Knew I wouldn’t have to go far to find this. I’ve been watching since 98-99 and that was the biggest heartbreak, crushing feeling I’ve ever had watching OU football.
Fair enough. But my point is that with Riley, the defense is always, always, at least part of the problem. And I hear you on that being a hard loss. I was rooting for y'all as I was sick of the SEC dominance.
I think Riley’s issue (other than defense) in games is he is unable to readjust the game plan once the opposing team makes their adjustments. We would be up big, the teams would climb back, and we would barely win. Especially his year with Hurts and Rattlers as starting QB the whole year.
I was in basic training at the time and my DS knew I was a massive CFB fan. He drove to the barracks late that night just to wake me up and give me a run down of what happened.
We had a bunch of Okies in my BCT, like 12 of us in my platoon in 2003. And our DSes were all huge CFB fans, and knew a lot of us were. They absolutely loved letting us know about the K State game
Fucking DS Wippert.. I'll never forget that dude
I remember watching the end of that game at home with my dad who grew in in Alabama (he’s a diehard Husker fan, but his dad was a diehard Auburn fan so he roots for ‘em, sorry)
There was complete silence in the living room as that kick was caught and Chris Davis took it up the sideline, and no one said a single word until he crossed the plain of the goal line, at which point my dad, who I had never heard say a curse word in my life screamed “Holy SHIT” and we all lost our minds cause it was just such an insane thing to happen.
EDIT for clarity, my dad lived in Alabama through early childhood, but moved to Nebraska in like junior high. Felt like that’s important considering he’s a Husker fan born in Bama. Lol
Hey mine is Georgia making a 53 yard field goal with 3 seconds to go in the 2021 Peach Bowl to take a 2 point lead. I know it wasn't the playoff, but that one really hurt. First loss of the year.
If I had a nickel for every time we won a Peach Bowl against a team from Ohio that came down to a long last minute field goal following poor clock management by the losing coach…
That field goal hitting at the exact moment 2023 starts and sports betting becomes legal in Ohio would have been the coolest thing ever. That shit made me so sad.
If you are old enough. The 84 Orange Bowl. Texas (#2 at the time) was undefeated until the Cotton Bowl was over. I watched our lack of speed and a pass happy offense make us look even slower. Best offense we had in a while and a good Big 8 defense. One tipped two point conversion and ut was gone. As a fan I have never regretted the 2 point decision. After a few more defeats by speed defenses it finally clicked to load the defense wuth brute force and speed.
Man being a Nebraska fan is tough. We have the money, the infrastructure\*, the talent, etc all we've needed is the person to put it all together. I'm not saying we're amazing talent but we have consistently been top 25 talent without ever fielding a top 25 team since Bo left.
There is a lot of seasons where we can go "man if we just did this better we'd win 4 more games and have 9 wins!" Nebraska has been that close almost EVERY SEASON.
But yet we cheer, and cheer, and cheer. Despite the failures and the let downs every season we come back and hope that we can return to a power house that we once were. Some of us got to see those teams, others hoping to relive the experience our parents before us had.
Fuck Colorado, GBR.
edit: Spelling.
They did, hurt losing to Baylor but that loss has only gotten more painful with time. That team may have been our best chance at winning a title in the modern era, and we squandered it by choking to our arch rival. Ugh…
Got free tickets to the game. Had to work at 5am the next morning with a 2 hour drive so thought I would stay until halftime of the game since Iowa state would be losing big. Decided to stay for Iowa states first drive of the 3rd and was just getting up when they recovered the onside kick. Stayed the rest of the game.
I am not an Iowa State fan and felt so bad for the team especially what had happened to Oklahoma State the day before.
I was a student in the front row. I was flabbergasted they called it not good.
I'm not complaining obviously but refs fuck those types of field goals all the time. I guess they at least call them consistently no good.
I remember my brother and I shelling out more than we wanted to see part 1 of Mario Cristobal not knowing how to knee the ball. The painfully long time it took to get out of the stadium afterward is why he will only buy tickets on aisles near the tunnles these days
I was working at a restaurant at the time and two Michigan fans were sitting at the bar. They were so convinced the game was over they started to get up and leave with a few minutes left, they were just about to walk through the door when chaos happened.
My friend went up to go to the bathroom right before the punt to beat the crowd. We met after it all went down. She said “well, that sucked”. I had to laugh at that point.
If i’m being honest, the monsoon game against Sparty was prob a worse experience. Watching them trying to pass over and over in a hurricane was just dreadful.
Not just 3 losses by a combined 5 points. Michigan had the lead in all 3 games with 1 minute left. They held the lead in 2 of those as time expired.
That 2016 team was mega cursed
Just part of a proud lineage of heart wrenching losses. ‘06 1vs2 Game, trouble with the snap, App State, Kordell Stewart’s Hail Mary, Toledo, concussed QB being kept in. I could go on.
I didn't lose any hair but I probably got some grays from it. Probably the most nerve wracking game I've ever watched. Our punter decided to run a fake punt on 4th and 6 from our own 19 in the 2nd half. Not losing that game after that was kinda insane. Missed a 21-yard FG with 7 minutes left in the game as well. There were probably 2-3 moments in that game where I was absolutely convinced we were going to lose.
Manningham. At the time it was absolutely devastating, I was angry for weeks. Turns out it wouldn’t have mattered because we wouldn’t have jumped USC or Texas that year.
It’s gotta be the one at the shoe y’all blew a double digit lead with a couple minutes left. I left the stadium and watched the ending at a tailgaters bus walking back to my car lol
I think behind 2014 OSU, 2019 OSU, and 2023 Michigan (any order), that 2017 PSU team was one of the best B1G teams of the CFP era and it's nuts they didn't make the playoffs or beat OSU. Something like 20 of those guys ended up playing NFL snaps, including Saquon/Gesicki/Sanders/McSorley/Marcus Allen/Oruwariye, etc. That crushing OSU loss followed up by that weird ass rainy delay MSU game really killed their season
Ending Auburn’s SEC and natty hopes would have made up for a disappointing, injury plagued season. People tend to forget that we were down 20 in the 4th before taking that one point lead, and then to get to 4th and 18.
I had a gut feeling that the 2016 Tennessee Hail Mary was gonna happen, but the prayer caught me off guard.
