COLLEGE FOOTBALL - 1996 SEASON
24/08/96 - Texas A&M (37) @ (41) BYU - The season opener for both teams turned into a shootout as BYU beat #13 ranked Texas A&M. BYU QB Steve Sarkisian (33-44-536-6) had a huge game, rallying the Cougars to the win by throwing a 46 yard TD pass with 63 seconds left. Texas A&M QB Branndon Stewart (20-28-232-2) had a good game on debut but the Aggie defense couldn't slow down the Cougars. BYU also featured WR's Chad Lewis and Kaipo McGuire (8, Missing last Texas A&M drive, 2 Discs, ABC - Musberger/Vermeil/Arute, PAL)
31/08/96 - Texas Tech (14) @ (21) Kansas State - In the inaugural game of the new Big 12 Conference, #21 ranked Kansas State held off a 4th quarter comeback by unranked Texas Tech to take the win. Both teams' Defenses were on top in the game, but the difference was on Special Teams where Texas Tech missed 4 FG's and fumbled a punt. Kansas State led 21-3 early in the 4th quarter before the Red Raiders scored 14 unanswered points to get back in the game, but a final drive ended on 4th down with a pass-break-up and the Wildcats held on for the win. Kansas State featured QB Brian Kavanaugh (12-29-172-1), RB Mike Lawrence (17-35-0) and WR Kevin Lockett (5-62-0). Texas Tech featured QB Zebbie Lethridge (16-47-190-1 + 21-34-0), RB's Byron Hanspard (21-115-0) and Sammy Morris (2-4-1), WR Stacy Mitchell (3-69), DL Montae Reagor and LB Robert Johnson (8, Copied from the internet - 2025 Re-Broadcast with occasional edited huddles, 2 Discs, ABC - Gannon/Brant/Johnson, PAL)
07/09/96 - UCLA (20) @ (35) Tennessee - Heisman candidate QB Peyton Manning kept the #2 ranked Vols unbeaten on the season with a strong game as Tennessee beat UCLA in a game of big plays. The Vols scored on a 53 yard TD pass and an 86 yard punt return while UCLA scored on a 51 yard interception return and an 88 yard TD pass. Both teams were evenly matched with Manning (16-28-288-2 + 2 TD runs) and UCLA QB Cade McNown (16-24-230-1) putting up similar numbers and Vols WR Joey Kent (7-114-1) and UCLA WR Danny Farmer (5-115-1) enjoying equally big games. The game was the first as head coach of UCLA for Bob Toledo (8, 1 Disc, CBS - Nantz/Donahue/Tafoya, NTSC)
14/09/96 - Texas A&M (22) @ (29) Southwestern Louisiana - In a huge upset, the Ragin Cajuns recorded the first ever win over a ranked team, using a big play defense to shock the #25 ranked Aggies. The defense forced 8 turnovers (4 fumbles + 4 INT's) and scored on 3 of them, with the game winning points coming on a 30 yard interception return for a TD with 6:30 left in the game. The Offense played their part too, led by QB Jake Delhomme (15-34-150-1) and WR Brandon Stokley (5-54-0). The Aggies were led by QB Branndon Stewart (16-33-181-0) and RB D'Andre Hardeman (11-80-2) (8, Last 52 seconds of the game is Texas A&M colour game film with Aggie radio audio and includes Aggie post-game interviews, 3 Discs, Prime - Lucas/Richardson/Eschenfelder, NTSC)
21/09/96 - Florida (35) @ (29) Tennessee - In a driving rain-storm, Florida jumped out to 35-0 lead on the arm of QB Danny Wuerffel (11-22-155-4) before Tennessee QB Peyton Manning (37-65-492-4) rallied the Vols with 29 unanswered points. But the Gators defense forced Manning into 4 interceptions and sealed the win by recovering a last minute on-side kick (8, 2 Discs, CBS - Nantz/Donahue/Tafoya, PAL)
