This Week In College Football History, Nov. 27-Dec. 3
Courtesy of The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Inc.
November 26, 2007

FEATURED MOMENT:

Nov. 30, 1905: Chicago scores a safety to edge Michigan 2-0 and to end College Football Hall of Fame head coach Fielding Yost’s run of unbeaten games at 56 (55-0-1) after he takes over as head coach at UM in 1901. The undefeated starting skein is still No. 1 among all-time Big Ten Conference coaches.

OTHER NOTABLE DATES:

Nov. 27, 1982: Penn State advances to a national championship showdown with Georgia in the Sugar Bowl by topping Pittsburgh 19-10 to advance to 10-1. The Nittany Lions utilize the home field advantage and the passing of standout QB (and now ESPN broadcaster) Todd Blackledge (149 yards in frigid conditions) to topple the Panthers and QB Dan Marino for the second year in succession.

Nov. 28, 1961: New Mexico State gets an NCAA-record-tying six two-point conversions fom halfback Jim “Preacher” Pilot (all on running plays) in a 54-8 victory over Hardin Simmons (Texas). The game also completes the college head coaching career of College Football Hall of Famer Sam Baugh at HSU.

Nov. 29, 1975: Arizona State edges Territorial Cup rival Arizona 24-21 to close the regular campaign at 11-0, win the WAC crown and attain a bid to the Fiesta Bowl. The Sun Devils “Crunch Bunch” defense stops the Wildcats on four consecutive pass attempts toward the end zone in the final series to hold on for the victory over UA, which is 9-2 after the hard-fought tussle.

Dec. 1, 1945: No. 1 nationally Army edges No. 2 Navy 32-13 at Municipal Stadium in Philadelphia. The game clinches the national crown for NFF tri-founder and Army head coach Earl Blaik and still stands tied as the highest national rankings for both teams at kickoff in the 107 year-old series.

Dec. 2, 1972: The famed “Punt, Bama, Punt” game ends with Auburns twin brothers – Bill and Bob Newton – blocking a pair of Alabama punts in the fourth quarter and helping the Tigers roar back from a 16-3 deficit in the fading minutes to win 17-16 in Birmingham, Ala.

Dec. 3, 1938: Southern California stuns previously undefeated Notre Dame (8-0) 13-0 at the Los Angeles Coliseum. It’s almost a “bowl game” for the Fighting Irish, who don’t attend postseason play from 1926-69 because of university regulations, while USC later topples Duke in the ’39 Rose Bowl to finish 9-2.