Hail Marys ranked on drama, improbability, importance and memorability. Passes under 30 yards not included and FBS games only.
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10. Kustok to Simmons (2000)
This play pretty much summed up the Glen Mason era in Minneapolis. Tied at 35 with three seconds left against Northwestern, Wildcat QB Zak Kustok heaved a ball from midfield into a mass of players. The ball was tipped in the air and fell to a wide open Sam Simmons, who tip-toed in the end zone for the score. The Wildcats went on to share the Big Ten title that season.
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9. “Big Ben” (2001)
Ben Roethlisberger is a two-time Super Bowl champion and one of the most recognizable athletes in the nation. And yet, you’ve probably never seen this play of Big Ben defeating Akron in 2001 with a bomb from inside his own 30-yard line that popped into the air and was then bobbled by Eddie Tillitz before being caught for a 30-27 win. Along with his massive 6-foot-5 frame, it sparked his “Big Ben” nickname.
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8. Pitz to Woods (1983)
Yes, we know you’ve never heard of this play. But according to the NCAA record book, it’s the longest game-ending pass play since 1971. At their own 15-yard line at the end of a game between Pacific and San Jose State, Pacific QB Mike Pitz launched a Hail Mary to midfield, which was caught by WR Ron Woods. Woods then took it the second half of the way for a 30-26 victory over San Jose State with no time left. Fortunately for Spartan fans, there’s no footage online of the horrific 85-yard Hail Mary.
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7. Favre to Tillman (1989)
Just when you thought you’d gotten away from Brett Favre, he shows up on this list. Southern Miss was tied with Louisville at 10 apiece in 1989 with 11 seconds left when Favre scrambled around and chucked a ball from his own 11-yard line. It bounced off a player’s helmet and into the hands of Darryl Tillman at around the 25. He broke a tackle and went to the house for the win.
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6. “Hail Sparty” (2011)
Just when it looked like Michigan State was going to pull, well, a Michigan State by choking away a late lead, Kirk Cousins lofted a ball that bounced around like a Plinko chip and into the hands of former QB Keith Nichol, who surged forward to break the plane of the goal line for a 37-31 win. The instant replay review curbed the pandemonium, but a nationally televised game that knocked Wisconsin out of the national title hunt was certainly a huge stage for Hail Sparty.
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The Miracle In Michigan was great because Michigan was ranked 4 and Colorado 7. Plus in front of 106,00 fans, can’t beat that. Doug Flutie Hail Mary is amazing because its in the Orange Bowl against Miami.
Uh when was the last time MSU chocked away a late lead? If anything most of their losses in the past few years have been blow outs. But I guess you would have to watch college football to know that kind of information.
i can think of two first is the Doug Flute pass against Miami which will go down in history however I don’t know the year but it was just a few years ago Kentucky thought they had won the game and and the fans and band for kentucky were on the field when lsu thru a hail mary and scored. It took Kentrucky several minutes before they realized they had lost the game.
why don’t more coaches put in a wide reciever in that type of situation. They know how to go up and get the ball better than a db. Plus it seems like they are taller and there timing is so much better when they jump up for a ball. How many times have u seen it when the db jumps way to early and the ball falls right into the recievers lap. Put in your best wideout or two and let him go get the ball.
I’m biased but the entire comeback in the last 3 1/2 minutes of the 1980 Holiday Bowl has to put it first. Jimbo wouldnt come off the field when coach Edwards wanted to punt. Jimbo throws 3 TD’s, a blocked punt, onside kick recovered, it was the best!
Couldn’t agree more. The Miracle Bowl was just that, a miracle win. Just ask Eric Dickerson and Craig James. No way BYU wins that game after being beaten for all but 3 1/2 minutes. Great memories watching that game on a foggy San Diego night. Wouldn’t turn the game off like many did just because McMahon had proven before that he wouldn’t quit. BYU never led in regulation. PAT was scored with 0:00 on the clock. A bunch of no names beat the Pony Express.
Flutie didn’t win the Heisman on that play. The voting was already completed before the game.