The 50 Most Heartbreaking Moments in College Football History

Before I begin, I would like to initially let you all know that we at Bleacher Report recognize the seriousness of the occurrences of deaths and horrific injuries that have surrounded college football over time.

Though those moments can certainly be considered heartbreaking, we have decided to leave moments of that nature off of this list.

For the moments that did make this list, yes, Heartbreak Hotel will be occupied as you read this. With ends to streaks, comebacks, bad calls, coaches shockingly leaving beloved schools and controversy, heartbreak has been afoot greatly in college football.

Here are the 50 most heartbreaking moments in college football history.

50. Jake Locker's Unsportsmanlike Penalty vs. BYU

Locker's legend was on the way to mythical status during the aftermath of this play. In the fourth quarter, Washington versus BYU in 2008, Locker used his magic to scamper for a touchdown run with two seconds left.

Washington thought only a PAT was needed to tie up the game, but nope, the refs called Locker for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty for flipping the ball over his head.

What was a heroic effort by Locker became a controversial and heartbreaking moment for the Huskies.

49. Oregon Onside Kick vs. Oklahoma

Oregon and Oklahoma squared off in 2006, and the game score was 33-27 after Oregon had scored a touchdown to make it a one-possession game. Naturally, the Ducks, seeing only 1:09 was on the clock, went for the onside kick.

It was recovered by a Sooner, but the refs, one being a good buddy of then-Oregon coach Mike Bellotti, called for review that shows a Duck player clearly touched the ball before 10 yards.

But even that's not enough, as the refs gave the ball to Oregon which went on to win the game. 

48. Michigan vs. Penn State in 2005

Doug Benc/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Chad Henne #7 of the Michigan Wolverines throws a pass against the Florida Gators in the Capital One Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2008 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Whether you're a PSU fan or a Big Blue fan, this certainly depends on which program you ally yourself with. For Penn State fans, this certainly falls into the heartbreaking category.

Penn State was leading 25-21 in the fourth quarter when Chad Henne delivered a throw to Carl Tabb who got out of bounds with seemingly 28 seconds left. But for some reason, the refs huddled up and put two extra seconds on the clock.

Joe Paterno was irate. He only got more upset when Henne hit Mario Manningham for the game-winning touchdown, thanks to the extra two seconds the Wolverines got.

47. Lane Kiffin Leaving Tennessee After Just One Season

This moment just downright angered Vol fans, but really their anger stems from heartbreak. Kiffin came to Knoxville with high praise, as the Vols were over the Phil Fulmer era.

Kiffin had Tennessee in the national spotlight, for the right and wrong reasons. They were recruiting well and the future looked bright.

Then Kiffin called a shocking press conference to announce he was leaving for USC. Heartbreak in Knoxville, ouch!

46. FIU-Miami Brawl in 2006

This was a heartbreaking moment for the fans and lovers of college football. The FIU program came into the game versus Miami in 2006 as heavy underdogs just looking for respect.

On a PAT, FIU defensive back Chris Smith punched Miami holder Matt Perelli in the head, while Marshall McDuffie kicked Perelli. The brawl resulted in 13 penalties and ejections, and 31 suspensions.

Oh, and some of the dumbest things spoken by a broadcaster on air in the history of television in Lamar Thomas' idiotic comments. 

45. Lou Holtz' Last Game at South Carolina in 2004

Lou Holtz seems like a good guy and a great coach. The 2004 South Carolina versus Clemson game was to be his last, and him going out in this manner is a heartbreaker. The Gamecocks and Tigers brawled like a WWE Battle Royal.

It was so bad that after the game, both schools announced their teams would not be allowed to go bowl games.

44. Tyrone Willingham Getting Fired from Notre Dame

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Tyrone Willingham of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish watches warm up exercises before a game with the Michigan Wolverines on September 11, 2004 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Michi

Some say this was justified, but others say that's not the point. I tend to fall on the side of the latter, as this was a heartbreaking moment that was bigger than football.

