Ranking the Top 10 Plays from the 2014-15 College Football Bowl Season

With 38 bowl games played over 13 days, you caught every single great play…right?

Just in case you couldn’t break away from your Yule log or glass of bubbly long enough to tune in to every one of the 2,280 minutes of regulation play, check this out.

It’s 10 of the best of the best, the cream of the crop—the highlight reel for the 2014-15 bowl campaign.

Some decided the outcome of a game, while others represented nothing more than a jaw-dropping individual moment. All are worth a second look.

10. Armed Forces: Houston’s Greenberry Ices Pitt

Pitt held a commanding 31-6 lead over Houston just minutes into the fourth quarter, a margin that was slashed to 34-27 after 12 minutes and two successful onside kicks.

This set up Cougar wide receiver Deontay Greenberry’s 25-yard touchdown reception to pull Houston within one point of the Panthers.

Rather than settling for an extra point and a tie, Houston called on Greenberry again. He answered by catching a Greg Ward pass in the corner of the end zone for a two-point conversion.

Houston won 35-34.

9. Fiesta: Boise State’s Deja Vu

As unbelievable as No. 20 Boise State’s upset win over No. 10 Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl was, the Broncos' recycled play-calling was even more of a surprise.

Boise State using the Statue of Liberty play to win the Fiesta Bowl? Again? No way!

Yes way—the Broncos were already up 14-0 on the Wildcats when they used the old behind-the-back trick late in the first quarter. Quarterback Grant Hedrick faked the throw and slipped the ball to running back Jay Ajayi, who ran 16 yards for a Boise State touchdown.

8. Cotton: Baylor’s 400-Pound Touchdown

In what might have been the biggest, big-man score in history, Baylor offensive lineman LaQuan McGowan, listed at 6’7” and 390 pounds, rumbled 18 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter of the Cotton Bowl.

In McGowan’s own words, “I guess they weren’t expecting me to run down the field.” That, according to Phil Woodall of the Amarillo Globe-News.

What’s even better than the actual score is the attempted celebratory chest bump with wide receiver Antwan Goodley, looking miniature at a mere 5’11”, 220 pounds.

7. Citrus: Minnesota’s Williams’ Double-Jump Score

The outcome of the Citrus Bowl was still in doubt when Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams bolted 54 yards for a touchdown on the first drive of the second half.

The score came on a 1st-and-10 from the Golden Gophers 46 and featured a five-yard leap over a Missouri defender and then a second jump into the end zone. 

Not bad for a tight end listed at 6’4”, 250 pounds.

6. Orange: Georgia Tech’s Days Walks the Tightrope

Nursing a narrow 21-20 lead at halftime, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wasted no time in what ended up being a 21-point third quarter, scoring on their second play from a scrimmage. It was a 69-yard thriller by running back Synjyn Days.

Not only did Days elude three would-be tacklers, he managed to delicately stay in bounds while powering his way into the end zone.

Days posted 171 yards in the 49-34 win, a career best for the senior.

5. Sugar: Ohio State’s Thomas Sticks His Landing

In a move that Olympic gymnast Kerri Strug would have been proud of, Ohio State receiver Michael Thomas nailed his dismount and scored on a trick play at the end of the first half of the Sugar Bowl.

It started with a double handoff and ended when receiver Evan Spencer launched a 13-yard pass to Thomas to put the Buckeyes within one.

It was the senior’s only career pass and the first-ever postseason score for the sophomore Thomas.

4. Cactus: Oklahoma State’s James Be Nimble

In a postseason chock-full of big-man highlights, 6’2”, 300-pound Oklahoma State defensive tackle James Castleman was an offensive weapon in the Cactus Bowl.

Not only did Castleman score on a one-yard run in the first quarter, he also blasted off for this 48-yard reception on the Cowboys’ final drive. It was the only offensive output of the senior’s collegiate career.

And oh yeah, he also sacked Washington quarterback Cyler Miles for an eight-yard loss in the fourth quarter.

3. Cotton: Michigan State’s Double-Block Bus

As good as Michigan State’s blocked field goal was, the block set by Tony Lippett was even better.

The 43-yard attempt came late in the fourth quarter with the Bears up 41-35. Spartan defensive end Shilique Calhoun scored the block which was scooped up by safety RJ Williamson for a 36-yard return. 

Baylor kicker Chris Callahan tried to stop Williamson but got destroyed by Lippett, registering one of the nastiest blocks of the season.

2. Military: Virginia Tech’s Double-Strip Delight

Virginia Tech’s final touchdown in its Military Bowl triumph may not have been pretty, but it was one of the most thrilling defensive scores of the bowl campaign.

Cincinnati had a 2nd-and-5 from the 50-yard line when quarterback Gunner Kiel got whacked by linebacker Deon Clarke, forcing a fumble picked up by defensive tackle Nigel Williams.

Williams, listed at 6’2”, 291 pounds, rumbled for 29 yards before being stripped by Bearcat running back Rod Moore. That loose ball got scooped up by Hokies cornerback Greg Stroman, who took it the final 12 yards to the house for a Virginia Tech touchdown.

1. Bahamas: Central Michigan Loses, Laterally

In a crazy play that never works, unless you’re in the Bahamas on Christmas Eve, Central Michigan lateraled its way into history.

Western Kentucky had a 49-42 lead with one second remaining on the game clock when Chippewas quarterback Cooper Rush scrambled and hurled a 48-yard pass to Jesse Kroll.  Kroll lateraled to Deon Butler, who lateraled to Courtney Williams, who lateraled to Titus Davis for a Central Michigan touchdown.

That’s one throw and three laterals for a 75-yard score that made the tally 49-48. 

As unscripted as that was, the end was even more shocking: Central Michigan coach Dan Enos opted to try a two-point conversion for the win rather than kick for overtime. The attempt failed and the Chippewas fell, despite scoring one of the most thrilling game-ending plays in history.

Statistics courtesy of CFBStats.