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7 Best Opening Thursday Night College Football Games of the Past Decade

HERO Sports by HERO Sports
August 29, 2017
7 Best Opening Thursday Night College Football Games of the Past Decade

Week 0 was a tease, but now Week 1 of the college football season is almost upon us.

This Thursday will feature 15 FBS and FCS games. Things kick off at 6 PM ET when Florida International travels to Central Florida, and there are a few other sneaky good games on the docket as well.

RELATED: The Wonder of Waco: How Hubris and Stupidity Cost Baylor a 99.99% Chance to Win

P.J. Fleck and his oars will be on display for the first time in Minnesota as the Gophers welcome Buffalo to town. Mike Gundy, his flowing mullet, and high-flying offense takes on Tulsa. It's also our first look at the No. 2 team in the country as Ohio State travels to Indiana.

To get you ready for the first full week of the season, let's look at seven of the best opening Thursday night college football games from the past decade, which includes the post-game punch heard 'round the world.

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September 3, 2009: Boise State Knocks Out Oregon and LeGarrette Blount

It was the biggest home game in the history of Boise State football. The No. 14 Broncos held the No. 16 Ducks to just 152 yards of total offense and a single touchdown en route to a 19-8 win.

But it was this post-game punch by LeGarrette Blount that would be replayed on what seemed like an endless loop on ESPN for the next month that made this one of the most astounding Thursday night college football openers ever.

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September 1, 2016: Tennessee Hangs on for Dear Life Against App State

Apparently No. 9 Tennessee missed the memo that Appalachian State has a reputation for shocking week 1 upsets of Power 5 teams.

It took an overtime touchdown by the Vols on a fumble by quarterback Joshua Dobbs at the goal line recovered by teammate Jalen Hurd for the SEC team to knock off its Sun Belt opponent 20-13.

App State opens the 2017 season at Georgia on Saturday. The Bulldogs might want to be ready for that one.

 

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September 2, 2010: Utah Upsets No. 15 Pittsburgh in Overtime

The Panthers spot in the top 25 was over before the first Saturday of college football arrived, when Joe Phillips' 21-yard field goal sailed through the uprights in overtime for the 27-24 upset.

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August 30, 2012: A Pair of FCS Squads Knock Off FBS Foes

It was a double-dose of FCS road beatdowns in 2012 as McNeese beat Middle Tennessee 27-21 and Eastern Washington rolled over Idaho 20-3.

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August 30, 2007: QB Julian Edelman and Kent State Shock Iowa State

Before he was catching passes from Tom Brady, Julian Edelman was lined up behind center in this opening Thursday night stunner over Iowa State. Edelman went 17/26 for 161 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 75 yards on 18 carries for another score in the Golden Flashes 23-14 upset.

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September 1, 2011: Syracuse Rally Stuns Wake Forest Late

After Jimmy Newman connected from 40 yards away, Wake Forest led comfortably 29-14 with 11:02 remaining at the Carrier Dome, but Orange quarterback Ryan Nassib would rally his team to 22 straight points for the come-from-behind 36-29 overtime win.

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September 3, 2015: The FCS Upset That Got Away

Southern Utah had held one of the greatest quarterbacks in Utah State history in check. Aggies signal-caller Chuckie Keeton completed just 16 of 33 passes for 110 yards and one interception.

But up by the score of 9-5 with just 4:54 remaining, Utah State's Andrew Rodriquez returned a punt 88 yards for the game-winning score (scroll to the 2:17 mark to see rare footage of the return).

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