On September 1, 2007, the Appalachian State Mountaineers pulled off one of the greatest upsets in college football history. As a member of the FCS, a subdivision of college football often thought of as division two by college football fans, Appalachian State came into Ann Arbor, Michigan as the heavy underdog (+33) against the #5 ranked team in the country. Up two points with six seconds left in the game, Appalachian State blocked a field goal to seal the victory and make history.
On the 11th anniversary of that tremendous win, Appalachian State had a 7-point lead with under a minute left in what looked to be another epic upset. The Mountaineers traveled to Happy Valley to face off against the #10 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions. The Lions were a 24-point favorite and are considered a contender for this years National Championship. Those plans were nearly put on hold.
After a back and forth game that included a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and 76 points (38-38), the Lions scored a touchdown with just 42 seconds left to play. The Mountaineers drove down the field only to miss a 56-yard field goal that would have won the game with under 30 seconds left. The game then headed into overtime.
After a quick touchdown in the first overtime by Penn State running back Miles Sanders, the Mountaineers looked to tie the game. Unfortunately for the Mountaineers, quarterback Zac Thomas threw an interception in the end zone, ending the game. Amani Oruwariye made the pick to keep Penn State's National Championship hopes alive.
As a big fan of college football, I love the uncertainty that presents itself each week of the season. In the first full week of football, we saw several close calls and a minor upset in the Maryland Terrapins defeating #23 ranked Texas Longhorns. I'm sure there will be many more close calls and upsets as the season wears on, but this was certainly a sign to me that meaningful football is back, and I couldn't be happier.
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