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Top 5 greatest Rose Bowl games in college football history

By Quinn Douglas

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: A general view of the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game between the Oklahoma Sooners and Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: A general view of the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game between the Oklahoma Sooners and Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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3. 1997 Rose Bowl: No. 4 Ohio State 20, No. 2 Arizona State 17

Leading one of the most famous drives in recent college football history, quarterback Joe Germaine led the Ohio State Buckeyes to a stunning 20-17 win over No. 2 Arizona State, denying the Sun Devils any possible shot of a national championship. The Buckeyes were led by Germaine, receiver David Boston and future Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle Orlando Pace. Ohio State was co-champions of the Big Ten along with Northwestern, but the Buckeyes 10-1 record led them to be chosen to go to Pasadena.

Arizona State came into the Rose Bowl with an 11-0 record and outright champions of the Pac-10. The Sun Devils were led by coach Bruce Snyder and Heisman Trophy finalist Jake “The Snake” Plummer at quarterback. The Sun Devils regular season was highlighted by ending Nebraska’s 26-game winning streak at home.

The Buckeyes struck first with a Stanley Jackson touchdown pass to David Boston, but was quickly matched by Arizona State on a touchdown pass from Jake Plummer to Ricky Boyer.

The teams traded points again until Ohio State got the ball back with 1:47 left, and Joe Germaine cemented his place in Buckeye lore with his touchdown pass to David Boston with 19 seconds left to stun Arizona State.

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