95-20
Oct. 21, 1989
SMU is in a revival season following two years of NCAA suspension. Houston has Andre Ware, a quarterback who will win the Heisman Trophy this season, and Jack Pardee, a coach who thinks nothing of running up the score against a team that starts at least 14 freshmen.
In a 95-21 destruction in the Astrodome, Ware completes 25-of-41 passes for 517 yards and six touchdowns - in the first half. His five TDs in the second quarter alone are an NCAA record, as are his passing yards for a quarter (340) and a half. After leading the Cougars to a 59-14 halftime lead, Ware sits out the second half.
But that doesn't stop Pardee from having backup quarterback David Klingler throwing 20 passes in the second half, including 12 that safely could be considered bombs. The Cougars become the most offensive team in college football history with an astounding 1,021 yards (771 passing, 250 rushing), the first team to gain more than 1,000.
While Pardee says he's not interested in rubbing it in on anyone, SMU coach Forrest Gregg says, "I'd never run up the score like that on a group of freshmen and sophomores. I hope they're really proud of their accomplishment. It was a sad day for college football."