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Invoice Connelly, ESPN Workers Author
Prepared or not, realignment is coming. The 2024 faculty soccer season will function the biggest energy convention shuffle we have ever seen, with Oklahoma and Texas becoming a member of the SEC; Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington becoming a member of the Massive Ten; Cal, SMU and Stanford becoming a member of the ACC; and Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah becoming a member of the Massive 12. We have additionally acquired Military coming into the AAC in soccer and Kennesaw State leaping as much as the FBS to affix Convention USA.
That is lots. And between the destruction of the Pac-12 and the discontinuation of rivalries akin to Bedlam (Oklahoma-Oklahoma State), we’re shedding fairly a little bit of connective tissue with this spherical. Not nice. However it is time to see what sort of connections we are able to sew collectively in response.
Beneath, then, are the 50 greatest video games faculty soccer has seen between groups that will probably be new (and in some circumstances, outdated) convention mates in 2024. Between matchups like Texas-Texas A&M, Texas-Arkansas, the Holy Warfare (BYU-Utah), Oklahoma-Missouri and Colorado vs. outdated Massive 8 mates, we’re rejoining some misplaced convention rivalries. And hey, USC has performed nearly everybody within the Massive Ten in a Rose Bowl sooner or later. However this checklist is equal alternative. It isn’t all Texas vs. Arkansas; there’s room for some spicy Stanford-Clemson, Cal-Virginia Tech and Oklahoma-Kentucky motion, too.
(Military-Navy will proceed as a nonconference rivalry although each groups are within the AAC, so we cannot rely that one on this checklist. It deserves its personal checklist anyway.)
Is that this a bizarre checklist? The weirdest I’ve ever made! It is acquired Gary Danielson and Craig Morton and FCS playoff video games and “BEVO” in grass and Aloha and Solar and Perception Bowls and Richard Nixon and onside kick returns and a number of 2003 Colorado video games and Ernie Koy and 15-yard penalties for kicking tees and Bear vs. Bud. However hey, if there’s something that ties this sport’s historical past collectively, it is oddity. And the sometimes wonderful Rose Bowl. This checklist has loads of each.
A 7-0 rating within the largest sport of the yr? A 6-3 bowl sport between two groups that might then play one other 6-3 sport in 2003? We will not say there’s something Midwestern about Los Angeles, however with scores like 7-0, 6-3 and 6-3, possibly UCLA has really been Massive Ten all alongside?
As with Dave Matthews Band and 64-ounce comfortable drinks, the remainder of the world would not fairly share the identical quantity of ardour for American soccer that we do. However you may’t say we’ve not given it the ol’ faculty strive. We have despatched Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes to Germany, and 34 years in the past we despatched David Klingler and the run-‘n’-shoot offense to Tokyo for the Coca-Cola Traditional. Klingler accomplished 41 of 70 passes for 716 yards and 7 touchdowns, together with bombs of 51, 42 and, with 1:32 left within the sport, 95 yards. ASU gained 666 yards and scored in each quarter however merely couldn’t sustain.
TCU was in solely the second yr of its lengthy surge again towards the sport’s elite, and Arizona was coming off of its first ever top-five end, however they had been lifeless even in a storm-delayed Week 2 sport early in 1999. The Horned Frogs scored a pair of safeties and took a 25-7 lead early within the third quarter, however they could not include Arizona receiver Dennis Northcutt, who scored touchdowns of 38, 59 and 30 yards. The final got here with 2:10 left, and TCU’s last-ditch comeback drive stalled out close to midfield.
A madcap sport between two groups that might end a mixed 9-9-2. Future top-five decide and Tremendous Bowl winner Craig Morton ran for one Cal landing and threw for 2, together with a 31-yard soar ball to Jack Schraub to tie the sport late. Duke was making ready for a game-winning 30-yard subject objective however forgot the kicking tee (a authorized factor then). When a coach threw it in from the sideline, the Blue Devils had been penalized 15 yards for “teaching from the sideline.” (Yeah, I did not know that was a factor both.) They then missed the following 45-yarder. Pleasant.
Each checklist wants a bit of little bit of Mike Leach. We count on any memorable Tech sport from the 2000s to function one million yards and 100 factors, however there is a good motive Tech scored solely 26 right here: Quarterback B.J. Symons threw picks on the Purple Raiders’ first 4 possessions! They usually gained anyway! CU predictably took an early 14-0 lead, however Wes Welker’s 58-yard punt return purchased Symons a while, and a 13-yard Symons-to-Welker landing within the third quarter gave Tech a 19-14 lead. The groups traded TDs, and CU acquired a late likelihood to win, however Vincent Meeks picked off Joel Klatt on the Tech 7. Identical to a Leach staff, profitable with protection and particular groups.
