College Football: The Greatest Single Play Ever for Every BCS Program

When Arizona State and Arizona met in 1975, they were 10-0 and 9-1 respectively and the winner was going to the Fiesta Bowl.

Trailing late in the first half, ASU wide receiver John Jefferson, made an unbelievable grab that helped spring the Sun Devils to a victory. This play is known to this day by ASU fans simply as "The Catch."

And one of the great things about college football is that virtually every team in the country has "The Catch," or "The Fumble," or "The Interception," or "The Tackle." Every school has a great play that sticks in the minds of its fans.

Through the diligent work of almost every college football Featured Columnist here at Bleacher Report, writers who were kind enough to make suggestions about the teams they cover, we have put together the single greatest play for every BCS team in the country.

Mind you, these plays might not be the most iconic or necessarily the most memorable or even game-winning like the Jefferson catch. But in our minds, they were "great" plays in the sense of the jaw-dropping wow factor.

We hope you enjoy the slideshow and offer up your own thoughts on the greatest play for your team.

South Carolina

During a game in 1996, South Carolina and Georgia were in the middle of a SEC battle.

Nearing midfield, Duce Staley pulled off this great run, making Bulldog defenders look silly and helping the Gamecocks win the game.

Georgia

Backed up inside their own 10, South Carolina looked to air it out, only to have Georgia's David Pollack break through the line and basically take the ball away for a touchdown.

It would end up being ruled an interception and then a touchdown.

Florida

On their way to a national championship, the Florida Gators almost had their season derailed at home.

With the game on the line, South Carolina lined up for a game winning field goal and had Jarvis Moss step up huge.

Tennessee

During the 1998 season, Tennessee looked like they were going to have their No. 1 ranking go up in smoke after failing to pick up a first down late in the fourth quarter.

Arkansas would take over only to have things go terribly wrong.

Fast forward to 1:44:00 to see the Vols get a second life.

Kentucky

While at Kentucky, Randall Cobb was certainly a bright spot for the Wildcats. While it may only go down as a 25 yard run, watch Cobb elude the Auburn defense and make something out of nothing.

To make things better, one play later Cobb would get in the end zone.

Vanderbilt

While Vanderbilt is not rich with great plays or amazing athletes, this run in 2010 by Warren Norman against Arkansas was great. 

Watch as Norman continues to shed tackles and move the ball into Razorback territory.

Alabama

This play is still being talked about and is one of the greatest catches sports fans have ever seen.

Not only is Tyrone Prothro able to keep his concentration through this entire catch, but he has the strength in his arms to not allow the ball to come loose at any time.

LSU

With LSU just outside their own 20, Kentucky and its fans believed they had things wrapped up. The players had gone so far as to already administer the Gatorade bath only to watch this happen.

Arkansas

In 2002, Arkansas and LSU played an amazing game.

With time running out and the Razorbacks trailing by seven points, Matt Jones threw a touchdown to send this game into overtime.

Fast forward to 7:30 to watch the play.

Mississippi State

In the 1998 SEC Championship game, Kevin Prentiss did his best to turn things around for Mississippi State with this tight rope act for a touchdown.

Auburn

Just this past year, Auburn and Oregon were tied up and putting on an amazing national championship game.

As Auburn neared midfield with a chance to win, they handed the ball off to Michael Dyer who never gave up on this play.

Ole Miss

In a game between Memphis and Ole Miss, the Rebels dug deep into the playbook for the first play of the second quarter.

You have to see the replay to watch this play unfold.

Notre Dame

Throughout his career, Raghib Ismail "The Rocket" made some amazing plays. But his best play may have been this punt return against Colorado that would eventually prove to not count.

Nebraska

Sun Devil stadium was the site to one of the best touchdowns in college football history and certainly Nebraska football history.

With the title on the line, watch Tommie Frazier stun you with this 75-yard touchdown run.

Michigan State

In 2011, Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio made the best call of the year.

Needing a field goal to send the game to a second overtime, the Spartans faked a field goal and went for the win.

Michigan

In a game against rival Michigan State, Charles Woodson recorded the most amazing play in Wolverine history.

With nowhere to go with the ball, Michigan State looked to throw the ball high and out of bounds but instead, Woodson went up and made this unbelievable play.

Iowa

The 2005 Citrus Bowl was the host of one of the craziest plays in Iowa history.

Trailing late and with time running out, Drew Tate did not appear to have a firm grasp on what the situation was. He had fans screaming out of anger at their television–only to quickly change to cheers.

Northwestern

In 1996, Wisconsin seemed to have the game under control and was looking to run the clock out to secure a victory over Northwestern.

With under a minute left, the Wildcat's defense forced a fumble and followed it up with this touchdown two plays later.

Minnesota

One of the better players to come through the Minnesota football program is Eric Decker. In a game against Syracuse, Decker goes up in between two defenders and pulls down an amazing catch.

Fast forward to the :55 second mark to watch Decker bring it in.

