hawkeyes.
The Game: Texas got on the board first with a 20-yard TD run from QB Vince Young late in the 1st quarter for a 7-0 lead. Michigan answered with a 40-yard TD pass from Chad Henne to Braylon Edwards to tie the game at 7 early in the 2nd. The teams exchanged late 1st half TDs on a short Vince Young TD pass, and a short TD completion from Henne to Edwards to make it a 14-14 tie at halftime. Early in the 3rd, Young scrambled and broke tackles on his way to a 60-yard TD run to reclaim a 21-14 lead early in the 3rd. However, Michigan answered right back with a 50-yard catch and run TD on 3rd & 10 from Henne to Steve Breaston to tie the game at 21. After forcing a Texas punt, the Wolverines drove again, and Henne threw his 4th TD pass of the day with a 10-yarder to Edwards for his 3rd TD catch of the day to give Michigan a 28-21 lead, their first lead of the game. After Michigan extended their lead to 31-21, Texas went on a drive where Young somehow broke out of a sack attempt, scrambled, broke another tackle, and ran in for a 10-yard TD to cut it to a 31-28 deficit with 9:51 left to play. Michigan responded by driving deep into Texas territory, but they were held to a FG for a 34-28 lead with 6:09 left to play. The Longhorns needed barely more than a minute to retake the lead on a 23-yard TD run from Young for a 35-34 lead with 4:56 left. The Wolverines responded by marching in range for a 42-yard FG that just snuck inside the right upright to take a 37-35 lead with 3:04 left.
The Finish: By this point Young was on fire as he seemingly easily led Texas into FG range mostly with his own running to set up Dusty Mangum’s GW 37-yard FG as time expired to give the Longhorns the 38-37 win.
How they ended up: Young accounted for 372 yards and 5 TDs, while Edwards had 10 catches for 109 yards and 3 TDs. Breaston also put up big numbers with 315 all-purpose yards between his catches and kick returns. Texas finished 11-1 and Michigan 9-3. Young’s performance ended up just being a prelude to his even more brilliant performance in the Rose Bowl the following year for the national championship (more on that later).
The Build Up: Ohio St. had just won at then #7 Penn St. to sit at 2-0 and #2. Meanwhile, Missouri was already having a roller coaster season, winning at #8 USC to jump all the way up to #6 in the AP only to lose to Illinois to tumble all the way out to come into this game 1-1.
The Game: Pete Johnson had 3 short TD runs in the 2nd quarter to give Ohio St. a 21-7 lead at halftime. However, they wouldn’t score again in the 2nd half. Missouri cut it to a 21-14 deficit on a Curtis Brown 4-yard TD run in the 3rd. From there both teams missed FG attempts.
The Finish: The Tigers had their last chance at their own 20 with 4:42 left to play. They faced 3rd & 3 at the Ohio St. 40 when Brown broke a 31-yard run to the 9. On 3rd & goal with 16 seconds left, Pete Woods threw a lob pass to Leo Lewis near the left corner of the end zone. Lewis barely got a foot down and barely held on long enough for the officials to rule a TD to get the Tigers to within 1-point. Without hesitation Mizzou coach Al Onofrio opted to go for 2 and the win. Woods threw an incompletion but there was a flag for defensive holding. On the 2nd attempt, Woods evaded 2 tacklers and got into the end zone for the GW score to give Missouri their 2nd huge upset of the season.
How they ended up: The loss ended a 25-GW streak at home for the Buckeyes. The Tigers jumped back into the polls at #12, but their roller coaster season continued on their way to a 6-5 season. Meanwhile Ohio St. dropped to #8 and then had to settle for a tie against #4 UCLA to sit at 2-1-1 to drop to #10. However, their only loss the rest of the way was to rival Michigan to share the Big Ten title with the Wolverines on their way to a 9-2-1 season.
147. Nov. 19, 2011-#25 (13) Baylor 45, #5 (16) Oklahoma 38 (Floyd Casey Stadium, Waco, Texas)
The Build Up: Oklahoma came into this game 8-1 and ranked #5 having won two straight since their lone loss to Texas Tech. Meanwhile, Baylor was riding their Heisman contender QB Robert Griffin III to 2 straight narrow wins to climb to 6-3 and back in the polls at #25.
The Game: The Sooners had overcome a 14-point deficit and tied it on Blake Bell’s 4th TD run with 51 seconds left. They had initially lined up to go for 2, but a penalty forced Bob Stoops to kick the PAT for the tie.
The Finish: The Bears needed just 5 plays to go 80 yards on the winning drive. Baylor was approaching FG range, but Griffin found Terrance Williams behind the defense for the GW 34-yard TD with 8 seconds left to give Baylor their first ever win over Oklahoma.
How they ended up: Griffin III threw for 479 yards and 4 TDs on his way to the Heisman trophy. This was the 3rd of 6 straight wins to end the Bears season 10-3. Oklahoma’s Big 12 title hopes came to an end when they lost 44-10 at rival Oklahoma St. 2 weeks later on their way to a 10-3 finish.
146. Oct. 8, 2005-#15 (20) Texas Tech 34, (24) Nebraska 31 (Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska)
The Build Up: Nebraska came into homecoming 4-0 having not lost a homecoming game since Missouri dropped them 35-31 in 1978. Texas Tech was also 4-0.
The Game: Nebraska came back from a 21-0 deficit to take a late lead.
The Finish: Texas Tech faced 4th down and it looked like Nebraska sealed the game with an interception, but OL Bryan Kegans hit the returner Kevin Smith to force a fumble, and WR Danny Amendola recovered it to give Tech another chance with 1:13 left. From there, the Red Raiders faced another 4th down, but Cody Hodges scrambled and found Joel Filani in the end zone for the GW 10-yard touchdown pass with only 12 seconds left to give Texas Tech a dramatic win.
How they ended up: The Red Raiders improved to 5-0 and #13 on their way to a 9-3 season. Meanwhile Nebraska fell to 4-1 on their way to an 8-4 season.
145. Nov. 7, 2015-Nebraska 39, #6 (6) Michigan St. 38 (Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska)
The Build Up: Michigan St. came into this game 8-0 having remained undefeated with a miracle win at rival Michigan (more on that later). Meanwhile, Nebraska was just 3-6 having suffered several heartbreaking losses.
The Game: Connor Cook threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to MacGarrette Kings for a 17-13 Spartans lead with 17 seconds left in the 1st half. Nebraska opened the 2nd half with a 1-yard Imani Cross TD, but Michigan St. answered right back with a 33-yard TD pass from Cook to Burbridge for a 24-20 Spartans lead. Armstrong threw an interception at the MSU goal line that Michigan St. turned into a 16-yard TD pass from Cook to Jamal Lyles for a 31-20 Spartans lead. Nebraska answered right back with an Armstrong 2-yard TD run, but his throw on the ensuing 2-pointer was off to leave the Huskers behind 31-26. Michigan St. went on a long methodical drive, where they converted 2 3rd & longs and a 4th down on their way to Gerald Holmes’ 1-yard TD run for a 38-26 lead with 4:16 left to seemingly put the game away.
The Finish: Nebraska converted 2 3rd & longs of their own on the ensuing drive, which ended in Armstrong’s 1-yard TD run also on 3rd down with 1:47 left to cut it to a 38-33 deficit. Michigan St. recovered the ensuing onside kick to seemingly end the game again. However, the “black shirts” held and forced a punt, which pinned the Huskers at their own 9-yard line with 55 seconds left and no timeouts. Armstrong started the drive with a long pass to Westerkamp to move to the NU 32. Armstrong and Westerkamp hooked up again for a long pass to the MSU 30. Arjen Colquhoun dropped an interception in the end zone that would’ve ended the game. On the next play, Armstrong threw the GW 30-yard TD pass to Brandon Reilly with 17 seconds left, although it appeared that he went out of bounds before making the catch. However, the referees controversially ruled that Reilly was forced out of bounds and there was no penalty. The play was reviewed and the TD stood to give the Huskers the stunning win.
How they ended up: Michigan St. fell to 8-1, but they upset #3 Ohio St. in Columbus 2 weeks later on a last second FG to give them the edge in the Big Ten East title race. They went on to beat #4 Iowa in another thriller in the Big Ten Championship Game to climb to 12-1 and #3 to put them in the playoff where they were blown out by #2 Alabama 38-0. Meanwhile, Nebraska went 6-7.
144. Dec. 5, 2009-#5 (8) Cincinnati 45, #15 (15) Pitt 44 (Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
The Build Up: This was the de facto Big East championship game, the first since the conference began playing football in 1991. Cincinnati came into the game 11-0, while Pitt was 9-2 coming off a heart wrenching loss to rival West Virginia but could right the ship by winning the Big East title here.