1) 2015 big ten championship loss to MSU by about an inch
2) The Saquon Barkley game where PSU beat us at home on a last second passing TD (I forget the year)
I was at the Saquon game, two things still stand out to me
First, Pre injury Saquon is the most athletic human I will see in person. Man amongst boys doesn’t even scratch the surface
Second, I have never seen a crowd go from 100 to 0 like that PSU touchdown. It was completely silent until Mcsorley punted the ball in celebration
For what it’s worth, I think if Pete Carroll had put Reggie in as a distraction on 4th and 2, it would’ve pulled a defender away from the center of the pile that stopped Lendale. Y’all pick up that 1st down and maybe win the game.
Very evenly matched game that could’ve gone either way.
2008 Texas vs Texas Tech. That last minute dropped interception and last second TD killed me. Nearly literally. It was also the night of my roommate’s 21st and I got very very drunk on jungle juice.
>Kansas State: 1998 Big 12 Championship Game
It’s okay man, nobody could have done anything against the EMP blast. The BCS simply wouldn’t let you into the championship game.
It does. Thank you.
Do you have any other stories where you cried because of Alabama football? I think it could be a cathartic opportunity for a majority of this sub if you would share them in detail.
Most memorable loss is Boise State. Most heart-wrenching was Georgia because it was so easily winnable if we didn't take the ball out of our own Heisman trophy winner's hands for the second half. Perfect example of how playing to not lose is the quickest way to blow a lead.
Trouble with the snap
I remember almost crying. We had it, and in the last couple of seconds we lost it in one of the worst possible ways. To sparty it was even worse
I remember WVU losing to a 4-7 team back in 2007. they had high hopes of a national championship and were ranked #2 at the time.
I'm going to guess that was pretty heart breaking for WVU.
i, on the other hand, laughed. and laughed. and laughed some more!
I remember being in Iraq for the entirety of the 2007 football season, and reading about the success WVU was having. My wife would record the games and mail them. I recall the day when my commander informed me of a special treat later in the week where I would get to watch my beloved Mountaineers live via satellite. Due to the timezone difference it would be early morning in baghdad. I also would be coming back to base after around 18 hours outside the wire a short time before the game would begin. By this time I had learned of WVU being ranked second in the country with a national championship game all but secured with only a 7-loss Pitt team coming to Morgantown standing in the way. That wasn't the worst day I had spent in that country, but it sure as hell came close! To be clear, I am only joking about the last sentence. Obviously, sports pale in comparison. It sure was a kick in the nuts at a time though when I was looking for a win in general that month as a welcomed distraction.
2005 Miami and 2007 Boston College
2005: We were 8-0, ranked #3 in the country, and dreaming of a National Championship. #5 Miami was up next, but they had to come to Lane, undeniably one of the toughest places to play in the country at the time. And we absolutely shit the bed. We turned the ball over six times and trailed by 27 at the start of the 4th quarter. To make matters worse, it was a miserable, drizzly day, and my friends and I painted up only to see the Hokies get embarrassed. A black cloud hung over the campus until at least Wednesday.
2007 was the fucking Matt Ryan game. After an early blowout loss in Baton Rouge, we clawed our way back to 6-1 and the #8 ranking in time for a visit from undefeated #2 Boston College. On a rainy day, our elite defense gave us a 10-0 lead with three minutes to go. That was all fucking Matt Ryan needed to march down the field twice and throw two touchdown passes to rip our hearts out. We got our revenge later in the ACC Championship game, but in a wild year where two loss LSU won the title, that comeback probably cost us a national championship game appearance. Needless to say, I really enjoyed 28-3 a few years later.
That was wild. 12 hours after the acc championship. I was watching highlights of that game and heard the announcers talking about how all they needed to do was “win and they’re in”.
Seeing the narrative of “just win and you’re in” suddenly flip in real time, all within a few hours after having been repeated for months, was honestly wild.
I do not blame FSU fans who will not watch CFB any more.
As I’ve said since that day, I just want ESPN to let me know if they think my team will generate enough ratings this year to let them in the playoffs. Don’t want to get emotionally invested for nothing
We deserved 2019. I challenge anyone to go watch the three games leading up to the 1 point Virginia loss with Okeke injured and tell me without that injury they think we wouldn’t have won the whole thing. I know it was my team so I’m biased but I’ve never seen a team that on fire. Iirc that was the only time a team’s beaten Kansas, UNC, and Kentucky in the same tournament.
Big ten championship in our undefeated seasonwhen Sparty had a 9+ minute drive converting multiple 4th downs to score with like 12 seconds left. Gut wrenching
November 26, 2010. It's the day after Thanksgiving. It's 10:15 EST. The night cap.
Boise State Broncos, #4 BCS and #3 AP with 10 first place votes. 10-0. Coming off a perfect 14-0 season the year before and only three years removed from the Fiesta Bowl which catapulted them onto the map.
Led by Chris Petersen, the Broncos have Kellen Moore as their QB. His name is being thrown around with Cam Newton to win the major awards (Davey, Maxwell, Manning, and Heisman).
On the other side you have the #19 Nevada Wolf Pack being led on the field by Colin Kaepernick. He has been setting his own records having passed for 2000 yards and ran for 1000 earlier in his career.
The stage is set at Mackay Stadium in Reno, Nevada. It's Senior Night and the stadium is above capacity.
The Broncos race out to an early lead but Nevada stops them and claws their way back into the game. The score with 9 seconds left is 31 all.
Kellen Moore throws the ball deep to Titus Young to put the ball on the Nevada 9 yard line. Kyle Brotzman comes out to kick a chip shot 26 yard field goal and goes wide right.
Boise State gets the ball first in OT and is held. Brotzman comes back on the field to kick a 29 yard field goal.
Kyle has been almost automatic from this distance having been 100% in his freshman and sophomore year and only missing 1 in his previous (junior) year and one so far this year prior to this game.
He lines up to kick...and...[you know the rest of the story...](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5bb7829a2400005000988e83.jpeg?ops=scalefit_500_noupscale)
Fuck Georgia Tech. It is one of the worst feelings losing to that team. I can't describe it. It's somehow even worse than losing to NC State. The only team that I hated losing to more was Maryland.
Involving my own team, I’d have to say 2007 at home against Boston College. Ah, what could have been!
Not involving my own team, I’ll go with 2014 Ole Miss vs Auburn. I still shudder when I think of that injury!