Ohio State

With the game still tight and their No. 1 ranking on the line, Troy Smith led the Buckeyes into Penn State territory.

During a critical third down, Smith dropped back and not only eluded Penn State defenders, but then tossed a laser to the end zone.

Wisconsin

With the lead and a short yardage play in front of them, Kyle Orton and Purdue were looking to continue to run down the clock and earn a victory over Wisconsin.

Scott Starks and the Wisconsin defense had another thing in mind.

Penn State

While with Penn State, LaVar Arrington was a monster on defense. He shows just how good he truly was on one-single play against Illinois.

Purdue

In one of the craziest plays you will see, Purdue goes from having a big first down, to turning it over and having Indiana look like they are going to score, to starting all over at their own 20 yard line.

Illinois

Arrelious Benn was an outstanding college player and had great chemistry with quarterback Juice Williams.

In a game against Michigan, Benn takes the ball on a run play inside the 10 yard line and is sent airborne but gets in the end zone.

Go to :42 to watch Benn pull it off.

Indiana

In 1967, the Hoosiers went up against Purdue and it produced the most amazing play in their programs' history.

With a slim lead and closing in on half time, running back Terry Cole busted a 63 yard touchdown run that had the crowd go wild. The score would ultimately prove to be the game winning play.

Oklahoma

Trailing late in the game, Texas took over inside their own five.

What transpired on the first play may have been one of the greatest defensive touchdown plays of all-time.

Oklahoma State

In the Holiday Bowl, Oklahoma State and Wyoming squared-off, but it quickly turned in to the Barry Sanders' highlight show.

Watch as Sanders makes multiple players miss on his way to a 67-yard touchdown.

Texas A&M

During a game against Miami, Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Goodson put all of his talents on display.

Watch as he takes this short screen pass and does the rest.

Texas

If you wanted to see the most amazing plays in Texas Longhorns' history, just look up a highlight package of Vince Young's college career.

Most impressive was this 80 yard touchdown in which Young pump faked a defender up in the air and simply runs past him.

Texas Tech

With time running out in a game between Texas Tech and Texas, the Red Raiders were hoping to pick up a few more yards to get into a better position for a field goal.

Instead, Texas Tech got one of the biggest moments in their program's history.

Missouri

Before moving to the Philadelphia Eagles, Jeremy Maclin was lighting up the Big 12 for the Missouri Tigers.

In a 2008 game against Nevada, Maclin does an amazing job in the back of the end zone. Go to 1:06 to see Maclin do the unthinkable.

Baylor

Robert Griffin has been a tremendous player for the Baylor Bears. He currently finds himself in Heisman talks for the performances he has been putting up this year.

In 2008, Griffin put together one of the most amazing run and pass plays Bear fans have seen.

Go to the :20 mark to see Griffin put this play together.

Kansas State

While on the surface this play by Tramaine Thompson may not seem all that great, you have to watch the slow motion replay to appreciate the juke move that Thompson used on the Kansas defender.

Simply one of the best moves, period.

Iowa State

With Iowa State knocking on the door of the top 10, Seneca Wallace delivered a simply electrifying play.

While it may only go down as a 12-yard run, some estimate the overall play covered over 100 yards.

Kansas

While Kansas is certainly not a football powerhouse like they are in basketball, but this play was simply amazing.

Watch Todd Reesing escape defender after defender and finally complete a big pass for the Jayhawks.

Florida State

In a tied game with Clemson, Florida State dug deep into the playbook and put their own spin on trick plays with the "puntrooskie."

Watch the Seminoles pull it off to perfection.

Clemson

Late in the third quarter, CJ Spiller is back to return a kick and goes the distance even after losing his shoe at his own 40-yard line.

Watch Spiller show off his game-changing speed and give the Clemson fans something that is still talked about today.

Maryland

In the 2004 Gator Bowl, Maryland and West Virginia went head to head.

During the third quarter of a Maryland blowout the Terps looked deep. Witness Steve Suter make the most unbelievable catch in their programs' history and one of the best catches in college football history.

Boston College

In Boston College football history, no single play is more important then what Doug Flutie did against Miami.

With time running out, Flutie dropped back and stunned the Miami Hurricanes with this bomb to the end zone.

NC State

While the late game touchdown that Phillip Rivers threw against Indiana was great, NC State ends the game in style, as Terrence Holt comes up huge and blocks a field goal that would have forced overtime.

Wake Forest

This play during a game against Georgia Tech brings a lot of factors into play. Not only was the scramble impressive, but the block that he receives at the end is viscous and is exactly what people love about football.

Virginia Tech

While at Virginia Tech, Michael Vick became a legend with his ability to escape trouble and turn something out of nothing.

There is no better example of this then his 80-yard touchdown run against Boston College that seemed to be an almost certain sack.

Miami

In this 2001 game, Boston College appeared to be going in for a score when the Hurricane's defense stepped up and Ed Reed finished it off.

Watch Reed help the Hurricanes make a run at the Rose Bowl.

