Ultimate Boston College Football Challenge: 1983 #19 Boston College vs. Penn State vs. 1985 Cotton Bowl vs. Houston

Who wins?

Our third matchup in the Boston College Ultimate Football Game Tournament features two more under the radar games in terms of memorable Eagles moments, but still two games that are very important. You can still vote for all the games in this round by clicking the link below.

VOTE HERE FOR THIS MATCHUP! (In fact you can vote for all the first round matchups now!) 

1985 Cotton Bowl: Boston College 45, Houston 28

Boston College was flying high after their historic victory over the University of Miami in the historic Hail Flutie game, and Doug Flutie had secured his Heisman Trophy as they headed to the Cotton Bowl to face off with the Houston Cougars.

BC came out scorching hot as Flutie hit Kelvin Martin with a 63 yard touchdown strike, followed by another touchdown pass to Troy Stradford. Flutie had one more TD in his pocket as he hit Gerald Phelan with another pass, and Steven Strachan (uncle of Connor) drove in another giving BC a 31-14 lead at the half.

But the tides turned in the second half as Houston roared back with Raymond Tate ran in a TD and Audrey McMillan ran back a pick six off of Flutie. However BC took control of the game in the fourth quarter with two touchdown runs, by Stradford and Strachan. In the end Bill Romanowski was the game MVP. 

1983: Boston College 27 Penn State 17

Penn State was fresh off a national title, and had been owning Boston College for most of the two programs history, most recently thrashing BC 51-17 the year before. But this year was different, although Penn State had started the year off slow, losing to Cincy and Iowa, they had pulled off two straight great wins against West Virginia and Alabama, both top 10 programs at the time. In a game at Sullivan Stadium over 58,000 people came to watch the Eagles battle the Nittany Lions.

It was Flutie Magic right from the start as BC slammed the ball into the end zone on a 10 yard pass to Brian Brennan. BC extended their lead on a tipped pass that landed in the hands of Troy Stradford, and then after a blocked punt scored on a Steven Strachan blast.

Penn State would cut the lead down, but a touchdown and field goal would seal the deal for BC and give them one of their most important wins of the year.