21/09/96 - Texas Tech (12) @ (15) Georgia - In a torrential downpour, the visiting Red Raiders gave Georgia all it could handle, but succumbed to the Bulldogs thanks to a late TD pass. Texas Tech took a 6-0 lead into the 4th quarter thanks to a huge game from RB Byron Hanspard (37-214-2), but Georgia QB Mike Bobo (16-34-292-1) finally got his team on track as they scored 15 points in the 4th quarter, including the game winning TD pass in the final minute. Tech had 1 last chance to force overtime but a last play 54 yard FG sailed wide and the game was lost. Tech also featured QB Zebbie Lethridge (8-23-71-0 + 13-42-0), DL Montae Reagor and LB's Robert Johnson and Anthony Armour. Georgia also featured RB Robert Edwards (7-43-0) and WR Hines Ward (5-94-0) (8, 2 Discs, ESPN 2 - Barnett/Christensen/Ward, NTSC)
21/09/96 - Nebraska (0) @ (19) Arizona State - Arizona State, led by QB Jake Plummer (20-36-292-1), ended the defending National Champions 26 game win streak with a sensational blanking. The Sun Devil defense forced 3 turnovers and recorded a record 3 safeties. The main protagonists were DE Derrick Rodgers and LB Pat Tillman (8, JIP 2nd play, 2 Discs, Sportschannel - Tompkins/White, NTSC)
28/09/96 - Ohio State (29) @ (16) Notre Dame - #4 ranked Ohio State marked it's first game in South Bend for 60 years with a dominating win over the Irish. The Buckeyes led 22-7 at the half and coasted home. Ohio State were led by the 2-headed QB combination of Stanley Jackson (9-15-154-2) and Joe Germaine (4-5-31-0) and also by RB Pepe Pearson (29-173-2). On defense they featured Mike Vrabel, Shawn Springs and Andy Katsenmoyer. Notre Dame were led by QB Ron Powlus (13-30-154-1) and RB Autry Denson (19-55-0) (9, 1 Disc, NBC - Hammond/Trumpy/Dockery, PAL)
28/09/96 - Oregon (27) @ (48) Arizona State - A week after upsetting #1 Nebraska, Arizona State rolled over Oregon. The Sun Devils raced out to a 27-10 lead the half and never looked back. Arizona State QB Jake Plummer (21-37-282-4) had a big game as did RB Mike Martin (25-161-0). Oregon QB Perry-Smith (29-56-468-3) had a huge game in relief of injured starter Tony Graziani but couldn't play defense. ASU also featured RB's Terry Battle (9-83-2) and JR.Redmond (4-14-0 + 1-55-1) plus LB Pat Tillman. Oregon also featured WR Damon Griffin (8-177-2) (6, Dark picture + intermittent satellite interference, 2 Discs, FOX - Tompkins/White/Aldridge, PAL)
28/09/96 - Kansas (42) @ (45) Utah - In a wild shootout, Utah QB Mike Fouts (21-35-476-4) rallied his team to an upset of #20 ranked Kansas with a TD pass with 1:29 remaining. The Utes also featured RB Chris Fuamatu-ma'afala (17-103-2) and WR Kevin Dyson (17-172-1). Kansas featured RB June Henley (41-216-3) who had a huge game in defeat (9, JIP 14:47 - No scoring missed, 2 Discs, ESPN 2 - Steiner/Gilmore, PAL)
12/10/96 - Tennessee (29) @ (17) Georgia - The #7 ranked Vols continued their win streak against the Bulldogs with a big win in Athens. Led by QB Peyton Manning (31-41-371-2) and RB Jay Graham (20-81-1), the Vols took a 22-3 lead in the 3rd quarter and never looked in trouble the rest of the way, finishing the game with their 6th straight win over Georgia. The play of the game came in the 4th quarter on a 4th and 1 by the Vols at the Bulldogs 5 yard line. Manning's QB sneak was stopped at the line but he kept his feet, retreated to the 20 yard line and threw to WR Marcus Nash (6-106-1) in the end-zone for the TD. The play won an ESPY award. Georgia were led by QB Mike Bobo (16-33-146-1) and RB's Robert Edwards (24-104-1) and Hines Ward (4-58-0) (8, 2 Discs, ESPN - Franklin/Gottfried/Winslow, NTSC)