I'm African American, and like many others, I was shocked, defeated and, yes, even heartbroken when I learned of Willingham's firing in 2004.

He was 21-15 as the Irish coach after just three seasons, lost to USC by 31 three-straight years, but had the Irish players setting solid records academically, and the program looked to be on the comeback. 

43. Brotzman Missing 2 Field Goals vs. Nevada

Boise State had a solid chance of getting into the BCS in 2010, and it came down to beating Nevada in the late stages of the season. Boise State came into the game with confidence as Kyle Brotzman, their beloved kicker, was the WAC's all-time leading scorer.

Brotzman missed a crucial kick at the end of regulation to win the game, pushing it just right. Then in overtime, he missed a 29-yard kick wide left, which helped Nevada win the game 34-31.

Boise State went from playing potentially in the Rose Bowl to playing in the Las Vegas Bowl.

42. Beamer Slapping Ernest Wilford in 2003

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Head coach Frank Beamer of the Virginia Tech Hokies looks on against the Stanford Cardinal during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Stanford won 40-12. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/

This was a heartbreaking moment more from the standpoint of how it looked.

Beamer was in a heated argument with star receiver Ernest Wilford on the Hokie sidelines, and Beamer hauled off and slapped Wilford on his helmet.

Beamer immediately apologized for the incident, yet he did take some heat for the occurrence for a good while. For a well-respected man and coach like Beamer to lose his cool and strike a player was a hurtful sight for many to see.

41. Baylor Losing to San Jose State in 1980

This moment certainly stung for the Bears. They were in the midst of an undefeated season and riding a high wave in 1980. Sports Illustrated even was primed to do an exclusive piece on the team after they beat the Spartans.

Baylor was so confident, they even started setting up photo shoots and other various media sessions with Sports Illustrated.

Then they lost to San Jose State, 30-22. 

40. Michael Crabtree's Touchdown Catch vs. Texas

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 01: Michael Crabtree #5 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders carries the ball after making a reception during the first half of the game against the Texas Longhorns on November 1, 2008 at Jones Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by Jamie

Texas Tech took on No.1 ranked Texas in 2008, and the game was a back-and-forth battle as the Red Raiders showed they were not afraid of the Longhorns.

Trailing 33-32 with only eight seconds left, Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell found Crabtree on the 10-yard line and fired a strike into double coverage. A pass that should have been picked off, Crabtree snatched it in mid-air and scurried into the end zone with one second left.

Texas found its heart shattered and aching. 

39. Rout 66

Sorry to do it again to you Longhorn fans, but here's another heartbreaking moment—not in just Texas history, but college football history.

In 1997, UCLA came into Austin and just beat the brains off the Longhorns, 66-3. It was a confusing and peculiar game, and left the Texas fans in shock.

It's called the "Rout 66" game.

38. Rich Rod Bolting from West Virginia

Marc Serota/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Head coach Rich Rodriguez of the West Virginia Mountaineers waits to take the field prior to taking on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Toyota Gator Bowl at Alltel Stadium January 1, 2007 in Jacksonville, Florida. (P

A beloved and native figure of West Virginia, Rich Rodriguez rebuilt the program back to Big East prominence during his tenure running the Mountaineers.

His name had been linked to various national level jobs over time such as Alabama and Miami, but the WVU faithful always felt he'd stay in Morgantown.

Wrong! Michigan showed Rodriguez the money, and he slipped out to Ann Arbor, to the increased hatred from the folks of WVU. A legal case was even brought against Rodriguez.

37. Nebraska's Kick Ball Win vs. Missouri in 1997

Whether you're a Missouri fan, a Nebraska hater or just a fan of huge upsets, this one surely hurt. Missouri came into the game as a 29-point underdog and took the lead over No.1 Nebraska in the third quarter.

Things got weird in the fourth quarter as well, as the sprinklers suddenly came on. With 1:02 left, Big Red started from its 33-yard line with no timeouts left.

