Little late on this post this season. Same rules as always, game must be regular season between two humans who finished the season in the Top 25.
DIII
Farleigh Dickinson - 38 Carnegie Melon - 26
Not a lot of great options in DIII this season. This one was tight until two 4th quarter scores in 4 minutes put FDU up 22. Sr. QB Pedro Mack capped both drives with scoring tosses on his way to a 376 yard 3 TD game. Carnegie Melon was hurt all game long by an inability to get the ball downfield, averaging only 3.8 yard per pass.
DII
Minnesota State-Moorhead - 51 West Virginia Wesleyan 49
These two teams kept the scoreboard operator busy all game long. 100 points and over 1200 yards later MSM walked out a victory in this early season matchup. Both schools relied on the passing game with the ball going in the air 154 times during the game. This looked like it was over when Moorhead scored twice late in the 4th quarter to take a nine point lead with two minutes left. A late TD was followed by an onside kick recovery brought the home fans back to their seats, but WVWU was unable to get the ball in FG range in the 32 remaining seconds. Sr. James Swanson was able to bring down the WVWU receiver in bounds on the last play and time ran out before WVWU could get a Hail Mary off.
D1AA
Honorable Mention goes to TSU-Maine for a 5OT classic, but two late season losses knocked TSU out of the top 25.
N. Iowa - 47 Florida International - 44
This cross-town rivalry (How are these two teams in the same South Division? Does someone not own a map?) decided the division. Florida International took the defending champs to the wire but fell just short. miami_jefe employed his usual pass first, pass second offense, also known as the Mike Leach/June Jones love child. Northern Iowa relied on a more balanced offense and effective running game. This one looked like it might get away from N. Iowa in the second half as FIU took a 24-3 lead in the 3rd quarter. UNI responded by scoring 31 points in 19 minutes to tie the game up with 4 minutes to go. Both teams had opportunities late in the 4th but the defenses finally showed up and the game went into OT tied at 31. UNI got the ball first and scored on their opening drive. FIU responded with a quick 2 play response. Northern Iowa got the defensive play of the game when So. John Patton got his only sack of the game forcing FIU into 3rd and 18. Eric Morris nailed a 50 yard FG but the door was open for the champs. UNI converted a 3rd and 3 to move to the 10 yard line. 3 plays later Floyd Parsons found his second option at the one yard line and Ronald Olson was able to muscle into the end zone for the win.
DIA
Michigan - 66 USC - 60
Two perennial powers went head to head in this one and did not disappoint. USC took the early lead, 28-13 at half. Despite giving up a TD on the 2nd half kickoff they were able to open the margin up a bit in the 3rd, 37-20. UM finally got going in the 4th. A short TD pass followed by UM's first defensive stop of the half gave the Wolverine's the ball at the 20. On 2nd and 3 from the 27 an inside handoff and one missed tackle turned into a 73 yard TD and suddenly there was a ballgame in the Coliseum.
Another defensive stop and a FG tied the game at 37. USC responded with a 7 play 75 yard scoring drive, but Michigan wasn't done yet. Aaron Hutchins quickly moved them into the red zone but three incompletions left UM at 4th and Goal from the 8. The stunned silence of the LA crowd was all you needed to know Hutchins found a wide open Baldwin in the end zone and this game would not be decided in regulation.
Lyonzfan37 was left with a tough decision in the top of the 1st OT, electing for a FG on 4th and 1 from the 2. Fortunately the FG was good and his defense held to leave it tied after 1. USC wasted no time in the 2nd OT, scoring on their first play from scrimmage. Michigan responded with a short scoring plunge and the exhausted players and fans were headed to OT #3.
Defense continued to be optional in the 3rd OT as both teams scored on their 3rd play from scrimmage to knot the game at 60. USC took the ball to start the 4th OT. A 3rd down conversion moved the ball to the 13. Two plays later a 3rd and 2 pass fell incomplete and Joel Sanders trotted out for a 22 yard chip shot. Somehow the reliable sophomore pushed his attempt wide and for a second time in the afternoon the Coliseum found themselves in stunned silence. The question of whether lyonzfan would play it safe or go for the TD was answered on the first play from scrimmage. A 9 yard pass followed by a 3 yard run set Michigan up at the 13. Hutchins' first down pass fell incomplete before he gave way to fellow upper classman Tony Rice on 2nd and 10. Rice showed his experience by looking off his first two receivers and finding 3rd option and rarely used Michael Adams at the 5. Corey King missed the tackle and Adams walked into the end zone as the surrender cobra found a new home at the LA Memorial Coliseum.