Pontiac Reveals Final Five Contenders For 'High-Performance Plays of the NCAA(R)'
21 November 2003 - 7:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
Pontiac Reveals Final Five Contenders For 'High-Performance Plays
of the NCAA(R)' Online voting blitz nears the goal line DETROIT,
Nov. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The search for college football's most
memorable play continues today as Pontiac reveals the top five
plays in college football history as voted on by visitors to
http://www.espn.com/pontiac . Only one game-defining moment will be
crowed the "Ultimate High-Performance Play of the NCAA(R)," the
final phase of an interactive online promotion sponsored by
Pontiac, the Official Performance Machines of the NCAA(R). As the
2003 college football season winds down, the excitement
intensifies. Two weeks remain to determine the most memorable play
in college football lore. Only by visiting
http://www.espn.com/pontiac can college football fans review, vote
and help immortalize their favorite play forever. "These
game-defining plays vividly show the last-second, spine-tingling
moments that exemplify the emotion and intensity of NCAA(R)
sports," said Dino Bernacchi, Pontiac advertising manager. "They
truly connect to the Pontiac 'Fuel for the Soul' theme and our
vehicles by spotlighting authentic power and passion. We're very
excited to continue our partnership with the NCAA(R) in this
creative fashion." Four plays and one wild card, which garnered the
highest votes during each of the four online voting periods, will
now compete against each other from Nov. 21 through Dec. 1 in the
final round. In addition, ESPN Classic will broadcast these top
five high-performance games in their entirety as part of the
"Pontiac Classic Performances." Each broadcast will include a
review from Chris Fowler, co-host of ESPN College Game day and
national spokesman for the promotion, who will describe the
historic impact of each play. Games will be shown in their entirety
in prime time from Nov. 24-27. The final contenders are: Boston
College vs. Miami - 11/23/1984 It was the day after Thanksgiving
and two weeks after the Hurricanes blew a 31-0 lead to lose to
Maryland in painful fashion. In a game that would resemble a
pinball game more than a NCAA football game, Boston College
quarterback Doug Flutie took the reigns on the final snap and
scrambled to avoid the ensuing Hurricanes defense. Flutie heaves a
last-second "Hail Mary" pass towards the end zone where it
magically lands in the arms of his falling receiver amongst a thick
wall of opposing jerseys, sealing the win for Boston College.
Michigan vs. Indiana - 10/27/1979 Michigan's Anthony Carter catches
a pass and avoids the Indiana defense with some fancy footwork to
high-step into the end zone for the Wolverines touchdown. The
intensity and raw passion heard in the voice of Michigan announcer
Bob Ufer could be felt everywhere as he exclaimed, "You cannot
believe it!" Southern Miss vs. Louisville - 10/24/1989 In a regular
season game Southern Miss and Louisville are tied 10-10 with 9
seconds left in the game. Held on their own 20-yard line and under
pressure, Southern Mississippi's Brett Favre uncorks a "Hail Mary"
throw intended for Darrell Tillman, but the ball gets tipped into
the hands of another Southern Miss player who carries it 35 yards
for a touchdown. Colorado vs. Michigan - 9/24/1994 It's called the
Miracle in Michigan. On the game's final play, with Colorado
trailing by five and having the ball on its own 36-yard line,
Colorado QB Kordell Stewart buys time by scrambling in the pocket.
He then launches a "Hail Mary" pass into the end zone where players
from both teams leap for the ball; it bounces off a Michigan
receiver and into the hands of the Colorado player, giving the
Buffaloes the victory in front of a stunned crowd at Michigan's
"Big House." Cal vs. Stanford - 11/20/1982 In the 1982 Big Game,
Stanford was on its way to a comeback 20-19 win after Cardinal
kicker Mark Harmon hit a 35-yard field goal to put away their
arch-rivals. What followed would be one of the most amazing and
bizarre finishes in NCAA football history. In a fury of lateral
passes, Cal players progress the ball down the field towards the
end zone where they run into the Stanford band, which have spilled
onto the field. Unfortunately, one Stanford band member meets his
fate and gets plowed down by the Cal player in this memorable
game-ending play. The ultimate Pontiac High-Performance Play of the
NCAA(R) will be announced during the Big 12 Conference Championship
game on Dec. 6 on ABC Sports. Plays were first established in
collaboration with the NCAA(R), ESPN, ESPN Classic, ABC Sports, and
CBS Sports. "Each of these five plays are outstanding, but only one
can walk away with the distinction of being called the 'ultimate
high-performance play,'" said Chris Fowler. "With two weeks left to
go, it's up to the fans to vote online and make the final
decision." Furthermore, consumers can also enter a contest at
http://www.espn.com/pontiac for the Ultimate Performance Package,
which includes an all-new, V-8 powered, 2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP
and a trip for four to the 2004 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in Tempe,
Arizona. The package includes round-trip air transportation; three
days / two nights hotel accommodations; four seats at the game; and
VIP access that includes a visit to the playing field at halftime
and tours of the broadcast booth and production trailer. For
official promotion rules and to enter the contest, visit
http://www.espn.com/pontiac . Pontiac first started its NCAA(R)
sponsorship with a promotion around the Final Four, which featured
the all time greatest, exciting and game defining moments, which
defined "Fuel for the Soul" and were called the "Pontiac High
Performance Plays of the NCAA(R)." DATASOURCE: General Motors
Corporation CONTACT: Cindy Kamerad of Hass MS&L,
+1-248-458-8372, , for General Motors Corporation; or Rick Crooks
of Pontiac-GMC Communications, +1-313-667-4129, Web site:
http://media.gm.com/ http://www.gm.com/ http://www.espn.com/pontiac
Copyright