ON THIS DAY IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL
December 23.
Different years. Same date. Games worth remembering.
ON THIS DAY · December 23IRON
Unranked. Unforgettable.
Unranked wins over ranked teams. Best rank beaten first.
| Season | Winner / tied | Opponent | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | NC State30 | #16 Pittsburgh17 | Neutral site |
| 1986 | Boston College27 | #17 Georgia24 | Neutral site |
| 2007 | East Carolina Pirates41 | #24 Boise State Broncos38 | At home · Aloha · Honolulu, HI |
| 2016 | Louisiana Tech48 | #25 Navy45 | On the road · Amon G. Carter · Fort Worth, Texas |
ON THIS DAY · December 23IRON
When the ranked collide
Ranked matchups, highest-ranked team first.
| Season | Winner / tied | Opponent | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | #11 TCU Horned Frogs17 | #9 Boise State Broncos16 | At home · Qualcomm Stadium |
| 1978 | #14 Texas42 | #13 Maryland0 | Neutral site · Sun Bowl |
| 2003 | #18 Boise State34 | #19 TCU31 | Neutral site · Amon G. Carter |
ON THIS DAY · December 23IRON
Down to the wire
Ranked teams. Three points or fewer between them.
| Season | Winner / tied | Opponent | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | #11 TCU Horned Frogs17 | #9 Boise State Broncos16 | 1 pt |
| 2003 | #18 Boise State34 | #19 TCU31 | 3 pts |
ON THIS DAY · December 23IRON
Top ten. Taken down.
The widest losses by a team ranked in the top ten.
| Season | Winner / tied | Opponent | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | #11 TCU Horned Frogs17 | #9 Boise State Broncos16 | 1 pt |
ON THIS DAY · December 23IRON
Never count them out
Largest deficits erased. Verified against quarter scores; available from 2000. Each result shows how its deficit was measured.
| Season | Winner / tied | Opponent | Trailed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | #23 Utah Utes37 | California Golden Bears27 | Trailed by 14 · in game |
| 2003 | #18 Boise State34 | #19 TCU31 | Trailed by 14 · in game |
| 2022 | Houston Cougars23 | Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns16 | Trailed by 13 · in game |
| 2008 | #11 TCU Horned Frogs17 | #9 Boise State Broncos16 | Trailed by 13 · in game |
| 2015 | Georgia Southern58 | Bowling Green27 | Trailed by 11 · in game |
ON THIS DAY · December 23IRON
Points on points
The highest combined scores on this date.
| Season | Winner / tied | Opponent | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Louisiana Tech48 | #25 Navy45 | 93 total pts |
| 2015 | Georgia Southern58 | Bowling Green27 | 85 total pts |
| 1972 | #15 Arizona State49 | Missouri35 | 84 total pts |
| 2007 | East Carolina Pirates41 | #24 Boise State Broncos38 | 79 total pts |
| 1998 | Marshall48 | Louisville29 | 77 total pts |
ON THIS DAY · December 23IRON
You had to be there
The biggest crowds, by announced attendance.
| Season | Winner / tied | Opponent | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | UCF29 | Florida17 | 63,669 fans |
| 2016 | Louisiana Tech48 | #25 Navy45 | 40,542 fans |
| 2003 | #18 Boise State34 | #19 TCU31 | 38,028 fans |
| 2017 | Army42 | San Diego State35 | 35,986 fans |
| 2021 | Army West Point24 | Missouri22 | 34,888 fans |