The one assembly between these two colleges almost featured a 27-point comeback. With 291 first-half yards in entrance of a largely partisan crowd of 80,104, Clemson bolted to a 27-0 halftime lead, however Stanford charged again with three touchdowns from star working again Brad Muster and acquired a late likelihood to take the lead. Alas, the Cardinal turned the ball over on downs, and the Tigers survived.
43. No. 13 Arizona 32, Texas Tech 28 (1975)
Arizona was unbeaten and into the highest 15 for the second straight yr when Tech got here to city and… in all probability ought to have pulled the upset. Down 21-6 at halftime, the Wildcats battled to tie the sport, just for Tech to drive 80 yards with its triple possibility and take a 28-21 lead proper again. The Wildcats responded in type, with Theopolis Bell catching a landing go with beneath 4 minutes left, however they failed on a 2-point try. Recreation over? Nope. Tech punted and dedicated a go interference penalty, and Arizona set Lee Pistor up for a game-winning 41-yarder with six seconds left. A determined Tech kick return try went awry, and Arizona added two bonus factors with a security on the finish.
One of many cattier editions of the traditional rivalry. Texas followers spelled out “BEVO” (the mascot) by pouring chemical compounds within the Kyle Area grass and wet situations turned the sphere into muddy slop. A Texas regent stated the sphere was a “shame” and that “no college which makes any pretense of getting a significant athletic program would allow any such situation to exist.” Pearls: clutched.
Oh yeah, and Texas completed its first unbeaten common season in 43 years by overcoming a 13-3 fourth-quarter deficit and scoring the profitable landing with 1:19 left.
Per week after upsetting Notre Dame to maneuver into the AP high 5, SMU, all the time tantalizing and barely disappointing, welcomed one in every of Bobby Dodd’s greatest Tech groups to Dallas. It was a really Dodd outcome. The Yellow Jackets scored the one factors of the primary half on a blocked-punt security (arrange by an excellent fast kick — the Nineteen Fifties, all people!), and though a Lon Slaughter landing acquired SMU inside vary of an upset late, Tech held on.
40. Georgia Tech 18, No. 17 Stanford 17 (1991 Aloha Bowl)
Stanford acquired off to a a lot better begin on this bowl, however the outcome was the identical because it was in opposition to Clemson 5 years earlier. With 104 dashing yards from Tommy Vardell, Dennis Inexperienced’s Cardinal led 17-10 at halftime and nearly made it maintain up, however Willie Clay ripped off a 63-yard punt return with 1:41 left, establishing Shawn Jones’ 1-yard rating, and Jimy Lincoln’s 2-point conversion run, with 14 seconds left.
(As a substitute of this one, I nearly selected one other down-to-the-wire Stanford bowl sport: The Cardinal’s 25-23 Solar Bowl win over North Carolina in 2016, which featured a failed UNC 2-pointer with 25 seconds left. Stanford has made its uncommon ACC encounters rely, not less than.)
In entrance of what was, on the time, the biggest Autzen Stadium crowd (59,023), Oregon captured one in every of its biggest-name residence wins. Particular groups made the distinction: Michigan scored on a blocked subject objective return, however Oregon scored on each a punt return and a blocked punt return, and after a late Steve Breaston landing acquired Michigan again to inside 4, the Wolverines’ last-minute desperation drive stalled on the Oregon 41.
About three months after the win over Michigan got here one other Massive Ten battle for Mike Bellotti and his Geese. Oregon’s Samie Parker caught 16 passes for 200 yards and two scores, however the vaunted Minnesota floor sport did its job (241 dashing yards, led by Laurence Maroney’s 131), and after two Jared Siegel subject targets gave Oregon a 30-28 lead with 4:16 left, a fourth-and-2 conversion by Maroney arrange a 42-yard Rhys Lloyd subject objective with 23 seconds left. Oregon completed the yr 1-1 vs. the Massive Ten.
Issues have gotten a bit of trickier for Military not too long ago as coach Jeff Monken has needed to take care of cut-block rule adjustments, however for some time there, his Black Knights had been all the time good for a few wild, back-and-forth contests per yr, usually in opposition to AAC-level competitors.
In 2015 in opposition to Tulane, in a sport that featured a 90-yard go, a 48-yard fumble return and a blocked punt return rating, Military charged again from 28-7 all the way down to tie the sport with 1:59 left. However the Inexperienced Wave drove 59 yards in 9 performs and gained with a 35-yard Andrew DiRocco subject objective on the buzzer.
