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Ranking the 30 Greatest National Championship Games

By Zach Bigalke

Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) is tackled short of the goal line by Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) in the fourth quarter in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) is tackled short of the goal line by Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) in the fourth quarter in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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26. 1964 Cotton Bowl

#1 Texas d. #2 Navy 28-6

BEFORE THE GAME

The second-oldest game on this list took place in Dallas less than six weeks after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in the city, and is the last time that a service academy was in the running for a national title. Technically the game was merely an exhibition of the two best teams in the country, as both the AP and UPI polls refrained from releasing a post-bowl ranking at the time. No matter what happened Texas would remain first in perpetuity, though history would certainly place an asterisk next to that title.

Navy was invited to the game by the Cotton Bowl committee after taking down Army on the first Saturday of December in Philadelphia. The decision was left up to the Midshipmen squad, who in unison cheered the invitation and expressed their unabashed desire to participate in the contest. They would get the chance to return to the scene of their only loss of the season, a 32-28 loss to an SMU team that would win just three more games throughout the year.

It was no sure thing that the top two teams would meet. The Cotton Bowl was also in preliminary discussions with 9-1 Pittsburgh, 8-2 Syracuse, 9-1 Auburn, 8-2 Alabama, and 7-0-2 Ole Miss. They also considered bringing Army to Dallas had they beat Navy to finish the regular season 8-2. The fact that the Midshipmen featured Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Roger Staubach surely assisted their case before the committee, as did their victory over the Cadets.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

On the opening drive, Texas quarterback Duke Carlisle launched a bomb to Phil Harris that went 58 yards for the first touchdown less than three minutes into the game. The two connected again on a 63-yard passing touchdown in the second quarter, and Carlisle added a running score with just over two minutes remaining in the first half. Late in the third quarter, Texas expanded its lead to 28-0 on a short Harold Philipp touchdown run.

Navy finally scored early in the fourth quarter as Staubach ran in from two yards out at the end of a 14-play drive. After failing on the two-point attempt, the Midshipmen would fail to get in scoring range again. Texas finished with over 400 yards of offense while holding Navy to negative rushing yardage (-14 yards on 29 carries). Despite eight penalties to two for Navy, there was nothing that Texas could do to sabotage their run to a perfect season. Knowing their national title would be questioned with a loss, Darrell Royal’s team finally brought the first recognized national championship to football-mad Austin.

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