12 Greatest college football games ever played in the Georgia Dome

1993 Peach Bowl

Clemson Tigers def. Kentucky Wildcats, 14-13
Dec. 31, 1993

The Peach Bowl, in addition to being one of the oldest bowl games in the nation, had a history of close games in the dome, and that tradition continued in 1993 as Clemson came from behind to stun Kentucky, 14-13.

In the early going of the game, the Wildcats drove to the the Clemson 2-yard line. Kentucky quarterback Pookie Jones passed the ball to wide receiver Alfonzo Browning, who stretched the ball across the goal line for an apparent touchdown. However, the officials saw things differently and ruled that Browning had fumbled the ball.

It was clear on instant replays that Browning scored prior to losing control of the ball, but this was before the dawn of instant replay officiating in college football, so the fumble call stood and Clemson was given the ball.

Emory Smith, who was named game MVP and is the brother of former NFL star running back Emmitt, scored the winning touchdown on a 21-yard pass from Clemson’s 4th quarter replacement quarterback Patrick Sapp with just 20 seconds remaining. A tough loss for the Wildcats, and perhaps a game which helped bring about the use of instant replay in officiating.