10 best bowl games in the history of college football
9. 1979 Cotton Bowl – Houston vs. Notre Dame
We know Joe Montana for his legendary career with the San Francisco 49ers, but his legend started while in college at Notre Dame.
The Irish faced the #5 Houston Cougars in the middle of the worst ice storm to hit Dallas, Texas, in quite some time. The Irish scored the first 12 points, but Houston quickly flipped to momentum, scoring the next 20 points to led into halftime.
The freezing conditions did a number on Montana as he was fighting hypothermia and was unable to come out to start the second half. Trainers had to give Montana chicken soup and wrap him in blankets to raise his body temperature, but he looked to be done for the game.
Houston continued to ride its momentum and took a 34-12 led into the fourth quarter. However, as he would throughout his career, Montana came back into the game and proved he is as clutch as it gets. He returned with only 7:37 left in the game put quickly closed the margin to six points. Then with only 30 seconds left, Houston decided to go for it on fourth and one on their 29-yard line. The Irish got the stop and gave Montana one last chance to pull off the epic comeback.
He did just that connecting with Kris Haines from eight yards out with two seconds left to tie the game, and the extra point would give Notre Dame the win.
Not only an epic comeback but a historical moment for a legend of the sport in Joe Montana.