Unforgettable Gridiron Showdowns: Exploring the Highest Scoring Games in NCAA College Football History

College football is beloved for its thrilling shootouts and memorable high-scoring matchups, moments where defenses seem to take a backseat to offensive explosions. While the sport has evolved significantly over the decades, the allure of witnessing a team light up the scoreboard remains a constant source of excitement for fans. Let's delve into some of the most remarkable high-scoring games in NCAA college football history, exploring the unique circumstances and unforgettable performances that define these contests.

Record-Breaking Performances and Offensive Fireworks

The Highest-Scoring Game: A Look Back to 1916

The undisputed king of high-scoring college football games remains the October 7, 1916, contest between Georgia Tech and Cumberland. On that day, Georgia Tech dismantled Cumberland by an astonishing score of 222-0. This game stands as the most lopsided victory and the highest point total ever recorded in college football history.

Cumberland had disbanded its football program the year before, but Georgia Tech threatened legal action if they didn't play the game. Cumberland's baseball captain assembled a team at the last minute, which consisted of his fraternity brothers and law school students. Cumberland didn't record a first down all game. The final two quarters were shortened from 15 minutes to 12 minutes because it was such a blowout.

Exceeding Expectations: Games Surpassing 140 Points since 2000

While the Georgia Tech-Cumberland game remains an outlier, several modern-era matchups have captivated audiences with their offensive firepower. These games showcase the evolution of offensive strategies and the incredible athleticism of today's college football players.

Texas A&M vs. LSU (2018): A Seven-Overtime Thriller

In 2018, Texas A&M and LSU engaged in a memorable seven-overtime game that resulted in a combined score of 146 points. This game not only tied the FBS record for the most overtimes played but also broke the previous record for the most points scored in an FBS game. Kellen Mond led the Aggies with 287 passing yards and six passing touchdowns as well as 42 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Trayveon Williams contributed 198 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. After seven overtimes (which tied an NCAA record) and nearly five hours, Texas A&M defeated LSU 74-72.

SMU vs. Houston (2022): A Regulation Shootout

Unlike some other games on this list, SMU and Houston managed to score all of their 140 combined points in regulation. It quickly became clear that this was going to be a shootout, as the two teams traded touchdowns on each of their first seven possessions. Without a single overtime, SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai threw nine touchdown passes and Houston quarterback Clayton Tune threw seven touchdown passes -- their 16 combined touchdown passes set an FBS record. Mordecai and Tune each contributed a rushing touchdown, as well. SMU's Rashee Rice had 86 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Houston's Tank Dell went off for 180 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Western Michigan vs. Buffalo (2017): Seven Overtime Points-Fest

This seven-overtime thriller featured 139 total points, despite the fact that the two teams combined to miss three field goals and there were multiple failed two-point conversions. Western Michigan quarterback Jon Wassink passed for 256 yards and five touchdowns, while running backs Jarvion Franklin and LeVante Bellamy combined for 307 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. Buffalo quarterback Drew Anderson threw for 597 yards and seven passing touchdowns and also had a rushing touchdown. Wide receiver K.J. Osborn finished the game with 138 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.

Pitt vs. Syracuse (2016): A Backyard Football Game

The Panthers and Orange combined for 20 touchdowns and 137 points in what felt like a backyard football game. Pitt was led by quarterback Nathan Peterman, who threw for 251 yards and totaled five touchdowns, and running back James Conner, who totaled 165 yards and three touchdowns. Syracuse quarterback Zack Mahoney threw for 440 yards and totaled seven touchdowns (five through the air and two on the ground), but it wasn't enough to defeat Pitt. Wide receiver Amba Etta-Tawo caught all five of Mahoney's touchdown passes, finishing the game with 13 receptions, 178 receiving yards and five scores.

Navy vs. North Texas (2007): Contrasting Offensive Styles

During this 2007 matchup, the two teams combined for 136 points. The teams had completely opposite offensive approaches in this game. Navy scored eight touchdowns on the ground (with six different rushers getting in the end zone) and totaled 572 rushing yards, with only one passing touchdown and 108 passing yards on the day. On the other hand, North Texas finished the game with eight passing touchdowns, 478 passing yards and just one rushing touchdown (and zero 100-yard rushers). Zerbin Singleton was Navy's MVP, finishing with 103 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just eight carries, while Shun White contributed 131 rushing yards and one touchdown on seven carries. For North Texas, Casey Fitzgerald caught five of quarterback Giovanni Vizza's eight touchdown passes, finishing with 13 receptions and 134 receiving yards.

Abilene Christian vs. West Texas A&M (2011): A Division II Record Breaker

Abilene Christian (93) vs. West Texas A&M (68), Nov. The first drive of this game, by West Texas A&M, ended in a punt. Abilene Christian scored in three plays on the next drive. Of the 31 total drives in the game, 22 were touchdowns and two were field goals. That’s 77 percent of the drives ending with a score. The final score was 161.

