I don't want to add to the pity party, but I was a student at KSU (Kansas State) that year and we had just lost in a similar fashion to an inferior Texas A&M team in OT in December of 1998. Undefeated K-State played at 10-2 A&M.
Our QB, Bishop fumbled on 3rd and 6 (when he was going to get the 1st down) to ice the game. 3rd and 6 to run the clock out. All we needed was a first down. And what happens? Our star player fumbles the ball. There were several other things that transpired throughout the game that were puzzling, but the worst part for me was that I was at the game with my buddies and we had booked a hotel that night and we ended up driving back from St. Louis. Instead of celebrating with your college friends, you are in shock and drive home pissed at the world.
But it got worse. During the second quarter of the game, they announced that UCLA (also undefeated, along with Tennessee) had been stunned by Miami and KSU remained in the top seed, meaning they would go to the BCS Championship Bowl Game if they win. That's when everything went South for KSU. After they lost, they got screwed over in not playing in the top 4 BCS Bowls and ended up playing in the Alamo Bowl against Purdue...that's right, Drew freaking Brees. Of course Brees was fired up and KSU was gut punched and couldn't care less to be there so they gave up and lost the game 37-34. To make matters worse, the KSU coaching staff quickly dismantled. A year after Bob Stoops left, his brother Mike left, Venables (now Clemson's D coach), and Mangino all left. Just like Brian Billick leaving the Vikings after the 98 season. Our entire offensive and defensive gurus leaving killed the dynamic for any future runs.
Then in January that year, the Vikings were going to be my hope. It went from one of the best years of my life to one of the worst (I have been blessed if I can say this frankly), all within a few weeks.
Not that I'm looking to out due anyone or have someone chime in to top it; I just thought this was the right time and place to share. So, if you think you have had a hard time getting over the Vikings loss, consider my double gut-punched struggle...