10 Best Gimmick Plays in College Football History

Gimmick plays have been a part of college football for a long time now.

They are used much more often compared to in the NFL. Teams can get away with a little more at the college level, which has made for some amazing trick plays over the years.

While there have been some amazing plays, if it was not a gimmick play to begin with, it did not make the list. So those looking for "The Play" from the Stanford-Cal game are not going to find it on here.

Here are the top 10 gimmick plays that college football has ever seen.

No. 10 Fish Trick Play: Auburn vs. Arkansas 2006

With Arkansas leading Auburn 17-10 in the third quarter, Razorbacks running back Reggie Fish got down so low behind the offensive line that he was not even noticed by the Auburn defense.

The snap went to the quarterback, who immediately handed it to Fish. The speedy back scampered about 30 yards down near the five-yard line before he was brought down.

Needless to say, the Auburn defense had no clue what hit it.

Known as the "Fish Trick," it is one of the best gimmick plays college football has ever seen.

No. 9 Oregon Fake Statue of Liberty Play: Oregon vs. Michigan 2007

The Statue of Liberty play has been used so much that it should not be considered a gimmick, but the fake Statue of Liberty play is a different story.

That is exactly what Oregon did against Michigan in 2007, and it worked to perfection.

Quarterback Dennis Dixon took the snap at the Wolverines' nine-yard line and faked a handoff to running back Jonathan Stewart while standing still, similar to the Statue of Liberty play. 

He had the entire defense fooled, along with announcer Brad Nessler, as he ran untouched into the end zone for a touchdown.

No. 8 The Jump Pass: Syracuse vs. Cincinnati 2012

Even though former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow has already accomplished the feat, the play was not designed like it was by Cincinnati against Syracuse.

With the Bearcats trailing 10-7 and facing a 4th-and-2, it seemed like a normal play as the handoff went to running back George Winn.

Winn ran up to the line of scrimmage before leaping into the air and finding tight end Travis Kelce wide open five yards down the field. Kelce took it from there, running the rest of the way for a 35-yard touchdown. 

Truly as unique as a play can get.

Lou Holtz certainly seemed to like it.

No. 7 End-Around Flea-Flicker: Arkansas vs. Auburn 2004

There have been end-arounds and there have also been flea-flickers, but the combination of the two was on full display in 2004 during an Arkansas-Auburn game.

It was only the third play of the game, but quarterback Jason Campbell took the snap and handed it off to running back Ronnie Brown. He then flipped it to a wide receiver, who tossed it back to Campbell, who threw a 67-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Devin Aromashodu.

Quite an interesting play, and one that sparked the Tigers to a victory.

No. 6 Hook-and-Lateral: Pittsburgh vs. Utah 2005

Before Boise State accomplished the feat in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, it was the Utah Utes who pulled off the hook-and-ladder.

Quarterback Alex Smith took the snap and threw a quick out pass to wide receiver Steve Savoy. Just before he was hit, he lateraled the ball to running back Paris Warren, who was running right at him.

Warren ran by him and took the ball straight into the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown.

Some say the 1981 Miami Dolphins invented this play, but this was the first time it was seen at the collegiate level.

No. 5 McCluster Fluster: Ole Miss vs. Memphis 2006

This is similar to the "Fish Trick" play and was run to perfection by Ole Miss.

Rebels running back Dexter McCluster hid behind the offensive line on a 4th-and-2 just outside the Memphis 20-yard line.

Nobody thought he had the ball as he ran 21 yards untouched for a game-tying touchdown on the first play of the second quarter.

Being the fastest guy on the field certainly helped with the execution of this play.

No. 4 Florida State Puntrooskie: Florida State vs. Clemson 1988

As far as special teams plays go, this is the highest of any on the list.

While there are certainly plenty of fake punts that have been executed, the fake puntrooskie by Florida State against Clemson is one of the most memorable plays in college football history.

The game was tied with 1:23 left in the fourth quarter. Florida State was lining up to punt from its own 20-yard line.

The ball was snapped to the upback, who then handed it between the legs of LeRoy Butler, who was standing right in front of him.

He had plenty of room to run and took the ball inside the Clemson five-yard line, setting up the winning score for the Seminoles.

No. 3 Statue of Liberty: Boise State vs. Oklahoma 2007

Boise State pulled off a nice hook-and-ladder to send the 2007 Fiesta Bowl into overtime against Oklahoma. Then, after a touchdown that would have seemingly sent the game into double-overtime, head coach Chris Petersen decided to roll the dice and go for the win.

Quarterback Jared Zabransky took the snap and dropped back to pass. He faked a throw to his right and then handed the ball behind his back to running back Ian Johnson.

Johnson ran untouched into the end zone for a dramatic 43-42 Boise State victory.

No. 2 Fumblerooski: Nebraska vs. Miami 1984

This game between Nebraska and Miami was not only the Orange Bowl but also served as the national championship game in 1984.

With Nebraska trailing 17-0 after the first quarter, it was 3rd-and-5 at the Miami 19-yard line.

Quarterback Turner Gill took the snap and purposely dropped the ball on the ground, allowing offensive guard Dean Steinkuhler to pick up the ball and rumble 19 yards for a touchdown.

A play that takes a lot of guts to run worked out for the Cornhuskers in this one. Still, the Cornhuskers lost, 31-30.

No. 1 Bounce Lateral: Presbyterian vs. Wake Forest 2010

When it comes to gimmick plays, this is certainly at the top of the list.

Presbyterian was playing its first-ever game against an FBS school in 2010 and used a bounce lateral to put some points on the board.

At his own 30-yard line, the quarterback threw a lateral pass to a receiver near the sideline. The receiver caught the backward pass on one bounce and smacked the ball like it was incomplete as three defenders approached him.

As all three defenders stopped, he tossed the ball down the field to a wide-open receiver who scored a touchdown.

This is something that has to be seen to be believed.