Missing college football?
Revisit classic Orange Bowls with Thursday binge of throwback games
From Tom Brady’s final outing with the Michigan Wolverines to multiple record-setting performances, the Orange Bowl has been home to some of the best games in college football. On Thursday, ESPNU will pay homage to some of the best games in the past 20 years by airing five classic Orange Bowl games.
Here’s the TV schedule to the memorable performances:
2000 Orange Bowl
revisit
Time: Noon
Matchup: No. 8 Michigan vs. No. 5 Alabama
Details: Headlined by Michigan’s Tom Brady and Alabama’s Shaun Alexander, the Big Ten-SEC matchup was one of the greatest overtime thrillers in the bowl game’s recent history. As both played their final collegiate games, Brady led the way for the blue and maize with four passing touchdowns, while Alexander capped off his career with three rushing touchdowns.
2004 Orange Bowl
Time: 2 p.m. Matchup: No. 10 Florida State
Details: Revisit
Miami vs. another
No. installment of the wide-right series, with the storied rivals battling out in another defensive matchup. Most Valuable Player Jarrett Payton provided a memorable performance for the Hurricanes by rushing for 131 yards to stop the Seminoles.
2012 Orange Bowl
Time: 4 p.m.
Matchup: No. 23 West Virginia vs. No. 15 Clemson
Details: As games one of the highestscoring in Orange Bowl history, West Virginia’s Geno Smith and Tavon Austin put together a recordsetting performance against Clemson. Smith, who is a Miramar High School graduate, tied the record for any bowl game with six touchdown passes, while Austin went on to also tie the record for any bowl game with four touchdown receptions.
2014 Orange Bowl
Time: 6 p.m.
Matchup: No. 12 Clemson vs. No. 7 Ohio State
Details: Years before playing in the College Football Playoffs, the two powerhouse programs squared off with Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins stealing the show for Clemson. Watkins, now with the Kansas City Chiefs, had a memorable outing, hauling 16 catches for 227 yards and two scores. Boyd orchestrated the air raid for the Tigers with 378 passing yards and five touchdowns.
2016 Orange Bowl
Time: 9 p.m.
Matchup: No. 6 Michigan vs. No. 11 Florida State
Details: In what was one the best down-to-the-wire Orange Bowls in recent memory, Deondre Francois and Dalvin Cook turned in thrilling performances for Florida State to help spark an electrifying comeback. As the clock expires with 36 seconds left, Francois and the Seminoles attempt to secure a come-from-behind victory against Taco Charlton and the Wolverines’ defense.