Since we are in the midst of Spring Football, NFL Combine and Pro Day, in your opinion, what is THE single greatest Rocket Football Game of all time?
Mine is Bruce Gradkowski's record day vs. Pitt...
I'm sure there were some during the 35 game streak, but I didn't witness those. Here are my top 4 that I've witnessed.
1. First victory at Purdue in 1992. This game happened before it was trendy for mid major's to beat big 10 teams. Marcus Goodwin's 14 catches that day and Calvin Bransford's over the middle catches were incredible. Kevin Meger is still one of my all time favorite QB's.
2. 1995 First overtime game in NCAA history UT vs. Nevada. What a game.
3. UT beats Michigan at Michigan, what more can you say? Their athletic budget is $53 million, UT's was like $14 million, it just shouldn't happen.
4. UT beats #9 Pitt, that diving catch from Bruce to Lance is forever etched in my mind.
Runner up: I'm still kicking myself for not going to Happy Valley to see that ass kicking. Brock Kreitzburg's diving catch to win vs. Miami was pretty dramatic.
1967. UT beats BG for the first time in about ten years, and goes on to win the MAC.
Man oh man, good answers. I'd say UT/UM game is #2 for me. I was there. I'm a UM Season Ticket holder as well, but, it was all Toledo that day. I even tailgated with the UM QB's dad.
UT vs. #9 Pitt was something special. The Glass Bowl was absolutely rockin' that night (please bring back the thunderstix for the students)...and The Catch!
Another option for all-time greatest game goes to the 2001 MAC Champions when they stormed back from a 23-point deficit in the 2nd quarter to beat Marshall 41-36 at the Glass Bowl. I've never seen a comeback like that, it was just incredible to witness.
And then there's the Arkansas game down in the heart of SEC country. The whole experience down in Little Rock was unforgettable. We were surrounded by an army of Razorback fans everywhere we went, but came back with the W over the 18th ranked team in the nation.
Hands down, a 3 win UT team beats a 3 win UM team... even so it was thrilling... Then Penn St. drubbing.... then ranked Arkansas.... Then Pitt, then Minnisoota beat down at home.
Too many great choices...which just speaks to the history of this program!
I will say that sitting in Beaver Stadium to watch the Rockets completely control Penn State will always be a fond memory. Even though Penn State wasn't top 20 caliber that season, nobody knew it that early in the season, and for most of the second half it was absolutely eerie sitting in relative silence even though there were 80,000+ in the stands...you could hear crickets. Of course the UT corner was a bit more boisterous!
The first overtime win in NCAA history, in the Las Vegas Bowl, was a lot of fun, and a great game to watch. Probably the Penn State and UM game would be a toss up.
(03-21-2017 02:04 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote: [ -> ]Too many great choices...which just speaks to the history of this program!
I will say that sitting in Beaver Stadium to watch the Rockets completely control Penn State will always be a fond memory. Even though Penn State wasn't top 20 caliber that season, nobody knew it that early in the season, and for most of the second half it was absolutely eerie sitting in relative silence even though there were 80,000+ in the stands...you could hear crickets. Of course the UT corner was a bit more boisterous!
Penn State fans were also first class, even in defeat...
Any win over BG, including the last 7...
(03-21-2017 04:25 PM)RangerRocket Wrote: [ -> ]Any win over BG, including the last 7...
22-20, early in the streak. Ken Crots field goal into the teeth of a fierce BG wind on the game's last play breaking the hearts of the Falcon faithful.
I am going to preface this by stating these were the best Rocket games in which I was in attendance:
1) Penn St
2) Arkansas
3) Michigan
4) Pitt
5) Drubbing of Minnesota
6) MACC win vs Marshall
7) OT win at BGSUcks - Gradkowski to Hopkins
8) Regular season win at Marshall - Trinity Dawson
9) Bowl win vs Temple
10) Bowl win vs Air Force
11) Win at Purdue - Austin Dantin
12) Home win vs Purdue
I am sure I am forgetting some, but honorable mention:
Best Rocket performance in a loss, when I was in attendance - Triple OT loss at Iowa St
Best Rocket victory that I wasn't in attendance, but watched on TV - California Bowl 1981 - Toledo over San Jose St
UT at BG 1983 we won 6-3 and I got drunk on a lot of Old Style
1) The Mac championship game vs Marshall
2) The Win versus Pitt
3) The BGSUCKS when they were down around 20 at halftime and came back and won it ended up being Urban Meyers last game
4) the Last Mac championship win versus Miami
Mine in attendance:
-2001 MAC title vs Marshall
-Michigan win
-Pitt game
-Arkansas victory
-GMAC domination in 2005 only because I rode down in Jambulance, was in the parade, and had an awesome tailgate experience
(03-21-2017 04:25 PM)RangerRocket Wrote: [ -> ]Any win over BG, including the last 7...
2013, Terrance Owens to Alonzo Russell on 4th down to lead UT to the win over BG.