There have been many memorable moments in college football history, from dramatic finishes to incredible individual performances.
Here are some of the most iconic and unforgettable moments:
- “The Play” – 1982: In a game between rivals California and Stanford, with only 4 seconds left on the clock, the Golden Bears returned a kickoff for a touchdown in what is now known as “The Play.” The game ended in a 25-20 victory for Cal.
- Doug Flutie’s Hail Mary – 1984: Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie threw a last-second Hail Mary pass to defeat the Miami Hurricanes 47-45 in a thrilling game that helped propel Flutie to a Heisman Trophy win.
- USC vs Texas Rose Bowl – 2006: In a national championship game for the ages, Texas quarterback Vince Young rushed for 200 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning score with just 19 seconds left on the clock, to defeat USC 41-38.
- Michigan vs Ohio State – 2006: In what many consider the greatest rivalry in college football, the 2006 game between Michigan and Ohio State was a classic, with the Buckeyes winning 42-39 in a game that featured a total of 11 lead changes.
- “The Kick” – 1991: In a game between Michigan and Michigan State, the Spartans’ kicker, Jalen Watts-Jackson, returned a botched punt for a touchdown as time expired to give Michigan State a 27-23 win over their rivals.
- “The Miracle at Michigan” – 1994: Colorado’s Kordell Stewart threw a 64-yard Hail Mary pass on the final play of the game to beat Michigan 27-26 in what has become known as “The Miracle at Michigan.”
- Alabama vs Clemson National Championship Game – 2017: In a thrilling back-and-forth game, Clemson defeated Alabama 35-31 with a touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson to Hunter Renfrow with just one second remaining on the clock.
- USC vs Notre Dame – 1974: In a classic game between two storied programs, Notre Dame defeated USC 55-24 behind the incredible performance of quarterback Tom Clements, who threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns.
- The Iron Bowl Kick Six – 2013: In a highly anticipated Iron Bowl matchup between Alabama and Auburn, the game was tied with just one second left on the clock. Alabama attempted a game-winning field goal, but the kick fell short and was caught by Auburn’s Chris Davis, who returned it 109 yards for a game-winning touchdown in what is now known as the “Kick Six.”
- Appalachian State Upsets Michigan – 2007: In one of the biggest upsets in college football history, FCS (formerly Division I-AA) team Appalachian State defeated Michigan, a team ranked in the top five nationally at the time, by a score of 34-32.
- Johnny Manziel’s Heisman Performance – 2012: Texas A&M’s quarterback Johnny Manziel became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, thanks in large part to his incredible performance against Alabama, in which he threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 92 yards and a score in a 29-24 upset win over the then-number one ranked Crimson Tide.
If You Have It, You Can Make Anything Look Good
- The Boise State Statue of Liberty Play – 2007: In the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, Boise State executed a series of trick plays, including a dramatic Statue of Liberty play on a two-point conversion in overtime, to defeat heavily-favored Oklahoma 43-42.
- Herschel Walker’s 1980 Season – Georgia running back Herschel Walker had one of the most dominant seasons in college football history in 1980, rushing for 1,616 yards and 15 touchdowns and leading Georgia to a national championship. His performances in key games, including a 219-yard, two-touchdown effort against rival Florida, remain legendary.
- The First College Football Game – The first college football game was played between Princeton and Rutgers on November 6, 1869, with Rutgers winning by a score of 6-4. The game was played with a round ball, and there were 25 players on each team.
These are just a few examples of the many unforgettable moments in college football history. The sport has a rich and storied past, and continues to captivate fans with its combination of tradition, passion, and thrilling performances.
