Sports Then and Now

A game between the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers is usually mammoth with both teams battling for supremacy in the National Football Confence if not the entire NFL. This storied rivalry has stood the test of time and is etched in football lore. There have been iconic games with signature moments like, “The Catch” in the 1981 NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park. Joe Montana’s game-winning touchdown pass to Dwight Clark inside of the final minute gave the 49ers a 28-27 win and launched them as the team of the 1980’s. How about Troy Aikman’s clutch slant pass to Alvin Harper with a little more than four minutes left to play in the 1992 NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park. Harper turned it into a 71-yard catch-and-run which silenced the home crowd and took back the momentum after San Francisco had seized it with a touchdown to pull within 24-20. Dallas turned Harper’s big play into a touchdown to seal a 30-20 victory that sent them onto win their first of back-to-back Super Bowls in the 1990’s. Then there was a frantic end of game fury in the 2001 NFC Wild Card game where Dak Prescott and the offense had to hurry down the field to try and get one last play off only to have the clock expire in a 49ers 23-17 victory. The two franchises have played several big regular season games as well but these postseason theatrics over decades has made this rivalry what it has been and still is today.

The two franchises have met in six NFC Championship games with the Cowboys winning four of them. Each winner from those matchups went on to win that season’s Super Bowl except for the 1970 Dallas team which lost to Baltimore 16-13 in Super Bowl V. They have met nine times in the playoffs overall with the Cowboys holding a 5-4 edge. The all time series is nearly a draw with San Francisco holding a narrow 20-19-1 advantage.

Names like Dick Nolan, John Brodie, Gene Washington, Bruce Taylor, and Rosevelt Taylor were key to the 49ers in the 1970’s. The franchises met three straight years in the playoffs in the 1970’s including a pair of NFC Championship games, both won by Dallas. Names like Roger Staubach, Duane Thomas, Tony Dorsett, Drew Pearson, Tony Hill, Bob Lilly, Jethro Pugh, Lee Roy Jordan, Cliff Harris, Charlie Waters, Randy White, Harvey Martin, and Ed “Too Tall” Jones were the core of the Cowboys in the 1970’s when they became known as “America’s Team”. As the 1980’s came along, Joe Montana, Roger Craig, Dwight Clark, Jerry Rice, John Taylor, Tom Rathman, Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, Dwaine Board, Jack Reynolds, Randy Cross, and Keith Fahnhorst were mainstays for San Francisco which won four Super Bowls in the 1980’s.

As the 1990’s started, a young cast of players emerged for Dallas led by Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, and Emmitt Smith who were collectively known as “The Triplets.” Complemeting them were speedy and talented players like Darren Woodson, Mark Stepnoski, Jay Novacek, Kelvin Martin, Eric Williams, Kevin Smith, Charles Haley, Thomas Everrett, Ken Norton Jr., Russell Maryland, Larry Brown, Dixon Edwards, Darrin Smith, Robert Jones, Tony Tolbert, and Daryl “Moose” Johnston. The 49ers carried much of their success of the 80’s into the 90’s as players like Montana, Rice, Lott, Wright, and Cross remained to go along with Steve Young, Ricky Watters, Lee Woodall, and Bryant Young.

While the two franchises went through a dry spell of no playoff encounters between the 1995 and 2020 seasons, they have met in two of the last three postseasons. San Francisco won in the NFC Wild Card game in 2021 and again in the NFC Divisional playoffs in 2022. The 49ers have won the last three meetings overall including a dominant 42-10 victory on Sunday Night Football a year ago on Oct. 8. The Cowboys last beat San Francisco 41-33 at home on Dec. 20, 2020.

Yet for all this history, the two current teams find themselves searching for who they really are as they get ready to play in primtime on NBC’s Sunday Night Football this Sunday, Oct. 27. They will enter Sunday night’s tilt with a 6-7 combined record with Dallas 3-3 and the 49ers 3-4, not exactly playoff worthy at this point in the season. Both teams are coming off losses at home and are trying to regain their footing. There is no Brodie, Montana, Young, Clark, Rice, or Lott to be seen in San Francisco. Likewise, there is no Staubach, Pearson, Dorsett, Lilly, White, Aikman, Irvin, Smith, or Haley suiting up for the Cowboys. There is no Dick Nolan, Bill Walsh, Tom Landry, or Jimmy Johnson strolling the sidelines as the head coach.

The 2024 recruiting class for South Carolina football is shaping up to be one of the most promising in recent memory. Packed with talented players, including several 5-star and 4-star recruits, this group has Gamecock fans eager to see what the future holds. Head coach Shane Beamer and his staff are confident that some of these freshmen will immediately impact the field.

Let’s look at five top recruits ready to enter the spotlight and help elevate the Gamecocks in the upcoming season.

Mazeo Bennett – Wide Receiver Already Making Waves

Mazeo Bennett, a wide receiver from Greenville High School, has been one of the most exciting players to watch in the early 2024 season. His talent was clear from the start, and Bennett wasted no time showing what he could do. In just four games, he has already established himself as a critical weapon in South Carolina’s offense.