The Game: Dion Lewis ran for 194 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead Pitt to leads of 31-10, 38-24, and 44-38, but it wouldn’t hold. Mardy Gilyard had a 99-yard kickoff return for a TD shortly before halftime to cut it to a 31-17 deficit. Then Gilyard added a 68-yard touchdown catch in the 3rd to cut it to 31-24. Gilyard also had a 49-yard kickoff return to set up Tony Pike’s 8-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Woods to cut it to 38-30 early in the 4th. After Cincinnati tied it, Lewis ran for the go-ahead TD with 1:36 left, but holder Andrew Janocko mishandled a perfect snap in the snow, and they didn’t even get the PAT off to leave it a 44-38 lead.
The Finish: Pike overcame a slow start and completed his final 11 passes, including all of his passes on the final drive that only took 63 seconds, capped with his GW 29-yard TD pass to Armon Binns with 33 seconds left to give Cincinnati the dramatic shootout win for the Big East title with the successful PAT.
How they ended up: The Bearcats completed a perfect 12-0 regular season to clinch their 2nd straight BCS bowl, although they would have to be content with that after Texas’ Big 12 title win potentially kept the Bearcats out of the national championship. Cincinnati moved up to #4 heading into the Sugar Bowl against #5 Florida where they were humbled 51-24 to finish 12-1. Meanwhile Pitt fell to 9-3 and #17 with back-to-back losses but won the Car Care Bowl against UNC to finish 10-3.
143. Nov. 13, 1993-#2 (2) Notre Dame 31, #1 (1) Florida St. 24 (Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana)
The Build Up: This game was hyped as the “Game of the Century.” ESPN’s College Gameday made their first campus visit ever when they travelled to South Bend for the occasion. Notre Dame was 10-0 and ranked #2, while Florida St. was 9-0 and #1.
The Game: The game lived up to the hype. Notre Dame controlled the game and took a 31-17 lead in the 4th quarter. With 1:39 left, eventual Heisman winner Charlie Ward led FSU downfield and hit Kez McCorvey for a 4th & 20 TD to cut it to a 31-24 deficit.
The Finish: The Irish went 3-and-out to give the Seminoles one last chance. In just 3 plays, Ward led FSU to the Notre Dame 14 with 3 seconds left. On the last play of the game, Ward rolled out, but his final pass was batted down by CB Shawn Wooden to give the Irish the win to move up to #1, while FSU fell to #2.
How they ended up: All Notre Dame had to do to take their #1 ranking into the bowl season was beat #17 Boston College at home. However, they couldn’t get it done (more on that later). The Irish slipped to #4 for the Cotton Bowl against #7 Texas A&M. Meanwhile, Florida St. devastated NC St. 62-3 to climb back up to #1 and then beat #7 Florida in Gainesville to take the #1 ranking into the Orange Bowl against #2 Nebraska for the national championship game. Notre Dame beat the Aggies in the Cotton Bowl, and the Noles beat the Huskers in a thriller (more on that later) to claim the #1 ranking in both the final AP and Coaches poll. Despite the head-to-head win over the Seminoles, the Irish had to settle for #2 due to FSU’s better resume. Notre Dame had to feel slighted after finishing #2 in 1989 behind Miami due to their head-to-head loss to the Canes when the Irish had clearly the better resume in 1989.
142. Oct. 30, 2021-(17) Houston 44, #19 SMU 37 (TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas)
The Build Up: SMU came into this game 7-0 thanks in part to a miracle win over Louisiana Tech (see #153). Meanwhile, their old SWC rival Houston had won 6 in a row since losing their opener to sit at 6-1.
The Game: Clayton Tune threw a 4-yard touchdown to KeSean Carter to give Houston a 37-34 lead with 13:36 left. SMU wouldn’t respond until Blake Mazza kicked a 45-yard FG with 30 seconds left to tie the game at 37.
The Finish: Marcus Jones broke a tackle on his way to returning the ensuing kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown with 17 seconds left to incredibly give Houston the lead right back. The Mustangs almost returned the favor and returned the kickoff to the Cougar 35. Tanner Mordecai had a chance to throw his 2nd Hail Mary of the season, but this time it fell incomplete to give Houston the win.
How they ended up: Houston’s winning streak reached 11 in a row until they finally lost to #4 Cincinnati in the AAC title game. They beat Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl to finish 12-2. Meanwhile, SMU fell from the polls for good as they lost 4 of their last 5 games to finish 8-4.
141. Oct. 31, 2009-(once #25) Rutgers 28, UConn 24 (Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Connecticut)
The Build Up: UConn was looking for their first win since the tragic fatal stabbing of player Jasper Howard. This was the Huskies’ first home game since his death. Meanwhile Rutgers was 5-2.
The Finish: Tim Brown, who grew up with Howard in Miami, had the GW 81-yard TD catch and run on a pass from Tom Savage with only 22 seconds left to give Rutgers the unbelievable win.
How they ended up: Rutgers went 9-4. Meanwhile, UConn had another heart wrenching loss at #4 Cincinnati before they finally won their first game since Howard’s stabbing by upsetting Notre Dame in the house Rockne built. The Huskies won their final 4 games from there to finish 8-5.
140. Oct. 15, 2005-#23 (15) Wisconsin 38, #22 Minnesota 34 (Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota)
The Build Up: This is the first of 3 games to take place on this date that made the list. Wisconsin was 5-1 having just been upset by Northwestern 51-48. Meanwhile, Minnesota was also 5-1 having just beaten Michigan for the Little Brown Jug for the first time since 1986. They were looking to reclaim Paul Bunyan’s Axe here too.
The Finish: Wisconsin trailed 34-31 in the final minute when they forced Minnesota to punt deep in their own territory. That’s when freshman Jonathan Casillas blocked Minnesota’s punt and Ben Strickland recovered it in the end zone for the stunning GW TD with only 30 seconds left to give the Badgers Paul Bunyan’s Axe for the 2nd consecutive year.
How they ended up: Wisconsin went on to a 10-3 season, while the Gophers went 7-5.
139. Nov. 27, 2021-#3 (2) Alabama 24, Auburn 22 (((4OT))) (Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama)
The Build Up: Alabama came into the 2021 Iron Bowl 10-1 and #3 hoping to keep their playoff hopes alive. Meanwhile, Auburn was 6-5 hoping to improve their bowl standing and put an end to a 3-GL skid.
The Game: Auburn took a surprising 10-0 lead into the 4th quarter. Will Reichard kicked a 28-yard FG to cut it to 10-3 with 8:44 left. Alabama’s last chance came at their own 3-yard line with only 1:35 left.
The Finish: Facing 3rd & 10, Bryce Young threw a 22-yard pass to John Metchie III to move to the 25. Young threw a 21-yarder to Ja’Corey Brooks in between his own scrambles to move past midfield with the clock ticking under a minute. Facing 4th & 7, Young completed a 14-yard pass to Jahleel Billingsley to move to the Auburn 28. After 2 incompletions, Young found Brooks for the game-tying TD with only 24 seconds left to send the game to OT tied at 10.
Alabama had the ball first in OT, and facing 3rd & 4, Young threw a 6-yard touchdown to Slade Bolden to give Bama their first lead at 17-10. Auburn converted 2 3rd downs including on the 5-yard TD from TJ Finley to Landen King to send the game to a 2nd OT tied at 17. The teams exchanged FGs in the 2nd OT to send the game to a 3rd OT tied at 20. Now the game turned into an exchange of 2-point conversions as both teams successfully converted in the 3rd OT to send the game to a 4th OT tied at 22. The Tigers couldn’t convert their 2-pointer to open the 4th OT to allow Young’s GW conversion to Metchie to end the game in walk-off fashion as Bama survived to keep their playoff hopes alive.
How they ended up: Alabama improved to 11-1 and then beat #1 Georgia in the SEC title game to clinch the #1 spot in the playoff. The Tide handled #4 Cincinnati 27-6 in the Cotton Bowl but then lost a rematch with Georgia in the national championship game to finish 13-2 and #2. Meanwhile, Auburn went on to lose the Birmingham Bowl to finish 6-7 having lost their final 5 games.
138. Sept. 28, 2024-#4 (17) Alabama 41, #2 (6) Georgia 34 (Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
The Build Up: Both teams came into this game 3-0 with national championship hopes.
The Game: Alabama jumped out to a 28-0 lead and took a 30-7 lead into halftime and a 33-15 lead into the 4th. Carson Beck threw an 8-yard touchdown to Lawson Luckie to cut it to 33-21 with a failed 2-pointer. Dillon Bell added a 3-yard touchdown run to cut it to 33-28 with 5:39 left.