Somehow, Nebraska got to the Missouri 12-yard line with seven seconds left.

The play called was Shotgun 99 Double Slant, and Cornhuskers QB Scott Frost threw it to receiver Shevin Wiggins. The ball went off his chest, then was kicked by Wiggins after a Tiger safety knocked it free and Matt Davison, a Cornhuskers receiver, dove and caught the ball right before it hit the ground.

36. Steve Spurrier Leaving Florida for the NFL in 2002

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

22 Sep 2001: Florida head coach Steve Spurrier directs quarterback Rex Grossman #8 during the game against Kentucky at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. Florida beat Kentucky 44-10. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit : Brian Bahr/Allsport

This moment also can go into the shocking file. But for the good folks of Gainesville, this certainly was a heartbreaker.

Many felt Spurrier would always stay at Florida, as the job was too plush. Recruiting pull, SEC alignment, money, he had it all.

Then in January of 2002, Spurrier resigned as Florida head ball coach and left Gainesville. Eventually he was hired by the Redskins, but his tenure in Washington was a heartbreaker for him and his coaching record in the NFL. 

35. Tennessee's Too Many Men on the Field Penalty vs. LSU in 2010

Yes, I have this as heartbreaking moment. LSU was the bully on the block, and Tennessee came into the game as the underdog trying to gain some respect.

Leading 14-10, Tennessee thought that they had made a stop and saw time run out versus LSU in the fourth quarter to win the game. They ran onto the field, only to get a penalty called on them and time put back on the clock, before they saw LSU score a touchdown and win the game.

34. Texas Stopping USC on 4th-and-2 at 2006 Rose Bowl

USC came into the 2006 Rose Bowl with history at stake. It could win a third-straight AP national title and put itself in college football eternity. The only thing standing in the way was No. 2-ranked Texas and Vince Young.

After Young basically put on a Superman performance, the game's most pivotal moment was Pete Carroll going for it on 4th-and-2 at the Texas 45-yard line.

To this very day, banter still goes on about this moment, as Carroll elected to go with bigger running back LenDale White over Heisman-winning runner Reggie Bush. White, who arguably was having a better game than Bush, charged into the line but was stopped for only a half-yard gain. 

Texas went on to win the game.

33. USC Getting Robbed out of the BCS Title Game in 2004

Donald Miralle/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 1: Quarterback Matt Leinart #11 of the USC Trojans celebrates his touchdown catch against the Michigan Wolverines in the 2004 Rose Bowl on January 1, 2004 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Leinart was named the MVP as USC d

USC was ranked No.1 in the country by the Coaches Poll and AP Poll. How could they not be invited to the BCS title game? That's like Usain Bolt winning all of his heats at the Olympics, but not being invited to run in the medal heat.

USC won its last game of the regular season over UCLA 47-22, thinking it was on its way to compete for the BCS national title. Wrong!

The Trojans were not invited as the BCS had them ranked third, allowing LSU and Oklahoma to play. Heartbreak in LA, ouch!

32. Kentucky Losing to LSU in 2002 on Miraculous Hail Mary

Oh, this was a heartbreaker for the Wildcats. They were high-fiving on the sidelines during regulation, thinking they had just beat the huge power that is LSU.

They even doused their coach Guy Morriss in Gatorade. But someone on the UK sidelines should have told LSU to stop playing, as Tiger QB Marcus Randall launched a strong throw into the air and Wildcat fans stormed the field.

But LSU receiver Michael Clayton deflected the ball into Devery Henderson's hands, and he got into the end zone for a 74-yard touchdown pass.

It was dubbed the "Bluegrass Miracle."

31. Notre Dame Tying Army in 1946

Army came into the game with a win streak that started in 1944, and Notre Dame tangled with the Black Knights all game long.

It was a defensive struggle, as some say Army just didn't play well, while others say Notre Dame's defense played the game of its life.

Anyway you slice it, Army's win streak came to a shocking halt as it tied Notre Dame 0-0 in 1946.

