USC makes wrong kind of history in Cotton Bowl loss to Tulane
In nearly 1,700 games over the last five years, FBS teams had won just one single time when going into the final five minutes of a game down by at least 15 points.
Teams in such a scenario are now 2-1,692 after Tulane erased a 15-point deficit in the last 4:30 of the Cotton Bowl on Monday to stun USC 46-45. ESPN shared the absurd stat on Twitter.
Over the last 5 seasons, FBS teams were 1-1,692 when trailing by 15+ points in the final 5 minutes.
Tulane made it 2-1,692 today 🤯 pic.twitter.com/SNte3PO5W9
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 2, 2023
USC had a 45-30 lead on Tulane late in the fourth quarter after a field goal from Denis Lynch sailed through the uprights.
From then on, anything that could go wrong did.
A two-play, 63-yard drive in 16 seconds for Tulane pulled the Green Wave within eight points. USC muffed the ensuing kickoff and started at its own 1-yard-line. That possession ended in a safety and gave the ball right back to Tulane. The Green Wave then marched 66 yards in 12 plays, converting fourth downs twice, to score the game-winning touchdown.