The Finish: The Georgia defense forced a punt and then only needed one play to complete the comeback when Beck found Bell behind the defense where he spun by last gasp tackle attempt on his way to a 67-yard touchdown to incredibly give the Dawgs a 34-33 lead with 2:31 left. Bama fans sat in stunned silence to see the 28-point lead evaporate. However, on the next play from scrimmage, Jalen Milroe threw a pass up for grabs to Ryan Williams who leapt and caught it, juked a defender, and then sped his way to a 75-yard TD to give the lead right back to Alabama. Milroe threw the 2-pointer to Germie Bernard to give the Tide the 41-34 lead with 2:18 left. Georgia converted two 3rd downs and a 4th down only for Beck to get picked off by Zabien Brown in the end zone with 43 seconds left to allow Bama to survive a classic encounter.
How they ended up: The win moved the Tide up to #1, but in their next game, they were stunned at Vanderbilt for their first loss to the Commodores in 40 years. Alabama lost 2 more games to be left out of the new expanded playoff and then lost to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl to finish 9-4. Meanwhile, Georgia went on to win the SEC title and made the playoff only to lose to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl to finish 11-3.
137. Nov. 3, 2012-(once #15) TCU 39, #21 West Virginia 38 (((2OT))) (Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, West Virginia)
The Build Up: TCU started 4-0 before losing 3 out of 4 to sit at 5-3 thus far in their first year in the Big 12 Conference. Meanwhile West Virginia started 5-0 only to lose 2 straight to fall to 5-2.
The Game: West Virginia took a 31-24 lead on a 76-yard punt return for a TD from Tavon Austin with 3:19 left.
The Finish: Things didn’t look good for TCU when Trevone Boykin was sacked to put the Horned Frogs near their own goal line, but Boykin scrambled and threw to a wide-open Josh Boyce who went 94 yards untouched for the game-tying TD with 1:28 left. The Mountaineers had a chance to win in regulation, but Tyler Bitancurt’s 55-yard FG attempt was short with 13 seconds left. Both teams missed FGs in the 1st OT with Bitancurt’s 36-yard attempt being blocked to send the game to a 2nd OT. It was Bitancurt’s 4th miss of the game. West Virginia took the lead on Geno Smith’s 25-yard touchdown pass to Stedman Bailey for a 38-31 lead. On TCU’s possession, Boykin handed off to B.J. Catalon who pitched to Brandon Carter who threw the 25-yard touchdown to Corey Fuller. Gary Patterson opted to go for 2 and the win, and Boykin found a sliding Boyce for the GW, walk-off 2-pointer to give TCU the wild win.
How they ended up: This was the 3rd of a 5-GL skid for the Mountaineers as they fell to 5-3 on their way to a 7-6 season. TCU also finished 7-6.
136. Oct. 26, 1974-(20) Tennessee 29, (other) Clemson 28 (Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee)
The Build Up: Tennessee sat at 2-3-1 and was desperate for a win. Meanwhile, Clemson was 3-3.
The Game: Tennessee used a trick play to score a TD in the 1st when Stanley Morgan jogged to the sideline like he was about to leave the field before the ball was snapped, and Morgan scored.
The Finish: Trailing 28-21 late, Condredge Holloway led a late TD drive to pull within a point with just a few seconds left. They went for 2 and the win, but Holloway was snuffed out on the option run and had to retreat all the way to the 20-yard line before he lofted a pass across his body to the end zone where Larry Seivers caught the GW 2-point pass to give the Vols the dramatic win.
How they ended up: Neither team lost again as Tennessee finished 7-3-2, and Clemson finished 7-4.
135. Nov. 19, 1977-#15 (19) Clemson 31, South Carolina 27 (Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, South Carolina)
The Build Up: Clemson came into the Palmetto Bowl 7-2-1 while South Carolina was 5-5.
The Game: The Gamecocks took a surprising 27-24 lead late into the game.
The Finish: Clemson WR Jerry Butler made a diving backwards catch of a 20-yard TD pass with 49 seconds left to give the Tigers the victory in what has become known as “The Catch” in Clemson circles. It represents one of the most memorable plays in this rivalry’s history.
How they ended up: Thus, the Tigers escaped against a Gamecocks team that finished 5-7 to jump up to #11 for their Gator Bowl matchup with #10 Pitt, which they lost 34-3 to finish 8-3-1.
134. Nov. 18, 2000-#16 (16) Clemson 16, #25 (19) South Carolina 14 (Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina)
The Build Up: Clemson came into the Palmetto Bowl 8-2 having lost their last 2 games after starting 8-0, while South Carolina was 7-3 also having lost 2 straight.
The Game: Thomas Hill, a TE with no catches on the season, fell on the go-ahead fumble recovery in the end zone to put South Carolina up 14-13 with 59 seconds left.
The Finish: With time running out, Woody Dantzler threw a 50-yard bomb to Rod Gardner to get all the way to the Gamecock 8 with 10 seconds left. That set up Aaron Hunt’s GW 25-yard FG with 7 seconds left to give the Tigers their 4th straight win in this series.
How they ended up: The reception from Rod Gardner has gone on to be known as “The Catch II” by Clemson fans. This ended a 2-GL skid for Clemson as they improved to 9-2 and remained at #16 heading into the Gator Bowl against #6 Virginia Tech. Meanwhile, South Carolina fell 7-4 and out of the rankings with their 3rd consecutive loss to end the regular season. However, The Tigers lost to Virginia Tech, and the Gamecocks beat Ohio St. in the Outback Bowl as Clemson finished 9-3, and South Carolina finished 8-4.
133. Oct. 28, 2000-(17) Georgia Tech 31, #5 (16) Clemson 28 (Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina)
The Build Up: This is the third and final entry on this list from this date. Clemson came into this game 8-0 and ranked #5 and may have been caught looking ahead to #4 Florida St. Meanwhile Georgia Tech was 5-2 with their only losses being close ones including a 5-point loss to then #2 FSU.
The Game: Rod Gardner made a diving TD catch with 1:52 left to put Clemson ahead 28-24.
The Finish: Georgia Tech drove 80 yards in 11 plays with Kerry Watkins coming up with a spectacular one-handed GW 16-yard TD catch with 7 seconds left to give Georgia Tech a huge upset win.
How they ended up: The Yellow Jackets improved to 6-2 with their 4th straight win to move into the rankings for good. They won their final regular season games before losing the Peach Bowl to LSU to finish 9-3. Meanwhile the Tigers fell to 8-1 and #10 heading into a trip to #4 Florida St. where they got pounded 54-7. They bounced back by beating rival South Carolina (see previous entry) before losing to Virginia Tech in the Gator Bowl to finish 9-3 after an 8-0 start.
132. Sept. 11, 2004-Georgia Tech 28, #20 Clemson 24 (Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina)
The Build Up: Both teams were 1-0 coming into this early season matchup.
The Game: There were 5 TDs scored in the final 8 and a half minutes of this game.
The Finish: Georgia Tech forced a punt late to give themselves a chance trailing 24-21 with 23 seconds left. The snap bounced through the punter’s hands forcing him to fall on the ball for a huge loss to give the Yellow Jackets the ball at the Clemson 11. Then, in just his second collegiate game, Calvin Johnson out-jumped Justin Miller for the highlight reel GW 11-yard touchdown catch with 11 seconds left to give Georgia Tech the lead. The Tigers returned the ensuing kickoff to the GT 31 with 3 seconds remaining. However, Charlie Whitehurt’s final desperation pass to the end zone fell incomplete to give the Yellow Jackets the win.
How they ended up: This was just the first of a 4-GL streak for Clemson as they fell from the polls for good on their way to a 6-5 finish. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech went 7-5.
131. Nov. 8, 1975-(20) West Virginia 17, #20 (15) Pitt 14 (Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, West Virginia)
The Build Up: Both teams came into the Backyard Brawl 6-2.
The Finish: West Virginia had a long desperation completion to set up a Bill McKenzie GW 38-yard FG as time expired. This would be the last time the Mountaineers won the Backyard Brawl until 1983.
How they ended up: West Virginia went 9-3 in their last year under Bobby Bowden before he left for Florida State, while Pitt went 8-4 the year before they won the national title.
130. Oct. 12, 2002-#1 (2) Miami 28, #9 (21) Florida St. 27 (Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida)
The Build Up: Miami came into this game on a 27-GW streak as the defending national champions and were looking for a second straight. Meanwhile, FSU was 5-1 with their only loss an upset at Louisville in OT.
The Game: Florida St. led 17-7 before Ken Dorsey found Kellen Winslow Jr. in the end zone for a TD with less than a minute left in the half to cut it to a 17-14 halftime score. Florida St. added a FG and an 11-yard Greg Jones TD run with 11:44 left to play to take a 27-14 lead. Florida St. got the ball back, but a Sean Taylor interception led to a Dorsey TD pass to Kevin Beard to cut it to a 27-21 game with 8:10 left. Miami forced a punt and had the ball at their own 21 when Dorsey threw a screen pass to Willis McGahee who took it all the way to the FSU 11-yard line for a 68-yard gain. On the next play Jason Geathers ran it in for a TD to give Miami the 28-27 lead with 5:17 left. Later, a Freddie Capshaw 3-yard punt gave FSU the ball at their own 46 with 2:05 left to play.