12/10/96 - Arizona State (42) @ (34) UCLA - #4 ranked Arizona State overcame an early onslaught to beat a fiesty UCLA team. UCLA opened up a 28-7 1st half lead on 3 TD's from QB Cade McNown (22-41-1-395-3) before Arizona State found their feet and out-scored UCLA 28-6 in the 2nd half. The Sun Devils QB Jake Plummer (19-36-275-3 + 14-34-1) had a huge game, throwing a TD pass, running in a TD and also catching a TD pass. Arizona State also featured WR Keith Poole (7-112-2), DL Derrick Rodgers and LB Pat Tillman. UCLA also featured RB Skip Hicks (22-114-2) (8, Missing last 24 secs which was a kneel down, 2 Discs, ABC - Musberger/Vermeil/Arute, PAL)
12/10/96 - LSU (13) @ (56) Florida - #1 ranked Florida gave their homecoming crowd plenty to cheer about, dominating #12 LSU on a record-setting day at Florida Field. The Gatots put up a team single-game record 653 yards of total Offense. Florida's Offense, led by Heisman candidate QB Danny Wuerffel (17-25-277-3), led 42-6 at half-time and cruised home in the 2nd half. The Florida Defense held the Tigers to only 28 yards rushing and forced 2 turnovers and 7 sacks. Florida also featured QB Doug Johnson (1-2-27-0), RB's Elijah Williams (13-111-1) and Fred Taylor (16-111-0) and WR's Ike Hilliard (8-145-2) and Reidel Anthony (7-100-1). LSU featured QB Herb Tyler (14-24-215-1), RB Kevin Faulk (13-31-0) and WR Tyrone Frazier (6-79-0) (8, Downloaded from the internet, 1 Disc, CBS - McDonough/Mayock/Johnson, NTSC)
19/10/96 - Auburn (10) @ (51) Florida - For the 2nd straight week, #1 ranked Florida dominated a top 15 team at home, beating #16 ranked Auburn. The Gators rolled up 625 yards of total Offense while the Defense held the Tigers to only 84 yards passing and posted 7 sacks and 2 interceptions. After the teams traded earlt TD's, the Gators scored on 5 successive drives and opened up a 44-10 lead that effectively ended the game. Florida featured QB Danny Wuerffel (17-30-346-3), RB's Elijah Williams (116 yards) and Fred Taylor (110 yards) and WR's Ike Hilliard (6-156-1) and Reidel Anthony (4-91-2). Auburn featured QB Dameyune Craig (7-28-84-0) and RB Markeith Cooper (1 TD run) (8, Downloaded from the internet, 1 Disc, CBS - Nantz/Donahue/Tafoya, NTSC)
19/10/96 - Air Force (20) @ (17) Notre Dame - The Falcons beat Notre Dame for the 1st time since 1985 after taking the Irish into their 1st ever overtime game. Notre Dame QB Ron Powlus (16-24-268-0) fumbled while being sacked on the Irish's 1st possession. Air Force sealed the win on the their possession when kicker Dallas Thompson booted a 27 yard FG. Air Force QB Beau Morgan (5-11-51-0 + 23-183-1) had an inspired game (8, 2 Discs, NBC - Hammond/Trumpy/Dockery, PAL)
26/10/96 - Texas Tech (13) @ (10) Texas A&M - For the 1st time since 1984, Texas Tech beat A&M at Kyle Field. After a physical, defensive 1st half, Texas Tech took a 6-3 lead in at the half. The Aggies repsonded in the 3rd quarter with a TD run to take the lead but Tech sensationally won the game with an 81 yard TD pass in the 4th quarter. Texas Tech were led by QB Zebbie Lethridge (10-25-182-1), RB's Byron Hanspard (41-198-0) and Sammy Morris (81 yard TD catch), DL's Montae Reagor and Tony Daniels, and DB Dane Johnson. Texas A&M featured QB Brandon Stewart (6-19-54-0), RB Dante Hall (17-184-1), DL Brandon Mitchell and LB Dat Nguyen (8, Downloaded from the internet - 2nd Half only and missing opening kick-off - 1 hour 18 minutes, 1 Disc, FOX - Thulin/Davis/Neuner, NTSC)
