College football’s 150th anniversary: The 150 best moments that stood the test of time

75. Spartans Engineer Biggest Comeback Ever (2006)

Momentum swings are always going to be expected in college football, where the labor force is comprised of young adults who cannot train as diligently as professionals. On any given weekend, that leads to at least a few thrilling comebacks at stadiums across the country. Unless it happens against your team, or the result impacts your team negatively, they are otherwise always a thrill to watch.

None throughout the history of college football, though, have been quite as grand as Michigan State’s 2006 comeback against Northwestern. Squaring off at Ryan Field in Evanston, the Spartans found themselves down 38-3 against the Wildcats with just under 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter.

That is when Michigan State got down to business, slowly reeling in their rabbit after spotting Northwestern five touchdowns By the start of the fourth quarter, the Spartans had shaved the lead down to 21 points. Interceptions proved critical, and Ashton Henderson returned a blocked punt for a touchdown. After tying the score, the Spartans pulled ahead on a short field goal after drawing the clock down to 18 seconds. The Wildcats had no response in the short time remaining, and Michigan State’s 35-point turnaround remains the biggest in college football history.

74. Oklahoma and Texas Tech Blow Up Scoreboard (2016)

When Oklahoma and Texas Tech met up in Lubbock midway through the 2016 season, there was every indication that it would be a high-scoring contest. Both teams had shown the ability to hang 50 points on their opponents, and both teams had struggled at times to get defensive stops.

That said, nobody saw the explosion that ensued. Baker Mayfield threw for 545 yards and seven touchdowns. Patrick Mahomes, in a losing effort, threw for 734 passing yards and five touchdowns through the air. Joe Mixon ran for 263 yards and a pair of scores.

By the end of the 66-59 Sooners victory, the two teams set a new NCAA record as they combined for 1708 total yards of offense. It was a balanced effort, with each team contributing 854 yards on their own. For fans of unbridled offense, few games are quite as memorable as this barnburner in Lubbock.

73. Lehigh and Lafayette Commence “The Rivalry” (1884)

No two college football teams have played more than Lehigh and Lafayette. After the way their first contest went, though, it is surprising that the Maroon was still interested in scheduling their Pennsylvania rival after the beatdown they took in the first edition of what has come to be known simply as “The Rivalry”.

The first matchup between the two colleges transpired in Easton on October 25, 1884, after Lehigh launched their football team that year. Lafayette dominated their nascent rivals from 17 miles down the road in the valley, with the more experienced team piling up 56 points and preventing the new program from getting on the scoreboard.

That game and the home-and-home series the two teams played annually for the first two decades of Lafayette-Lehigh football set the tone for the nation’s most-played rivalry game. Entering the 150th season of college football, the two FCS squads have faced off 154 times.