The Finish: Florida St. took their time, but Chris Rix lofted up a pass to avoid being sacked that was somehow caught for a gain down to the Miami 25 with 55 seconds left. After a couple of runs, Rix was barely able to spike the ball to stop the clock with 1-second left. That sent in Xavier Beitia for the potential GW 43-yard FG, but he missed it wide left for a new chapter in FSU/Miami lore.
How they ended up: This was the only serious test for Miami on their way to the BCS National Championship Game where they lost a thriller to Ohio State (more on that later). Meanwhile, Florida State went on to a 9-5 season.
129. Oct. 7, 2000-#7 (2) Miami 27, #1 (5) Florida St. 24 (Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida)
The Build Up: Florida St. came into this game having won 5 in a row against their hated rival and on the nation’s longest winning streak at 17 games. Meanwhile, the Canes had won 2 straight since losing at Washington.
The Game: Miami came out hot and took a 17-point lead only for Florida St. to come back and take a 24-20 lead late on Chris Weinke’s 30-yard TD pass with 1:37 left.
The Finish: Miami needed just 49 seconds to go 68 yards with Ken Dorsey completing 6-of-7 passes on the drive including the go-ahead 13-yard TD pass to TE Jeremy Shockey with 46 seconds left for a 27-24 Miami lead. However, eventual Heisman winner Weinke drove the Noles to the UM 32-yard line with 5 seconds left. They sent out Matt Munyon for a 49-yard FG attempt. However, just like in 1991 and 1992, the kick went wide right as Miami hung on for the upset win.
How they ended up: The game would go down in Miami-FSU lore as Wide Right III. Both teams went on to win the remainder of their games to cause a controversy as to who should be selected for the BCS National Championship Game. Miami thought they should be since they won this game head-to-head. However, it was FSU that got the nod but went on to lose to Oklahoma in the national championship game. Meanwhile, Miami beat Florida in the Sugar Bowl and won the national championship the next year.
128. Oct. 3, 1992-#2 (3) Miami 19, #3 (2) Florida St. 16 (Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida)
The Build Up: Both teams came into this game with perfect records with national championship aspirations. The year before FSU had missed a FG wide right on the final play to cost them a chance at a national championship, while Miami went on to win the natty (more on that later).
The Game: Tamarick Vanover took the opening kickoff for a TD for a quick 7-0 Florida St. lead. Miami came back with 10 unanswered with a FG and a 29-yard TD pass from Gino Torretta to Coleman Bell. Dan Mowrey kicked a 22-yard FG to even the game at 10 heading into halftime. Mowrey added 2 more FGs for a 16-10 lead with just over 9 minutes left, just like the previous year’s matchup. Miami responded with a 58-yard drive culminating in a 33-yard TD pass from Torretta to Lamar Thomas for a 17-16 lead, just like the previous year. The Canes were awarded a safety when FSU punt returner Corey Sawyer was flagged for attempting a forward pass in the end zone to give Miami a 19-16 lead.
The Finish: The Seminoles got the ball back with 1:35 left. Charlie Ward drove the Noles in FG range thanks in part to a 4th & 12 conversion with a completion to Kez McCorvey, and a diving, fingertip grab from Matt Frier for a 17-yard gain. At the Canes 22 with time for one more play, Bobby Bowden sent out Mowrey who was 3-for-3 for the game, just like Gerry Thomas was the year before. Mowrey had a 39-yard attempt to tie the game, but just like the year before, the kick went wide right, and Miami escaped with a win.
How they ended up: The result likely cost Florida St. a chance at a national championship, because in the case of a tie in this game, the Seminoles likely would’ve had the edge over the Canes due to a stronger schedule. In the meantime, though, Miami won the remainder of their games in the regular season to take an 11-0 record and #1 ranking into the Sugar Bowl against #2 Alabama for the national championship. However, the Tide won 34-13 to win their first national championship post Bear Bryant to end Miami’s 29-GW streak. Meanwhile, Florida St. won the remainder of their games to finish 11-1 and #2 in the final AP poll, above Miami.
127. Nov. 24, 1973-#1 (2) Ohio St. & #4 (6) Michigan tied at 10 (Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan)
The Build Up: Both teams came into this game with perfect records with a Big Ten title, Rose Bowl berth, and possible national championship on the line. A then-record 105,233 attended in the Big House. With a heavy rain prior to the game, the battle was mostly fought on the ground, with Ohio St. only attempting 4 passes.
The Game: The Buckeyes couldn’t manage a 1st down in the 1st, yet they took a 3-0 lead in the 2nd on a 31-yard FG from Blair Conway. Gil Chapman returned the ensuing kickoff to the Ohio St. 27, but a clipping penalty moved it all the way back to give Michigan bad field positioning. Thus, the Buckeyes took a field position advantage and started a drive on their own 45. Archie Griffin ran for 41 yards on the drive to get to 100 rushing yards. FB Pete Johnson finished off the drive with a TD run for a 10-0 Ohio St. lead, which held at halftime.
Michigan made the halftime adjustments and outgained the Buckeyes 209-91 in the 2nd half. The Wolverines took the opening drive of the 2nd half to the OSU 30 only for Dennis Franklin to throw an interception in the end zone to end the scoring threat. Later in the 3rd, Ohio St. failed on a 4th & 2 at the Michigan 34. From there, Ed Shuttlesworth led Michigan in range for a 30-yard Mike Lantry FG to cut it to a 10-3 deficit early in the 4th.
Michigan got another stop and got great field position again. Franklin threw a 35-yard pass to TE Paul Seal to move into the red zone, but soon they faced 4th & inches at the OSU 10. The Buckeyes loaded the box to stop Shuttlesworth, but Franklin faked the handoff and then slipped by the defense for a 10-yard TD run to tie the game at 10.
Michigan got the ball back at their own 10 with over 6 minutes left and proceeded to drive into Ohio St. territory. However, Franklin broke his collar bone on a hit when he threw a pass to Shuttlesworth that took Franklin out of the game with 2:23 left.
The Finish: Three plays later, Lantry attempted a 58-yard FG but barely missed the left goalpost by a few inches. The Buckeyes took over, but backup QB Greg Hare threw an interception that was returned to the OSU 33 with 52 seconds left. The Wolverines moved to the Ohio St. 28 before settling for a FG on 3rd & 5 with 28 seconds left, but Lantry missed again to leave the game a 10-all tie.
How they ended up: Michigan felt that despite the tie they were the better team. Certainly, they held the momentum since halftime. Even Woody Hayes acknowledged that if the Big Ten voted for Michigan to go to the Rose Bowl, they deserved it. Since Ohio St. had gone to the Rose Bowl the year before, it was thought that Michigan would get the vote considering that until 1971 the no-repeat rule disallowed teams from going to back-to-back Rose Bowls. With the Big Ten having lost the previous 4 Rose Bowls, they wanted the team with the best chance to win to go and were concerned that Franklin’s injury hindered Michigan’s chances. The day after the game, the Big Ten announced that Ohio St. would go to the Rose Bowl, thus ending Michigan’s season at 10-0-1. Bo Schembechler was furious calling the decision an “embarrassment.” He would demand changes to the Big Ten’s post-season requirements since this 1973 team was undefeated yet wouldn’t be allowed to play a bowl game. He would remain bitter about the decision up until his death the day before the 2006 “Game of the Century” between these schools. He was also bitter about Franklin’s injury being considered at all since the Wolverines’ strength was their running game, not their passing. It was rumored Michigan St. voted for Ohio St. as retaliation over Michigan’s “no” vote in 1949 against admitting the Spartans to the Big Ten. The Buckeyes went on to win the Rose Bowl over #7 USC 42-21 to finish 10-0-1. However, the tie to the Wolverines cost them a national title with Notre Dame finishing ranked #1 after having beaten previous #1 and 11-0 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl to finish 11-0. This was the only time during the “Ten-Year War” that either Ohio St. or Michigan went on to win the Rose Bowl. Thus, the winning team of The Game during the “Ten-Year War” never won the Rose Bowl because this year The Game ended in a tie.
126. Nov. 23, 1974-#3 (4) Ohio St. 12, #2 (3) Michigan 10 (Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio)
The Build Up: Once again, the Big Ten title and Rose Bowl berth was on the line in this matchup. Unlike the previous year, both teams were not unbeaten. Michigan was at 10-0 and ranked #2, but Ohio St. had been upset at Michigan St. in a highly controversial game (more on this later) to come into The Game 9-1. It was unseasonably warm at 63-degrees for a then Horseshoe record 88,243 fans.