30. Michigan Losing to Appalachian State 2009

The score was 42-39. Michigan looked at the scoreboard in disbelief and just did not see this coming. Ohio State fans hoped it would happen, but in reality knew it wouldn't.

Then it did.

Michigan just couldn't pull away from Appalachian State and they blocked a field goal to tie the game, and heartbreak set up shop in Ann Arbor.

29. LeGarrette Blount Channeling His Inner Mike Tyson in 2009

Blount told Sports Illustrated that Oregon owed Boise State a "(butt) whuppin." Well, Boise State didn't really see any need for Oregon to pay them back, so they just beat the Ducks 19-8 to call it even.

After the game, BSU LB Byron Hout went up to Blount, slapped him on the shoulder and said: "How about that (butt) whuppin'?"

Blount's response was a cold right hook to the jaw, one of the worst heartbreaking moments to see in college football history.

28. Wide Right II

This was the second installment of the "Wide Right" series for Bobby Bowden and Florida State. I think this one was worse because it was the second occurrence.

Miami was the No. 2 team in the country and had a 20-game winning streak, but didn't look good coming into the game. FSU had a QB named Charlie Ward and was No. 3.

Looking for revenge from the fluke that took place a season before, Ward converted a 4th-and-12 to get the Noles in field-goal range looking to tie the game at 19 apiece.

But FSU's kicker pushed the ball wide right to the open end of the Orange Bowl.

27. Marcus Dupree Quitting Football as a Sophomore

Dupree had the talent to be talked about among the greatest Sooner running backs, such as Billy Sims and Adrian Peterson. His recruitment was a surreal saga in the early 1980s.

Dupree initially pledged to Texas, but signed with Oklahoma. People say he was never happy, but his talent was amazing. He was a future NFL running back with a complete skill set. He rushed for over 1,144 yards and 13 touchdowns as a true freshman, earning second-team All-American honors

Seeing him quit in 1983, his sophomore season, after a concussion was shocking and heartbreaking.

26. Oklahoma Getting Beat by Boise State in 2007 Fiesta Bowl

Another shocking and heartbreaking moment this time was at the expense of Oklahoma. The Sooners came into the game as big-time favorites over little Boise State. 

The Broncos used some old-school tricks to pull off the win. In the fourth quarter, there was the hook-and-ladder play to Jerard Rabb for 35 yards.  Then the Vinny Perretta to Derek Schouman pass.

But none was bigger than the ol' Statue of Liberty play to Ian Johnson, who went on to propose to his girlfriend seconds after running into the end zone. 

25. SMU Getting the Infamous Death Penalty in 1987

This was heartbreaking, as is the case whenever any program gets death penalty. But many say that SMU deserved it. The Mustangs were warned many, many times and put on probation and sanctioned many times.

They just didn't learn their lesson, until they got the death penalty in 1987. This marked the official end of a great run of success on the field for SMU, and the program is still recovering from the death penalty today.

24. Ohio State Losing to Michigan in 1969

Woody Hayes called his 1969 team the best team he coached in Columbus, and they came into the Michigan game on a 22-game winning streak. Bo Schembechler was in his early days at Michigan, and there was already bad blood.

In 1968, Hayes went for two in the final minute of the game, winning 50-14. When asked why he went for two, Hayes infamously responded with: "Because I couldn't go for three."

Schembechler somehow got Big Blue to rally for the '69 game and Michigan upset Ohio State 24-12, and it was called the "Upset of the Century."

23. Oklahoma Losing 35-31 to Nebraska in 1971 "Game of the Century"

I'm actually going to split this moment into two different moments...

The '71 game between Nebraska and Oklahoma came before the 2000 game that served as the huge Cornhuskers-Sooner game of my generation. But for the 1971 contest, ESPN’s Beano Cook wrote: “They can quit playing now, they have played the perfect game."

Nebraska had a 20-game win streak, was ranked No.1 and was the defending champion. Oklahoma came into the game ranked No. 2 and had a rushing attack that was silly good. 

