1992 UCLA (5-5, unranked) vs. USC (6-2-1, #15) at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. With 4:14 left in the game, the score is tied 31-31 after the Bruins were down by 14 earlier in the fourth quarter. A Trojan punt pins the Bruins deep into their own territory, back on the four yard line. Two successive running plays bring the ball out six yards to the 10 yard line. On 3rd & 4, fourth-string walk-on quarterback John Barnes makes a ballsy play and lofts a pass to J.J. Stokes, who jukes past one defender and carries another into the end zone for the go ahead touchdown. Although USC comes back to score another TD, they miss the two point conversion attempt (props to the Trojans, at least, for not going for the tie). Bruins win 38-37.
A number of well-known players participated in this game. USC had Rob Johnson at quarterback, Curtis Conway & Johnnie Morton at wide receiver, and Jason Sehorn on defense. For the Bruins, J.J. Stokes (of course), Sean LaChapelle, and Mike Nguyen were the receivers and Kevin Williams was the running back. The stout defense included Bruce Walker, Othello Henderson, Jamir Miller, Donnie Edwards, Carlton Gray, and Nkosi Littleton.
Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times wrote a nice article on John Barnes on the 10th year anniversary of this game. You can find it here:
www.latimes.com/archives/la-x...