NCAA Classic Rewind: Reich Leads Maryland to Historic Comeback over ‘Canes 4
Posted on
August 29, 2011 by
A.J. Foss
Frank Reich completed 12 of 15 passes for 260 yards and led the 'Terps to six straight touchdowns in the second half.
Years before he led the greatest comeback in NFL history, Frank Reich was at the helm in the greatest comeback in college football history when he led the Maryland Terrapins back from a 31-point deficit and to a 42-40 win over the Miami Hurricanes on November 10, 1984.
Reich arrived at the University of Maryland in 1980 but did not get much playing time as he was redshirted during his freshman season and then was the back-up to Boomer Esiason from 1981 through 1983.
Reich finally got his chance as the starter in 1984 but in the fourth game of the season, Reich separated his shoulder and was replaced by Stan Gelbaugh, who was still the starter when the 5-3 Terrapins arrived at the Orange Bowl to face off against the defending national champions.
Miami entered the game with as the #6 ranked team in the country with an 8-2 record under first-year head coach Jimmy Johnson, who had come from Oklahoma State to replace the departed Howard Schellenberger.
The ‘Canes were led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Bernie Kosar, who was a candidate for the Heisman Trophy and all-American wide receiver Eddie Brown.
Riding a five-game winning streak, the Hurricanes continued their hot play in the first half as they complied 328 yards of total offense and 19 first downs, while holding the Terrapins to 57 yards of offense and three first downs, to build a 31-0 halftime lead thanks to three touchdown passes from Kosar. Read the rest of this entry →
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