Trailing as the clock runs down, college teams flip through their playbooks to football’s most electrifying play, the Hail Mary. Most end in failure, but we here at THE SPORTS DISPENCER scoured the records to compile five of college history’s finest.
5. Miracle Bowl
After trailing SMU 45-25 with four minutes remaining, BYU quarterback Jim McMahon led an improbable 21-point comeback to secure a 1980 Holliday Bowl victory. The comeback was capped off with a 41-yard pass to Clay Brown as time expired.
4. Big Ben
Before he was winning Super Bowls quarterbacking the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Rothlisberger was a college star at the University of Miami (OH). Down with time running out, Big Ben completed a 70-yard tipped pass to beat Akron 30-27 on the final play of the game.
3. The Bluegrass Miracle
When the defending SEC champion LSU Tigers traveled to Lexington to take on the unranked Kentucky Wildcats, they were expected to cruise to vistory, but with only a few ticks remaining, the upstart Wildcats led. As fans lined the field, LSU quarterback Marcus Randall threw a 74-yard tipped pass to Devery Henderson as time elapsed. Fans stormed the field before realizing that the Tigers had pulled out the heartwrenching victory.
2. Hail Flutie
In a game that pitted two ranked opponents, Boston College trailed Miami by four with six seconds left on the clock. Undersized quarterback Doug Flutie scrambled right and launched a desperation chuck into the endzone. The ball fell into the arms of Boston College wide receiver Gerard Phelan giving the Golden Eagles a two-point victory.
1. The Miracle in Michigan
An early season matchup pitted No. 7 ranked Colorado against No. 4 ranked Michigan. The Wolverines lead by five with six seconds remaining. Colorado quarterback Kordell Stewart threw a 70-yard bomb to the front of the endzone. A deflection redirected the ball into the arms of a diving Michael Westbrook completing a miraculous comeback and one of college football’s finest plays.
What do you think? Anything we missed? Who would you choose? Comment below and let the discussion begin.