Two years later, Military rushed for 534 yards, North Texas threw for 386, and Military overcame 4 separate second-half deficits just for the Imply Inexperienced’s Trevor Moore to knock in a 39-yarder with 5 seconds left. Might we get a couple of extra of those with Military now within the AAC?
Underdog Purdue jumped on visiting Washington in entrance of a crowd of 60,102, thanks primarily to the fleet toes of future faculty soccer commentator Gary Danielson. He accomplished only one of 9 passes however rushed for 213 yards as Purdue burst out to a 21-0 lead. However Washington’s Sonny Sixkiller overcame 4 picks to guide the Huskies again, and so they took their first and solely lead of the sport with a 25-yard Steve Wiezbowski subject objective with two minutes left.
The latest member of the FBS was a brand new member of the FCS not too way back, too. In simply their third yr of soccer existence, the Kennesaw State Owls — and their Turnover Plank, after all — beat future Convention USA mates Liberty and Jacksonville State on their method to the FCS quarterfinals, the place a third future peer proved an excessive amount of. Jeremiah Briscoe threw three landing passes, and the Bearkats led by as a lot as 17, however the deficit was solely seven when KSU acquired one final likelihood. The Owls drove to the SHSU 11, however a fourth-and-5 possibility pitch was stuffed. SHSU superior.
Plank has a brand new look at present 👀 #FCSPlayoffs #GoKSUOwls @NCAA_FCS pic.twitter.com/wVG6tGDmon
— Kennesaw State Soccer (@kennesawstfb) November 25, 2017
The sport was enjoyable sufficient. Ole Miss’ Deuce McAllister ripped off an 80-yard landing run, Oklahoma’s Josh Heupel set an Independence Bowl report with 390 passing yards, the Sooners charged again from a 21-3 halftime deficit to take a late 25-24 lead, and Les Binkley’s 39-yard subject objective on the buzzer gained it.
My favourite half, nonetheless, was driving by means of Oklahoma Metropolis the day after the sport and listening to sports activities discuss radio callers complaining concerning the Sooners’ loss, with one in every of them speaking about how OU was “settlin’ for mediocrity” by not firing first-year coach Bob Stoops after a 7-5 season.
I ponder what that man thought concerning the Sooners’ nationwide title 12 months later.
32. No. 9 Washington 21, No. 16 Maryland 20 (1982 Aloha Bowl)
There are much more necessary issues you would do with a time machine when you had the possibility, however think about going again to Christmas Day 1982 in Honolulu and telling Maryland and Washington followers congregating on the inaugural Aloha Bowl that, 40 years later, their groups could be convention mates? Think about explaining all of the dominoes that fell for that to occur.
The one Terrapins-Huskies sport so far was beautiful, by the best way. Maryland’s Boomer Esiason threw two landing passes, however Washington’s Tim Cowan threw three, the final one to Anthony Allen with six seconds left.
31. No. 10 Utah Utes 13, No. 11 TCU Horned Frogs 10 (2008)
The Mountain West was principally an influence convention within the late 2000s, and this sport between top-15 groups had main BCS bowl implications. Each groups boasted good defenses, and even with Andy Dalton (TCU) and Brian Johnson (Utah) at QB, the groups mixed for less than 23 factors. TCU scored the primary 10, however after kicking two subject targets, Utah scored the final seven on a 9-yard go from Johnson to Freddie Brown with 47 seconds left. Robert Johnson picked Dalton off on the Utah 15 with 4 seconds left, and Utah ended up within the Sugar Bowl.
30. No. 6 LSU Tigers 45, No. 9 Texas Longhorns 38 (2019)
We had no concept what awaited both of those groups — that LSU would roll to 15-0 with quarterback Joe Burrow finishing one of many best seasons of all time, or that Texas would stumble to 8-5 after a top-10 end the yr earlier than. All we knew on the time was that this sport was 60 minutes of nonstop fireworks.
29. No. 7 Michigan 38, No. 9 Washington 31 (1993 Rose Bowl)
A yr after Washington wrapped up a nationwide title marketing campaign with a 34-14 Pasadena pummeling of Michigan, the Wolverines acquired their revenge and wrapped up a wierd, unbeaten marketing campaign (9-0-3) of their very own. Sophomore Tyrone Wheatley capped a 1,300-yard season by dashing 15 instances for 235 yards and scores of 56, 88 and 24 yards. The second Elvis Grbac-to-Tony McGee landing of the day gave Michigan a 38-31 lead with 5:29 left, and it held up.
