The 50 Most Memorable Plays in College Football History

After the stunning turn of events the nation saw in East Lansing this past week between Wisconsin and Michigan State, it reminds college football fans of all the great plays we have been witness too. 

As college football fans, we have seen amazing runs, hard hits and plays that have left us with our mouths wide open. From Doug Flutie going deep, to the magic of Vince Young and all before and after it, here is a look at 50 of the most amazing plays in college football history. 

Tyrone Prothro Makes His Mark

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 also has the strength in his arms to not allow the ball to come loose at any time.

Bluegrass Miracle

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.

Dyer's Not Down

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.

Tommie Frazier Escapes

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

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

Michigan State Fakes Everyone out

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.

Woodson Climbs the Ladder

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.

Capital One Bowl Miracle

The 2005 Capital One 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.

The LaVar Leap

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.

Attack from Above

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.

Pump Fake and Go

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 fakes a defender up in the air and simply runs past him.

He Dreamed It Up

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.

Seneca Wallace Running Side to Side

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 more than 100 yards.

Hail Flutie

In Boston College football history, no single play is more important than 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.

Michael Vick Magic

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 than his 80-yard touchdown run against Boston College that seemed to be an almost certain sack.

Ed Reed Stripes His Own Teammate

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

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

Nicks Wows Everyone

While North Carolina is known for its 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.

Fake Statue of Liberty

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.

The Play

Much like the Flutie Hail Mary, this 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.

Stewart Goes Deep

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

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

McNabb with No Time Left

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.

Appalachian State Stuns the World

With only seconds remaining, Appalachian State had given Michigan its best shot, but the Wolverines were still in field goal range and lining up to avoid the monumental upset. 

What unfolded on this last play will never be forgotten.

Cam Newton Running Wild

With the game still tied between these two Top 10 teams, Cam Newton did what he did best in 2010—take over with a game-changing play.

Watch Newton go 49 yards against the LSU defense.

Moss Goes the Distance

Before becoming an NFL star, Randy Moss had a tremendous college career. Watch Moss hurdle and stiff arm his way to a 90-yard touchdown play.

Walker Runs Through a Defender

Herschel Walker was never short on highlight-reel plays, but in 1980, Walker showed off his strength and speed on this run against Tennessee.

One thing is for sure: Bill Bates has never forgotten about it.

Spartans Get Extra Time

Games between Michigan and Michigan State have always been heated.

In 2001, Michigan was trying to hold off the Spartans as they drew closer to the end zone. It appeared Michigan had won the game, but the longest second in Michigan history never came off the clock.

Here is what the Spartans were able to do with the extra time.

Fumblerooski

In 1984, Tom Osborne led Nebraska into the Orange Bowl to take on Miami. Osborne also brought his bag of tricks, as he broke out the Fumblerooski deep in Miami territory.

Johnny Rodgers in the Game of the Century

Back in 1971, No. 1 Nebraska and No. 2 Oklahoma hooked up for what people were calling the "Game of the Century" in Norman, Okla.

The Huskers would leave Norman with a huge victory that was sparked early with this Johnny Rodgers touchdown.

Stealing a Touchdown

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, then a touchdown.

Les Miles' Bag of Tricks

During a 2007 game between LSU and South Carolina, LSU was looking to close out the first half with a field goal—or so it appeared.

Take a look at what Les Miles had in store for Steve Spurrier's club.

The Bush Push

With time running out on a possible USC comeback, the Trojans turned to quarterback Matt Leinart and put it in his hands.

Fortunately for the Trojans, it was Reggie Bush's hands that helped him get in the end zone.

Troy Smith Shows off His Heisman Arm

One of the most memorable plays of Troy Smith's career occurred in the fourth quarter against Penn State. What looked like a sure sack turned in to a 55-yard bullet pass.

The Heisman Pose

Not only was the punt return by Desmond Howard fantastic, but he also gave college football fans a sight to remember.

After getting into the end zone, Howard slowed down and struck the iconic Heisman Trophy pose.

