10 Greatest Moments from the 2016 College Football Season

After a thrilling year of college football, Saturday Blitz takes a look back at the 10 greatest moments from the 2016 season.

The College Football Playoff National Championship is about to take place, but so much has happened during the 2016 season to get to this point.

There were more than a handful of upsets and dramatic finishes this college football season, starting from opening weekend all the way up to bowl season. Meanwhile, Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson took the college football world by storm, winning the Heisman Trophy in the process.

There was a lot of incredible plays and games during the college football season, but let’s go ahead and break down the top 10 moments from 2016.

Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Tyrone Swoopes (18) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning touchdown in overtime against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

10. Texas wins wild one over Notre Dame in overtime

The college football season started off with an incredible opening weekend that included a thrilling matchup between the Texas Longhorns and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. While neither program went on to have much success for the rest of the year, the game itself was easily one of the most exciting of the year.

The Longhorns and Fighting Irish went back and forth, but it was Texas that came away with a 50-47 victory in double overtime. Tyrone Swoopes, aka the 18 Wheeler, was the hero for the Longhorns with three rushing touchdowns, including the game-winner.

The Longhorns may have only finished with a 5-7 record that ultimately led to the firing of Charlie Strong, but this was a game that the players will never forget.

Nov 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Darren Carrington II (7) makes a catch in the end zone against Utah Utes defensive back Brian Allen (14) for the game-winning touchdown with 2 seconds remaining in the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Oregon won 30-28. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

9. Darren Carrington’s wild catch helps Oregon upset Utah

Like the Longhorns, the Oregon Ducks had a season that they would like to forget. The Ducks went just 4-8 with some really embarrassing losses that led to head coach Mark Helfrich being fired at the end of the year.

However, the Ducks were at least able to play the role of spoilers late in the season. Back in November, the Ducks were expected to get dominated by a talented Utah Utes team. Instead, Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert was able to lead a game-winning drive with time running out.

Down 28-24 with eight seconds remaining, Herbert looked deep and somehow found Darren Carrington in the back of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown thanks to an incredible catch from the Ducks receiver.

This might have been the highlight of the season, but the future is looking bright in Oregon for 2017. Willie Taggart is the new head coach, Royce Freeman is returning for his senior season and Hebert will have a whole offseason to continue to develop.

If anything, the Ducks offense should be back in full force next year.

Oct 29, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Dante Pettis (8) returns a punt for a touchdown during the second half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Washington won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

8. Dante Pettis returns punt for go-ahead touchdown vs Utah

The Washington Huskies are preparing for their toughest test of the year in a College Football Playoff matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide. However, the Huskies could have very well been on the outside of the CFP looking in if it weren’t for Dante Pettis.

Back in October, the Huskies took on the Utes in a tough Pac-12 matchup. The game was tied at 24-24 late in the fourth quarter when the Utes were forced to punt the ball away deep in their own territory.

On the ensuing return, Washington’s Dante Pettis was able to get wide, find a seam and take off for a punt return touchdown, giving the Huskies a 31-24 lead with less than three and a half minutes remaining.

Utes fans will probably be upset to see their team on the losing end of this list twice, especially with some questionable missed calls on the punt return touchdowns.

Still, this game wound up saving Washington’s College Football Playoff hopes, and Pettis probably won’t have to buy a drink in Seattle any time soon.

Nov 12, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers linebacker Dorian O

7. Pittsburgh takes down Clemson on game-winning field goal

The Clemson Tigers have been one of the most dominant teams in college football this season. However, like almost every other team around the country, the Tigers had to face at least one major hiccup.

Heading into their November matchup against the Pittsburgh Panthers, the Tigers were 9-0 and looking like they were going to run the table on their way to the College Football Playoff. Pittsburgh had other plans.

A few costly interceptions from Deshaun Watson helped the Panthers stay in the game. Near the end of the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh was able to drive down the field and set kicker Chris Blewitt up with a potential game-winning 48-yard field goal.

Instead of living up to his last name, Blewitt was able to drill the field goal to give Pittsburgh their biggest win of the season.

Clemson was still able to make it into the College Football Playoff, but Pittsburgh’s upset of the Tigers was easily one of the most exciting games of the season. There were some other major upsets that ended with game-winning field goals, but Pittsburgh’s was definitely the most exciting.

Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) catches a touchdown pass against Wisconsin Badgers linebacker T.J. Watt (42) in the second half during the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

6. Penn State overcomes 21-point deficit to win Big Ten Championship

For some reason, the Penn State Nittany Lions were a second half team all season. Their nine-game win streak heading into the Rose Bowl was filled with second-half comebacks, but none were more exciting than the comeback in the Big Ten Championship.

The Nittany Lions were dominated in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers, at one point trailing 28-7. However, Trace McSorley was able to will Penn State back into the game, throwing for 384 yards and four touchdowns, including this go-ahead score to running back Saquon Barkley that helped the Nittany Lions take their first lead.

James Franklin’s team was able to hold onto that lead and came away with a wild 38-31 victory to win the Big Ten title. Although Penn State was left out of the College Football Playoff, the conference championship was a great way to validate all of the hard work Franklin’s players put in during this amazing win streak.