09/11/96 - Tennessee (17) @ (21) Memphis - In a huge upset, 26 point underdog Memphis beat the #6 ranked Vols for the 1st time ever, scoring the winning TD with 34 seconds left. Led by QB Qadry Anderson (1 TD pass, 1 TD run), who was playing on an injured knee that made him gimpy, the Tigers put together their only sustained drive of the game to go 70 yards in 5 minutes to the winning TD, a 3 yard TD pass. The Vols, led by QB Peyton Manning (23-40-296-1), had 1 last chance to rescue the game but the Tigers played tough defense, intercepted Manning and secured the win. The Tigers used big plays to stay in the game, returning an interception 77 yards to the 1 yard line to set up a TD run and also returning a kick-off 95 yards for a TD. The Vols also featured WR Joey Kent and RB Jay Graham (8, Slight sparkles in the picture, 2 Discs, CBS - McDonough/Mayock/Gigantino, NTSC)
09/11/96 - Texas (38) @ (32) Texas Tech - Texas built a 21 point half-time lead on the rushing of RB's Shon Mitchell (15-150-2) and Ricky Williams (21-143-1) but Texas Tech QB Zebbie Lethridge (14-25-364-2) almost brought the Red Raiders back for the win. Tech WR Donny Hart (5-241-2) and RB Byron Hanspard (22-132 ) both had big games. Both teams combined for 1183 yards of total offense (8, 2 Discs, FOX - Goodman/Lapham/Lucas, PAL)
16/11/96 - San Jose State (10) @ (53) Washington - Washington RB Corey Dillon set an NCAA record with 222 yards rushing in the 1st Quarter, along with 3 TD's and an 83 yard TD catch. Washington also had 2 other running backs go over 100 yards as they amassed 734 yards of total offense (8, 2 Discs, FOX - Waltz/Sixkiller, NTSC)
16/11/96 - Georgia (56) @ (49) Auburn - Georgia forced overtime with a 31 yard TD pass on the last play of regulation and then closed the game out in the 4th overtime with a 1 yard TD run. The heroes for Georgia were QB Mike Bobo (21-37-360-2), WR Hines Ward (9-175-1 + 8-46-0) and RB Robert Edwards (16-72-3). Auburn QB Dameyune Craig (22-35-290-3 + 17-72-2) had a good game. The game is also remembered for Georgia mascot UGA's attack on an Auburn WR (8, ESPN Classic 1 hour 45 mins hi-lites, 2 Discs, CBS - McDonough/Mayock/Johnson, NTSC)
16/11/96 - San Diego State (42) @ (44) UNLV - The Aztecs needed a win to keep their WAC title hopesd alive and a game against the winless Rebels seemed a formality. But behind the leadership of record-setting QB Jon Denton (27-53-503-4) the Rebels built a 28-19 lead the half and neld on at the end as the Aztecs failed on a last minute FG for the win. The win was the only one for the Rebels in 1996 (7, 2 Discs, FOX - Laslavic/Byrd, PAL)
16/11/96 - Pittsburgh (6) @ (60) Notre Dame - After a scoreless first quarter, Notre Dame exploded for a 40 point second quarter en-route to an easy win. Special Teams were the star for the Irish as they returned 3 punts for TD's in the second quarter, 2 by Allen Rossum (55 and 83 yards) and 1 by Autry Denson (74 yards). Notre Dame then used a punishing ground game and a strong defense to keep the Panthers out of the end-zone until 4th quarter. Notre Dame also featured QB Ron Powlus (8-13-171-0), RB's Robert Farmer (22-140-2) and Autry Denson (12-104-0). Pittsburgh were led by QB Matt Lyttle (12-20-97-0) and RB Dwayne Schulters (13-45-0) but only amassed 244 yards of total offense (7, Copy from an LP VHS tape with intermittent slight jumpy picture, NBC - Jones/Cross/DockeryPAL)
