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Everybody loves a comeback story, and college football is able to provide some of the best in sports. Throughout the years, we’ve witnessed a number of great deficits unexpectedly erased in the later moments of what appeared to be blowouts.
Nine of those contests have seen disadvantages of 30 points or more overcome, providing victories to teams that seemed on the edge of embarrassment.
Each of those matchups were high scoring, with the winning offense simply unable to be stopped in the second half. The improbable comebacks were entertaining to watch for all but the helpless fans on the losing end seeing that momentum flip.
The 9 Biggest Comebacks In College Football History
Below are the nine largest comeback wins in the history of college football. Our first game involves a pair of former PAC 12 rivals during a game in 1993.
Cal vs. Oregon (1993) – 30 points
Both teams entered the game with spotless records. Oregon appeared to be on their way to a blowout win over a ranked Cal team.
The Bears trailed 30-0 in the second quarter of action before running back Lindsey Chapman found the endzone just before halftime. From there, it was all Cal.
The Ducks were outscored 35-11 in the second half as Cal won the game 42-41. The Bears scored with less than two minutes remaining in regulation and converted a two-point conversion to grab the win.
Tulsa vs. Fresno State (2016) – 31 points
The Bulldogs jumped out to a quick 31-0 lead less than 20 minutes into the game. That left too much time on the clock for a Golden Hurricane comeback.
With just over 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter, Fresno State scored its fourth touchdown on a 65-yard pass from Jamire Jordan. They’d be outscored 48-10 the rest of the way.
Tulsa tied the game on a short field goal with about a minute left in action. They then won in the second overtime session, 48-41.
TCU vs. Oregon (2016) – 31 points
The Ducks make a second appearance on the list thanks to a 2016 meeting with Texas Christian. Oregon went up 31-0 late in the second quarter before crumbling after halftime.
TCU outscored the Ducks 31-0 in the second half, tying the game with 19 seconds left on the clock. They then won in the third overtime, 47-41.
Oregon gained just 18 yards in the second half of regulation after quarterback Vernon Adams was knocked out the game. Horned Frogs passer Bram Kohlhausen threw for 351 yards and accounted for four touchdowns.
Texas Tech vs. Minnesota (2006) – 31 points
Minnesota jumped out to a 38-7 lead in the Insight Bowl against Texas Tech in 2006. Unlike the previous three contests mentioned in this piece, the Red Raiders didn’t have the luxury of having time on their side.
In a quarter and a half of play, quarterback Graham Harrell led Mike Leach’s air raid attack up and down the field. Texas Tech scored 38 points in the final 20 minutes of regulation to force overtime.
The Red Raiders then won the game in overtime on a three-yard Shannon Woods touchdown run. The 44-41 victory set a record for largest bowl game comeback before being tied by TCU a decade later.
9 Biggest College Football Comebacks: Ohio State vs. Minnesota (1989) – 31 points
Minnesota makes a second straight appearance on the list with another 31-point meltdown. This time, it came in Big Ten play against rival Ohio State.
After jumping out to a 31-0 first half lead during a 1989 matchup, the Golden Gophers were outscored 41-6. The Buckeyes overcame six turnovers and took the lead with less than a minute left in the game.
Minnesota had a chance to win on the final drive but a pass to the endzone sailed over the head of an open receiver.
Maryland vs. Miami (1984) – 31 points
Maryland fell behind 31-0 in a 1984 meeting with Miami but prevailed, 42-40. All 42 of those points came after the halftime break.
The Terps erupted in the second half led by backup passer Frank Reich. His 260-yard performance ended with four touchdowns, the last of which sealed the deal.
In the final moments, Reich heaved a prayer down the field to a sprinting receiver. After being tipped by a Miami defender, the ball landed in Maryland’s hands for a 68-yard score.
UCLA vs. Washington State (2019) – 32 points
This is one of the more improbable comebacks in college football history. In a 2019 meeting between UCLA and Washington State, the Bruins overcame a 49-17 deficit with just 22 minutes left to play.
Mike Leach was on the wrong end of this matchup after previously leading Texas Tech to that 31-point comeback vs. Minnesota. His offense was humming through two and a half quarters, but it went quiet late.
UCLA scored four touchdowns across a five-minute span to pull within three points in the fourth quarter. They then won it on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Dorian Thompson-Robinson with a 1:07 left to play.
UCLA vs. Texas A&M (2017) – 34 points.
The Bruins didn’t panic in that 2019 matchup vs. Washington State after falling behind. They’d been there before. Just two years earlier, UCLA overcame an even larger deficit against Texas A&M.
The Aggies jumped out to a 44-10 lead. With less than five minutes left in the third quarter, the Bruins’ comeback began.
UCLA scored touchdowns on each of their final five meaningful offensive drives, ripping off 35 unanswered points to win, 45-44. They took their final lead with 43 seconds left in regulation on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Josh Rosen.
Michigan State vs. Northwestern (2006) – 35 points
Michigan State fell behind 38-3 during a Big Ten matchup with Northwestern in 2006. They’d soon pull off the biggest comeback in college football history.
The effort was sparked by an 18-yard touchdown pass from CJ Bacher with just over seven minutes to play in the third quarter. It would start a run of 38 straight second half points.
The Spartans tied the game late in the fourth quarter before picking off a Northwestern pass to set up a go-ahead field goal attempt. With 28 ticks left on the clock, Brett Swanson’s kick sailed through the uprights to give Michigan State 41-38.