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

18. Dorais to Rockne Takes Down Army (1913)

In 1913, the forward pass was still viewed skeptically by many college football head coaches. Viewed as a dangerous play call that could result in disaster as much as glory, most programs eschewed the aerial attack or broke it out only sparingly. Army, for instance, would call for a throw on rare occasions as a way to keep defenses honest, rather than as a concerted offensive strategy. One result, though, opened the nation’s eyes to what was possible with the pass.

Notre Dame headed to West Point to face Army in a battle of unbeaten squads. The Cadets were 4-0 as they welcomed the Fighting Irish to The Plain. Opponents had only managed six points against Army through the first four games of the year, but Notre Dame singlehandedly more than doubled the points allowed by the Cadets in 1913.

That was thanks to the connection between quarterback Gus Dorais and end Knute Rockne. Working as lifeguards at an Ohio beach over the summer, Dorais and Rockne honed their passing and catching skills. Against a larger, stronger Army defense, the duo employed the tactic to impressive effect. Dorais went 14-of-17 for 243 yards, with his 40-yard touchdown pass to Rockne helping revolutionize the way football would be played moving forward.

17. Wide Right (1991)

Florida State is no stranger to the curse of a kicking game gone wrong. Kicks have gone wide of both uprights, but the one that set the trend in motion came on the original Wide Right kick in the 1991 duel at Doak Campbell Stadium between the Seminoles and Miami.

Both teams were undefeated coming into the contest on November 16. Florida State was ranked No. 1 in the country in both the AP and Coaches polls, while Miami was right behind their state rivals at No. 2 in the standings.

Miami held a late lead in the game, but Florida State put themselves in position to win the contest and remain in the national championship hunt. Gerry Thomas had already kicked three field goals, and as he lined up for a 36-yarder it looked like the Seminoles had survived. But the kick sailed wide right, putting Miami in position to seal up a share of the national title instead. It set off a trend where the Hurricanes killed Florida State title bids in five of the next dozen seasons.

16. The Chicken Soup Game (1979)

Before he was a terrifying presence in Bill Walsh’s offense, Joe Montana was a star at Notre Dame. At the end of the 1978 college football season, Montana and the Fighting Irish headed to Dallas for a showdown against Houston in the Cotton Bowl Classic.

The two teams arrived at the Cotton Bowl a day after the worst ice storm Dallas had seen in 30 years. Montana was fighting the flu and spent much of the second half in the locker room as the medical staff struggled to normalize his falling body temperature. With Montana off the field, the Cougars built up a 34-12 lead by the fourth quarter.

Then Montana came back into the game with 7:37 remaining, after being warmed up with chicken broth and blankets. A blocked punt started the comeback, and Montana punched in touchdowns on the ground and through the air to complete the reversal. Those who stayed at the Cotton Bowl on the cold, windy Dallas day were treated to one of the most memorable comebacks in college football history.