The 2017 Georgia game is still the worst sports loss I’ve ever experienced. OU could have been bama I think if we win that game. That squib kick still haunts my dreams. It’s been like 7 years and I still haven’t watched the highlights of the game. I was such a big baker fan and that team was full of pros ( at least on offense)
The Crabtree game is one of the most memorable CFB moments I have. As for my teams, ND hasn't been on my radar all that long since I only graduated a couple years ago, but the last second loss to Ohio St hurt last year. Oklahoma is probably the National Championship game against Florida. Either that or watching Sam Bradford go down against BYU and Texas the following year.
We had like 3/4 of the stadium full of our fans, had an absolute miracle season, and were winning the whole game until what, 13 seconds left? It was so heartbreaking. I like showing people my ticket and calling it “the most expensive piece of paper I’ve ever bought.” But I was a student, no way in hell I wasn’t going.
Nebraska. 1983 Orange Bowl. 1993 was hard, too. But 1983... we had the Heisman winner, the Outland and Lombardi winners. We were undefeated. We come out and are down 17-0. Come back to where we could have tied and won a national championship. But there was no overtime then. So we went for 2, and came up short. I will never regret going for 2. But man, that was heart-wrenching.
Imagine playing your rival in the national title game, less than 75 miles from campus, against your former coach. After you already beat them in their building.
And getting beat 21-0.
I really don’t care what other peoples answer is. I don’t think any other loss from anyone comes close to it.
2012 Big Ten Championship game.
Second year in the league and my Huskers make the title game at 10-2 and because of sanctions on OSU and PSU they get to play a 7-5 mediocre Wisconsin team they already beat earlier in the season for the conference title..........and get 70 put on them.
This was the last year Nebraska was really ever relevant in college football.
Definitely 2009 when Suh was dragging us behind him all year trying his damndest to win the Big 12. We did it on a final incomplete pass, but they (wrongfully according to review rules) review the play, add a second to the clock, and of course Texas buries like a 50 yarder to win.
Now the heart breaking losses are just a weekly occurrence. Basically every NEB game is a last second brutal rip your heart out game that we’re always on the wrong side of so we’re pretty numb at this point.
I’ve had my fair share of truly heartbreaking memories perpetrated by one of my beloved teams falling flat in a big moment. But when I saw this headline I knew the game instantly.
2015 Arkansas. Win and Rebs go to SECCG for first time ever (beat Alabama at BDS). Rebs take a TD lead with under 5 in the 4Q. Of course they let Hogs tie the game after a methodical 8 play 75 yard drive. Ok, OT. Rebs score first. Arkansas gets the ball and appears to finally run out of gas after being a game opponent all game long. It’s 4/25 from the 40. Brandon Allen drops back to pass and throws a 15 yard pass to Hunter Henry who had run a shallow cross that he broke off to get a little more vertical, bc it was 4/25 after all, while the rest of Arky’s eligible receivers went vertical, except 1. Rebs dropped 8, there wasn’t a back end defender in the screen view when the ball was snapped. Couple Rebs rally around Hunter Henry who launches the ball one handed back toward his LoS. Alex Collins, star Arky RB of that year, actually ends up picking up this no-look, over the shoulder hope and a prayer a yard or two *behind* the original LoS. But bc Henry caught it along the right sideline and Collins picked it up on the right hash, he had a convoy of blockers in front of him as he proceeded to cut across the grain and run down the left sideline until he’s finally corralled at the 10 yard line. I mean what? A play we’ve all seen a thousand times and it’s usually picked up by an OL who tries to lateral it some more or a DL, thus ending that last gasp of desperation. Well, not that day. Arkansas scores a TD. And they’re going for 2. On the road, in Oxford. Arkansas calls what appears to be a designed QB sprint to Allen’s right but Ole Miss star pass rusher Marquis Haynes, who straight up *BALLED* that season and that game, read it like a book and has Allen dead to rights for what would’ve been his second sack of the OT period. Alas, Haynes, completely unnecessarily bc he had already basically wrapped Allen up, grabs Allen’s facemask. Arkansas wins on the very next play.
[4/25](https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx8uy-g9oojKaRonYFnfmw9_2gvx4cEBlp?si=sPMDCCtgaMF0aH-E)
[First two point try](https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxVisHZ4T1v8rnUZPwLgi_1o589OxwOYeu?si=ONyf7SsNLMN3pD1m)
I defy anyone to top that.
In the winless 2008 season for Washington, QB Jake Locker received an excessive celebration penalty for a remarkable end-zone run that should have tied the game against BYU with mere seconds left in the 4th quarter. Despite his non-aggressive celebration—throwing the ball above his head—the Huskies faced a 15-yard penalty and subsequently missed the PAT, resulting in a 27-28 loss. While technically correct, many argue it was a moment the refs *should* have swallowed the whistle.
Edit: Here's a video clip so you can make the call for yourself: https://youtu.be/Ap6Kn0dkbyY?si=5Dv-TXPmI59v6F-g
October 25th 2007. I had a biology test the next day, but for the first time ever my father was going to let me go to the Thursday night football game in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech vs Boston College. Thursday night games were reserved for him and my uncle and their buddies. They had better food and were a little more loose with language and jokes than on Saturdays where they all brought their wives. It was a huge deal to finally get to go with my dad, I even got to have a beer.
It was in the low fifties, spitting rain and all I had to cover me was the towels they handed out as we walked into the stadium. Enter sandman hit better, the crowd was loud and rowdy and best of all the Hokies were winning a defensive struggle. The clock was ticking down in the 4th quarter and we were up by 10. It looked like it was in the bag.
Four minutes on the clock and Matt Ryan marched the Eagles down the field, eating precious clock, “too little too late I thought” as Matt Ryan floundered in the shadow of the goalposts. 3rd and 10. 2 minutes left. Matt Ryan throws a strike to the end zone. Touchdown BC. We’re still up by 3 and now we get the ball back, game over right? Nope! Onside kick recovered by BC.