Confidence and swagger littered the Sooners coming into the game, but they lost a heartbreaker 35-31 to Big Red.

22. Johnny Rodgers' 72-Yard Punt Return Not Being Called Back

In the 1971 Nebraska-Oklahoma game, the first touchdown of the contest was scored by Nebraska legend Johnny Rodgers on a 72-yard punt return.

But Oklahoma fans routinely point to a clipping penalty not being called that they say was as clear as day. With the score being 35-31, surely this penalty not being called affected the game and still burns Oklahoma historians to this day.

21. Miami Losing 48-0 in Final Game of Orange Bowl

Doug Benc/Getty Images

CORAL GABLES, FL - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Al Groh of the Virginia Cavaliers is congratulated by Randy Shannon of the Miami Hurricanes at the Orange Bowl November 10, 2007 in Coral Gables, Florida. The Hurricanes played their last game in the Orange Bowl

The Orange Bowl was home to many memorable moments in football and sports, especially for Miami Hurricane football. Many old greats came back to watch the final game at the historic stadium, but the Hurricanes played awful that game.

In a 2007 game versus Virginia, the U was blitzed by the Cavs in a 48-0 humiliating defeat. Leaving the Orange Bowl like this was not ideal for the U.

It was the biggest defeat and shutout in Orange Bowl history, and the pride of Miami football took a serious blow that night.

20. Pete Carroll Leaving USC

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Pete Carroll of the USC Trojans celebrates after defeating the Boston College Eagles during the 2009 Emerald Bowl at AT&T Park on December 26, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Carroll was good for the college game, as his positivity and enthusiasm brought USC back to the national forefront. It was always rumored that Carroll would leave USC for one last crack at the NFL, but he had turned down several overtures to make you believe that he'd stay at USC until retirement.

But in 2010, the Seahawks made Carroll an offer he couldn't refuse—or an escape route from the NCAA depending on how you see it.

Nevertheless, Carroll bolted from LA to Seattle, shattering the hearts of many.

19. Michigan State: Notre Dame Game Ending in a Tie

Dubbed the "Game of the Century" in 1966 (how many of these have we had?), Michigan State and Notre Dame came into he game on Nov. 19 as the two top-ranked teams in the country.

Notre Dame was No.1 and 8-0, while Michigan State was No. 2 and 9-0. Speculation on who would win naturally was running wild all week, and the suspense and buildup was mythical.

A 10-10 score on the final series with the Irish having the ball, Notre Dame never really tried to win the game for some reason. It ended in a confusing tie.

18. Notre Dame Allowing a 4th-and-9 Conversion to USC in 2005

Notre Dame came into the 2005 USC game as a program on the rise. Results were being rapidly shown in Charlie Weis' first year and USC came into the game ranked No.1, while the Irish were also a top 10 team.

With less than a minute left, and having USC on the ropes at 4th-and-9, Notre Dame checked into a Tampa-2 coverage to rattle Matt Leinart's audible. Leinart, citing a hunch, went with the fade audible anyway, and found Dwayne Jarrett on the perimeter for a 61-yard gain.

More on this finish coming shortly...

17. Wide Right

The first of the Wide Right and Wide Left series, the orginal came in 1991 between Miami and Florida State. FSU was ranked No.1 and was 10-0, while Miami was No. 2 and had an 8-0 record.

Trailing 17-16 in the final seconds of regulation, FSU QB Casey Weldon got the team into field-goal range, and Bobby Bowden trotted out kicker Gerry Thomas for a 34-yard game-winning field goal.

Here is what legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson called during the ensuing field-goal attempt:

"The snap is back, the ball is down, here we go....It is...wide to the right! Wide to the right!".

16. The Fifth Down Game

Colorado versus Missouri, Oct. 6, 1990: Darian Hagan was out for the Buffs, and Charles Johnson was filling in for the injured QB.

