Thanksgiving in America means many things. A chance to reflect on the past year and instances in life that might cause you to be thankful to friends, family, or good fortune. A great meal, and, of course, football. The college game has seen many fine contests take place on Thanksgiving or the Friday or Saturday after.
Here’s a look a five of the best:
Nebraska vs. Oklahoma, Thanksgiving Day, 1971
It’s been termed the “Game of the Century,” and although that might be hard to quantify, it certainly was a great game. The Cornhuskers went into the game as defending national champions, and were ranked No. 1. They were facing the No. 2 team in the Oklahoma Sooners. The Huskers had won 16 in a row and were averaging over 400 yards and 35 points a game. Oklahoma was running the wishbone formation with ferocious efficiency. It was a clash of the top two teams, who really were the top two teams in talent as well. Nebraska won the game 35-31.
USC and Notre Dame, November 25, 1978
The Trojans had the Fighting Irish on the ropes with a 24-6 lead. A young quarterback named Joe Montana brought the Irish roaring back, giving them their first lead of the game at 25-24 with just 46 seconds left to play. USC went 50 yards in four plays to set up the game-winning field goal with 2 seconds left on the clock, giving that edition of the storied rivalry to the Trojans.
Auburn over Alabama, November 27, 1982
The Crimson Tide had won the “Iron Bowl” nine years running. The Auburn Tigers turned back the Tide 23-22. The winning score came on fourth-and-goal from less than a yard out, and the famous “over the top” move of Bo Jackson.
Boston College over Miami, November 23, 1984
Doug Flutie, quarterback for Boston College, won the game for B.C. with a Hail Mary pass. The final was 47-45. The play, called by Flutie, was a “flood tip.” Receivers would rush down to one area near or in the end zone, wait for the incoming pass, and either catch it or tip it to a teammate. Flutie was throwing into a wind, and still managed to get the ball about 60 yards downfield, past the protection and into the arms of Gerry Phelan.
Colorado over Nebraska, November 23, 2001
The Cornhuskers went into the game ranked No. 2, and the 14th-ranked Buffaloes shocked them with a 62-36 win in Boulder. It was the biggest point total Nebraska had ever given up in school history. The Buffaloes opened up a 21-0 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game, and never looked back.