Jan. 1, 1952: Illini football defeated Stanford in the Rose Bowl game, 40-7, as Bill Tate won MVP honors (150 yards rushing). After trailing 7-6 at halftime, Illinois scored four touchdowns in the final 10 minutes.

Jan. 1, 2000: Michigan State placekicker Paul Edinger kicked a 39-yard field goal with no time on the clock, propelling the Spartans to a 37-34 Citrus Bowl victory over Florida. Game MVP Plaxico Burress caught 13 passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns in what would turn out to be his final game for MSU.