Fast forward to the play: Colorado trailed 31-27. On first down, Johnson spiked the ball. Second down brought an Eric Bienemy run, third down saw the same play, but the marker read second down. 

With Bienemy being stopped short again of the end zone, Johnson spiked the ball because he thought it was third down, but really it was fourth. 

The officials gave Colorado another down, since the marker read fourth, when in reality should have been a turnover on downs. Johnson used a QB sneak to score and win the game on the infamous "fifth" down.

15. Miami Losing the Catholics vs. Convicts Game

Sometimes you actually root for the villain. Heath Ledger as The Joker, The Godfather, the shark in Jaws just to name a few.

Miami in the 1980s could certainly fall in this category, and in 1988 the Canes played Notre Dame in a game dubbed "Catholics versus Convicts." There are many, many Notre Dame haters who were surely rooting for the Hurricanes to win.

But a heartbreaking, one-point loss of 31-30 happened after a pre-game fight in the entrance tunnel at Notre Dame stadium.

14. Arkansas Losing to Texas in 1969

This game was so big that President Nixon came in person to attend. The Hogs were winning in the fourth quarter when Texas coach Darrell Royal basically ran a trick play for Texas at the time:

A deep pass.

Royal, who had the Longhorns in a Wishbone-based offense, saw Texas pinned on their own 43, and on 4th-and-3 sent tight end Randy Peschel on a go route and James Street hit him for a 44-yard gain.

Down 14-8, this served as the prime play for Texas to score and win the game 15-14. 

13. The Reggie Bush Push

Revisiting the USC-Notre Dame game like I told I would, the next heartbreaking moment came with the infamous "Bush Push."

To decide the game, Notre Dame's defense made a heroic goal-line stand, but USC's line got one final push...or Bush did. Matt Leinart tried to sneak the ball in but was initially stuffed, and then Reggie Bush fired from his running back position and pushed Leinart over the goal line to give USC the win.

It's a heartbreaking and highly controversial play to this day.

12. The Reggie Bush Scandal

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Reggie Bush of the USC Trojans smiles as he announces that he will forgo his senior year and enter the 2006 NFL Draft during a press conference on January 12, 2006 at Heritage Hall on the USC Campus in Los Angeles, Californi

The moment that Yahoo! broke the story of Reggie Bush taking money from an agent and the day USC was sanctioned were two-fold, heartbreaking moments in college football. You can even argue that Bush returning his Heisman is a heartbreaker in itself.

Just knowing that the magical days and records of watching Bush, who I say is the greatest college player I have seen thus far, negated was surreal.

Heartbreak in Hollywood...it's normal.

11. Punt, Bama, Punt

Alabama, No. 2  in the country, led Auburn 16-3 late when two, count 'em two, flukes occurred.

The Tigers' Bill Newton blocked Greg Gantt's punt and the ball bounced directly to David Langner, who returned it 25 yards for a touchdown.

On the next possession, Auburn forced another punt. Newton and Langer did it again, this time from 20 yards, and the Tigers won, 17-16.

10. The Birth of the BCS in 1998

I don't know about you, but I'm not a fan of the BCS. But I also wasn't much of a fan of the old system either.

We need to determine a true national champion in our sport on the field of play. A small playoff type of tournament is needed.

The BCS has caused a lot of problems, robbed teams of competing for championships and many other issues. The birth of this wacky computer system in 1998 in hindsight was a heartbreaking moment.

9. Woody Hayes Punching Charlie Bauman in 1978 Gator Bowl

Hayes is one of the greatest coaches in history, but people always wondered if his temper would catch up with him. It did in the 1978 Gator Bowl.

Clemson nose guard Charlie Bauman intercepted an Art Schlichter pass and ran it out of bounds. He rose off the grass and then felt the wrath of Hayes' fist to his throat.

A brawl ensued, and Hayes was fired. A heartbreaking end to a brilliant career in Columbus. 