28. No. 9 Wisconsin Badgers 38, No. 6 UCLA Bruins 31 (1999 Rose Bowl)
27. No. 9 Wisconsin 21, No. 14 UCLA 16 (1994 Rose Bowl)
After a 31-year drought, Wisconsin lastly earned a long-awaited Rose Bowl bid on Jan. 1, 1994, and regardless of the sport going down in UCLA’s residence stadium, Badgers followers swarmed the Rose Bowl. They watched their staff (A) do Wisconsin issues and (B) get some breaks. They recovered all seven of the sport’s fumbles — at one level within the second quarter, famed announcer Keith Jackson stated, “Someone wants to stay a fork in that [football]. It is strolling round.” — and so they floor out 250 dashing yards, 158 from Brent Moss. A fourth-quarter rating from quarterback Darrell Bevell offered the profitable factors within the college’s first Rose Bowl victory.
The Badgers earned their second 5 years later in opposition to the identical opponent. UCLA was higher and fewer mistake-prone, however Wisconsin had Ron Dayne, who rushed for 246 yards and a Rose Bowl report 4 touchdowns. Cade McNown and UCLA stored up for some time, however Jamar Fletcher’s 46-yard pick-six within the fourth quarter all however put the sport away.
26. No. 7 Kentucky Wildcats 13, No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners 7 (1951 Sugar Bowl)
Bear Bryant vs. Bud Wilkinson! It would not get a lot larger than that. Wilkinson’s Sooners had already wrapped up their first AP nationwide title and rode a 31-game win streak into New Orleans, however Bryant’s greatest UK staff ended the run. Future Faculty Soccer Corridor-of-Famer Babe Parilli threw his twenty second and twenty third touchdowns of the season as Kentucky took benefit of OU miscues and seized a 13-0 lead in entrance of a crowd of 83,000. The Sooners fought again, however fumbles and a pesky Wildcats entrance spoiled their journey.
25. No. 3 USC Trojans 14, No. 2 Michigan Wolverines 6 (1977 Rose Bowl)
The Nineteen Seventies performed out fairly constantly for the Massive Ten: Both Ohio State or Michigan gained the convention, then misplaced to the Pac-10 champion (normally USC) within the Rose Bowl. On this one, USC star working again Ricky Bell acquired damage early, however future star working again Charles White subbed in, rushed for 114 yards, and scored a 7-yard landing within the fourth quarter to create the profitable margin. Two years later, White rushed for 120 yards and scored once more (although he in all probability fumbled earlier than crossing the objective line) as USC beat the Wolverines 17-10.
24. Colorado 45, No. 17 TCU 42 (2023)
With every thing that occurred with Deion Sanders’ Colorado after this sport — a 3-0 begin, celebrities on the sideline, an entire collapse to 4-8 — it is nearly simple to neglect simply how wild final yr’s season opener in Fort Price actually was.
Shedeur Sanders threw for 510 yards, 4 totally different CU receivers gained not less than 117 yards (and one in every of them, Travis Hunter, additionally had an acrobatic interception), TCU’s Emani Bailey gained 164 yards on the bottom, and TCU almost took management with a 21-7 second-half run. However Sanders’ third TD go (to Jimmy Horn Jr.) gave the Buffs the lead with 7:36 left, and when TCU scored simply 36 seconds later, CU went proper again down and scored on Sanders’ fourth TD go (to Dylan Edwards). One late cease, and CU was 1-0.
23. Texas A&M 30, No. 1 Oklahoma 26 (2002)
In 2000, Texas A&M gave Oklahoma one in every of its solely challenges because the Sooners rolled to the nationwide title: The Aggies led 31-21 with eight minutes left earlier than a Quentin Griffin landing and a Torrance Marshall pick-six saved OU’s unbeaten season.
Two years later, the Aggies acquired their revenge. OU was unbeaten and No. 1 as soon as once more, and the Sooners jumped to a 10-0 first-quarter lead. However Reggie McNeal, subbing in for a struggling Dustin Lengthy, performed the sport of his life. He rushed for 89 yards, and whereas he accomplished simply eight passes, that included touchdowns of 61, 40, 17 and 40 yards. With the Aggies nursing a late lead, they first compelled a turnover on downs, then picked off Nate Hybl to seal the upset.
(Bob Stoops was fairly good at revenge, too. The Sooners would beat A&M 77-0 the subsequent yr in Norman.)
22. No. 4 SMU Mustangs 7, No. 6 Pittsburgh Panthers 3 (1983 Cotton Bowl)
Perhaps the 2 most bodily groups within the nation completed the 1982 season with an absolute slobberknocker. Pitt restricted the Pony Specific backfield of Eric Dickerson and Craig James to 181 yards on 41 carries, and SMU restricted Pitt’s Dan Marino to 19-of-37 passing and an interception. However with the Panthers main 3-0 within the fourth quarter in rain and sleet, two big Lance McIlhenny-to-Bobby Leach completions, one for 20 yards and one for 42, arrange McIlhenny’s game-winning possibility keeper. Blaine Smith picked off Marino in the long run zone, and the one landing made the distinction.