North Carolina

While North Carolina is known for their basketball program, they have had their share of amazing plays on the football field.

During the Meineke Car Care Bowl, Hakeem Nicks made this amazing play against West Virginia.

Georgia Tech

Not only is Calvin Johnson a monster in the NFL, he had all the making of it while at Georgia Tech.

Check out this jaw dropping one-handed catch at the 1:14 mark of this video.

Virginia

During a game against Texas in 1996, Tiki Barber had an amazing game, scoring three touchdowns.

Move forward to 2:30 to watch Barber shake and freeze a defender in his tracks and score a touchdown.

Duke

For a school that has not experienced much success or had All-American talent come through, Duke will always be overshadowed by its basketball program.

Despite that and understanding the talent that is generally on the Blue Devils team, watch this perfectly place throw and catch at the 2:02 mark.

Oregon

Boise State is the school that made the Statue of Liberty play famous, but in 2007, Oregon put their own twist on it.

Late in the second quarter, the Ducks were deep in Michigan territory, and Dennis Dixon had everyone fooled on this trick play.

Stanford

Andrew Luck has been great for the Stanford program and bad news for the rest of the conference.

Watch this 58 yard run on third down and what Luck is able to do to an oncoming defender.

Washington

During the 1975 Apple Cup between Washington and Washington State, the two teams were locked up in a tight-game.

With under two minutes remaining, Warren Mood dropped back had a pass tipped but hauled in by Spider Gainers–who took it the distance and put the Huskies ahead for good.

Cal

Much like the Flutie Hail Mary, the play between Cal and Stanford will never be forgotten as well.

With a lead and kicking off, Stanford appeared to have this game all wrapped up until this play broke out.

Oregon State

Jacquizz Rodgers was one of the best and most unique players to come through the Oregon State program.

In a game against Penn State, Rodgers stunned everyone by showing that he was more then a quick little back, but instead can use his power to get in the end zone.

Washington State

During a snow storm, Drew Bledsoe came up with the greatest play in Cougars' history.

What makes the play even more fascinating, is the fact that two Washington State receivers are going for the ball.

Arizona State

When Arizona State and Arizona met in 1975, they were 10-0 and 9-1 respectively and the winner was going to the Fiesta Bowl.

Trailing late in the first half, ASU wide receiver John Jefferson, made an unbelievable grab that helped spring the Sun Devils to a victory. This play is known by ASU fans as "The Catch."

USC

Fresno State was doing a good job of keeping pace with the Trojans late in the third quarter of this game, but Reggie Bush was able to change that by hitting the breaks and cutting back across the field.

Utah

While many teams have run their own version of the play called "Fumblerooski," Utah ran it to perfection and saw Jereme Brooks get into the end zone.

Arizona

Known simply as the "Leap by the Lake," this is a play you simply need to see to believe. There is no doubt that any Arizona fan has forgotten about this play.

Fast forward to 7:40 to watch it for yourself.

UCLA

In a game against Houston, UCLA's Nelson Rosario channeled his inner Tyrone Prothro and made a simply amazing catch deep down field.

Colorado

Another Hail Mary that will never be forgotten, is the bomb that Kordell Stewart dropped on the Michigan Big House.

Stewart had to launch the pass over 70 yards, and it immediately silenced over 100,000 fans.

West Virginia

In 2003, the Mountaineers went up against the No. 2 ranked Miami Hurricanes. This play late in the fourth quarter by Quincy Wilson, is still something that is talked about by all West Virginia fans.

South Florida

One of the better scrambles by a quarterback goes to Matt Grothe of South Florida.

In a game against Pitt, Grothe circles back, eludes defenders and makes the Panthers' defense look silly.

Pittsburgh

During his time at Pitt, Larry Fitzgerald was extremely good at making the most impossible catches look routine.

While on the road against Texas A&M, Fitzgerald stuns everyone with this catch.

Cincinnati

Here is another example of things going from good to bad and then back to good.

In a game against NC State, Russell Wilson missed high on a pass that would be deflected back to the receiver and then fumbled at the goal line. This is a play you have to see to believe.

Connecticut

During a season in which the Connecticut football program lost a teammate to a tragic death, the Huskies went on the road to play the Irish.

After tying the game and seeing the time running down, Connecticut's defense puts together an amazing hustle play that give them an opportunity to win at the end of the game.

Go to 3:15 to watch it happen.

Syracuse

In 1998, McNabb and the Orange were taking on the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Needing a touchdown, McNabb rolled out of the pocket and threw this game-winning touchdown pass back across the field to send the Carrier Dome into a frenzy.

Louisville

Before going to the NFL, Michael Bush played his college ball for Louisville.

In the 2004 Liberty Bowl, Bush took a handoff that was setting up to be a trick play when he pulled off an amazing 24 yard run to make something out of nothing.

Rutgers

In this 1992 Homecoming game, Rutgers was able to score 20 points and finished it off with this last second play.

Go to the 2:10 mark to see it all unfold.