The Comeback of All Comebacks

The Holiday Bowl between BYU and UNLV had a fitting end for one of the greatest comebacks in college football history.

With time running out on an opportunity to complete the comeback, Jim McMahon tossed one of the most famous passes in Cougars history.

Watch the full highlight or skip forward to 3:10 to see the final play.

Fifth Down

Missouri fans cannot catch a break here on this list.

With time running down in this game, Colorado gained a first down inside the Tigers' 10.

Watch the full highlight to see Colorado rattle off five plays without being caught. Fast forward to 2:50 and start counting.

Eric Crouch Goes Deep

During a game against Oklahoma, Nebraska dialed up a play in hopes of catching the Sooners off-guard. The run action was set up perfectly and allowed Eric Crouch to sneak out of the backfield to make this play.

Hook and Ladder

When Boise State and Oklahoma met in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, many expected a Sooners blowout. Instead, the college football world was treated to an outstanding game with an even better ending.

Here is the first play that helped Boise State get to overtime against the Sooners.

Boise State: Part 2

Again with their backs against the wall, Boise State needed a touchdown and an extra point to force a second overtime.

If you fast forward to the :35 mark, you can see the Broncos pull off their second trick play of the game.

Boise State: Part 3

Despite this not being a touchdown, this was the most memorable play of the game between Boise State and Oklahoma.

Only down by an extra point and a second overtime, Chris Petersen decided to go for two and the win with this play.

Vince Young Runs for the Roses

With everything on the line, the Texas Longhorns continued to turn to Vince Young for answers.

With under :30 remaining in the game and Texas facing a fourth down, Young answered the prayers of Texas fans around the nation.

Cornhuskers Get a Helping Foot

Trailing by a touchdown, Nebraska drove inside the 20 and needed a touchdown to send them to overtime.

With a little luck and a lot of controversy, the Huskers found a way to get it done. Take a look as they get a helping "foot."

Tyrod Taylor Delivers

With the game on the line, Virginia Tech put together a drive for the ages against Nebraska. While still needing a touchdown, Tyrod Taylor put this third down play together at the :30 mark of the clip.

Ricky Williams Runs to Greatness

With Tony Dorsett's rushing record in sight, Ricky Williams broke the record in style.

Watch Williams break off this 60-yard touchdown run to lock up the record; it might have even been the run that won him the Heisman Trophy.

Woodson Goes to the House

Not only does playing Ohio State up the ante in any year, but Michigan was having an outstanding year led by Charles Woodson.

Trailing in the second quarter, Woodson put a stamp on his Heisman season with this return.

Stanford Takes Down USC

During the 2007 season, USC was expected to walk all over Stanford. As the game went on, Stanford remained close all the way into the fourth quarter.

Now with the ball and a chance to win, Stanford faced this fourth-down play with under a minute to go.

The Pick

Late in the fourth quarter, Oregon held a lead over Washington, but the Huskies were driving and appeared to be going in for the win.

Looking to make a play, Oregon corner Kenny Wheaton stepped up and made a play that will live in Oregon history.

Earthquake

In 1988, the LSU Tigers and their fans staked a claim to one of the loudest plays in college football history.

Trailing late, LSU found a way to get it into the end zone, and when they did, the crowd was so loud that it measured as a small earthquake on campus.

Bulldogs Get Fired Up

While the touchdown is nothing of the spectacular variety, the celebration is.

Watch what Mark Richt gave the green light on when Georgia scored their first touchdown of the game against Florida.

The Snow Bowl

Known as the Snow Bowl, Penn State and Notre Dame hooked up in a classic that went down to the last minute.

Fast forward to 9:20, and watch the Irish not only get it in the end zone but also pull off the two-point conversion for the win.

Laterals Gone Wild

While this was not an FBS game, this is simply a play you have to see to believe. 

Hail Sparty

With a tied ball game this past week, Michigan State lined up for one last play that stunned the nation and left us all in suspense as the play went to instant replay.