As part of an ongoing series throughout the fall, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame posts This Week in College Football History, which takes a look back at some of college football’s landmark moments over the last 146 years. RoadTripSports and College Football America is proud to present this year’s release in its entirety, courtesy of the National Football Foundation.

OTHER NOTABLE MOMENTS

Nov. 16, 1940
No. 8 Boston College def. No. 9 Georgetown, 19-18
Boston 

Both Boston College and Georgetown entered their 1940 matchup with 7-0 records and were poised for Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl berths, respectively. The Hoyas got out to an early 10-0 lead after a 25-yard field goal by College Football Hall of Famer Augie Lio on the first possession and a plunge into the end zone by Jules Koshlap on their next possession behind Lio and Hall of Fame tackle Al Blozis. The Eagles shrunk the lead to four on a trick pass from wingback Lou Montgomery to Henry Woronicz for a touchdown. Boston College caught a break from the refs on a pass-interference call just before halftime that placed the ball at the Georgetown one-yard line, setting up Hall of Famer Mike Holovak’s scoring run for an Eagles’ 13-10 halftime lead. The Hoyas opened the second half with a 90-yard scoring drive, capped off by a six-yard rush into the end zone by Joe McFadden for a 16-13 lead. Boston College’s passing offense, led by Hall of Fame quarterback Charlie O’Rourke, clicked once again on a 43-yard touchdown strike to Frank Maznicki to regain the at 19-16. After turning the ball over on downs, the Georgetown defense pushed the Eagles back into their own territory, but Boston College wisely conceded the safety with seconds remaining to secure the victory. The Eagles, led by College Football Hall of Fame coach Frank Leahy, claimed the program’s only National Championship after defeating Tennessee in the Sugar Bowl to finish with a perfect 11-0 record. Boston College also featured Hall of Famers Chet Gladchuk, Gene Goodreault and George Kerr. The Hoyas finished with an 8-2 record after a loss to Mississippi State in the Orange Bowl. 

Nov. 17, 1984
Navy def. No. 2 South Carolina, 38-21
Annapolis, Md. 

Navy sunk South Carolina’s magical season behind a defense that shut down the Gamecocks’ rushing offense and forced six turnovers. The Midshipmen scored on three straight second-half possessions – two following interceptions – to take a commanding 35-7 lead. Midshipmen Quarterback Bob Misch, filling in for Bill Byrne, found Chris Weiler for two of those touchdowns. Navy fullback Mike Smith twice ran for touchdowns, and tailback Rich Clouse, filling in for College Football Hall of Famer Napoleon McCallum, added a 53-yard scoring dash. After tying the game at 7-7 in the second quarter on quarterback Allen Mitchell’s two-yard keeper, South Carolina was unable to score again until Navy had built a 38-7 lead. The Midshipmen finished the season with a 4-6-1 record. The Gamecocks finished with a 10-2 record and a No. 11 ranking after falling to Oklahoma State in the Gator Bowl.    

Nov. 19, 1949
No. 3 California def. No. 12 Stanford, 33-14
Stanford, Calif. 

Before 91,000 fans at Stanford Stadium, California clinched their second consecutive Rose Bowl berth with a commanding win over Stanford. Trailing 7-6 at halftime to the Cardinal, College Football Hall of Fame coach Lynn “Pappy” Waldorf and the Golden Bears steamrolled Stanford’s defense in the second half, despite a great defensive performance by Hall of Famer Bill McColl. Led by big Jack Swaner, playing in his first full game after being sidelined with injuries, Cal scored two touchdowns in each quarter of the second half. Swaner gained 30 yards behind the blocking of Hall of Fame guard Rod Franz and plunged into the end zone to cap off a 79-yard drive on the Golden Bears’ first possession of the second half. He added a second touchdown in the fourth quarter to extend Cal’s lead to 27-14. Swaner finished the day with 100 yards on 15 carries. The Golden Bears lost to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, finishing the season with a 10-1 record and a No. 3 ranking. The Cardinal, led by Hall of Fame player-turned-coach Marchmont Schwartz, finished with a 7-3-1 record after a victory over Hawaii in the Pineapple Bowl. 

Nov. 20, 1976
No. 16 Oklahoma State def. No. 14 Iowa State, 42-21
Stillwater, Okla. 

Oklahoma State earned a share of its first Big 8 title with a dominating win over College Football Hall of Fame coach Earle Bruce and Iowa State at home. Cowboys halfback Terry Miller rushed for 199 yards and two long touchdowns, while quarterback Charlie Weatherbie ran for two touchdowns. Weatherbie threw for a third touchdown to account for all of Oklahoma State’s 21 points in the first half. With a narrow 21-14 lead at halftime, the Cowboys dropped the hammer in the second half, beginning with a fumble recovery by linebacker John Weimer to set up fullback Skip Taylor’s scoring plunge. The Cyclones surprisingly outgained Oklahoma State 433-368 behind tailback Dexter Green’s 154-yard performance. Iowa State finished with an 8-3 record and a No. 19 ranking. The Cowboys wrapped up a 9-3 season with a victory over BYU in the Tangerine Bowl and a No. 14 ranking. 

Nov. 21, 1982
St. Norbert (Wis.) def. Fordham 14-10
Green Bay, Wis. 

A crowd of 5,200 attended the Lombardi Memorial game, played at Lambeau Field, between St. Norbert College, a local Division III school, and Fordham, the alma mater of famous NFL head coach and 1970 NFF Distinguished American Award winner Vince Lombardi. The Rams built a 10-0 lead in the second quarter on Kevin Clyne’s 30-yard field goal and Art Trolio’s 10-yard sprint into the end zone. Freshman tailback Kelly Englebart led the fourth quarter rally for the Green Knights with two one-yard touchdown runs to secure the 14-10 victory. Englebart rushed for 77 yards on 21 carries in the game. St. Norbert wrapped up a 4-6 season with the win over Fordham, and the Rams suffered their fourth straight defeat to finish the year at 2-8. 

Nov. 22, 1924
Chicago tied Wisconsin, 0-0
Chicago 

Despite Wisconsin holding Chicago to a scoreless tie to end the 1924 season, the Maroons clinched their seventh overall and final Big Ten title. The Badgers managed to get past Chicago’s stonewall defense, but never came close to the goal line. Each time Wisconsin and offensive star Welton Harris got within field goal range, the Maroon defense would lock down and prevent the Badgers from breaking the stalemate. Chicago, under College Football Hall of Fame coach Amos Alonzo Stagg, finished with a 4-1-3 record. Wisconsin wrapped up the season with a 2-3-3 record.