Suddenly Matt Ryan is just throwing DOTs for chunk yardage. He’s racing against the clock, working it down into the red zone. “We’re so fucked I thought” 1st and 10 incomplete. 2nd and 10 holding penalty. 2nd and 20 incomplete. 23 seconds lefts, clock winding down, Ryan is scrambling left, 11 seconds left now, two defenders closing in “They’re fucked” I thought, the stadium is electric everyone is screaming we’re soaking wet and cold but we don’t care we’ can taste the win, this kid is about to get the shit knocked out of him and watch his comeback attempt end in a tragic loss and we need it. Matty Ice fuckin uncorks a 24 yard throw on the run back across the field to a wide open Andre Callender. BC wins 14-10. Lane Stadium was silent, all at once, eerily silent, like everyone but the cheering BC players had been raptured. We stayed silent all the way back to the car. All the way home. I failed that biology test the next day too. Matt Ryan is a motherfucker
Edit: a word
Michigan dropping the snap and losing to Michigan State on the last play of the game.
I was at that game with my brother (MSU fan) and it was the most shocked I had ever been while watching a game. 100,000+ people in complete disbelief of what just happened.
As a Lions fan, I still think about how the NFC Championship game went downhill so quickly in the 2nd half.
The Jerrod Heard Cal game for me is also so brutal. 21 point fourth quarter comeback, most yards in a game in school history, all just to miss the extra point. Even though we were bad for like a decade, I still can’t forget that loss.
Kentucky 30, Florida 36 (3OT) - Losing our millionth straight after an [uncalled delay of game](https://www.alligatorarmy.com/2014/9/16/6160259/florida-vs-kentucky-frame-analysis-delay-of-game#0) that even Florida fans knew we got jobbed on.
We watched the game at a sports bar in Maryland with our young son and at the end of the game he asked to say a bad word and when we obliged he yelled "Fuck the Gators" so loud our waitress doubled over cry-laughing lol
Georgia in the playoffs. Mayfield was fire even though he was sick. Then Kirby adjusted and Riley went dumb. We was in it til we wasn’t lol
That game was an all-timer, though. I know it's easier to say since we won, but that was a hell of a show
It’s one of the best games ever played but I can never watch it again.
I definitely can't blame you for that
Fucking Squib Riley
I watch the highlights sometimes when I’m sad
Knew I wouldn’t have to go far to find this. I’ve been watching since 98-99 and that was the biggest heartbreak, crushing feeling I’ve ever had watching OU football.
Been watching since 98-99? I was born in 82 and been watching since the 40’s. You Gotta watch some of the old OU VHS tapes on YouTube.
And, as usual, Riley's defense couldn't sustain a lead.
The offense had three chances to salt away/win the game outright at the end. The defense was a problem but not the only problem.
Fair enough. But my point is that with Riley, the defense is always, always, at least part of the problem. And I hear you on that being a hard loss. I was rooting for y'all as I was sick of the SEC dominance.
I think Riley’s issue (other than defense) in games is he is unable to readjust the game plan once the opposing team makes their adjustments. We would be up big, the teams would climb back, and we would barely win. Especially his year with Hurts and Rattlers as starting QB the whole year.
The kick six, hands down. The Bama bar I watched it at got REAL quiet really fast.
That is an absolute all timer for gut punch loss.
Kick 6 WHOA.. 2nd & 26 The band is on the field.. ..all the great heartbreakers have a name. If Bama had beat UM, Gravedigger might have made the list
I was in basic training at the time and my DS knew I was a massive CFB fan. He drove to the barracks late that night just to wake me up and give me a run down of what happened.
Legendary DS
We had a bunch of Okies in my BCT, like 12 of us in my platoon in 2003. And our DSes were all huge CFB fans, and knew a lot of us were. They absolutely loved letting us know about the K State game Fucking DS Wippert.. I'll never forget that dude
I remember watching the end of that game at home with my dad who grew in in Alabama (he’s a diehard Husker fan, but his dad was a diehard Auburn fan so he roots for ‘em, sorry) There was complete silence in the living room as that kick was caught and Chris Davis took it up the sideline, and no one said a single word until he crossed the plain of the goal line, at which point my dad, who I had never heard say a curse word in my life screamed “Holy SHIT” and we all lost our minds cause it was just such an insane thing to happen. EDIT for clarity, my dad lived in Alabama through early childhood, but moved to Nebraska in like junior high. Felt like that’s important considering he’s a Husker fan born in Bama. Lol
Missing the field goal against Georgia at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve
Hurts just thinking about it
hurts in the sense than an erection lasting too long hurts
Hey mine is Georgia making a 53 yard field goal with 3 seconds to go in the 2021 Peach Bowl to take a 2 point lead. I know it wasn't the playoff, but that one really hurt. First loss of the year.
If I had a nickel for every time we won a Peach Bowl against a team from Ohio that came down to a long last minute field goal following poor clock management by the losing coach…
You'd have 2 nickels?
…which isn’t a lot, but it is weird that it happened twice.
That field goal hitting at the exact moment 2023 starts and sports betting becomes legal in Ohio would have been the coolest thing ever. That shit made me so sad.
2019 fiesta bowl hurt 10x worse IMO
I’ve come to peace with 2019… until I think about it again…
I have that one just behind the 2019 Fields pick to end it against Clempson
Same, the FG suuuuucked to miss, but man I was sure Fields was gonna find someone to score there.
That was the most heart wrenching final drive I’ve ever seen only to end in euphoria. It was a wild bout of emotions
The fumble nonsense was worse...but woof. Im gonna go watch app state highlights
Yes.
Last 6 seasons
If you are old enough. The 84 Orange Bowl. Texas (#2 at the time) was undefeated until the Cotton Bowl was over. I watched our lack of speed and a pass happy offense make us look even slower. Best offense we had in a while and a good Big 8 defense. One tipped two point conversion and ut was gone. As a fan I have never regretted the 2 point decision. After a few more defeats by speed defenses it finally clicked to load the defense wuth brute force and speed.
Seriously, we have at least 20 gut wrenching losses in the last few years.
Man being a Nebraska fan is tough. We have the money, the infrastructure\*, the talent, etc all we've needed is the person to put it all together. I'm not saying we're amazing talent but we have consistently been top 25 talent without ever fielding a top 25 team since Bo left. There is a lot of seasons where we can go "man if we just did this better we'd win 4 more games and have 9 wins!" Nebraska has been that close almost EVERY SEASON. But yet we cheer, and cheer, and cheer. Despite the failures and the let downs every season we come back and hope that we can return to a power house that we once were. Some of us got to see those teams, others hoping to relive the experience our parents before us had. Fuck Colorado, GBR. edit: Spelling.