21. No. 3 Oklahoma Sooners 26, No. 2 Tennessee Volunteers 24 (1968 Orange Bowl)
Unbeaten Tennessee did not get a shot at top-ranked USC as a result of the Trojans had been enjoying Indiana within the Rose Bowl. (Indiana within the Rose Bowl! The 1967 season was an odd one.) As a substitute, realizing that USC had already gained earlier on Jan. 1, the Vols needed to face an impressed Oklahoma staff in Miami. Winners of seven in a row, the Sooners charged to a 19-0 halftime lead. Tennessee lastly responded. A 24-7 run introduced the Vols again, and when Jack Reynolds stuffed OU quarterback Steve Owens on a fourth down, UT had one final likelihood to win. However with seven seconds left, Karl Kremser’s 43-yard subject objective try sailed effectively large. Recreation: Sooners.
By the best way, can we mandate that for any sport these groups play shifting ahead, OU has to put on its crimson jerseys and Tennessee has to put on its orange ones? As a result of these are some fairly highlights.
20. No. 8 Arkansas Razorbacks 14, No. 1 Texas Longhorns 13 (1964)
Texas was the defending nationwide champion and driving a 15-game profitable streak when Arkansas visited Austin and stifled the UT offense. Future Arkansas head coach Kenny Hatfield gave the Hogs a 7-0 lead with an 81-yard punt return, and the Hogs led 14-7 when Texas’ Ernie Koy scored with 1:27 left. Not desirous to accept a tie, Texas’ Darrell Royal went for the win, however the 2-point go fell incomplete. Arkansas would go unbeaten and declare a share of the title as an alternative of the Horns. And a yr later, the Hogs would win one other thriller, 27-24 in Fayetteville, to increase their very own win streak to 17.
19. No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners 28, No. 18 Missouri Tigers 27 (1975)
Missouri was the upset king of the Nineteen Seventies, taking down Nebraska (4 instances), Notre Dame (twice), Ohio State, Alabama and USC … however by no means Oklahoma. The Tigers got here shut 4 instances in 5 years however could not get the job executed.
The 1975 sport might need damage the worst. Trailing 20-7 within the fourth quarter, Mizzou ripped off 20 straight factors to ship the house crowd into delirium. However All-American working again Joe Washington exploded for a 71-yard landing on fourth-and-1, then dove into the top zone for a 2-point conversion. Mizzou acquired two alternatives to win on the finish, however Tim Gibbons, who missed at PAT earlier within the quarter, badly missed subject targets of 40 and 54 yards.
18. No. 17 UCLA Bruins 50, Northwestern Wildcats 38 (2005 Solar Bowl)
You will hardly ever see a stranger bowl. (It is humorous what number of instances we are saying that a few Solar Bowl.) Northwestern parlayed a pair of pick-sixes right into a 22-0 lead simply 11 minutes in, however a 36-0 UCLA run gave the Bruins a snug lead. Northwestern minimize the deficit to 36-31 with 2:29 left, however Brandon Breazell returned an onside kick try 42 yards for a rating. Northwestern scored once more with 24 seconds left … and Breazell returned one other onside kick for a rating! Even by Solar Bowl requirements, this was wild.
17. Texas 27, Texas A&M 25 (2011)
It was the top of a disappointing common season for 2 six-win groups, however with Texas A&M leaving for the SEC the subsequent yr, this one was for all-time bragging rights. (Or, because it turned out, bragging rights till late 2024.)
A&M raced to an early 13-0 lead, however touchdowns by way of a trick play and a pick-six acquired Texas going, and so they stormed to a 24-16 lead heading into the fourth quarter. After Randy Bullock’s third subject objective made it 24-19, A&M’s Ryan Tannehill discovered Jeff Fuller for a 16-yard rating to present the Aggies the lead. However they missed the 2-point conversion, and that loomed giant as a result of Texas had Justin Tucker. A key private foul penalty acquired the Horns to close midfield, and a 25-yard scamper by Case McCoy put them in Tucker vary. He nailed a 40-yard subject objective on the buzzer.
15. Kansas Jayhawks 52, Colorado Buffaloes 45 (2010)
You simply by no means know when faculty soccer goes to create one thing magical. These two convention video games remind us that you just all the time have to concentrate simply in case. In 2004, Colorado and Okay-State had mixed to go simply 9-9 once they met, however they put collectively the nuttiest fourth quarter you will see. KSU scored three touchdowns within the last 9:12 and tied the sport twice, however Ron Monteilh someway acquired large open in opposition to a Okay-State forestall protection and scored on a 64-yard go from Joel Klatt with 5 seconds left. It was such a stunning win that CU followers rushed the sphere … after beating a 4-5 staff.
