College Football’s Wildest Finishes: Where Does Michigan’s Hail Mary Rank?

Michigan’s improbable Week 1 win over Western Michigan added another memorable finish to the college football history books.

The Big Noon Kickoff crew revisited some of the sport’s most legendary finishes, from the field goal in the 1982 Cal-Stanford game to Michigan State’s stunning last-second drive against Michigan in 2015. The list also included two other great wins at the Big Tenncos House.

Here’s a look at the wildest finishes in college football history:

Cal’s 1982 victory over Stanford became one of the most iconic finishes in college football history. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)

With four seconds left, Stanford took a 20-19 lead over California on a field goal. The Golden Bears then used five onside plays on the ensuing kickoff return to score the game-winning field goal, with members of the Stanford Band already on the field celebrating what they thought was a victory. The finish became one of the most iconic moments in college football history.

Boston College QB Doug Flutie connects with Gerard Phelan for a memorable Hail Mary pass to beat Miami in 1984. (Photo by Heinz Kluetmeier/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

Miami took a 45-41 lead late in the fourth quarter. Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie threw a desperation pass toward the end zone as time expired. Wide receiver Gerard Phelan came down with the pass for the game-winning score, creating the legendary “Hail Flutie.”

Colorado QB Kordell Stewart launched a Hail Mary pass that landed in the hands of Michael Westbrook for a 64-yard touchdown to beat Michigan. (Photo by Al Tielemans/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

Michigan appeared to be on its way to victory as Colorado had six seconds left and the ball on its own 36-yard line. Buffaloes quarterback Kordell Stewart launched a Hail Mary pass that bounced near the goal line and landed in the hands of Colorado wide receiver Michael Westbrook for a 64-yard touchdown.

“For me, the Colorado game probably hurts the most,” FOX Sports NFL analyst Charles Woodson said during the segment.

Woodson, who was a rookie at the time, attended the game and recalled leaving early with his cousin to beat traffic.

“Next thing you know, Hail Mary,” Woodson said. “I can’t believe it. He hurt more.”

USC quarterback Matt Leinart was pushed into the end zone by Reggie Bush for a touchdown in the closing moments of the Trojans’ win over Notre Dame. (Photo by Andy Altenburger/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)

Notre Dame looked poised to pull off a major upset over No. 1-ranked USC. With the game on the line, USC quarterback Matt Leinart was pushed into the end zone by returning Reggie Bush for the game-winning touchdown. The play became known as the “Bush Push” and remains one of the most controversial completions in college football history.

Chris Davis returned a missed field goal for a game-winning touchdown in Auburn’s memorable win over Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

With the game tied at 28 and one second remaining, Alabama attempted a 57-yard field goal to win the 2013 Iron Bowl. The punt was short and Auburn’s Chris Davis caught the ball in the end zone and returned it 109 yards for a touchdown as time expired, giving the Tigers a stunning victory over the Crimson Tide.

Michigan State’s Jalen Watts-Jackson picked up a fumble on a botched punt exchange and scored the game-winning touchdown against Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

Michigan was seconds away from beating its in-state rival when a botched punt set up one of the most improbable finishes in college football history. Michigan’s Blake O’Neill fumbled the snap and Michigan State’s Jalen Watts-Jackson scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown, leaving Wolverine fans inside the Big House stunned.

Michigan wide receiver JJ Buchanan caught a game-winning pass with no time on the clock to beat Western Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Michigan trailed Western Michigan 12-7 in the final seconds of Kyle Whittingham’s coaching debut when quarterback Bryce Underwood launched a Hail Mary into the end zone. The pass fell incomplete as the clock struck zero and Western Michigan players began celebrating what they believed to be a historic upset.

But the officials determined that the clock should have one second left. Given a second chance, Underwood connected with wide receiver JJ Buchanan on a 47-yard touchdown pass to lift Michigan to a 13-12 victory.

According to Big Noon Kickoff’s Dave Portnoy, the finish belongs at the top of the list.

“I have him at No. 3 of all time,” Portnoy said. “Everyone thought it was over. My phone is blowing up. I’m getting texts. Everyone always wants to keep it in Michigan.”

Portnoy added that the only finishes he would rank ahead of Michigan’s latest miracle were the 1982 Cal-Stanford game and Flutie’s Hail Mary against Miami in 1984.