The Game: Just over 3 minutes into the game Michigan scored the game’s only TD on their 4th offensive play, a 42-yard TD pass from Dennis Franklin to Gil Chapman. The Wolverines added to their lead with a Mike Lantry 37-yard FG for a 10-0 1st quarter lead. In the 2nd quarter, Ohio State’s Tom Klaban nailed FGs of 47, 25, and 43 yards to cut it to a 10-9 deficit by halftime. Early in the 3rd quarter, Klaban added a 4th with a 45-yarder for a 12-10 Buckeye lead.
The Finish: The closest Michigan could get was in range for was a 59-yard attempt from Lantry, but it fell well short…until there were 57 seconds left. Michigan’s last gasp drive went from their own 47 to the Ohio St. 16 in just 4 plays, consuming just 41 seconds. That gave Lantry a chance to kick the GW FG to beat the Buckeyes and send Michigan to the Rose Bowl for a shot at a national championship. The kick sailed left and over the left upright. Michigan fans will insist that it went through, but it was ruled wide left. TV replays were inconclusive as Ohio St. won their 18th Big Ten title to earn their 9th Rose Bowl trip.
How they ended up: Just like the previous year, Michigan’s season ended after The Game, this time finishing 10-1. Ohio St. took a 10-1 record and #3 ranking into the Rose Bowl to face 9-1-1 and #5 USC. Oklahoma was ranked #1 at 11-0, but they were on probation, so they were denied a bowl game. They would finish #1 in the AP poll, but the Coaches poll did not recognize teams on probation, so the UPI national championship was still up for grabs. #2 Alabama was 11-0 and would likely be the UPI national champ if they beat #9 Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl, a night game after the Rose Bowl. However, if Alabama lost, the UPI champ would likely be the winner of the Rose Bowl since #4 Michigan was denied a bowl game by Big Ten rules and a Trojan win over the team that beat the Wolverines would likely launch USC over Michigan, Ohio State, and Alabama. USC beat Ohio State 18-17 in a thrilling Rose Bowl (more on that later) to set the stage for the Orange Bowl. Notre Dame upset Alabama 13-11, so USC won the Coaches national championship, while Ohio State and Michigan both could only lament how close they were.
125. Nov. 9, 2002-#2 (1) Ohio St. 10, (other) Purdue 6 (Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana)
The Build Up: Ohio St. came into this game 10-0 having survived a number of close calls to remain undefeated. Meanwhile, Purdue was 4-5 and was not expected to be a threat.
The Game: Kyle Orton threw an interception in the end zone to end one Purdue drive, but the Boilermakers came up with an interception of their own to set up a FG for a 3-0 1st quarter lead. An Orton interception gave Ohio St. good field position at the end of the 1st half. They nearly ran out of time, but they just got the snap off for a Mike Nugent game-tying FG before the clock hit zero to tie the game at 3 heading into halftime. Scoring continued to be difficult to come by in the 2nd half, but a long pass play from Orton set up a 32-yard FG that just barely snuck inside the right upright for a 6-3 Purdue lead with 7:50 left to play.
The Finish: After an exchange of punts, Ohio St. faced 3rd & 14 when they got to within 1-yard of the 1st down marker to set up a 4th & 1 at the Purdue 37-yard line. The Buckeyes were without star freshman RB Maurice Clarett who left the game with an injury. Instead of running for the 1st down, Craig Krenzel dropped back to pass, then stepped up and lofted a bomb downfield that was caught for a TD by Michael Jenkins with 1:36 left to keep Ohio State’s undefeated season alive.
How they ended up: The Buckeyes kept their national title hopes alive to improve to 11-0 and briefly #1 in the AP poll before they survived another close call at Illinois in OT to drop back to #2. They hung on to beat rival Michigan to clinch a spot in the BCS National Championship Game against #1 Miami where they pulled off a 2OT upset to win their first national championship since 1968 (more on that game later). Meanwhile, Purdue won the remainder of their games to finish 7-6.
124. Sept. 29, 2001-#16 Northwestern 27, #23 Michigan St. 26 (Ryan Field, Evanston, Illinois)
The Build Up: Both teams came into this game 2-0.
The Game: These teams combined for 22 points in the final 4:42 of a wild game.
The Finish: Northwestern scored a TD to take a 24-20 lead with 29 seconds left. However, Herb Haygood returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a TD with 18 seconds left, but after an excessive celebration penalty, they missed the PAT to remain ahead 26-24. With Northwestern trapped inside their own 15, they had no choice but for Zak Kustok to throw up a Hail Mary pass that was slightly deflected by MSU S Thomas Wright and caught by WR John Schweighar to set up David Wasielewski’s GW 47-yard FG as time expired to give the Wildcats a miraculous win.
How they ended up: Northwestern only won once more all year on their way to a 4-7 season. Meanwhile, Michigan St. went 7-5.
123. Nov. 1, 1986-#16 NC St. 23, South Carolina 22 (Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, North Carolina)
The Build Up: NC St. came into this game 5-1-1 coming off back-to-back wins over ranked opponents. Meanwhile, South Carolina was just 2-4-1.
The Game: NC St. took a 17-3 lead only for South Carolina to rally and take a 22-17 lead late in the game. However, a short Gamecock punt gave the Wolf Pack good field position.
The Finish: It appeared the game was over when South Carolina dropped State for a loss, but the Gamecocks were flagged for offsides. NC St. got one more chance, and on the final play of the game, Erik Kramer threw up a 37-yard Hail Mary that was caught by Danny Peebles who made a great catch to give the Wolf Pack the thrilling win.
How they ended up: The miracle win improved NC St. to 6-1-1 and #15 on their way to an 8-3-1 season. Meanwhile South Carolina went just 3-6-2 in 1986 with many heartbreaking setbacks.
122. Sept. 5, 2015-(once #19) BYU 33, Nebraska 28 (Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska)
The Build Up: This was the first game of the Mike Riley era at Nebraska after the controversial firing of Bo Pelini.
The Game: BYU Backup QB Tanner Mangum replaced starter Taysom Hill early in the 4th.
The Finish: Mangum threw the GW 42-yard Hail Mary as time expired to Mitch Mathews to give BYU the miracle win.
How they ended up: Mangum added another Hail Mary the following week (see #170) to get the Cougars off to a 2-0 start, but they lost their next 2 on their way to a 9-4 season. Meanwhile, Nebraska had a roller coaster first season under Riley, upsetting Michigan St. in a classic (see #145), but suffering several more heartbreaking losses on their way to a 6-7 season.
121. Sept. 16, 2017-#24 Florida 26, #23 Tennessee 20 (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida)
The Build Up: Tennessee came into this early season game 2-0, while Florida was 0-1 after a loss to #11 Michigan.
The Game: Florida took a 13-3 lead with a 16-yard pick-six from CJ Henderson with 14:23 left. Tennessee cut it to 13-10 on a 34-yard touchdown run from John Kelly, but Feleipe Franks threw a 5-yard touchdown to Brandon Powell to give the Gators a 20-10 lead with 5:13 left. Quinten Dormady threw a 28-yard touchdown to Ethan Wolf to cut the deficit to 20-17 with 4:43 left.
The Finish: The Vols tied the game on Aaron Medley’s 27-yard FG with 50 seconds left. Florida couldn’t do much with the ball and had to settle for a desperation Hail Mary, but incredibly Franks’ pass found a diving Tyrie Cleveland for the GW, walk-off 63-yard TD as time expired to give the Gators the miraculous win.
How they ended up: Florida improved to 1-1 and #20, while Tennessee fell to 2-1 and out of the polls for good. However, neither team fared well in 2017 as the Gators finished 4-7 and the Vols finished 4-8 with both head coaches being fired.
120. Oct. 4, 2014-(12) Arizona St. 38, #16 (20) USC 34 (LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California)
The Build Up: Both teams came into this game 3-1.
The Game: Javorius Allen broke a 53-yard TD run to seemingly put the game away for a 34-25 USC lead with 3:02 left. However, Arizona St. answered quickly with a 73-yard TD pass from Mike Bercovici to Cameron Smith to cut it to 34-32 with 2:43 left.
The Finish: Then, after getting the ball back, Bercovici threw the GW 46-yard Hail Mary TD to Jaelen Strong as time expired to give the Sun Devils the miraculous win.
How they ended up: This was the first of a 5-GW streak for Arizona St. as they went on to a 10-3 season. Meanwhile, USC went 9-4.
119. Nov. 2, 2013-(UPI #25) Nebraska 27, Northwestern 24 (Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska)
The Build Up: Nebraska was just coming off a loss to Minnesota that dropped them from the polls at 5-2. Northwestern started 4-0 but lost 4 straight to sit at 4-4.
