March 21, 2004
Never never land - Strange college football tidbits that have never happened
By Richard Cirminiello
College Football News
Joe Paterno passed Paul Bryant in 2001 to become the winningest college football coach, but never was able to beat the Bear in their four head-to-head meetings.
Bryant, on the hand, never beat Notre Dame (0-4) or legendary Tennessee football coach Robert Neyland (0-7)
The ACC has never had multiple teams finish the season in the Top 10. With the addition of Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College, that could change as early as this season.
All-time great and two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin never led the country in rushing. That distinction went to Utah State’s Louie Giammona and USC’s Ricky Bell in 1974 and 1975, respectively.
Since these records were kept in 1949, a team other than Michigan, Ohio State or Tennessee has never led the country in average home attendance.
Notre Dame has never had a 3,000-yard passer. Jarious Jackson came closest in 1999 with 2,753 yards.
Alabama has never had a quarterback throw for more than 16 touchdown passes in a season. Current head coach Mike Shula and starting quarterback Brodie Croyle share the school record.
The Carrier Dome in Syracuse is named for the company that brought air conditioning to our lives, yet the facility that bears its name has never been air-conditioned. That’s due to its limited use during the summer months.
John Elway never went to a bowl game. Not counting the Super, that is.
Tradition-rich Alabama and Tennessee have never had a Heisman winner. David Palmer finished third for the Tide in 1993 and Hank Lauricella, Johnny Majors and Peyton Manning were all runner-ups for the Vols.
Arizona is the only Pac-10 school to never play in a Rose Bowl. ‘Cats are 0 for 26 years since joining the conference in 1978.
Oklahoma and Georgia have both played more than 1,000 games throughout their histories, but never against each other.
Nebraska has never lost to LSU. The programs met six times from 1971-1987, with the Huskers winning five games. The two played to a 6-6 tie in 1976.
In eight meetings, Alabama has never beaten Texas. The teams did play to a 3-3 tie in the 1960 Bluebonnet Bowl.
Virginia quarterback Matt Blundin was never intercepted during the 1991 season. He threw 224 passes.
Houston quarterback David Klingler was never intercepted in a 1990 game against Baylor. He threw 68 passes.
Miami (OH) running back Travis Prentice carried the ball 365 times in 1998, yet never had a fumble.
Tony DeLeone punted 300 times in his Kent State career, yet never had one blocked.
Oregon has never had a defensive player named Consensus All-American. When former Duck Mel Renfro received the honor in 1962, he was a running back.
North Carolina State has never played in one of the four traditional major bowl games—the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl or Cotton Bowl.
On Nov. 25, 1950, Michigan beat Ohio State 9-3, yet never made a single first down.
During the 1938 season, the Duke defense never allowed its opponents to score an offensive touchdown. Tennessee turned the same trick the following year.
Since 1906, there’s never been a college football season in which Nebraska and Kansas failed to play each other.
Texas coach Mack Brown has won 146 games over 20 years, but has never led a team to a conference title.
In twelve tries, Baylor has never beaten Oklahoma.
A program from the commonwealth of Virginia has never been crowned national champion.
In over a century of playing football, Texas has never met Big Ten power Michigan or Ohio State.
Boston College, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, South Carolina, Temple and Vanderbilt are the only teams from a BCS conference that have never won or shared a league title.
In the six years that the BCS has determined a national champion, the two teams that topped the initial standings in October have never met in the title game.
The Akron Zips have never been invited to a bowl game.