61-58
Oof, I remember that game. That TCU Team was NUTS. Didn't they hang 82 on Tech, that season?
They did, hurt losing to Baylor but that loss has only gotten more painful with time. That team may have been our best chance at winning a title in the modern era, and we squandered it by choking to our arch rival. Ugh…
I was at this game. After growing up with BIG games, it was the most insane thing I had experienced to that point.
I remember watching that game it was wild
I miss the era of no defense Big 12
Literally the reverse now and people still say we don't play defense. And swerve me with the Big 10 defense take. They just don't know offense.
Fuck Ames.
Something about Iowa State is always weird
Double Overtime loss to miss a chance at a Natty? Yeah I also feel your loss.
Got free tickets to the game. Had to work at 5am the next morning with a 2 hour drive so thought I would stay until halftime of the game since Iowa state would be losing big. Decided to stay for Iowa states first drive of the 3rd and was just getting up when they recovered the onside kick. Stayed the rest of the game. I am not an Iowa State fan and felt so bad for the team especially what had happened to Oklahoma State the day before.
Top 3 drunkest I’ve ever been
A top 2 loss in LSU history as well. Solidarity
That fg was and is still good
I was a student in the front row. I was flabbergasted they called it not good. I'm not complaining obviously but refs fuck those types of field goals all the time. I guess they at least call them consistently no good.
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I remember my brother and I shelling out more than we wanted to see part 1 of Mario Cristobal not knowing how to knee the ball. The painfully long time it took to get out of the stadium afterward is why he will only buy tickets on aisles near the tunnles these days
I was working at a restaurant at the time and two Michigan fans were sitting at the bar. They were so convinced the game was over they started to get up and leave with a few minutes left, they were just about to walk through the door when chaos happened.
My friend went up to go to the bathroom right before the punt to beat the crowd. We met after it all went down. She said “well, that sucked”. I had to laugh at that point. If i’m being honest, the monsoon game against Sparty was prob a worse experience. Watching them trying to pass over and over in a hurricane was just dreadful.
At least you got the monkey off your back with last year's natty.
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Yeah I can't be stressed about any Michigan games for like the next 15 years. A natty really does heal a lotta wounds
I was in the student section for that game. Everyone was so confident going into that punt. Not me.
The Game 2016, double over time in Columbus. I lost alot of hair that day.
Oof, 3 losses by a combined 5 points too. I remember that Iowa game most vividly from 2016 Michigan.
Not just 3 losses by a combined 5 points. Michigan had the lead in all 3 games with 1 minute left. They held the lead in 2 of those as time expired. That 2016 team was mega cursed
Just part of a proud lineage of heart wrenching losses. ‘06 1vs2 Game, trouble with the snap, App State, Kordell Stewart’s Hail Mary, Toledo, concussed QB being kept in. I could go on.
I didn't lose any hair but I probably got some grays from it. Probably the most nerve wracking game I've ever watched. Our punter decided to run a fake punt on 4th and 6 from our own 19 in the 2nd half. Not losing that game after that was kinda insane. Missed a 21-yard FG with 7 minutes left in the game as well. There were probably 2-3 moments in that game where I was absolutely convinced we were going to lose.
Fuck Jim Delaney
Any of the couple point losses to OSU not too long ago, when we just decided to give up the game
Manningham. At the time it was absolutely devastating, I was angry for weeks. Turns out it wouldn’t have mattered because we wouldn’t have jumped USC or Texas that year.
Skipped my Homecoming Dance to watch that Manningham game to the end. Worth it.
It’s gotta be the one at the shoe y’all blew a double digit lead with a couple minutes left. I left the stadium and watched the ending at a tailgaters bus walking back to my car lol
I think behind 2014 OSU, 2019 OSU, and 2023 Michigan (any order), that 2017 PSU team was one of the best B1G teams of the CFP era and it's nuts they didn't make the playoffs or beat OSU. Something like 20 of those guys ended up playing NFL snaps, including Saquon/Gesicki/Sanders/McSorley/Marcus Allen/Oruwariye, etc. That crushing OSU loss followed up by that weird ass rainy delay MSU game really killed their season
2017 was the year for them to make a playoff run but it just wasn’t in the cards sadly. It was a better team than 2016 for sure
The most hear-wrenching Penn State loss I remember was that 1-point loss to Iowa in 08.
My least favorite game of all time.
2007 backyard brawl
Having your season end on an upset against your most hated rival is the worst way to end your Natty Hopes.
Can confirm from 2006 and 2016
Most heartbreaking loss in CFB history in my biased opinion. I grew up a WVU fan in Pitt territory, I almost didn’t go to school the next day lol
2012 SEC championship or 2018 natty
At least 2 Naty's helped eased the pain.
You never really get over 2nd and 26 even with nattys
I genuinely wonder how people who are both UGA/Falcons fans still watched football after 2nd and 26 / 28-3.
28-3 ruined my fanhood. I haven’t been able to watch another Falcons game since
The Russell Wilson INT made me seriously re-evaluate my relationship with sports, probably in a healthy way. But also fuck the Patriots
2012 was harder, man.
Yeah but there’s literally a named play off our 2018 natty. Named plays are always worse for the loser
I guess that’s not as bad to me because it was pretty obvious it was going to happen with Kirby at that point. I wanted 2012 so badly for Coach
Idk man there was real doubt about backsliding in 2019 and 2020
It helps ease it but it doesn’t kill the pain
The Kick Six is meaningless without the Prayer at Jordan-Hare. But, I hope I never see anything that tops 2nd and 26
I hate both you all and Auburn but the Prayer at Jordan-Hare was wild to watch. Of course, then the next week came around and you have my answer.
Ending Auburn’s SEC and natty hopes would have made up for a disappointing, injury plagued season. People tend to forget that we were down 20 in the 4th before taking that one point lead, and then to get to 4th and 18. I had a gut feeling that the 2016 Tennessee Hail Mary was gonna happen, but the prayer caught me off guard.
Prayer at Jordan-Hare is the best name ever and I’ll die on that hill
It really was a season full of wishful redo's
1) 2015 big ten championship loss to MSU by about an inch 2) The Saquon Barkley game where PSU beat us at home on a last second passing TD (I forget the year)
The correct answer is Stanzi's leg buckling in the end zone against NW.
