Close
Seattle Sports
Shows
Team News
Columns
Seattle Sports

Best of the best: AP ranks the top Games of the Century

FILE - In this Tuesday, March 27, 2012, file photo, a new award to honor college football's top return specialist is announced by 1972 Nebraska Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers at a news conference in Omaha, Neb. The Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers Award is named for Rodgers, who is widely regarded as one of the top punt and kick returners in college football history. Rodgers’ electrifying 72-yard punt return for a touchdown was the signature play of a rare game that lived up to “Game of the Century” billing, helping No. 1 Nebraska defeat No. 2 Oklahoma 35-31 in the 1971 classic. Fifty years later, Rodgers still gets asked about the play. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File) FILE - In this Nov. 25, 1971, file photo, Nebraska's Jeff Kinney (35) gets a block from fullback Maury Damkroger (46) as he scores against Oklahoma from the two-yard line with 1:38 left in a college football game in Norman, Okla., on Thanksgiving Day. The game on Thanksgiving 50 years ago is back in the spotlight as Nebraska and Oklahoma renew their rivalry on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (Tulsa World via AP, File) FILE - In this Nov. 16, 1991, file photo, Miami's Jesse Mitchell (79) exults as dejected Florida State kicker Gerry Thomas (15) walks off the field after missing a field goal that would have won the game for FSU in Tallahassee, Fla. The game was the first 1-2 matchup between two teams in the same state since Purdue and Notre Dame did in 1968, and it marked a shift in the landscape of college football to the Sunshine State. (AP Photo/Don Dughi, File) FILE - In this Dec. 6, 1969, file photo, President Richard Nixon presents a plaque to Texas football coach Darrell Royal, naming the Longhorns the No. 1 college football team in college football as linebacker Glen Halsell (67) and quarterback James Street (16) watch. The Longhorns' fourth-quarter comeback led by Street erased Arkansas' 14-0 lead and sent Texas unbeaten into the Cotton Bowl, but it wasn't even the memorable part of the event for many who remember it. Nixon arrived by helicopter to attend the game, and after he declared the Longhorns national champions —- before they even played their bowl game. (AP Photo/File) FILE - In this Nov. 19, 1966, file photo, Notre Dame football coach Ara Parseghian, left, shakes hands with Michigan State coach Duffy Daugherty after their 10-10 tie in East Lansing, Mich. The game was a slog, most memorable for Irish coach Ara Parseghian playing it safe at the end without his injured starting quarterback and settling for a tie. (AP Photo/File) FILE - In this Nov. 13, 1993, file photo, Notre Dame back Ray Zellars (34) heads upfield during an NCAA college football game against Florida State in South Bend, Ind. The Irish won the game 31-24 and went on to lose the following week to Boston College, losing out on a national title. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond, File) FILE - In this Nov. 25, 1971 file photo, Nebraska's Johnny Rodgers (20) avoids Oklahoma defenders as he returns a punt for a touchdown in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla. The game, which Nebraska won 35-31, is widely remembered as "The Game of the Century." (Lincoln Journal Star via AP, File) FILE - In this Thanksgiving Day 1971 file photo, Nebraska's Johnny Rodgers (20) returns a punt for a touchdown as teammate Joe Blahak (27) delivers a block in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma, in Norman, Okla. The game, which Nebraska won 35-31, is widely remembered as "The Game of the Century." Fifty years later, Rodgers still gets asked about the play. (Bob Gorham/Lincoln Journal Star via AP, File) FILE - In this Nov. 25, 1971, file photo, Nebraska's Rich Glover (79) brings down Oklahoma quarterback Jack Mildren (11) as Nebraska defenders Bob Terrio (45) and Dave Mason (25) close in during a college football game in Norman, Okla., on Thanksgiving Day. The game on Thanksgiving 50 years ago is back in the spotlight as Nebraska and Oklahoma renew their rivalry on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (Lincoln Journal Star via AP, File) FILE - In this Nov. 25, 1971, file photo, Nebraska head coach Bob Devaney is carried off the field by his victorious players after they defeated Oklahoma 35-31 in an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., on Thanksgiving Day. The game on Thanksgiving 50 years ago is back in the spotlight as Nebraska and Oklahoma renew their rivalry on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/File) FILE - In this Nov. 25, 1971, file photo, Nebraska's Johnny Rodgers (20) celebrates in the end zone after his long punt return against Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., on Thanksgiving Day. The game on Thanksgiving 50 years ago is back in the spotlight as Nebraska and Oklahoma renew their rivalry on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (Lincoln Journal Star via AP, File) FILE - In this Nov. 25, 1971, file photo, Nebraska's Johnny Rodgers (20) hugs an assistant coach on the sideline after his punt return for a touchdown against Oklahoma in the first quarter of college football game in Norman, Okla., on Thanksgiving Day. The game on Thanksgiving 50 years ago is back in the spotlight as Nebraska and Oklahoma renew their rivalry on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (Lincoln Journal Star via AP, File)
Best of the best: AP ranks the top Games of the Century