Featured Moment: Nov. 30, 1935

This report courtesy of the National Football Foundation.

Published by Bonesville on Nov. 23, 2013

FEATURED MOMENT

NOV. 30, 1935: In Ft. Worth, TX, No. 1 Texas Christian and No. 4 Southern Methodist were both undefeated heading into their 1935 matchup, with a Southwest Conference crown, a spot in the Rose Bowl and a likely national title on the line. The game between the crosstown rivals drew national media attention as the game was sent live across the country by the National Broadcasting System. Numerous sports writers, including future NFF President Grantland Rice, attended. The Mustangs, led by Hall of Fame coach Matty Bell, jumped out to a 14-0 lead on a pair of touchdowns by Hall of Fame halfback Bobby Wilson. College Football Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh was under center for the Horned Frogs as TCU fought its way back to level the score. With less than seven minutes to play in the game, and SMU facing fourth and four, the Mustangs converted a fake punt on a 50-yard pass to Wilson who ran it in for a touchdown and a 20-14 SMU win.

OTHER NOTABLE DATES

NOV. 25, 1950: In Columbus, OH, arch rivals Michigan and No. 8 Ohio State squared off in the “Snow Bowl.” The teams discussed cancelling the game due to the blizzard, but ultimately decided to play in the five-plus inches of snow and gusting winds. Neither team gained a first down in the game with the two squads combining for 45 punts. The Buckeyes scored first recovering a blocked kick and converting the ensuing field goal. Michigan got on the board, blocking an Ohio State kick that rolled out of the back of the end zone for a safety. The Wolverines blocked another punt, falling on it in the end zone for a touchdown and eventual 9-3 victory. With the upset win, Michigan claimed the Big Ten Conference crown and a trip to the 1951 Rose Bowl.

NOV. 26, 1998: In New Orleans, No. 11 Tulane scored touchdowns on nine of its first 10 possessions, cruising to victory over in-state rival Louisiana Tech on Thanksgiving Day 1998. Quarterback Shaun King was 19-of-26, passing for 330 yards and three touchdowns and adding 92 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown. Tailback Toney Converse exploded for a career-high 182 yards on the ground, tying the school record with four touchdowns. Wide receiver Kerwin Cook also lit up the highlight reel with his nine-catch, 171-yard, two-touchdown performance. With the win, the Green Wave claimed the Conference USA championship — its first league title since 1949 — and its first undefeated season since 1929. Tulane completed its perfect season with a 41-27 win over Brigham Young in the Liberty Bowl.

NOV. 27, 1969: In Starkville, MS, the Thanksgiving Day game between in-state rivals Mississippi and Mississippi State was close until the Rebels exploded for 27 points in the fourth quarter. The game was tied 14-14 late in the third quarter when Ole Miss fullback Bo Bowen capped off a 76-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown burst up the middle. In the Rebels’ fourth quarter scoring spree, Hall of Famer and NFF Chairman Archie Manning threw two touchdowns passes to wide receiver Vernon Studdard while adding another on the ground. Bulldogs quarterback Tommy Pharr outgained Manning in the air, but his interception that was returned for a touchdown late in the game helped seal Mississippi State’s fate. Hall of Fame coach Johnny Vaught’s Ole Miss Rebels prevailed 48-22 and would go on to win the Sugar Bowl over favorite Arkansas.

NOV. 28, 1992: In San Diego, the highly anticipated showdown between Heisman frontrunners Hall of Famer Gino Toretta (Miami) and San Diego State’s Marshall Faulk failed to deliver when Faulk missed the game with a knee sprain. Toretta threw for 310 yards and a touchdown in only three quarters of play, while Miami wide receiver Lamar Thomas broke Michael Irvin’s school record with his 144th career reception. The undefeated Hurricanes gained 581 yards and extended the nation’s longest win streak to 29 games with the 63-17 rout. Although missing the final game of the season, Faulk would become only the fifth player to win a second straight national rushing title, and he finished second in the Heisman voting to Toretta. Miami looked poised to win its fifth national championship in 10 years, but the Hurricanes lost to Hall of Fame coach Gene Stallings and Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, giving the Crimson Tide the national crown.

NOV. 29, 1890: One of the game’s oldest and most intense rivalries began as Army hosted Navy on The Plain at West Point. Cadet Dennis Mahan Michie accepted the challenge from Navy, organizing Army for the first game in program history. Navy’s first season came in 1879 and experience showed as the Midshipmen dominated the first matchup with a 24-0 shutout of the Black Knights. Red Emerich scored 20 of Navy’s 24 points in the win. Following the loss, Army hired Hall of Fame coach Henry Williams to work with the team twice a week, resulting in a 32-16 Army win when the teams met again in 1891. Navy’s goat mascot originated from this game when, upon arrival in West Point, the Midshipmen “borrowed” a feisty goat to serve as the team’s mascot. Army’s Michie Stadium is named in honor of its first coach and founder of Black Knight football.

DEC. 1, 2001: In Irving, TX, Colorado won its first Big 12 Championship by upsetting No. 3 Texas 39-37. The Buffaloes built a 29-10 halftime lead after forcing four turnovers, including an interception returned 64 yards by safety Medford Moorer for a touchdown. The Longhorns made a strong comeback attempt after inserting back-up quarterback Major Applewhite, who promptly threw a 79-yard touchdown strike on his second play from scrimmage. Texas pulled within 36-30 when cornerback Rod Babers stepped in front of a fake punt pass and returned it 54 yards for a score, but the Buffaloes answered with what would be a game-clinching 43-yard field goal by Jeremy Flores. Applewhite quickly led the Longhorns to another touchdown drive, but their ensuing onside kick was recovered by Colorado. With the 39-37 win, the Buffaloes earned a trip to the Fiesta Bowl, where they would lose to Oregon 38-16.

The Bonesville staff contributed to this report.

12/01/2013 02:57 AM