Six years later, it was CU’s flip to endure a stunning defeat. The Buffs had misplaced seven convention video games in a row, and Kansas had misplaced 11 when the 2 met in Lawrence in November 2010. KU suffered an absolute no-show for 3 quarters: Colorado led 45-17 early within the fourth quarter. However then James Sims scored, and 90 seconds later Johnathan Wilson did the identical. Tyler Patmon returned a fumble for a landing, and all of the sudden it was 45-38. Sims scored once more with 4:30 left, and we had been someway tied. And with 52 seconds left, Sims scored once more, from 28 yards out, to present the Jayhawks a wildly surprising win. They would not win one other Massive 12 sport for 3 extra years, however not less than they made this one rely.
14. No. 7 Purdue 14, USC 13 (1967 Rose Bowl)
The Massive Ten’s “no repeats” rule, banning groups from back-to-back Rose Bowl appearances, created awkwardness within the Nineteen Sixties. In 1966, a superb Michigan State staff romped by means of the Massive Ten, however the convention despatched a two-loss Purdue staff to Pasadena. In flip, the Boilermakers would win the convention the subsequent yr with a greater staff, however Indiana would go as an alternative.
Whereas Indiana could not benefit from its first Rose Bowl bid, nonetheless, Purdue most definitely did. USC stifled Bob Griese and the Boilers’ passing sport, however two brief Perry Williams touchdowns gave Purdue a late 14-7 lead; a 19-yard play-action go from Troy Winslow to Rod Sherman introduced USC inside a degree with 2:28 left, however George Catavolos picked off a 2-point go, and a last-gasp USC drive got here up effectively brief. Purdue scored its first and, so far, solely Rose Bowl win.
13. Utah Utes 41, BYU Cougars 34 (2005)
12. No. 21 BYU 33, Utah 31 (2006)
The Holy Warfare rivalry would not actually have ebbs and flows — solely lengthy waves. From 1896 to 1971, Utah went 41-8-4 in opposition to BYU, principally clinching a eternally lead within the collection. However from 1972 to ’92, LaVell Edwards’ BYU turned the tables and gained 19 of 21. Extra not too long ago, Utah has gained 9 of 10 since 2010.
The one time this collection was actually up for grabs on a year-to-year foundation was from 1993 to 2009, however rattling close to each sport in that span was a traditional, from back-to-back 34-31 wins for Utah in 1993 and 1994 to back-to-back comebacks for BYU in 2000 and 2001.
The height in all probability got here within the excellent back-and-forth of 2005 and 2006. In Provo in 2005, Utah bolted to a 24-3 halftime lead, however two Curtis Brown landing runs and two John Beck landing passes introduced BYU again. The Cougars tied the sport with 4:50 left in regulation, however on the second play of extra time, Utah’s Travis LaTendresse torched double protection and caught a 25-yard landing go. BYU went four-and-out, and the highway staff gained. Simply as it might the subsequent yr.
BYU acquired off to an infinitely higher begin in 2006, however a 14-0 first-quarter lead became a 24-14 fourth-quarter deficit earlier than Beck acquired rolling once more. His third landing go of the sport made it 27-24 Cougars with 3:23 left earlier than Utah responded with a two-minute landing drive of its personal. It was 31-27, however there was simply sufficient time for another plot twist. On the ultimate snap of the sport, Beck drifted left ready for somebody to get open, then needed to scramble again to his proper beneath strain. After a full 10 seconds with the ball, Beck threw again throughout his physique to a wide-open Jonny Harline within the left nook of the top zone. Ballgame.
11. No. 5 Texas Longhorns 21, No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide 17 (1965 Orange Bowl)
The 1963 nationwide champion beat the 1961 and 1964 champ with huge performs. Ernie Koy’s 79-yard run and George Sauer’s 69-yard catch-and-run staked Texas to an early lead, and whereas sport MVP Joe Namath’s two TD passes acquired Bama again in it, the sport began and ended the identical manner: with a Texas goal-line stand.
10. No. 19 Oklahoma 31, No. 23 Tennessee 24 (2015)
Act 1: Tennessee scores 17 factors within the first 18 minutes to take a commanding lead in entrance of a delirious residence crowd in Knoxville.
Act II: After struggling for many of the sport, first-year OU starter Baker Mayfield throws two fourth-quarter landing passes to drive extra time at 17-17.
