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

48. Penn State Takes Title from Miami in the Desert (1987)

Benefitting from its position as one of the rare bowl games offering a major payout without being tied to a particular conference, the Fiesta Bowl in the 1980s found itself growing in stature relative to far more mature bowl games. One contest that sparked its rise to prominence was the 1987 duel in the desert between Penn State and Miami.

In their fourth season under Jimmy Johnson, the Hurricanes were finally looking ready to replicate the national championship feat of the 1983 team that won the crown under Howard Schnellenberger. Arriving in Arizona, Miami was cocky as they arrived in camouflage pants talking up their upcoming battle with the Nittany Lions.

What they didn’t count on was a defensive battle against Joe Paterno’s eastern powerhouse. After scoring at least 23 games in each of their previous 11 victories, Miami was held to just 10 points on the scoreboard by Penn State. The Nittany Lions got contributions to the scoreboard from running backs John Shaffer and D.J. Dozier that proved enough to secure the 14-10 upset against the favored Hurricanes that helped Paterno bring a second national title to Happy Valley.

47. Woodson Topples Buckeyes (1997)

Had Michigan lost to Ohio State in 1997, they would have been denied a share of the national championship. It is also highly unlikely that Charles Woodson would have emerged as the most recent player other than a quarterback or running back to win the Heisman Trophy.

But Woodson did exactly what he needed to do against the Buckeyes when they squared off in Ann Arbor. Playing ironman football, Woodson made the difference in all phases of the game. A 37-yard reception set up the first Wolverines touchdown midway through the second quarter. Woodson added a touchdown of his own on a 78-yard punt return a few minutes before halftime.

After the break, Woodson kept up the dominant performance on the defensive side of the ball as he snagged a third-quarter interception off Buckeyes quarterback Joe Germaine. Ultimately prevailing 20-14 against their rivals, Michigan survived for a trip to the Rose Bowl against Pac-10 champion Washington State that resulted in a split of the national title. Woodson became the last Michigan man to win the Heisman, eight years after Desmond Howard capped another unconventional candidacy.

46. Howard’s Heisman Pose (1991)

Buckeyes fans might remember Tim Williams as the placekicker that went 143-of-145 on extra points for Ohio State and connected on 63 percent of his field goal attempts between 1990 and 1993. For anyone that remembers the name even faintly, though, it is probably because of what transpired after he booted a punt in the rivalry game against Michigan in 1991.

Wolverines receiver and punt returner Desmond Howard took the high punt at his own 8, backpedaling with the impact of the ball so his foot hit the space around the 7. He pushed off his left foot to the right, then burst upfield past the coverage. Shifting into another gear, Howard veered toward the left sideline, leaving the final three Buckeyes in his wake.

Pumping his fist in the air over the final 20 yards to the endzone, Howard then turned and struck the iconic Heisman pose in front of the Michigan crowd at the Big House. That moment presaged his victory in the award voting a few weeks later.