The Game: After Nebraska scored a TD on the opening drive, Northwestern responded with 21 unanswered points. The Huskers scored a TD to stop the bleeding and cut it to a 21-14 deficit heading into halftime. Nebraska tied it in the 3rd on a 25-yard pick-six from DL Avery Moss. That was the last score until a late Wildcat interception set them up with 1st & goal, but they were held to a chip-shot FG for a 24-21 lead with 1:20 left.
The Finish: Nebraska converted a 4th & 15 when Ameer Abdullah broke a tackle and made a great effort play to get just enough for the 1st down with the clock ticking to 21 seconds. With only 4 seconds left, and the Huskers at the Northwestern 49, they only had time for a Hail Mary. Ron Kellogg threw it up for grabs and a legion of hands went up to make the play only for the ball to get tipped back into the end zone and into the hands of Jordan Westerkamp for the GW Hail Mary as time expired to give the Huskers the miraculous win.
How they ended up: Nebraska improved to 6-2 on their way to a 9-4 season, while Northwestern dropped their 5th of 7 straight to end their season 5-7.
118. Nov. 19, 2020-#25 Tulsa 30, Tulane 24 (((2OT))) (Chapman Stadium, Tulsa, Oklahoma)
The Build Up: In a season marred by the Covid pandemic, Tulsa had won 4 straight since losing their opener to #11 OK St. to sneak into the rankings at #25. Meanwhile, Tulane had played a fuller schedule and was coming into this game with 3 straight wins to sit at 5-4.
The Game: Michael Pratt threw a 19-yard TD to give Tulane a 21-14 lead with 1:38 left.
The Finish: Tulsa drove into Tulane territory, but they only had time for a desperation Hail Mary as time expired, and Davis Brin somehow found JuanCarlos Santana for the 37-yard touchdown to send the game to OT. The teams traded FGs in the 1st OT, and then Zaven Collins had the GW, walk-off 96-yard pick-six to give Tulsa the dramatic win.
How they ended up: The Golden Hurricane eventually stretched their winning streak to 6 straight before losing the AAC title game and the Armed Forces Bowl to finish 6-3. Meanwhile, Tulane went 6-6.
117. Oct. 8, 1927-Georgia 14, Yale 10 (Yale Bowl, New Haven, Connecticut)
The Build Up: At this point in history, Yale had been the one of if not the most successful college football program in the still young history of the sport. They were one of the Eastern powers that dominated the early years of college football history. Southern teams were still struggling to show that they too could contend with the big Dawgs.
The Game: A Yale fumble on their own 9-yard line set up an early Georgia TD. Georgia also had a 59-yard TD pass from Bobby Hooks to Frank Dudley for a 14-10 lead.
The Finish: Late in the game, Yale had a chance to go in for a winning score, but Bruce Caldwell fumbled as he was about to cross the goal line.
How they ended up: This win over traditional Eastern power Yale put Georgia’s “Dream and Wonder” team in the national spotlight. This game did a lot to show the improvement of Southern football and proved that teams from the South could compete with anyone. This was the second of a 9-GW streak to open the “Dream and Wonder” team’s season before being upset in the mud by rival Georgia Tech 12-0 in their finale to finish 9-1. Still some selectors have chosen Georgia as the 1927 national champion. For Yale, this was their only loss on their way to a 7-1 season where they too were chosen by some selectors to be national champions of 1927.
116. Nov. 4, 2000-#21 Northwestern 54, #12 (11) Michigan 51 (Ryan Field, Evanston, Illinois)
The Build Up: Northwestern were becoming known as the “Cardiac Cats” with their dramatic games. They won a 2OT thriller at then #7 Wisconsin, and just a week before this game, they won on a Hail Mary at Minnesota (see #151). Meanwhile, Michigan was 6-2 and ranked #12.
The Game: Michigan stayed a step ahead of Northwestern all game long in a wild shootout and took a 45-36 lead into the 4th. But after a TD and a fumble, the Wildcats came back and took a 46-45 lead with a FG and still 12:30 left.
The Finish: After Michigan reclaimed a 51-46 lead, Northwestern appeared to score a go-ahead TD only for a penalty to negate the score. On 4th & goal at the 11, Northwestern’s Damien Anderson was wide open, but he dropped a high lofted pass in the end zone with 1:38 left to seemingly end the game with a Michigan win. However, Anthony Thomas fumbled while trying to run out the clock to give the Wildcats another chance. Zak Kustok led Northwestern downfield before throwing the GW 11-yard TD pass to Sam Simmons with 20 seconds left to give NW the 54-51 lead with a 2-point conversion. Michigan drove in range for a potential game-tying 57-yard FG attempt from Hayden Epstein, but the snap went through the holder’s hands. Epstein picked up the ball and threw a desperation pass to Evan Coleman, but he was tackled at the 33-yard line after time had expired to give the Wildcats the wild win.
How they ended up: Northwestern improved to 7-2 and #12 but lost 2 of their final 3 games to finish 8-4. Meanwhile Michigan fell to 6-3 and #20, but they won their final 3 games to finish 9-3 and in a 3-way tie as co-Big Ten champs along with Northwestern and Purdue.
115. Nov. 14, 1942-#7 (3) Wisconsin 20, Northwestern 19 (Dyche Stadium, Evanston, Illinois)
The Build Up: Wisconsin beat #1 Ohio State 17-7 on Halloween only to lose at Iowa the next week to fall to 6-1-1. They were looking to bounce back here against Northwestern. Meanwhile, the Wildcats were having a tough season with a brutal schedule having only won once.
The Game: Wisconsin took a quick 14-point lead, but Northwestern, led by QB Otto Graham, went on drives to cut it to a 14-13 game when a PAT was missed. Then a Graham TD pass in the 4th put Northwestern up 19-14.
The Finish: With less than 30 seconds left, Mark Hoskins made a one-handed GW TD catch to give Wisconsin a dramatic 20-19 win.
How they ended up: Wisconsin beat rival #10 Minnesota the following week to finish 8-1-1 and ranked #3 in the final AP poll. Meanwhile, Northwestern went 1-9 with 6 of those losses coming against ranked teams.
114. Dec. 19, 2001-(UPI #21) Marshall 64, ECU 61 (((2OT))) (GMAC Bowl, Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama)
The Build Up: After getting blown out at then #1 Florida in their opener, Marshall went on a 10-GW streak before losing the MAC Championship Game to Toledo to deprive the Thunder Herd of a 5th straight MAC title. Meanwhile, ECU was 6-5.
The Game: In one of the best all-around bowl games of all time, it initially looked like a complete blowout when ECU took a 38-8 lead at halftime. Marshall methodically came storming back as Byron Leftwich started churning up the passing yardage, but they still trailed 51-45 late.
The Finish: When ECU recovered a Herd onside kick attempt, it appeared to be over. However, the Pirates couldn’t run out the clock and had to punt, giving Leftwich 50 seconds to go 80 yards. Leftwich completed passes of 27 yards to Curtis Jones and 23 yards to Denero Marriott to pick up big yards before Leftwich found a leaping Darius Watts in the corner of the end zone for the apparent GW 11-yard touchdown pass with just 7 seconds left. However, Curtis Head missed the PAT to incredibly send this game into OT.
Both teams scored TDs on their possessions in the 1st OT, but ECU had to settle for a FG on their possession of the 2nd OT. That allowed Leftwich to throw the GW walk-off 8-yard TD pass to Josh Davis to give Marshall the incredible comeback win.
How they ended up: Leftwich finished with 576 passing yards and 4 TDs, while also running for another score. This became and remains the highest scoring bowl game ever. Leftwich and ECU QB David Garrard would later be teammates in the same QB room for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Marshall finished 11-2, while ECU finished 6-6.
113. Jan. 1, 1927-Alabama & Stanford played to a 7-7 tie (Rose Bowl, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California)
The Build Up: Alabama came into the Rose Bowl 9-0, while Stanford was 10-0. Thus, the game was hailed as “the football championship of America.”
The Game: Stanford’s George Bogue missed an 18-yard FG in the 1st quarter, but later in the 1st threw a TD pass to Ed Walker for a 7-0 Stanford lead. The lead held until the final minutes of the game.
The Finish: Alabama blocked a punt to give them the ball at the Stanford 14-yard line. Four plays later Jimmy Johnson ran in for a TD in the final minute of the game. Two-point conversions were decades in the future, so they had no choice but to go for the tie, and Herschel Caldwell converted to tie the game in the most dramatic Rose Bowl to date.
How they ended up: After the tie, each team has gone on to be named co-national champions of 1926.
112. Nov. 21, 1931-USC 16, Notre Dame 14 (Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana)
The Build Up: Notre Dame came into this game on a 26-game unbeaten streak having not lost since a defeat to USC to close the 1928 season. This was the first time that the Trojans visited Notre Dame’s campus.