Bennett’s performance against Akron was awe-inspiring. He recorded five catches for 71 yards and scored a touchdown, setting new career highs in both receptions and yardage. According to Pro Football Focus, his ability to make big plays has drawn attention nationwide, earning him the distinction of being the highest-rated freshman wide receiver.

His consistency and ability to step up in crucial moments set Bennett apart. Leading the team in receiving yardage, he is also second in yards from scrimmage, making him a standout in South Carolina’s offense. Given Bennett’s impressive start, the South Carolina Gamecocks Odds of success this season continue to improve.

He looks poised to join the ranks of legendary Gamecock first-year students who recorded 600 or more receiving yards. As the season progresses, Bennett’s role is only expected to grow.

The upset victory by Northern Illinois over Notre Dame at South Bend in the home opener for the Fighting Irish will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most shocking and historic moments in college football history. Notre Dame, a storied program with a tradition of excellence, has long promoted a mythical quality to home games at the home of Touchdown Jesus. While the Irish have seen their share of home losses, few can compare to the stunning upset pulled off by Northern Illinois, a non-Power Conference program, in front of a packed Notre Dame Stadium.

This loss marks a significant chapter in the history of Notre Dame’s most unexpected home defeats. From the dramatic upsets of the past to modern-day surprises, Notre Dame’s fabled home stadium has witnessed some unforgettable moments of heartbreak for the Irish faithful. To understand where the 2024 upset ranks, it’s crucial to examine the context of past Notre Dame home losses and why the Northern Illinois victory stands out.

Context of the 2024 Northern Illinois Upset

Before diving into the historical context, it’s important to frame the events surrounding the 2024 loss to Northern Illinois. Entering the game, Notre Dame was highly ranked, and expectations were high for a team with College Football Playoff aspirations. Northern Illinois, on the other hand, came into the game as a significant underdog from the Mid-American Conference (MAC). While the Huskies have had a respectable football program over the years, defeating a perennial powerhouse like Notre Dame on the road seemed highly improbable.

From the opening kickoff, Northern Illinois played with resilience, tenacity, and a belief that they could shock the college football world. The game’s final moments were marked by a crucial series of plays, including a game-winning field goal drive that sealed Northern Illinois’ 16-14 victory. This defeat is sending shockwaves throughout the sport, as pundits and fans alike were left stunned by the Irish’s collapse and now question if they will be able to rebound to make a run at the expanded CFB Playoffs.

Ranking the Greatest Upset Losses at Notre Dame Stadium

In the long history of Notre Dame football, the Irish have suffered their share of shocking home losses, often at the hands of underdog teams that played above expectations. To understand where Northern Illinois’ triumph ranks, let’s take a look at some of the most infamous upset home losses in Notre Dame’s storied history.

1. Navy Defeats Notre Dame (2007)

Navy’s 46-44 triple-overtime victory over Notre Dame in 2007 is perhaps the most famous upset in recent memory. This game broke Navy’s 43-game losing streak to the Irish, a span that lasted from 1963 to 2006. Notre Dame was in the midst of a rebuilding phase under coach Charlie Weis, but few expected the Midshipmen to end such a historic streak on the road. The game was tightly contested, with Navy eventually prevailing in a dramatic triple-overtime thriller. The result was a bitter pill to swallow for Notre Dame fans, especially given the long history of dominance over Navy.

The Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Month was one of the most electrifying players in college football history.

Known as “The Jet” for his incredible speed and agility, 1972 Heisman Trophy Winner Johnny Rodgers was a versatile playmaker who dazzled fans and dominated opponents during his career at the University of Nebraska. His achievements on the field and his impact on college football have earned him a place among the sport’s all-time greats.

The Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Month has a name synonymous with the grit, toughness, and excellence of professional football. His career, spanning over a decade in the National Football League (NFL), is a testament to his skill, determination, and enduring impact on the sport. From his early days growing up in Pennsylvania to becoming one of the most feared defensive ends in NFL history, Gino Marchetti’s story is one of remarkable achievement and lasting legacy.

Professional sports are filled with remarkable stories of sibling rivalries and partnerships. Brothers or sisters competing at the highest level often push each other to new heights, creating legendary moments and leaving lasting legacies. Here are the top 10 sibling tandems in professional sports, showcasing their impact and achievements.

1. Manning Brothers (Peyton and Eli Manning) – American Football

The Manning brothers are synonymous with NFL success. Peyton, a two-time Super Bowl champion and five-time MVP, is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Eli, also a two-time Super Bowl champion, earned MVP honors in both of his Super Bowl victories. Their combined accolades and leadership have left a significant mark on the NFL.

2. Williams Sisters (Serena and Venus Williams) – Tennis

Serena and Venus Williams have dominated women’s tennis for over two decades. Together, they have won 30 Grand Slam singles titles (Serena 23, Venus 7) and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles. Their rivalry and partnership have revolutionized the sport, inspiring countless athletes around the world.