A retrospective on the most dramatic fourth-quarter rallies and late-game heroics in college football bowl games, highlighting teams that overcame seemingly insurmountable deficits to claim victory against higher-seeded or favored opponents.
Get targeted exposure with custom position pinning and highlighted placement.
Florida trailed by 13 points in the fourth quarter before Tim Tebow led a miraculous drive. The Gators scored 21 unanswered points to win 41-35, a pivotal moment that set up their subsequent National Championship run.
Trailing 24-7 in the second half, LSU mounted a fierce comeback led by Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson. They forced double overtime and won on a blocked extra point, securing their first national title in the process.
After falling behind by double digits late in the second half, Auburn scored two touchdowns in the final minutes. An onside kick recovery with seconds left sealed a 30-28 victory in one of the wildest finishes in bowl history.
Facing a loaded USC team, Texas trailed 38-35 with less than two minutes left. Vince Young orchestrated a game-winning drive and rushed for a touchdown with 9 seconds remaining, stalling any comeback attempt by the Trojans.
Oregon held a commanding lead until late in the game, when Ohio State's Cardale Jones led a decisive drive. The Buckeyes scored two touchdowns in the final three minutes to win 59-42 in a scoring frenzy.
Though technically a semifinal, Clemson overcame a deficit to beat eventual national champion Alabama. Deshaun Watson's leadership culminated in a 45-31 victory, proving the Tigers could defeat the best teams in the country.
Georgia trailed Oklahoma early in the second half but clawed back to force overtime. In OT, they dominated physically, winning 32-23 and securing a spot in the National Championship game with a display of resilience.
TCU overcame an 18-point halftime deficit against the undefeated Buckeyes. Casey Pachall and the offense rallied to tie the game and eventually win in triple overtime, marking TCU's first bowl win of the season.
Trailing by three scores late in the second half, Ole Miss staged a miraculous comeback against Alabama. Jordan Jefferson threw two late touchdown passes to tie the game, though Alabama eventually won in double overtime.
Trailing by 14 points late in the game, Kansas State scored two touchdowns in the final minutes. A critical defensive stand preserved the 31-27 victory, keeping their national title hopes alive for one more week.
Louisville erased a 14-point deficit in the final quarter with clutch passing from Teddy Bridgewater. The Cardinal defense made key stops to seal a 35-24 victory, ending the season with momentum.
Michigan trailed significantly before Denard Robinson led a furious comeback in the second half. The Wolverines won 30-24, marking their first bowl victory in the Briles era and turning their season around.
Trailing by 17 points late, Florida State rallied with timely passing from Jameis Winston. The win marked the end of a 13-game bowl losing streak and signaled a resurgence for the Seminoles program.
Virginia trailed by multiple possessions but chipped away at the lead in the second half. The Cavaliers won 52-42 in an offensive shootout, showcasing their high-powered attack on a national stage.
Despite a heavy defeat, Oregon State's performance against the eventual National Champion Wisconsin was notable. However, a more fitting underdog story is Oregon State's 2014 Holiday Bowl win over Texas Tech, where they overcame a late deficit to win 27-20.
Trailing by 10 points late, Clemson mounted a comeback led by Deshaun Watson. They scored 21 unanswered points to win 42-35, securing a berth in the playoff and establishing themselves as a national powerhouse.
While a conference championship, this game featured a massive comeback by Baylor against Texas Tech. The Bears overcame a significant deficit to win, showcasing their offensive prowess in a high-stakes environment.
USC trailed late but rallied with a strong second-half performance to win 32-18. The victory highlighted their ability to close out games against tough Pac-12 opponents, securing their New Year's Six bowl win.
Stanford led late in the game before Ohio State's Cardale Jones led a game-winning drive. The Buckeyes scored the go-ahead touchdown in the final seconds, completing a dramatic comeback to advance to the national championship.
Trailing by 17 points late, Alabama staged a comeback to win 28-24. This victory ended a long drought against non-SEC opponents in bowl games and marked a turning point in Nick Saban's tenure.