Fansided

30 most shocking moments in college football history

By Nathaniel Reeves

Boise State's Ian Johnson scoring the winning 2-point conversion during the Fiesta Bowl between Boise State and Oklahoma at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on January 1, 2007. (Photo by Steve Grayson/WireImage)
Boise State's Ian Johnson scoring the winning 2-point conversion during the Fiesta Bowl between Boise State and Oklahoma at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on January 1, 2007. (Photo by Steve Grayson/WireImage) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 18: Offensive coordinator Frank Reich of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on from the sideline during a National Football League preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on August 18, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Steelers 17-0. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 18: Offensive coordinator Frank Reich of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on from the sideline during a National Football League preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on August 18, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Steelers 17-0. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

29. Maryland gets a miracle in Miami

Trailing a defending national champion powerhouse 31-0 at half rarely ends in anything other than a bunch of second stringers receiving playing time, but Maryland had other ideas back in 1984.

Fresh off the first national championship in school history in 1983, the Hurricanes were forming a dynasty under first-year head coach Jimmy Johnson. Miami quickly rose to the top of the rankings in 1984 with a season-opening win over No. 1 Auburn, and was still in the hunt for a major bowl at 8-2 heading into a Nov. 10 contest with Maryland.

The Terrapins were enjoying a solid stretch under head coach Bobby Ross and entered the road showdown with Miami at 6-3. Even so, Bernie Kozar and the defending national champs were expected to roll, and indeed led 31-0 heading into the break.

That didn’t deter Maryland quarterback and current Philadelphia Eagles coordinator Frank Reich, who came off the bench to help the Terrapins outscore Miami 42-9 in the second half to pull off what was then the largest comeback in NCAA history at the time. Reich tossed four touchdown passes after the break, including the 68-yard game-winner to Greg Hill that bounced off a Miami defender’s hands, and Maryland’s defense held on a two-point attempt with a minute left to seal the remarkable 42-40 win.

Pulling off a 31 point comeback that has only been topped recently by Michigan State over Northwestern in 2006 among others is one thing, but doing it against the defending champs that would soon become a dynasty will be remembered forever. The Hurricanes would go on to lose their next two contests, including the following game on a certain Doug Flutie play that appears later on.

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