Today in Sports History: January 4

By Jonah Sharf

On January 4, 2006, quarterback Vince Young led the Texas Longhorns to a victory in one of the most thrilling Rose Bowls and National Championship Games in recent memory against the USC Trojans, who were led by Heisman winners Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush. The star-studded Trojans were thought of as one of the best teams in college football history going into the game, and many fans and experts alike wrote it off as a win for USC. It looked that way midway into the fourth quarter, as the Trojans built a 38-26 lead by the time there was six minutes left in the fourth quarter, thanks to three rushing touchdowns from LenDale White and one from Bush. However, once they had that comfortable lead with not much time left, Young led a comeback for the ages, leading two touchdown drives of under three minutes, both ending with touchdown runs for Young. The QB was named the game’s MVP—he completed 30 of 40 passes for 267 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions, and ran 19 times for 200 yards with three rushing touchdowns, for one of the greatest National Championship and Rose Bowl game performances ever.

 

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