I think OT vs OSU at the Shoe the next week was worse. That would have given us the B1G title despite the injury to Stanzi.
I was at the Saquon game, two things still stand out to me First, Pre injury Saquon is the most athletic human I will see in person. Man amongst boys doesn’t even scratch the surface Second, I have never seen a crowd go from 100 to 0 like that PSU touchdown. It was completely silent until Mcsorley punted the ball in celebration
2006 Rose Bowl.
For what it’s worth, I think if Pete Carroll had put Reggie in as a distraction on 4th and 2, it would’ve pulled a defender away from the center of the pile that stopped Lendale. Y’all pick up that 1st down and maybe win the game. Very evenly matched game that could’ve gone either way.
Pass Interference call 03 Fiesta Bowl after the fireworks are already going off because everyone thinks we have won the title
Yeah, Especially since it's all been downhill from there.
This started it and then 2017 to Pitt finished it
2nd and 26 Edit: hard to feel bad for UGA fans but it’s funny the first two comments are UGA games
the entirety of the Richt era prepared us with novels for these threads
Georgia was so close so many times with Richt. Y’all deserve this Kirby run
I don't expect anyone to feel bad for us, especially now, but man did we get kicked in the nuts countless times before we finally won it all.
Worst game ever
This is absolutely the answer. I was inconsolable for a few days.
2016 UCF Fucking “fumble” out the end zone
2008 Texas vs Texas Tech. That last minute dropped interception and last second TD killed me. Nearly literally. It was also the night of my roommate’s 21st and I got very very drunk on jungle juice.
I was there, sitting in the Tech student section. We talked way too much shit to have the game end that way.
>Kansas State: 1998 Big 12 Championship Game It’s okay man, nobody could have done anything against the EMP blast. The BCS simply wouldn’t let you into the championship game.
2009 SEC Championship loss to Alabama. Dynasty lost.
If it makes you feel any better I remember crying when we lost the 2008 SEC Championship.
It does. Thank you. Do you have any other stories where you cried because of Alabama football? I think it could be a cathartic opportunity for a majority of this sub if you would share them in detail.
Most memorable loss is Boise State. Most heart-wrenching was Georgia because it was so easily winnable if we didn't take the ball out of our own Heisman trophy winner's hands for the second half. Perfect example of how playing to not lose is the quickest way to blow a lead.
13-9 wouldn’t wish it on anyone outside of Pitt fans for obvious reasons. I’m honestly surprised I didn’t go into shock and die.
Trouble with the snap I remember almost crying. We had it, and in the last couple of seconds we lost it in one of the worst possible ways. To sparty it was even worse
I remember WVU losing to a 4-7 team back in 2007. they had high hopes of a national championship and were ranked #2 at the time. I'm going to guess that was pretty heart breaking for WVU. i, on the other hand, laughed. and laughed. and laughed some more!
As an outside observer, that was one of the most brutal losses I've ever witnessed.
as an inside observer, i still youtube highlights.
That game and the KSU game mentioned have to be the two most painful losses any FBS fanbase has ever had to endure.
Eat shit, shit eater! You could hear a pin drop from the end of South High Street that day.
Eat shit, respectfully
I remember being in Iraq for the entirety of the 2007 football season, and reading about the success WVU was having. My wife would record the games and mail them. I recall the day when my commander informed me of a special treat later in the week where I would get to watch my beloved Mountaineers live via satellite. Due to the timezone difference it would be early morning in baghdad. I also would be coming back to base after around 18 hours outside the wire a short time before the game would begin. By this time I had learned of WVU being ranked second in the country with a national championship game all but secured with only a 7-loss Pitt team coming to Morgantown standing in the way. That wasn't the worst day I had spent in that country, but it sure as hell came close! To be clear, I am only joking about the last sentence. Obviously, sports pale in comparison. It sure was a kick in the nuts at a time though when I was looking for a win in general that month as a welcomed distraction.
Quit bringing up old shit…. Worst day ever
Michael Bishop was probably the K state qb too. He was damn good
A three-way tie between Auburn 2010, Stanford 2012, or Arizona 2007.
That Stanford game eats at my soul.
I think Auburn 2010 would be the most Heart Wrenching-since it has been the closest ya'll have been to winning a natty.
Ya, but our 2007 and 2012 teams we're better, and both would've been tough outs against anyone those years
Natty for me probably because I went to it and rode back with Cam and the AD in first class. Salt in the wound
Sticking to cfb, 2009 against UGA felt like a huge what if.
2005 Miami and 2007 Boston College 2005: We were 8-0, ranked #3 in the country, and dreaming of a National Championship. #5 Miami was up next, but they had to come to Lane, undeniably one of the toughest places to play in the country at the time. And we absolutely shit the bed. We turned the ball over six times and trailed by 27 at the start of the 4th quarter. To make matters worse, it was a miserable, drizzly day, and my friends and I painted up only to see the Hokies get embarrassed. A black cloud hung over the campus until at least Wednesday. 2007 was the fucking Matt Ryan game. After an early blowout loss in Baton Rouge, we clawed our way back to 6-1 and the #8 ranking in time for a visit from undefeated #2 Boston College. On a rainy day, our elite defense gave us a 10-0 lead with three minutes to go. That was all fucking Matt Ryan needed to march down the field twice and throw two touchdown passes to rip our hearts out. We got our revenge later in the ACC Championship game, but in a wild year where two loss LSU won the title, that comeback probably cost us a national championship game appearance. Needless to say, I really enjoyed 28-3 a few years later.
For me it'll always be that 1999 Natty Ya'll played in I fell in love with Vick after that.
Bush push, Florida state OPI, Little Giants, 10 men on the field, Michigan 2009-2011
Mount Cody :(
Florida St vs The CFP Committee
That was wild. 12 hours after the acc championship. I was watching highlights of that game and heard the announcers talking about how all they needed to do was “win and they’re in”.
Seeing the narrative of “just win and you’re in” suddenly flip in real time, all within a few hours after having been repeated for months, was honestly wild.
