Auburn 14 - 21 Utah St. (Halftime)

Auburn was favored by 23 points in this game, and I assumed that we would be easing into the UCFC battles this year with a fairly simply contest. But this game kicked off at 11 A.M. Auburn time, and the Tigers are usually much better at night. The Utah State Aggies jumped all over Auburn at the beginning of the game, taking a 7-21 lead with 7:58 to go in the first half. Auburn made it 14-21 with a 97-yd kickoff return for a touchdown, and the remainder of the half was scoreless.

So Auburn is in a bit of trouble at home. The folks at Weber State should be on the edge of their seats. If Utah State can hang on for one more half, next week's match-up in Logan between Weber State will be for the UCFC.

Utah State

In 1888, the Territory of Utah passed a bill to start the Agricultural College of Utah, which opened in Logan in 1890. A few years later, the Agricultural College narrowly survived an effort to merge its operations with the University of Utah. Instead, pursuant to a 1907 agreement, the activities at the Agricultural College were strictly limited to agriculture, domestic science, and the mechanical arts. Over the next two decades, these restrictions were generally lifted -- although the University of Utah still has the only law school and medical school. By 1950, Utah Agricultural College granted its first doctoral degrees, and in 1957 it became Utah State University.

USU's most prominent alumni include Sen. Harry Reid, the current Senate Majority Leader, and Merlin Olsen, who you will remember as Father Murphy from the old TV show.

The USU Aggies started playing football in 1892, and in their early years they were a great power in their part of the country. They also had some good years in the 1960s and 1970s. The 1961 Aggies finished number 10 in the country. The 1972 Aggies finished number 19.

But in 1962, six teams formed the Western Athletic Conference: Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Utah State and New Mexico State applied to become charter members -- but they were turned down.

Frozen out by BYU and Utah, the Aggies football team -- which had traditionally been a great power in the state -- went into decline. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen them play a game. And Utah State has never played for the UCFC. But they can win tomorrow at Auburn, they will be taking the trophy back to Logan.

Auburn 22 - 19 Oregon (Final)

Wes Byrum -- Auburn's all-time leading scorer -- kicks the GAME WINNING FIELD GOAL on his last play as an Auburn Tiger.

Auburn has always, always, always been a hard-luck story. They have suffered so many heart-breaking defeats, bad poll votes, and so forth that it is amazing they still have any fans. But this has been their year. All the close games finally went their way. All the breaks finally went for them. And now -- for the first time since 1957 -- they are the National Champions. No fans in America deserve it as much as they do.

Oregon did not score 40 points, as I had expected. The Auburn defense was a bit quicker and stronger than what they were used to. But when they absolutely, positively had to score and get a two-point possession -- they did so. They lost this game, ultimately, because of one of the flukiest plays I have ever seen -- Dyer's run after everyone thought he was down. I feel very sorry for them, but I am confident they will be very formidable as long as they keep their coach. But they are now 2-14-1 in the UCFC. Auburn, on the other hand, runs its record in UCFC games to 15-8, and they get to see this page in blue and orange until at least September.

One final comment. I have watched college football since 1971, and I honestly believe this is one of the five best games I have ever seen. What a great, great game.

Auburn 19 - 19 Oregon (2 seconds left in 4th quarter)

Auburn sends out Newton and lines up in the victory formation at the 1. Newton tries a sneak, but Oregon stuffs him immediately. Auburn calls time, and this time presumably they will kick the field goal.

Auburn 19 - 19 Oregon (10 seconds left in 4th quarter)

Another bizarre play. Auburn has the ball on the Oregon 17 with only 23 seconds left. Auburn runs one more play before the field goal, and Dyer breaks loose again. This time he's hauled down at the 1, but he again rolls over the defender and goes into the end zone for an apparent touchdown. Once again, the play is reviewed, and this time the call is reversed and Auburn gets the ball at the 1 yard line.

Auburn sets up for a field goal. Oregon calls its last time out.

Auburn 19 - 19 Oregon (1:56 left in 4th quarter)

Well, now we're going to have a controversy. Auburn running back Michael Dyer was tackled at the 50, but there was no whistle as he was pulled down ON TOP OF THE DEFENDER. Everything stopped for about 5 seconds -- and then Dyer raced ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE OREGON 23.

After a review, the PLAY STANDS.

Auburn 19 - 19 Oregon (2:33 left in 4th quarter)

Oregon calls time and runs a Utah pass to LaMichael Smith, who runs the ball in for a touchdown. Then Oregon -- who has the best two-point conversion plays I've ever seen -- makes their second two-point conversion of the game on a scramble that ends in a successful pass.

I don't think I've ever seen a game that ended in a 19-19 tie.