23/11/96 - Rutgers (0) @ (62) Notre Dame - On an emotional day in South Bend, Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz coached his last home game and his players sent him out a winner with a big win, his 100th at Notre Dame. The Irish rolled up 648 yards of toal offense as 8 different players scored a Touchdown and the defense held the Scarlet Knights to 43 yards of total offense. The stars for Notre Dame were RB Autry Denson (13-116-1) who broke 1000 yards for the season and QB Ron Polwus (14-18-257-4) who set the Irish career TD pass record (9, 1 Disc, NBC - Jones/Cross/Dockery, PAL)
23/11/96 - USC (41) @ (48) UCLA - In a wild shootout, UCLA forced overtime with a last minute TD run and then sealed the comeback win in the 2nd overtime. UCLA QB Cade McNown (29-47-356-1) and RB Skip Hicks (20-116-1) brought UCLA back from a 17 point 4th quarter deficit to overshadow an awesome show from USC WR RJ Soward (6-261-3) (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Jones/Spagnola, PAL)
30/11/96 - Florida (21) @ (24) Florida State - #2 Florida State used a dominant defensive performace to upset #1 Florida and their QB Danny Wuerrfel (23-48-362-3). The defense registered 6 sacks and 3 interceptions while Seminole RB Warrick Dunn, in his final home game, ran for 185 yards (8, Grainy picture, 2 Discs, ABC - Jackson/Griese/Swann, PAL)
07/12/96 - Big 12 Championship - Nebraska (27) v (37) Texas - In the first ever BIG 12 Championship, Texas upset the #3 ranked Cornhuskers with a gutsy 4th down call late in the game. Texas were led by QB James Brown (19-28-353-1) and RB Priest Holmes (9-120-3). Nebraska were led by QB Scott Frost (15-24-155-0 + 18-47-0) and RB DeAngelo Evans (32-130-3) (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Musberger/Vermeil/Arute, PAL)
07/12/96 - SEC Championship - Alabama (30) v (45) Florida - Florida earned a chance to play in the National Championship game as they demolished Alabama to win the SEC Championship. The star for Florida was QB Danny Wuerffel (20-35-401-6) who set SEC records for passing yards in a season (3,624) and game records for passing yards and TD passes including an 85 yard pass to Jacquez Green. Alabama were led by QB Freddie Kitchens (19-45-264-3) including a 94 yard TD pass (8, JIP 13:32 1st Quarter, 2 Discs, ABC - Jackson/Griese, NTSC)
21/12/96 - Div-1AA National Championship - Montana (29) @ (49) Marshall - Marshall won their 2nd National Championship on the arm of QB Eric Kresser and the play of WR Randy Moss (9-220-4). Marshall jumped out to a 23-6 lead at the half and coasted to the win (9, 2 Discs, ESPN - Nessler/Danielson, NTSC)
25/12/96 - Aloha Bowl - Navy (42) v (38) California - Navy won it's first bowl game in 18 years, scoring 2 TD's in the 4th quarter for the comeback win. The game was full of big plays with both teams combining for 1008 yards of total offense and included Cal opening the game with a 100 yard kick-off return TD. Navy WR Cory Schemm had a huge game with 5 catches for 194 yards. Cal featured QB Pat Barnes, TE Tony Gonzalez and RB Deltha O'Neal (9, 2Discs, ABC - Musberger/Blackledge, PAL)
30/12/96 - Holiday Bowl - Colorado (33) v (21) Washington - #8 ranked Colorado rallied from an early 14-0 deficit to beat #13 ranked Washington. Washington RB Corey Dillon (30-140-2) scored on 2 TD runs in the 1st quarter before Colorado QB Koy Detmer (25-45-371-3) took control with 3 TD passes, 2 of them to WR Rae Carruth (7-162-2). The defense also chipped in with a 31 yard interception return from DE Nick Ziegler. Washington also scored on an 86 yard kick-off return by WR Jerome Pathon (5-96-0), the first in Holiday Bowl history. Washington also featured QB Brock Huard (21-37-203-0) (8, 2 Discs, ESPN - Nessler/Danielson/Karsten, PAL)
