The most exciting play in football is the completed Hail Mary, a rare occurrence often designated as a last-gasp effort when trailing at the end of a game. There were several memorable Hail Marys that went for touchdowns this season including some game-winners, one resulting in a conference title.
Here’s our favorite five from the 2014 college football season:
5. Dak Prescott’s heave to Fred Ross during the Orange Bowl
After taking an early punch to the mouth against Georgia Tech in Miami, Mississippi State regained the momentum heading into halftime after completing a 42-yard Hail Mary off a deflection in the back of the end zone. Thousands of Bulldogs fans who brought cow bells let the Yellow Jackets hear it.
4. Arizona stuns California
Sandwiched between four defenders and a teammate in the corner of the end zone, Arizona’s Austin Hill was on the receiving end of a well-placed missile from freshman Anu Solomon who rolled to his right to evade pressure before blast-off to beat California on the final play.
3. UCF clinches share of league title against East Carolina
Despite two defensive backs standing just in front of the goal line, UCF quarterback Justin Holman managed to find Breshad Perriman for the game-winning 51-yard score in Greenville, N.C., on a ball that seemed to hang in the air for minutes. East Carolina’s secondary mistimed its ill-fated leap and the Knights posted a walk-off win. ESPN’s Rece Davis could barely contain his excitement during a fantastic call.
2. Arizona State’s improbable bomb at USC
One of the more athletic Hail Mary receptions in recent history, Sun Devils wideout Jaelen Strong came out of nowhere at the goal line to catch Mike Bercovici’s bomb in stride to down USC inside the Coliseum. It appeared two Trojans were in position to make the game-saving interception or knock-down before Strong appeared with two hands on the football. The previous week, USC completed a Hail Mary touchdown against Oregon State to end the first half during a 35-10 win.
1. Bahamas Bowl’s incredible lateral-Hail Mary score
Four laterals followed by a mad dash to the pylon. The ending of this year’s Bahamas Bowl featuring Central Michigan and Western Kentucky was in one word, unbelievable. Trailing by 35 points to start the fourth quarter, Central Michigan capped an incredible comeback with a 75-yard touchdown on the final play of the fourth quarter, before electing to go for the victory on the 2-point conversion try. This play is unforgettable, arguably the wildest ending to a game in bowl history
