THIS WEEK IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL HISTORY: SEPT. 26 - OCT. 2
MORRISTOWN, N.J., September 27, 2005 – As part of an ongoing series throughout the fall, This Week in College Football History takes a look back at some of college football’s landmark moments over the last 137 years.
Throughout the season, many of these items are depicted in a changing exhibit at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind.
*If you choose to use this content in whole or in part, as a courtesy, please credit The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame.
Featured Moment
Cornwell helps Trojans top Sooners in battle of #1’s
September 26, 1981: Both Oklahoma and USC could rightfully claim they were No. 1 heading into their showdown in the Coliseum in Los Angeles in late-September 1981. The Sooners, 1-0 and ranked #1 in the AP poll, faced off against a 2-0 Trojan ball club that held the top spot in the UPI poll.
Behind the running of 1981 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Allen, who tallied two touchdowns and over 200 yards rushing that day, USC pulled within three with just under seven minutes to go. OU returned to their successful running game the ensuing drive, but their offense faltered and was forced to punt with over 4:00 to go. Following a few crucial third and fourth-down conversions, USC faced a third-and-goal from the seven with 8 seconds to go.
USC QB John Mazur scrambled away from Sooner defenders and found Fred Cornwell in the back of the end zone to grab a 28-24 victory from OU. USC failed to carry their momentum through the rest of the season, however, and finished the year 9-3 following a loss in the Fiesta Bowl. Oklahoma finished 7-4-1.
Other notable moments to occur This Week in College Football History:
September 26, 1992: Ken Irvin of Memphis sets an NCAA record by blocking four punts against Arkansas, doubling the previous single-game record.
Central Michigan’s James King later ties his mark in 2001.
September 26, 1998: Prairie View’s 14-12 victory over Langston ends a collegiate-record 80-game losing streak that spanned nine seasons.
September 27, 2003: B.J. Symons of Texas Tech passes for 661 yards in a
49-45 victory over Mississippi, the third highest single-game passing total in Division I-A history and the most since 1990.
September 28, 1940: On his 21st birthday, Heisman Trophy winner and 1954 College Football Hall of Fame inductee Tom Harmon of Michigan runs for touchdowns of 94, 86, 70 and 65 yards against California. During one of his touchdown runs, a fan runs onto the field and tries to tackle Harmon but misses.
September 30, 1978: Virginia Tech’s disputed touchdown on the game’s final play gives the Hokies a 22-19 victory over William & Mary. Tech receiver Ron Zollicoffer bobbled and then dropped a pass in the endzone as time expired, but the referees ruled a touchdown to cap the Hokies comeback.
October 1, 1977: Russell Erxlebern of Texas kicks a 67-yard field goal
against Rice, eclipsing the record of 65 yards set the previous season.
Following the 1988 season, the NCAA banned the use of a tee on all field goal and PAT attempts.
With 119 chapters and over 12,000 members nationwide, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, a non-profit educational organization, runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in America’s young people.
NFF programs include the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., Play It Smart, The NFF Center for Youth Development Through Sport at Springfield College (Mass.), the NFL-NFF Coaching Academy, and annual scholarships of nearly $1 million for college and high school scholar-athletes.
###
NFF Contact
Chris Caputo.....Communications Assistant
22 Maple Ave.
Morristown, NJ 07960
973.829.1933
973.829.1737 (fax)
www.footballfoundation.org
Throughout the season, many of these items are depicted in a changing exhibit at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind.
*If you choose to use this content in whole or in part, as a courtesy, please credit The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame.
Featured Moment
Cornwell helps Trojans top Sooners in battle of #1’s
September 26, 1981: Both Oklahoma and USC could rightfully claim they were No. 1 heading into their showdown in the Coliseum in Los Angeles in late-September 1981. The Sooners, 1-0 and ranked #1 in the AP poll, faced off against a 2-0 Trojan ball club that held the top spot in the UPI poll.
Behind the running of 1981 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Allen, who tallied two touchdowns and over 200 yards rushing that day, USC pulled within three with just under seven minutes to go. OU returned to their successful running game the ensuing drive, but their offense faltered and was forced to punt with over 4:00 to go. Following a few crucial third and fourth-down conversions, USC faced a third-and-goal from the seven with 8 seconds to go.
USC QB John Mazur scrambled away from Sooner defenders and found Fred Cornwell in the back of the end zone to grab a 28-24 victory from OU. USC failed to carry their momentum through the rest of the season, however, and finished the year 9-3 following a loss in the Fiesta Bowl. Oklahoma finished 7-4-1.
Other notable moments to occur This Week in College Football History:
September 26, 1992: Ken Irvin of Memphis sets an NCAA record by blocking four punts against Arkansas, doubling the previous single-game record.
Central Michigan’s James King later ties his mark in 2001.
September 26, 1998: Prairie View’s 14-12 victory over Langston ends a collegiate-record 80-game losing streak that spanned nine seasons.
September 27, 2003: B.J. Symons of Texas Tech passes for 661 yards in a
49-45 victory over Mississippi, the third highest single-game passing total in Division I-A history and the most since 1990.
September 28, 1940: On his 21st birthday, Heisman Trophy winner and 1954 College Football Hall of Fame inductee Tom Harmon of Michigan runs for touchdowns of 94, 86, 70 and 65 yards against California. During one of his touchdown runs, a fan runs onto the field and tries to tackle Harmon but misses.
September 30, 1978: Virginia Tech’s disputed touchdown on the game’s final play gives the Hokies a 22-19 victory over William & Mary. Tech receiver Ron Zollicoffer bobbled and then dropped a pass in the endzone as time expired, but the referees ruled a touchdown to cap the Hokies comeback.
October 1, 1977: Russell Erxlebern of Texas kicks a 67-yard field goal
against Rice, eclipsing the record of 65 yards set the previous season.
Following the 1988 season, the NCAA banned the use of a tee on all field goal and PAT attempts.
With 119 chapters and over 12,000 members nationwide, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, a non-profit educational organization, runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in America’s young people.
NFF programs include the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., Play It Smart, The NFF Center for Youth Development Through Sport at Springfield College (Mass.), the NFL-NFF Coaching Academy, and annual scholarships of nearly $1 million for college and high school scholar-athletes.
###
NFF Contact
Chris Caputo.....Communications Assistant
22 Maple Ave.
Morristown, NJ 07960
973.829.1933
973.829.1737 (fax)
www.footballfoundation.org
posted by Don @ 9/27/2005 06:57:00 PM
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