31/12/96 - Independence Bowl - Auburn (32) v (29) Army - Army fought back to within 3 points, scoring 22 points in a wild 4th quarter, but failed on the tieing 27 yard FG wirh 29 secs left to let Auburn take the game. Auburn were led by QB Dameyune Craig (24-40-372-2). Army were led by QB Ronnie McAda (9-16-148-1 + 13-46-0) (8, Jumpy picture with intereference for first 10 mins, 2 Discs, ESPN - Bolerjack/Gilmore, PAL)
31/12/96 - Orange Bowl - Nebraska (41) v (21) Virginia Tech - #6 ranked Nebraska used their traditional strong rushing attack to amass 279 rushing yards and 4 TD's to beat #10 ranked Virginia Tech. The main weapons for the Huskers were QB Scott Frost (11-22-136-0 + 9-62-2) and RB Damon Benning (15-95-2), playing in place of an injured Ahmad Green and DeAngelo Evans. They also featured DL Jared Tomich, Jason Peter and DL Grant Wistrom + DB Ralph Brown on Defense. Virginia Tech were led by QB Jim Druckenmiller (16-33-214-3) and RB Ken Oxendine (20-150-0) (8, 2 Discs, CBS - McDonough/Mayock, PAL)
01/01/97 - Citrus Bowl - Tennessee (48) v (28) Northwestern - Tennessee QB Peyton Manning (27-39-408-4) put on a clinic as the Vols raced out to 21-0 1st quarter lead. A 2nd quarter fight-back by the Wildcats levelled the game but Manning quickly answered with a 67 yard TD pass to re-take the lead before the half. The Vols defense then took over and shut-out the Wildcats and forced 3 interceptions from Northwestern QB Steve Schnur (25-45-228-2). Wildcats RB Darnell Autry (17-66-2), in his final game, battled the Flu to give Northwestern a fighting chance (9, 2 Discs, ABC - Jones/Spagnola/Blevins, PAL)
01/01/97 - Cotton Bowl - Kansas State (15) v (19) BYU - #5 ranked BYU completed their season with an NCAA record 14-1 record as they cameback to win against Kansas State. In a wild game of strange plays, K-State took an 8-5 lead in at the half with a last-play 41 yard "Hail Mary" TD pass and extended their lead with a 72 yard TD pass from QB Brian Kavanagh (14-28-233-2) to WR Kevin Lockett (7-135-1) in the 3rd Quarter. But BYU fought their way back on the arm of QB Steve Sarkisian (21-36-291-2) and took the lead on a 28 yard TD pass to WR KO Kealaluhi with 3:39 left. The Wildcats weren't done though, and drove down the field before Kavanagh threw an interception at the BYU goal-line to give BYU the win (8, 2 Discs, CBS - Ryan/McConkey/Davis, PAL)
01/01/97 - Rose Bowl - Ohio State (20) v (17) Arizona State - #2 ranked Arizona State, led by QB Jake Plummer (19-35-201-1) entertained thoughts of a National Championship with a win but faced a strong #4 ranked Ohio State team, led by WR David Boston (4-20-2). Both teams fought back and forth with the Sun Devils finally taking the lead with an 11 yard TD run by QB Plummer with 1:40 left in the 4th quarter. But Ohio State QB Joe Germaine (9-17-131-2) calmly led the Buckeyes downfield and threw the winning TD pass to Boston with only 19 secs left. Arizona State were led on defense by Pat Tillman and Derrick Rodgers and Ohio State were led on defense by Shawn Springs and Andy Katzenmoyer (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Musberger/Vermeil, PAL)
02/01/97 - Sugar Bowl - Florida (52) v (20) Florida State - Florida finally won their 1st National Title by beating the #1 ranked Seminoles in a re-match of their final regular season game. The MVP was Heisman Trophy winning Florida QB Danny Wuerffel (18-34-306-3) (8, 2 Discs, NTSC, ABC - Jackson/Griese/Swann, PAL)