The Game: The Irish led 14-0 heading into the 4th quarter before USC made a remarkable comeback. They scored 2 TDs, but Johnny Baker had a PAT blocked to leave the Trojans behind 14-13.
The Finish: However, in the final minute Baker made up for it when he kicked the GW 34-yard FG for the dramatic win.
How they ended up: This was Notre Dame’s first loss in 27 starts. They lost to Army in Yankee Stadium the next week to finish 6-2-1. Meanwhile, the Trojans won the PCC title and the Rose Bowl as they won their final 10 games to finish 10-1 to earn national championship recognition.
111. Oct. 6, 2007-Stanford 24, #2 (3) USC 23 (LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California)
The Build Up: USC came into this game as an incredible 41-point favorite against a conference opponent and had a 35-GW streak at home, including a 24-GW streak at home in Pac-10 play. To make matters worse for Stanford, starting QB T.C. Ostrander suffered a seizure the week before, and his replacement, Tavita Pritchard, had never started a game and had only thrown 3 passes in official play.
The Game: Stanford not only hung in the game, but they had a chance to win with a TD trailing 23-17 late in the game.
The Finish: They faced 4th & 20 when Pritchard hit Richard Sherman for a 20-yard gain to just barely move the chains. After that, they faced 4th & goal from the 10-yard line when Pritchard lofted the GW TD pass to Mark Bradford with 49 seconds left to give the Cardinal their first lead of the game. Bo McNally’s 4th down interception of John David Booty sealed the upset and gave the Trojans their first loss at home since Sept. 29, 2001, which also came against the Cardinal.
How they ended up: USC went on to an 11-2 season where they were co-Pac-10 champs and won the Rose Bowl 49-17 against Illinois. In the process they became the first team to win at least a share in 6 straight Pac-10 titles. They also became the first team in major college football to have 6 straight 11-win seasons. Stanford went 4-8.
110. Dec. 6, 1969-#1 (1) Texas 15, #2 (7) Arkansas 14 (Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Arkansas)
The Build Up: ABC convinced Texas and Arkansas to move their scheduled game from Oct. 18th to this date so it could be a nationally televised event. Each team did their job in getting to this game with perfect 9-0 records, and with the help of Michigan’s upset of #1 Ohio State, this was promoted as another “Game of the Century” between #1 Texas and #2 Arkansas. Texas had won 18 straight and Arkansas 15 straight with that last loss coming to these Longhorns. President Nixon was on hand to present the winner with a “national championship” plaque. However, Texas only faced one test through the season against Oklahoma, while Arkansas had played no one of consequence, winning all of their games in convincing fashion.
The Game: Texas fumbled the ball away at their own 22 on the opening drive, and Arkansas capitalized with a TD for an early 7-0 lead. That held as the score until the 3rd when the Longhorns fumbled it away again leading to a 29-yard TD pass for a 14-0 Razorbacks lead heading into the 4th. On the first play of the 4th, James Street dropped back to pass but instead scrambled 42 yards for a TD. Darrell Royal opted to go for 2 early, and Street scored on an option run to cut it to a 14-8 deficit. As good as Street’s run was, they came up with an even bigger play when they faced 4th & 2 from their own 43 with 4:47 left.
The Finish: Royal gambled and opted for a long pass instead of a run. It worked with Street hitting TE Randy Peschel for a 44-yard gain. From there the Longhorns drove in for a Jim Bertelsen TD run with the PAT from Happy Feller giving Texas a 15-14 lead with 3:58 left. From there the Longhorns shut the door and hung on for a dramatic win to clinch at least a share of the national championship.
How they ended up: Arkansas went on to lose the Sugar Bowl to #13 Ole Miss to finish 9-2. As for Texas, President Nixon handed Royal an unofficial “national championship” plaque after the game, but the Coaches poll would vote them #1 in their final poll (the Coaches poll at the time still named their national champion prior to the bowl games). To win a consensus national title, the Longhorns would still have to beat #9 Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl…
109. Jan. 1, 1970-#1 (1) Texas 21, #9 (5) Notre Dame 17 (Cotton Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas)
The Build Up: This was Notre Dame’s first bowl game since the Four Horsemen led the Irish to the 1924 national championship in the 1925 Rose Bowl. The three surviving members of the Four Horsemen were on hand for Notre Dame’s first bowl game in 45 years. Also on hand was former President Johnson to make it 2 consecutive games for the Longhorns to be played in front of a president.
The Game: Just like Texas’ two other big games in 1969 against Oklahoma and Arkansas, their opponents forged early leads only for the Longhorns to stage a dramatic 4th quarter rally. Notre Dame took the opening drive 82 yards for a FG, and in the 2nd Joe Theismann threw a 54-yard TD pass to Tom Gatewood for a 10-0 Irish lead. Texas drove 74 yards for a TD to cut it to a 10-7 deficit at halftime. That remained the score heading into the 4th.
With the Notre Dame defense tiring, Texas put together big play after big play on a 79-yard TD drive to give the Longhorns a 14-10 lead. However, the Irish responded with an 80-yard drive finished off with a 24-yard Theismann TD pass to Jim Yoder for a 17-14 Notre Dame lead.
The Finish: Texas responded with a 76-yard, 17-play drive that included a 4th & 2 conversion with a diving Cotton Speyrer catch at the Irish 2 to keep the drive alive. On 3rd & goal at the 1, Billy Dale ran it in with 1:08 left for the GW TD to clinch a consensus national championship for the Longhorns.
How they ended up: Despite the loss, Notre Dame jumped up to #5 in the final AP poll. Steve Worster had 155 rushing yards for Texas, while Theismann had a then Cotton Bowl record 231 passing yards. These teams would meet again in next season’s Cotton Bowl where the Irish ended the Longhorns’ 30-GW streak and cost them a 2nd consecutive consensus national championship. The Coaches poll again awarded Texas the national championship before the bowl games.
108. Nov. 20, 1965-#7 (4) UCLA 20, #6 (10) USC 16 (LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California)
The Build Up: This big rivalry game was for the AAWU championship with a trip to the Rose Bowl on the line. UCLA lost their opener to Michigan St. but hadn’t lost since on their way to a 6-1-1 record. Meanwhile, USC was also 6-1-1 with both teams’ blemishes coming out of conference.
The Game: Things didn’t look good for UCLA when they trailed USC 16-6 with just about 4 minutes left and the Trojans with possession. Eventual Heisman winner Mike Garrett had one of his finest performances with 210 rushing yards. However, a USC fumble set up a Bruin rally.
The Finish: Right after the fumble, Gary Beban, who’d struggled so far, hit Dick Witcher for a 34-yard TD pass to cut it to a 16-14 deficit with a 2-point conversion. The Bruins then recovered an onside kick and Beban hit Kurt Altenberg for a 52-yard TD pass to suddenly put UCLA up 20-16 with 2:39 left where they went on to win to clinch their rematch with Michigan St. in the Rose Bowl.
How they ended up: USC beat Wyoming the next week to finish 7-2-1. Meanwhile, UCLA improved to 7-1-1 and #5 with one more game before the Rose Bowl: a trip to Memphis to face #7 Tennessee…
107. Dec. 4, 1965-#7 (7) Tennessee 37, #5 (4) UCLA 34 (Memphis Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee)
The Build Up: UCLA had just beaten rival USC to clinch a spot in the Rose Bowl. They just needed to face Tennessee first. The Vols were 6-1-2.
The Game: This late season non-conference game between top ten opponents wound up being one of the most controversial games of the year. Tennessee fumbled the opening kickoff, which led to a UCLA score, but the Vols rallied and took a 20-7 halftime lead. The teams would trade leads in the 2nd half with UCLA taking a 34-29 lead with a late score.
The Finish: Tennessee’s GW drive was aided by a controversial pass interference call, the clock had questionably been stopped twice, and a dropped pass that appeared to be a lateral and was recovered by UCLA was ruled an incomplete pass. The Bruins’ 1st year coach, Tommy Prothro, a Memphis native, said after the game that, “For the first time in my life, I am ashamed to be a Southerner.” Still Tennessee needed a score and faced 4th & goal from the 1-yard line. QB Dewey Warren dropped back and found no one to pass to so he took matters into his own hands and ran left. Warren was notoriously slow-footed so the fans in Memphis held their breath as he made his way for the GW score with 39 seconds left. The Vols added a 2-point conversion for a 37-34 lead. UCLA had one last desperation chance and drove to midfield before Gary Beban had a desperation pass intercepted by Bob Patrella. Things then got ugly as Patrella didn’t hear the final gun go off and started running the ball back down the UCLA sideline. Bruin player Paul Horgan came off the bench and sucker-punched Patrella, which knocked him out cold and gave him lacerations that required 12 stitches.