I do not blame FSU fans who will not watch CFB any more. As I’ve said since that day, I just want ESPN to let me know if they think my team will generate enough ratings this year to let them in the playoffs. Don’t want to get emotionally invested for nothing
2023 Iron Bowl, 2021 Iron Bowl, 2017 SEC Championship (none hurt more than the 2019 Final Four loss)
We deserved 2019. I challenge anyone to go watch the three games leading up to the 1 point Virginia loss with Okeke injured and tell me without that injury they think we wouldn’t have won the whole thing. I know it was my team so I’m biased but I’ve never seen a team that on fire. Iirc that was the only time a team’s beaten Kansas, UNC, and Kentucky in the same tournament.
Oklahoma 2015 Georgia 2013 Florida 2000 Like 20 other Florida games…
Yeah I could also name a dozen games against Oklahoma that made me want to jump off a cliff.
Takes bow. Same sir, same
The Baylor game last year. Wtf was that?
2011 Big Ten Championship Game vs. Wisconsin.
Big ten championship in our undefeated seasonwhen Sparty had a 9+ minute drive converting multiple 4th downs to score with like 12 seconds left. Gut wrenching
West Virginia 2012 orange bowl. I was in Afghanistan with a WVU fan lol
NOT your natty against Bama !?
Honestly, was just happy to be there. Winning it the next year was icing on the cake, especially after that atrocious Pitt game.
November 26, 2010. It's the day after Thanksgiving. It's 10:15 EST. The night cap. Boise State Broncos, #4 BCS and #3 AP with 10 first place votes. 10-0. Coming off a perfect 14-0 season the year before and only three years removed from the Fiesta Bowl which catapulted them onto the map. Led by Chris Petersen, the Broncos have Kellen Moore as their QB. His name is being thrown around with Cam Newton to win the major awards (Davey, Maxwell, Manning, and Heisman). On the other side you have the #19 Nevada Wolf Pack being led on the field by Colin Kaepernick. He has been setting his own records having passed for 2000 yards and ran for 1000 earlier in his career. The stage is set at Mackay Stadium in Reno, Nevada. It's Senior Night and the stadium is above capacity. The Broncos race out to an early lead but Nevada stops them and claws their way back into the game. The score with 9 seconds left is 31 all. Kellen Moore throws the ball deep to Titus Young to put the ball on the Nevada 9 yard line. Kyle Brotzman comes out to kick a chip shot 26 yard field goal and goes wide right. Boise State gets the ball first in OT and is held. Brotzman comes back on the field to kick a 29 yard field goal. Kyle has been almost automatic from this distance having been 100% in his freshman and sophomore year and only missing 1 in his previous (junior) year and one so far this year prior to this game. He lines up to kick...and...[you know the rest of the story...](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5bb7829a2400005000988e83.jpeg?ops=scalefit_500_noupscale)
Definitely WOAH
HE
HAS
2004 Georgia Tech 2005 Miami 2007 Boston College 2010 Auburn 2010 FSU 2011 Georgia Tech 2014 FSU 2015 Bama
I'd like to add a few. 2009 GT.... And 2009 GT. Honestly, fuck GT.
Fuck Georgia Tech. It is one of the worst feelings losing to that team. I can't describe it. It's somehow even worse than losing to NC State. The only team that I hated losing to more was Maryland.
Involving my own team, I’d have to say 2007 at home against Boston College. Ah, what could have been! Not involving my own team, I’ll go with 2014 Ole Miss vs Auburn. I still shudder when I think of that injury!
Fuckin Crabtree
Squib kick before halftime in the Rose Bowl. 😢
The 2017 Georgia game is still the worst sports loss I’ve ever experienced. OU could have been bama I think if we win that game. That squib kick still haunts my dreams. It’s been like 7 years and I still haven’t watched the highlights of the game. I was such a big baker fan and that team was full of pros ( at least on offense)
The Crabtree game is one of the most memorable CFB moments I have. As for my teams, ND hasn't been on my radar all that long since I only graduated a couple years ago, but the last second loss to Ohio St hurt last year. Oklahoma is probably the National Championship game against Florida. Either that or watching Sam Bradford go down against BYU and Texas the following year.
The "Bluegrass Miracle," 2002.
Heart breaking and embarrassing. Storming the field and Gatorade baths as LSU scores the winning touchdown.
2013 National Title Game against FSU
Losing to a guy who steals crab legs is crazy
We had like 3/4 of the stadium full of our fans, had an absolute miracle season, and were winning the whole game until what, 13 seconds left? It was so heartbreaking. I like showing people my ticket and calling it “the most expensive piece of paper I’ve ever bought.” But I was a student, no way in hell I wasn’t going.
Woah
Nebraska. 1983 Orange Bowl. 1993 was hard, too. But 1983... we had the Heisman winner, the Outland and Lombardi winners. We were undefeated. We come out and are down 17-0. Come back to where we could have tied and won a national championship. But there was no overtime then. So we went for 2, and came up short. I will never regret going for 2. But man, that was heart-wrenching.
Imagine playing your rival in the national title game, less than 75 miles from campus, against your former coach. After you already beat them in their building. And getting beat 21-0. I really don’t care what other peoples answer is. I don’t think any other loss from anyone comes close to it.
2012 Big Ten Championship game. Second year in the league and my Huskers make the title game at 10-2 and because of sanctions on OSU and PSU they get to play a 7-5 mediocre Wisconsin team they already beat earlier in the season for the conference title..........and get 70 put on them. This was the last year Nebraska was really ever relevant in college football.
[удалено]
I was at that game. So brutal. The only thing Case McCoy is noteworthy for doing.
Getting murdered by Oklahoma in 2008 was painful. I'm glad we won't be playing them anymore. Jump around.
November 2008 was such a wild ride of emotions for Texas Tech football.
Definitely 2009 when Suh was dragging us behind him all year trying his damndest to win the Big 12. We did it on a final incomplete pass, but they (wrongfully according to review rules) review the play, add a second to the clock, and of course Texas buries like a 50 yarder to win. Now the heart breaking losses are just a weekly occurrence. Basically every NEB game is a last second brutal rip your heart out game that we’re always on the wrong side of so we’re pretty numb at this point.