Act III: Mayfield runs for one rating and throws to Sterling Shepard for an additional, then Zack Sanchez picks off Tennessee’s Josh Dobbs to clinch a surprising win. “One of many extra particular wins, possibly my favourite of all of them,” in keeping with Bob Stoops.
9. Cal Golden Bears 52, Virginia Tech Hokies 49 (2003 Perception Bowl)
There are few issues higher than a turn-your-brain-off popcorn flick in bowl season, and Virginia Tech and Cal gave us the most effective ones on report. Can I curiosity you in 1,081 whole yards? How a few 394-yard efficiency from Cal’s Aaron Rodgers? Or Tech’s Bryan Randall outdoing him with 398 yards and 4 scores? Or Tech’s DeAngelo Corridor tying the sport with a 52-yard punt return with 3:11 left? Each groups led by 14 at one level, however Cal had the ball final, and Tyler Fredrickson’s 35-yard subject objective on the buzzer made the distinction.
8. No. 6 Oregon 45, No. 9 Wisconsin 38 (2012 Rose Bowl)
Oregon’s first Rose Bowl win got here in 1917 over Penn. The Geese needed to wait 95 years for an additional one, and so they made it memorable. De’Anthony Thomas exploded for touchdowns of 91 and 64 yards, and the Geese gained 621 whole yards, however they could not shake Wisconsin. Russell Wilson threw for 296 yards, Montee Ball rushed for 164, and the groups went rating for rating. Neither staff led by greater than seven factors all sport, however down seven late, Wisconsin blinked. Receiver Jared Abbrederis misplaced a fumble with 4:06 left, and after a protracted go to Nick Toon with two seconds left, the Badgers could not fairly get one other snap off.
7. No. 3 USC Trojans 17, No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes 16 (1980 Rose Bowl)
Ohio State started the 1979 season unranked after the well-known firing of Woody Hayes. However Earle Bruce’s Buckeyes climbed the polls all season and, at 11-0, wanted solely a win in Pasadena to safe their first nationwide title in 11 years.
They only could not determine how one can cease Charles White. In entrance of a crowd of 105,526, White rushed 39 instances for a Rose Bowl report 247 yards, and his 1-yard rating with 1:32 left gave the Trojans the win — and gave Alabama the nationwide title — in an unbelievable big-play affair.
6. No. 9 USC Trojans 52, No. 5 Penn State Nittany Lions 49 (2017 Rose Bowl)
There have been no nationwide title implications at play right here — each USC and Penn State had suffered a number of early losses earlier than selecting up steam and profitable their respective conferences. However that did not cease the groups from placing on the most effective popcorn flicks of the 2010s.
USC went on a 20-7 run within the sport’s first 20 minutes, however Penn State scored 4 touchdowns in six minutes — together with a 79-yard Saquon Barkley run and a 72-yard Chris Godwin catch-and-run — to take a 42-27 lead out of nowhere. Barkley’s third landing made it 49-35, however the fourth quarter belonged to USC. The Trojans tied the sport at 49-49 with 1:20 left, and after PSU’s Hint McSorley acquired a bit of too aggressive and threw a deep interception, USC’s Matt Boermeester hit a 46-yard subject objective as time expired.
5. No. 1 USC 42, No. 2 Wisconsin 37 (1963 Rose Bowl)
Oh look, one other USC Rose Bowl win! I suppose that is sort of a theme right here. After the 0-0 tie between Military and Notre Dame in 1946, faculty soccer needed to wait an nearly inexplicable 16 years for an additional No. 1 vs. No. 2 battle. It got here within the Rose Bowl, as John McKay’s first nice USC staff met Milt Bruhn’s final good Wisconsin squad.
It almost featured the best rally of all time. Pete Beathard’s fourth landing go of the sport gave USC a dominant 42-14 lead early within the fourth quarter, however Wisconsin scored 23 factors in 10 minutes. A 19-yard go from Ron Vander Kelen (who was 33-of-48 for 401 yards in a 1963 soccer sport) to Pat Richter made it 42-37. USC recovered the following onside kick, and although Wisconsin got here achingly near blocking a punt on the ultimate play of the sport, the Trojans survived.
4. Texas 26, No. 6 Texas A&M 24 (1998)
The sport principally started with one of the well-known runs in faculty soccer historical past, Ricky Williams’ 60-yarder that set the all-time profession dashing report.