How they ended up: This loss may have cost UCLA a national championship. If the Bruins had won this game, they would’ve finished 10-1-1, the same as eventual national champion Alabama, but UCLA finished by beating the #1 Michigan St. in the Rose Bowl compared to Alabama’s win over #3 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. The Vols beat Tulsa in the Bluebonnet Bowl to finish 8-1-2. Meanwhile, the Bruins still had that Rose Bowl matchup…
106. Jan. 1, 1966-#5 (4) UCLA 14, #1 (2) Michigan St. 12 (Rose Bowl, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California)
The Build Up: Michigan St. came into this game 10-0 and the clear #1 team in the country. However, in 1965 the AP poll was experimenting with a post bowl poll before deciding their national champion, so the Spartans had only been awarded the Coaches poll title. The Rose Bowl drew over 100,000 fans and featured a rematch from the first game of the season for both teams, which MSU won 13-3. Michigan St. was a 2-TD favorite, but things would not go that way.
The Game: In the 2nd quarter it was UCLA that jumped out to a 14-0 lead. A fumbled punt gave the Bruins the ball at the Spartan 6, which Gary Beban soon turned into a TD for a 7-0 UCLA lead early in the 2nd. The Bruins then surprised Michigan St. with an onside kick and recovered it. Beban connected on a 27-yard pass to set up his 2nd TD run of the game to put UCLA up 14-0. The Spartans had a promising drive at the end of the 1st half, but they missed a short FG attempt to leave it a 14-0 halftime deficit. That miss proved costly.
UCLA drove to the Michigan St. 12 in the 3rd quarter and had a chance to put the game away, but Beban fumbled to end the threat. The Spartans dominated play from scrimmage in the 2nd half, but Steve Juday threw 3 interceptions, and they were stopped on 4th down 3 times. It wasn’t until there were 6 minutes left that Michigan St. finally scored when a 42-yard pass from Juday to Gene Washington set up a Bob Apisa 38-yard TD run. Not wanting to settle for a tie, Duffy Daugherty opted to go for 2, but Juday’s pass was knocked down to leave it a 14-6 Bruin lead.
The Finish: Bubba Smith partially blocked a UCLA punt to give Michigan St. the ball at midfield. The Spartans converted on 4th down 3 times on the drive before Juday went in for a TD run with 31 seconds left. Now they had no option but to play for the tie with a 2-point conversion attempt that surely would give them the AP national title to go along with their Coaches national championship. However, Apisa took a pitch and was stopped just short of the goal line on a big hit from game MVP Bobby Stiles who was knocked unconscious on the play to give the Bruins the huge upset to cost Michigan St. a consensus national title.
How they ended up: Michigan St. outgained UCLA 314 to 212, but the Spartans had 5 turnovers to just 2 from the Bruins. Had Michigan St. just kicked their PATs, they likely would’ve been voted AP national champions with a tie. And if the Spartans had made their FG at the end of the 1st half, they would’ve won regardless. Instead, Michigan St. had to settle for a split national title. This was the Spartans’ last loss until Sept. 23, 1967 and their only loss from Nov. 21, 1964 to Sept. 23, 1967. Meanwhile, UCLA’s lost to Tennessee cost them a national title as they had to settle for an 8-2-1 finish, while 9-1-1 Alabama won the Orange Bowl against Nebraska to win the AP national championship.
105. Sept. 20, 1980-#8 (9) Notre Dame 29, #14 (4) Michigan 27 (Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana)
The Build Up: Both teams came into this early season game 1-0 and with high hopes.
The Game: Notre Dame took a 14-0 lead only for John Wangler to replace Rich Hewlett at QB to throw 3 TDs to lead Michigan to a 21-14 lead. John Krimm had an interception for a TD for the Irish to pull within 21-20 but Harry Oliver missed the PAT. A 4-yard TD run from Phil Carter gave Notre Dame a 26-21 lead with 3:03 left.
The Finish: Michigan proceeded to march 78 yards on the strength of a 37-yard run from Butch Woolfolk to the Irish 4-yard line and finished off with a 1-yard TD pass from Wangler to Craig Dunaway with 41 seconds left for a 27-26 lead. Blair Kiel then led Notre Dame into Michigan territory leaving 4 seconds for a FG. Oliver made up for his earlier missed PAT by nailing the GW 51-yard FG as time expired to give the Irish the win to remain undefeated.
How they ended up: The Irish went on to a 9-0-1 start in their first 10 games to take a #2 ranking into their season finale at #17 USC. However, the Trojans blew them out 20-3 to end Notre Dame’s national title hopes. #1 Georgia then beat them in the Sugar Bowl as the Irish finished 9-2-1. After Michigan was upset by South Carolina the following week, they won their remaining 9 games to win the Big Ten outright and the Rose Bowl.
104. Oct. 10, 1970-(once #16) Oregon 41, #15 UCLA 40 (LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California)
The Build Up: UCLA began the season 3-0 before they suffered a heart-wrenching loss to #2 Texas (more on that later). Meanwhile, Oregon was 2-2.
The Game: UCLA looked to be on their way to a bounce-back win when they held a 40-21 lead in the 4th. However, Bobby Moore produced a couple of quick scores to cut it to a 40-35 deficit.
The Finish: Oregon recovered an onside kick to give themselves a chance. Sophomore Dan Fouts, who was having a coming out party this year, had been knocked unconscious earlier in the game, yet he came back in and threw the GW TD pass to TE Greg Specht with 30 seconds left to complete one of the greatest comebacks in Ducks history.
How they ended up: Despite back-to-back losses, the Bruins just fell to #19, but injuries were starting to add up. They ended up going 6-5, while Oregon went 6-4-1.
103. Aug. 26, 1995-#14 (17) Michigan 18, #17 (16) Virginia 17 (Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan)
The Build Up: This was the opening game for both teams, which came into the season with high hopes.
The Game: The first game of the Lloyd Carr era at Michigan turned out to be a doozy. Virginia led 17-0 before Michigan mounted a comeback by scoring on their final 3 possessions. They cut it to a 17-12 deficit with failed 2-point tries after each TD and got the ball back with 2:35 left.
The Finish: Freshman QB Scott Dreisbach dove for a 1st down at the Cavalier 15 with 12 seconds left. After 3 incompletions, it was 4th down with only 4 seconds and the game on the line. Dreisbach lofted the GW 15-yard TD pass to Mercury Hayes in the right corner of the end zone as time expired to give the Wolverines the incredible comeback win.
How they ended up: Michigan went on to a 9-4 season. For Virginia this was just the beginning of a wild season where they handed Florida St. their first ACC loss (see #183) to earn a share of the ACC title and won the Peach Bowl in dramatic fashion (see #231) to finish 9-4.
102: Nov. 17, 1923-Michigan 6, Wisconsin 3 (Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin)
The Build Up: Michigan came into this game 6-0, while Wisconsin had won their first 3 game before falling to 3-1-1.
The Game: In the 2nd quarter, Ferdinand Rockwell fielded a punt and took it 68 yards for a TD when Wisconsin players thought he’d been knocked down, but he was never whistled down and continued for the eventual GW score.
The Finish: Michigan was clinging to a 6-3 lead when Edliff Slaughter made a diving shoe-string tackle on the last play of the game to prevent what would have been a GW walk-off 65-yard TD. Michigan coach Fielding H. Yost called it “the greatest play in football I ever saw.”
How they ended up: Michigan beat Minnesota in their next game to complete a perfect 8-0 season to claim a national championship in 1923. Meanwhile, the Badgers lost to Chicago to finish 3-3-1.
101. Nov. 30, 1985-(13) Alabama 25, #7 Auburn 23 (Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama)
The Build Up: Auburn rose as high as #1 behind star Bo Jackson, but by the Iron Bowl they were 8-2 with their national championship and SEC title hopes over. Meanwhile, Alabama was 7-2-1 as they slipped in and out of the rankings.
The Finish: Alabama had the ball at their own 20 with 57 seconds left trailing 23-22. A sack put Bama in a 3rd & 18 hole at their own 12-yard line with 37 seconds left. Mike Shula completed a 14-yard pass to Gene Jelks to set up 4th & 4 at their own 26. Ray Perkins dialed up a reverse to Al Bell that went all the way to the Bama 46 with 21 seconds left. After one incompletion, Shula found Bell for a pass down to the Auburn 36 with just 6 seconds left. From there Van Tiffin was sent out to attempt the GW 52-yard FG, which he sent through the uprights as time expired to give the Tide the dramatic win in the Iron Bowl.
How they ended up: The game and play became known as “The Kick” in Bama circles. The win propelled Alabama back into the rankings at #13 with an 8-2-1 record heading to the Aloha Bowl where they beat USC to finish 9-2-1. Meanwhile the Tigers also lost to Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl to finish 8-4.
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