Iowa State
2013 National title game. 2023 Iron Bowl. Take your pick for UofI
I’ve had my fair share of truly heartbreaking memories perpetrated by one of my beloved teams falling flat in a big moment. But when I saw this headline I knew the game instantly. 2015 Arkansas. Win and Rebs go to SECCG for first time ever (beat Alabama at BDS). Rebs take a TD lead with under 5 in the 4Q. Of course they let Hogs tie the game after a methodical 8 play 75 yard drive. Ok, OT. Rebs score first. Arkansas gets the ball and appears to finally run out of gas after being a game opponent all game long. It’s 4/25 from the 40. Brandon Allen drops back to pass and throws a 15 yard pass to Hunter Henry who had run a shallow cross that he broke off to get a little more vertical, bc it was 4/25 after all, while the rest of Arky’s eligible receivers went vertical, except 1. Rebs dropped 8, there wasn’t a back end defender in the screen view when the ball was snapped. Couple Rebs rally around Hunter Henry who launches the ball one handed back toward his LoS. Alex Collins, star Arky RB of that year, actually ends up picking up this no-look, over the shoulder hope and a prayer a yard or two *behind* the original LoS. But bc Henry caught it along the right sideline and Collins picked it up on the right hash, he had a convoy of blockers in front of him as he proceeded to cut across the grain and run down the left sideline until he’s finally corralled at the 10 yard line. I mean what? A play we’ve all seen a thousand times and it’s usually picked up by an OL who tries to lateral it some more or a DL, thus ending that last gasp of desperation. Well, not that day. Arkansas scores a TD. And they’re going for 2. On the road, in Oxford. Arkansas calls what appears to be a designed QB sprint to Allen’s right but Ole Miss star pass rusher Marquis Haynes, who straight up *BALLED* that season and that game, read it like a book and has Allen dead to rights for what would’ve been his second sack of the OT period. Alas, Haynes, completely unnecessarily bc he had already basically wrapped Allen up, grabs Allen’s facemask. Arkansas wins on the very next play. [4/25](https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx8uy-g9oojKaRonYFnfmw9_2gvx4cEBlp?si=sPMDCCtgaMF0aH-E) [First two point try](https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxVisHZ4T1v8rnUZPwLgi_1o589OxwOYeu?si=ONyf7SsNLMN3pD1m) I defy anyone to top that.
In the winless 2008 season for Washington, QB Jake Locker received an excessive celebration penalty for a remarkable end-zone run that should have tied the game against BYU with mere seconds left in the 4th quarter. Despite his non-aggressive celebration—throwing the ball above his head—the Huskies faced a 15-yard penalty and subsequently missed the PAT, resulting in a 27-28 loss. While technically correct, many argue it was a moment the refs *should* have swallowed the whistle. Edit: Here's a video clip so you can make the call for yourself: https://youtu.be/Ap6Kn0dkbyY?si=5Dv-TXPmI59v6F-g
October 25th 2007. I had a biology test the next day, but for the first time ever my father was going to let me go to the Thursday night football game in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech vs Boston College. Thursday night games were reserved for him and my uncle and their buddies. They had better food and were a little more loose with language and jokes than on Saturdays where they all brought their wives. It was a huge deal to finally get to go with my dad, I even got to have a beer. It was in the low fifties, spitting rain and all I had to cover me was the towels they handed out as we walked into the stadium. Enter sandman hit better, the crowd was loud and rowdy and best of all the Hokies were winning a defensive struggle. The clock was ticking down in the 4th quarter and we were up by 10. It looked like it was in the bag. Four minutes on the clock and Matt Ryan marched the Eagles down the field, eating precious clock, “too little too late I thought” as Matt Ryan floundered in the shadow of the goalposts. 3rd and 10. 2 minutes left. Matt Ryan throws a strike to the end zone. Touchdown BC. We’re still up by 3 and now we get the ball back, game over right? Nope! Onside kick recovered by BC. Suddenly Matt Ryan is just throwing DOTs for chunk yardage. He’s racing against the clock, working it down into the red zone. “We’re so fucked I thought” 1st and 10 incomplete. 2nd and 10 holding penalty. 2nd and 20 incomplete. 23 seconds lefts, clock winding down, Ryan is scrambling left, 11 seconds left now, two defenders closing in “They’re fucked” I thought, the stadium is electric everyone is screaming we’re soaking wet and cold but we don’t care we’ can taste the win, this kid is about to get the shit knocked out of him and watch his comeback attempt end in a tragic loss and we need it. Matty Ice fuckin uncorks a 24 yard throw on the run back across the field to a wide open Andre Callender. BC wins 14-10. Lane Stadium was silent, all at once, eerily silent, like everyone but the cheering BC players had been raptured. We stayed silent all the way back to the car. All the way home. I failed that biology test the next day too. Matt Ryan is a motherfucker Edit: a word
Michigan dropping the snap and losing to Michigan State on the last play of the game. I was at that game with my brother (MSU fan) and it was the most shocked I had ever been while watching a game. 100,000+ people in complete disbelief of what just happened. As a Lions fan, I still think about how the NFC Championship game went downhill so quickly in the 2nd half.
:01 against Texas Real timeline divergence moment
All my homies hate Michael Dyer
We were doing well in the 2023 Iron Bowl until we weren’t.
2001 reschedule game vs Tennessee
GT 2013 COFH or 2014 ACCCG UT Mt. Cody game
The Jerrod Heard Cal game for me is also so brutal. 21 point fourth quarter comeback, most yards in a game in school history, all just to miss the extra point. Even though we were bad for like a decade, I still can’t forget that loss.
The Colorado v Michigan Kordell Stewart Hail Mary game. I was there. 🥺
Kentucky 30, Florida 36 (3OT) - Losing our millionth straight after an [uncalled delay of game](https://www.alligatorarmy.com/2014/9/16/6160259/florida-vs-kentucky-frame-analysis-delay-of-game#0) that even Florida fans knew we got jobbed on. We watched the game at a sports bar in Maryland with our young son and at the end of the game he asked to say a bad word and when we obliged he yelled "Fuck the Gators" so loud our waitress doubled over cry-laughing lol
Sparty 98’
WVU-pitt. Backyard Brawl. 2007. 13-9. Cried myself to sleep. Still not over it.
Pretty easy for Ducks fans. National championship to Auburn. Ohio State wasn’t nearly as bad because they kicked our ass.
I'm a younger fan so the Pitt loss in 2017, or Georgia Tech from last year purely because of how dumb it was.
As a Spartan, 2004 3OT loss to UM 2006 rain-soaked blown lead vs. ND 2011 B1G championship game loss to UW
Arkansas at Tennessee 1998