November was a month that saw champions crowned in cricket and baseball, on top of an array of stunning sports highlights. Settle in as we take you back through the best that was on offer, all the way down to the very top moment.
11. Chief’s Frenzied Fumble Recovery
The matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins had been long awaited by fans of American football in Frankfurt, Germany. This was the second-ever time the NFL had made its way to German soil, and with the Chiefs and Dolphins looking like two of the league’s best teams, everyone expected a dramatic game. Of all the players on the field, no one was more hyped than Tyreek Hill, the former Chiefs star receiver, turned Dolphin. Towards the end of the game’s first half, with the Dolphins down 14-0, Hill was tossed the ball as his side attempted to make up ground and get back into the game. Instead, a fumble occurred, and the Chief’s defense recovered, quickly throwing a lateral pass to keep the play alive, before Bryan Cook strolled into the endzone for a touchdown to add to the Dolphins and Tyreek Hill’s woes. Watch the play back below!
10. 44 Penalties
We’ve seen some lengthy penalty shootouts in recent times, but this one is up there with the longest ever. In the Northern Ireland League Cup round of 16, Ballymena and Coleraine found themselves needing a shootout to break the deadlock, with the game tied 1-1 at the end of extra time. What unfolded was a tense, back and forth affair, with both sides looking like they were about to clinch the shootout at various points. Ultimately, it came down to the goalkeepers, with Ballymena finally missing a kick to seal the game for Coleraine. What a story!
9. Texans Running Back-Turned Kicker
The Houston Texans found themselves in a troubling situation entering the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Starting kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn had suffered a game-ending injury during the first half, and with no replacement the Texans found themselves without a kicker. At the start of the second half, it was running back Dare Ogunbowale who took the kick off for the Texans, filling the void as an emergency kicker. While this moment will have shocked Texans fans, this was only the start. In the game’s final quarter, the Texans trusted Ogunbowale to take a 29 yard field goal that would put them ahead in the game. The running back sailed the kick through the uprights, sending the fans wild. Surely a moment Ogunbowale never expected would be a part of his NFL career! Watch the moment we’ll be sure to see back on sports highlights reels for years to come.
8. Darts Perfection from Michael van Gerwen
The 9 Dart Finish is one of sports greatest but rarest achievements. Scoring the perfect leg is not an event that comes around often, and so when it does, fans and players alike revel in it. One such moment was seen this past month in the final of the Darts Players Championship, as Luke Humphries faced off against all-time great Michael van Gerwen. It was van Gerwen who produced a moment of magic fans have come to expect from him when in the games fifth leg, he threw nine perfect darts to achieve a 9 Dart Finish. Watch the pandemonium from the fans unfold below!
7. Schrader’s Missouri Madness
Cody Schrader was a name that was unfamiliar to most Missouri fans before last year. After spending time at division two Truman State, Schrader walked on at Missouri and earned himself a scholarship thanks to his work as a running back. Now, all Mizzou fans know Schrader, and his legacy was cemented after putting together a historic performance for college football fans last month. In a game against Tennessee, Schrader became the only player in SEC history to have over 200 rushing yards and over 100 receiving yards in a single game! What a way to make a name for yourself.
6. Fantastic Federico
Inter Milan’s Federico Dimarco scored a goal this November that will not only make its way into sports highlights history, but will surely be a contender for the Goal of the Year. In a match against Frosinone, Dimarco found himself with the ball at around the halfway line. After spotting the opposing goalkeeper off his line, Dimarco attempted an audacious shot, many yards out and from the pitch’s sideline. Somehow, the ball sailed over the head of the keeper, putting Inter 1-0 ahead, and putting Dimarco into Puskas award contention. Watch the stunning strike back below!
5. Garnacho’s Golazo
Not to be outdone by Federico Dimarco, November saw not one, but two Puskas worthy goals. Facing Everton in the Premier League, Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho scored one of the most sensational goals in recent memory. In the game’s third minute, a cross sailed in from teammate Diogo Dalot headed for Garnacho. The Argentine turned his back to goal, before launching himself up, completing a bicycle kick and connecting perfectly to send the ball into the net with unstoppable force. An outstanding goal that has echoes of Garnacho’s personal hero, Cristiano Ronaldo, and one that is sure to go down as an all time great finish. Watch it for yourself below!
4. Fail Mary
A pick-six is a hard pill to swallow for fans of any team when scored against them, but this was one that really rubbed salt in the wounds of New York Jets fans. After a turbulent season in which starting QB Aaron Rodgers got injured in the first game of the season, 2023 has not been great for the Jets. After backup QB Zac Wilson’s poor performances, third stringer Tim Boyle was given a chance to start. In Boyle’s first start of the season against the Dolphins, he attempted a hailmary at the end of the game’s first half to try and close the gap, with the score 10-6 to the Dolphins. Instead, the Dolphins’ Jevon Holland intercepted the pass, and then proceeded to rumble all the way down the field to the end zone, scoring a 99 yard touchdown!
3. UNC Hockey History
One of the most sensational stories in college sports history, Erin Matson’s University of North Carolina field hockey team retained the NCAA Championship this past month. After 23 year old Matson’s own college field hockey career came to an end last year, a career which saw her win 4 NCAA Championships, the former star struck a deal to stay on as head coach of her former teammates. What ensued was a dream first season as a coach, going on to win the trophy she had won just a year prior as a player. In the process, she also became the second youngest head coach to win a division one NCAA Championship. An unbelievable journey for Matson, scroll through the carousel and take a look at the scenes of celebration!
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2. Rangers World Series Win
The 2023 MLB Season has come to a close with the Texas Rangers winning their first ever World Series. It was a tight start to the series, with the Rangers tied 1-1 with their opponents, the Houston Astros, after 2 games. Eventually, the Rangers were able to rally together to win the next three games, clinching the series 3-1 and earning the franchise its first ever Commissioner’s Trophy. A day that will go down in Rangers history, watch back the moment that sealed the win.
1. Cricket World Cup Conclusion
The Cricket World Cup came to an end this November, with the final producing one last upset. Host nation India were the favored side in their matchup against Australia, partially due to their resounding run of success that led them to the final, and partially due to the rousing home support that they had. Instead, it was Australia, led by player of the match Travis Head, who were the better side on the day, securing their 6th ever Cricket World Cup trophy, a record unmatched. Watch the scenes of victory as the visitors clinched the win on their opponents home ground. A great day in Australian Cricket history!
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BONUS – Never a Good Idea to Waste Time
Take a look at this howler from the Wycombe goalkeeper as his attempt to kill the clock goes wrong, handing opponents Barnsley a last minute winning goal. One he won’t forget anytime soon!
If you enjoyed November’s sports highlights roundup be sure to check out October’s edition!
