Ok, I guess since there were two seconds remaining on the clock when the kick split the uprights we can’t technically call it a walk off, but who cares about any technicalities!
Sept 3, 2005 Memorial Stadium, Clemson
After getting their doors blown off 27-6 in College Station the year before, Tommy Bowden’s Tigers were looking for a better showing in the rematch, this time on their home turf in the 2005 season opener. Tigers placekicker Jad Dean would set a school record with 6 FGs in the game, including this one, a 42 yarder with just two seconds on the clock that gave the Tigers the 25-24 win over the 17th ranked Aggies.
Ironically enough, Dean had predicted to his freinds exactly how this game would end. He would tell the media after the game,
“I told them we’d be down by two and I would get a chance to do this.”
With a little over nine minutes remaining, Aggies QB Reggie McNeal hooked up with WR Chad Schroeder for a 31 yard TD completion giving A&M a 23-22 lead. Why Aggie head coach Dennis Franchione did not go for two is still a mystery, but he didn’t, and it ultimately cost his team.
However, after that TD catch, things were not looking good for the Tigers. With starting QB Charlie Whitehurst on the sideline injured, the Tigers got the ball at their own 42 with 3:40 left in the game, and needing a miracle.
Instead of putting the game on the shoulders of backup QB Will Proctor, the Tigers would turn to RB James Davis. Davis carried the ball eight straight times, driving the team down to the A&M 25, setting up Dean’s heroics. Davis finished the night with 101 yards rushing on 19 carries.
With the top ranked Tigers hosting the #12 Aggies tomorrow in Death Valley, we thought this was the perfect time to reminisce about the last time Texas A&M came to town. Check out some the highlights here.