8. Bobby Bowden Being Run out of Florida State

Doug Benc/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Head coach Bobby Bowden of the Florida State Seminoles is escorted off the field after defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers during the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl on January 1, 2010 at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Ja

Sometimes as a coach, you earn your right to leave on your terms. Other times, you don't. It's a rare situation, but Bobby Bowden deserved better than what he got at the end of his tenure in Tallahassee.

Jimbo Fisher was named coach in waiting, which sat well with Bowden. But then Bowden was given an ultimatum, then was basically told he couldn't coach the team anymore, and would have to serve as a figurehead "ambassador" to the program.

Heartbreaking.

7. Miami's Loss to Boston College in 1984

A triumphant, shocking and warming moment for many others, if you're a Hurricanes fan, this one was heartbreaking.

Doug Flutie, a 5'8" QB who was basically The Goods on the football field, showed why he was the best player in the country on this play. Flutie slung the ball 48 yards and found Gerard Phelan in the end zone to win the game. 

I'm sure Boston went nuts with joy, but the hearts in the 305 sunk and broke.

6. Miami Losing 1987 Fiesta Bowl

The U was the team of the 1980s. The Canes were the villains you either hated or loved with a passion, and they didn't care either way what you thought of them.

But you also had to respect them. Why? Because they were good. Really good.

But their loss to Penn State in the 1986 Fiesta Bowl was heartbreaking because they didn't play well, and their mouths overstated their play. Vinny Testaverde's five interceptions told the story of the night.

Penn State won 14-10. 

5. Wide Left

Florida State took on Nebraska in the 1994 Orange Bowl, looking for Bobby Bowden's first national title.

The Noles took the lead with 21 seconds left on Scott Bentley's 22-yard field goal. But Nebraska drove down the field to the FSU 28, but the clock ran out.

However, the officials put one second back on the clock, and Big Red trotted out Byron Bennett to win the game. He missed the kick.

Heartbreak in Lincoln, ouch!

4. Pass Interference Call on Glen Sharpe in 2003 Fiesta Bowl

Controversial? Yes? Heartbreaking? Definitely. This game was a peculiar one, as the Miami team was basically an NFL squad. They had that much talent, and Ohio State really had no chance on paper.

But somehow, Ohio State found a way to deal with Miami's speed and stayed tough with them all throughout the game. But the pivotal moment was when Terry Porter decided to call Miami DB Glen Sharpe for pass interference on Chris Gamble in overtime.

Miami was up in overtime and Ohio State was playing its final down of 4th-and-3. Craig Krenzel threw a pass that went off Chris Gamble's hands and Miami thought they had won the game.

Wrong! "The Call" was made and led Ohio State to a tie that eventually won the game.

3. Miami Stopping Nebraska 2-Point Conversion Attempt at '84 Orange Bowl

Nebraska came back to play trailing just 31-30 to Miami with 48 seconds left at the 1984 Orange Bowl.

Tom Osborne, Nebraska's coach, wanted an outright win for his national title and went for it with a two-point conversion.

But Miami safety Ken Calhoun tipped away Turner Gill's two-point pass to Jeff Smith, and Osborne missed out on his national title.

Osborne waited another 11 years for it.

2. The Play

This was a crazy way to lose a game, and for Stanford, what really hurts is that is was their hated rival Cal that did it to them.

Just watch the video.

1. Oklahoma Losing to Notre Dame in 1957 to End 47-Game Winning Streak

Some say the 1969 Ohio State team is the greatest of all-time. Then there are the 1980s Miami squads, 1990s Florida State teams, early 2000s Miami teams and mid-2000 USC teams. Then there are a slew of various Notre Dame and Army teams.

But the Oklahoma teams in the '50s were dominant and had a 47-game winning streak that dated from 1953 to 1957.

In a game vs. Notre Dame, Dick Lynch scored a touchdown to give the Irish the lead with four minutes left that proved to be the game-winner.

Sooner fans were so heartbroken, they sat in the stands for 30 minutes after the end of the game, crying in disbelief.