Read also: Crafting Your NCAA Profile

High-Scoring FCS Games

Weber State vs. Portland State (2007): A Losing Effort

Weber State (73) vs. Portland State (68). But Portland State only managed 17 rushing yards to Weber State’s 353, 225 of which came from Trevyn Smith. Before this game, the most points by two teams at any level of NCAA football was from 1968, when North Park beat North Central 104-32 to combine for 136 points. Portland State quarterback Drew Hubel was expected to redshirt his freshman year but was forced into the lineup after injuries thinned the Vikings’ roster. Hubel completed 35 of 56 for 485 yards with no interceptions and nine touchdowns, which might go down as the best performance in a losing effort ever. In the weird world of sports, the two teams would play each other in basketball that season. The score?

Early Era High-Scoring Games

The early years of college football saw some truly remarkable offensive outputs, with several teams reaching the 150-point mark. These games often involved mismatches between established programs and smaller, less-developed teams.

King vs. Lenoir (1922): A Dominating Performance

King (TN) defeated Lenoir 206-0 in 1922.

Harvard vs. Phillips Exeter (1886): A Historic Blowout

Harvard defeated Phillips Exeter by a score of 158 points to 0.

Individual Brilliance Amidst the Scoring Frenzy

While high-scoring games often highlight the collective offensive prowess of a team, individual performances can also stand out. Quarterbacks who throw for multiple touchdowns, running backs who rack up significant yardage, and receivers who make acrobatic catches all contribute to the excitement of these contests.

Quinn Epperly's Accuracy

Moving on from pure quantity to amazing accuracy, Princeton quarterback Quinn Epperly got off to a tremendous start against Cornell in 2013, completing each of his first 29 passing attempts. Epperly finished the game 32-of-35 for a 91.4 completion percentage - best in FCS history with a minimum of 30 attempts - with 325 yards, three passing touchdowns and three rushing scores. The then-junior finished a perfect first half 18-of-18 and rattled off 11 more to start the second half before finally missing his target.

Arnold Mickens' Rushing Streak

Former Butler running back Arnold Mickens (1994-95) has his name littered across the FCS record book for his extraordinary two-year run with the Bulldogs. But Mickens' most unbreakable record might be his streak of eight consecutive games with at least 200 yards rushing in 1994. The run started with a 218-yard, three-touchdown day against Xavier and was bookended by a 244-yard, three-score performance against Evansville. Mickens' eight 200+-yard games also represent the single-season record in FCS history.

Other Notable High-Scoring Games

Portland State's 105 Points Scored in a Single Game

Portland State scored all 105 points on 15 touchdowns. As you might expect, the point total wasn't the only record broken that day. Portland State has not only been involved in the biggest FCS blowout, but also the highest-scoring game in FCS history.

Montana's 39 Fourth-Quarter Points to Win a Game

Montana trailed South Dakota State 38-13 entering the fourth quarter. Montana's 39 fourth-quarter points are the most ever scored in a comeback win.

Nicholls' 13-Point Margin of Victory - in Overtime

Nicholls won the rivalry game 49-36 in five overtimes. After a Terrence Spears 1-yard touchdown run to give Nicholls a 43-36 lead on the front end of the fifth extra period, Quincy Sorrell picked off a Texas State pass on the second play of the ensuing possession, returning it 82 yards the other way to clinch the win. A 13-point winning margin in overtime could conceivably be topped, however unlikely. In order to achieve this feat, the winning team would need to score a touchdown to start an overtime period, successfully convert a two-point try, then force a turnover on defense and opt to return it for an essentially unnecessary touchdown.

James Madison's Punt Return Defense

James Madison punted just 34 times in 2012. Impressive. Even more astounding? On Oct. 6, 2012, Towson's Leon Kinnard fielded a David Skahn punt at his own 29-yard line and returned it for three yards. For reference, Davidson and Samford each allowed a nation-best four punt returns in 2018. Believe it or not, James Madison's three punt return yards allowed is not a single-season record. In 2016, North Dakota State gave up zero punt return yards in just three total attempts.

Centenary vs. Texas Tech (1939)

On Nov. 11, 1939, in a game between the Centenary Gentlemen and the Texas Tech Red Raiders, more NCAA single-game records (13) were set than in any other game played in NCAA history. But Nov. 11, 1939 in Shreveport, Louisiana was very, very far from perfect conditions. According to Weather Underground’s historical archive, there were 2.23 inches of rain in Shreveport that day, making it the fourth-rainiest day of the year. As a result, conditions were miserable, according to the Shreveport Times on Nov. Centenary received the opening kickoff, returning it to the 13-yard line. On the very next play, the Gentleman said "No, thank you," and punted the ball right back to Texas Tech. The idea was simple: With traditional offense ineffective at best, and dangerous at worst (due to injuries and turnovers, of which there were many), the best option for gaining field position was to boot the ball downfield and hope the returner either muffs the punt or fumbles the ball on the return. Regardless of the absent proof of efficacy, both teams went all in on the strategy, punting a combined total of 77 times, with 67 coming on first down. Of the ones returned, 14 were fumbled, and six of those were lost. There were two field-goal attempts in the game, but the conditions made kicking near-impossible. Centenary’s attempt from the 11-yard line missed. On the last play of the game, Texas Tech lined up for the game-winner from the 18-yard line. The game ended with 30 yards of total offense (31 for Centenary, -1 for Texas Tech) and a 0-0 score. Centenary would finish the season 2-9-1, while Texas Tech would go 5-5-1.

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