Surprisingly, this wasn’t even the biggest moment of the year for Penn State, but we’ll get to that later.

Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) catches a game winning touchdown pass in front of Georgia Bulldogs safety Dominick Sanders (24) on the last play on the game during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

5. Tennessee stuns Georgia on game-winning Hail Mary

There were a couple of Hail Mary endings in college football this season, but Tennessee’s victory of the Georgia Bulldogs stands out as the most memorable. You could make the argument that Central Michigan’s Hail Mary lateral belongs on here, but considering the play shouldn’t have even happened, I’m rolling with the Volunteers.

Early in the season, the Bulldogs thought that they had taken down the Volunteers thanks to a late go-ahead touchdown to take a 31-28 lead. However, because of a couple of penalties, Tennessee got one more chance to make a play.

As time expired, Tennessee’s Joshua Dobbs threw up a prayer towards the end zone, and somehow Jauan Jennings was able to reel it in for one of the wildest endings of the season. Butch Jones’ reaction after the play pretty much said it all.

That play helped the Volunteers stay undefeated with a 5-0 record. Although they wound up falling off a bit and finished with an 8-4 record on the year, this Hail Mary had Volunteers fans believing that this was a team of destiny.

Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; CBS sportscaster Verne Lundquist arrives for the SEC Championship college football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

4. Verne Lundquist calls his final college football game

Verne Lundquist has had a legendary career calling college football games, but like all good things, his time in the broadcast booth on Saturdays had to come to an end.

After so many years of calling college football games, Verne’s final college football call came on December 10th during the Army-Navy game. Fortunately for fans, the game didn’t disappoint, and Verne provided his fans with a heartfelt send off at the end of the broadcast.

Army was able to come away with a wild 21-17 victory, but at the end of the game everyone wanted to hear what Verne had to say, and his send-off left plenty of college football fans misty-eyed.

On the bright side, Verne will continue to call the Masters and college basketball, but this was a perfect send off for the CBS broadcaster in his final college football game.

Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin (center) is surrounded by fans following the conclusion of the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

3. Penn State takes down the undefeated Buckeyes

Penn State makes the list of most memorable college football moments twice this season, and for good reason. This nine-game win streak had its fair share of epic moments, but none were more exciting than when the Nittany Lions were able to pull off the upset over the Ohio State Buckeyes.

It wasn’t the prettiest game for the Nittany Lions, but they had a handful of lucky breaks that kept them in the game. The first scoring didn’t occur until the second quarter, and although the Buckeyes held a 12-0 lead in the first half, Trace McSorley was able to find Chris Goodwin for a touchdown with nine seconds left before halftime to cut the lead to 12-7.

Ohio State created some more distance by going up 21-7 heading into the fourth quarter, but the Nittany Lions came back and eventually took the lead on a blocked field goal by Marcus Allen that was returned by Grant Haley for a touchdown.

That play helped the Nittany Lions take a 24-21 lead that they held onto until the clock expired. The Buckeyes were undefeated and ranked No. 2 at the time while Penn State was unranked at 4-2, but they weren’t afraid of the Big Ten powerhouse.

Sure, the Nittany Lions weren’t able to make the College Football Playoff at the end of the year. However, the future is bright at Penn State, and games like this helped put the program back on the map this season.

Sep 9, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) leaps over Syracuse Orange defensive back Cordell Hudson (20) during the second quarter at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

2. Lamar Jackson’s hurdle over a Syracuse defender

Every Heisman Trophy winner needs that “Heisman moment” that can be played back for decades to come. For Louisville’s Lamar Jackson, that moment came in just the second game of the season against the Syracuse Orange.

The Cardinals were dominating late in the first half up 28-7 on the Orange, and they were driving once again before halftime. Near the goal line, Jackson began running towards the sideline when he leaped over an unsuspecting defender on his way to another touchdown in easily the most jaw-dropping play of the season.

Jackson finished the game with five total touchdowns, including four on the ground in the 62-28 blowout win. Despite sitting for the second half in a number of games for Louisville, Jackson finished the year with 51 total touchdowns and a number of highlight plays on his way to winning the Heisman.

Although we won’t see Lamar in the CFP this season, at least we’ll get another whole season to watch the electrifying college QB in 2017.

Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) celebrates after scoring the game winning touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines in the second overtime at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 30-27 in double overtime.Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

1. Curtis Samuel scores the game-winning touchdown in The Game

Heading into the 2016 season, The Game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines in the final week of the regular season was the most highly-anticipated matchup. After an entire season of games, the Big Ten rivalry was somehow able to live up to the hype.

Both teams came into Ohio Stadium with College Football Playoff aspirations, but only one would be able to stay in the conversation after the rivalry. The two teams went back and forth throughout the contest, leading to a thrilling series of events in overtime.

After a controversial first down call in double overtime, Ohio State’s Curtis Samuel was able to find a hole and took off for the game-winning 15-yard touchdown to give the Buckeyes the win.

Ohio State will be taking on Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve, and they’re in the College Football Playoff in large part because of this big play and wild ending to The Game.

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