One way or the other, the sport acquired even higher from there. Texas took a 23-7 lead on a Kwame Cavil landing early within the fourth quarter, however the Aggies — who would upset Kansas State to win their first Massive 12 title every week later — scored 17 factors in six minutes. Randy McCown’s 1-yard plunge made it 24-23 A&M with 2:20 left, however that gave QB Main Applewhite an excessive amount of time. After a collection of brief completions, he once more discovered Cavil for 25 yards, and with 5 seconds left, Kris Stockton knocked in a 24-yard subject objective and ended any nationwide title hopes the Aggies had.
3. No. 5 UCLA Bruins 14, No. 1 Michigan State Spartans 12 (1966 Rose Bowl)
A kind of excellent video games, with excellent climate and big stakes, that the Rose Bowl has offered so many instances by means of the years. UCLA had misplaced solely as soon as since a season-opening 13-3 defeat at Michigan State, and the Bruins got here ready for revenge in opposition to the top-ranked Spartans. After a brief Gary Beban landing, UCLA acquired the ball again with a shock onside kick, and Beban scored once more.
These 14 had been simply sufficient. MSU’s huge working again, Bob Apisa, scored on a 30-yard run with 6:13 left, however a 2-point go try — a really progressive technique for the mid-Nineteen Sixties! — failed. Corridor of Famer Bubba Smith partially blocked a UCLA punt, and with 31 seconds left, quarterback Steve Juday scored to make it 14-12. State needed to go for 2 factors and the tie, and because of No. 2 Arkansas and No. 3 Nebraska each shedding their bowl video games, a tie may nonetheless be sufficient to win the nationwide title. Alas. Apisa took an possibility pitch, however Jim Colletto acquired him by the shoulders and tiny Bob Stiles briefly knocked himself unconscious, stopping Apisa wanting the objective line. As with USC’s win over Ohio State in 1980, a Rose Bowl upset gave Alabama the nationwide title.
2. No. 1 Texas 15, No. 2 Arkansas 14 (1969)
For one of many first instances within the sport’s historical past, tv manipulated the schedule in 1969. Realizing that Texas and Arkansas would each be high groups that fall, ABC satisfied the faculties to maneuver their big head-to-head assembly to the top of the common season. Positive sufficient, each groups went unbeaten, and so they had been the highest two groups within the nation once they met, with President Richard Nixon in attendance, in one of many true Video games of the Century in Fayetteville.
Massive faculty soccer video games are particular it doesn’t matter what. However generally they handle to exceed expectations. Arkansas took a 14-0 early within the third quarter, however the most effective fourth quarters of all-time awaited. James Road raced 42 yards for a landing on the primary play of the fourth quarter, and Texas coach Darrell Royal, having determined earlier than the sport that he wished to keep away from a tie in any respect prices, elected to go for 2. Road acquired in, and it was 14-8. Arkansas almost put the sport away with a stunning 73-yard drive, however quarterback Invoice Montgomery acquired too aggressive and was picked off by Danny Lester in the long run zone when a subject objective would have executed simply superb. The Horns had been nonetheless down six when Proper 53 Veer Go eternally entered the faculty soccer lexicon. On fourth-and-3 from the Texas 43, Road went lengthy to a well-covered Randy Peschel, who reeled within the 44-yard go and arrange Jim Bertelsen’s tying landing and Glad Feller’s game-winning PAT. Tom Campbell picked off Montgomery within the last minute, and Nixon declared Texas the nationwide champion after the sport. (Joe Paterno, head coach of fellow unbeaten Penn State, wasn’t too blissful about that.)
1. No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs 54, No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners 48 (2018 Rose Bowl)
Even within the Faculty Soccer Playoff period, the Rose Bowl has been capable of create magic. And even with last-second title winners in 2017 and 2018, this semifinal sport may nonetheless be the very best factor the CFP has produced.
I imply, come on.
OU threatened to run away with the sport within the first half, with two Rodney Anderson touchdowns and a trick play landing go to quarterback Baker Mayfield constructed a 31-14 lead. However lengthy landing runs by Nick Chubb and Sony Michel introduced Georgia again, and the Dawgs took their first lead early within the fourth quarter. OU rebounded, scoring on a Mayfield landing go to Dimitri Flowers and a 46-yard fumble return by Steven Parker, however one other Chubb rating despatched the sport to extra time.
After the groups traded subject targets within the first OT possession, Oklahoma’s Austin Seibert missed a 27-yard chip shot. Only one play later, Sony Michel raced down the left sideline and despatched Georgia to the nationwide title sport.
3:49
Georgia tops Oklahoma in 2OT thriller
Within the highest-scoring Rose Bowl ever that featured six lead adjustments, Sony Michel scored 4 instances together with the game-winner to beat Baker Mayfield’s huge sport in double extra time.
This run of realignment might need been unusual, however we get to reminisce about this sport anytime OU and Georgia play. I am cool with that.
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