Any list of “greatest college football games” has to include the famous “Stanford Band” game of 1982. Trailing 20-19 with :04 remaining, California took the kickoff and headed upfield. Nearing the Stanford 20-yard line, they encountered not only defenders, but several dozen Stanford Marching Band members as they made their way to the exits. Receiving the fifth and final lateral on the play, Kevin Moen plowed through band members into the end zone, flattening an unfortunate trombone player for the improbable victory, 25-20.
Boise State was a decided underdog against powerhouse Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. And although the Broncos had a 28-10 lead in the third quarter, OU faithful breathed a sigh of relief when the Sooners returned an interception to take a 35-28 lead with 1:02 remaining. The upstart Broncos weren’t finished however, and a 35-yard “hook-and-ladder” play (on 4th-down-and-18, no less) forced overtime. OU scored on their first play for a 42-35 advantage. Boise reached into their bag of tricks and made the score 42-41 with a WR-to-TE pass, again on 4th down. Boise lined up with three wideouts to the right. QB Jared Zabransky pulled off a perfect “Statue of Liberty” play, handing off to TB Ian Johnson who dashed untouched into the end zone. Final, Boise State 43, Oklahoma 42.
With 92 total points, 919 passing yards, and numerous future NFLers, the 1984 contest between Miami and Boston College may have qualified as an “Instant Classic” already, but it was what happened in the final six seconds that elevated it to “Legendary” status. Trailing 45-41 and starting from its own 20-yard line with 0:28 left, QB Doug Flutie quickly drove the Eagles to Miami’s 48-yard line with :06 remaining. Flutie dropped back then had to scramble right to avoid tacklers. From his own 37-yard line, he unleashed a pass in the direction of the Miami end zone. Apparently, the Miami DBs didn’t think the 5’9″ Flutie could throw the ball 60 yards, and let WR Gerald Phelan slip behind them. When Phelan gathered in Flutie’s bomb for the winning touchdown, Boston College had won, 47-45.