List of successful Hail Marys in American football

Here is a list, ordered by year, of famous Hail Mary plays from collegiate and professional football in the United States.

College football

* 1980 Holiday Bowl — Brigham Young vs. Southern Methodist: BYU quarterback Jim McMahon completed a 41-yard Hail Mary to Clay Brown on the game's final play for a 46-45 win. The game is known as the "Miracle Bowl" because the Cougars overcame SMU's 45-25 lead with four minutes left in the game, sealing the victory with a touchdown and PAT kick after time expired. Brown's catch remains one of the most spectacular Hail Mary receptions in football history. He was completely surrounded by SMU defenders in the end zone, but he out-jumped all of them and somehow managed to hold on to the ball during the subsequent pile-up.
* 1984 — Boston College vs. Miami: BC quarterback Doug Flutie threw a 48-yard Hail Mary to Gerard Phelan for the 47-45 victory. The play is known as "Hail Flutie".
* 1986 - UCLA vs. USC: UCLA quarterback Matt Stevens faked a quarter-ending kneel and threw a Hail Mary pass, which was tipped into the hands of flanker (and future UCLA head coach) Karl Dorrell to put UCLA up 31-0 over USC at the half. The Los Angeles Times labeled this, "Hail Mary, and in your face." [Hail Mary, and in Your Face When UCLA's Karl Dorrell Pulls in the Jump Ball, USC Knows That It Is in the Wrong Game - Los Angeles Times. Bill Dwyre. Nov 23, 1986 "Stevens called "Liz No Huddle Max Rebound," a play that would originate from USC's 39-yard line and would end up in the end zone, no time on the clock, the ball in Karl Dorrell's hands and various Trojans strewn about the field, contemplating suicide."] UCLA's dominance continued in the second half as they went on to win 45-25.
* 1994 — Colorado vs. Michigan: Colorado quarterback Kordell Stewart threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to Michael Westbrook on the last play of the game, won by Colorado 27-26, known as “The Miracle at Michigan”. [cite web| url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=maisel_ivan&id=2896389 | title=Stewart to Westbrook silenced Big House crowd | author=Ivan Maisel | publisher=ESPN.com | date=2007-06-07 | accessdate=2007-06-07]
* 2000 — Northwestern vs. Minnesota: Northwestern quarterback Zak Kustok completed a 45-yard Hail Mary to wide receiver Sam Simmons. The touchdown gave Northwestern a 41-35 victory as the Wildcats rallied from a 35-14 deficit. The play (a vollyball-style tip to the trailing wide receiver) was named "Victory Right."
* 2003 — LSU vs. Kentucky: This game ended in a 75-yard Hail Mary pass, thrown by LSU QB Marcus Randall, deflected by Kentucky into the hands of LSU receiver Devery Henderson. Before the play, Kentucky players had dumped water on the head coach thinking they would surely win. After the play, Kentucky fans rushed onto the field and even started tearing down the goal posts in the opposite end zone, not knowing they had lost. LSU won the game 33-30. The play is known as the “Bluegrass Miracle”. [ESPN.com [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=223130096 Deflected 'Hail Mary' wins game for LSU] ]
* 2003 — Tennessee vs. Florida: Tennessee quarterback Casey Clausen threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to James Banks on the final play of the first half. The play gave Tennessee a 7-3 lead and they went on to win 24-10. [ [http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/recap?gid=200309200067 NCAA Football - Tennessee Volunteers/Florida Gators Recap Saturday September 20, 2003 - Yahoo! Sports ] ]
* 2005 - Southern Miss. vs. Alabama: Down 21–10 with 29 seconds left in the first half, Alabama wide receiver Tyrone Prothro caught a pass behind the head of Southern Miss. defensive back Jasper Faulk on a Hail Mary pass from quarterback Brodie Croyle. Alabama came back to win the game 31–20, and the play earned the 2006 ESPY Award and the Pontiac Game Changing Award of the Year for Best Play. [cite web| url=http://espn.go.com/espy2006/| title=2006 ESPYS| publisher=ESPN| accessdate=2008-07-18]
* 2005 — Washington vs. Arizona: During the closing seconds of the first half, Washington quarterback Isaiah Stanback heaved a pass 69 yards to Craig Chambers to tie the game at 14. Washington would eventually win 38-14. [ESPN.com [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=253160012 Washington ends 14-game Pac-10 losing streak at Arizona] ]
* 2005 Capital One Bowl — Iowa vs. LSU: With 14 seconds left, Iowa quarterback Drew Tate completed a 56-yard touchdown pass to Warren Holloway to give Iowa a 30-25 victory on the game's final play. [ESPN.com [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=250012294 Tate-to-Holloway caps Hawkeyes rally] ]
* 2006 — NC State vs. Boston College: A 34-yard Hail Mary from NC State quarterback Daniel Evans to wideout John Dunlap with 8 seconds left gave NC State a 17-15 victory. [ESPN.com [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=262660152 NC State upsets No. 20 BC on Dunlap's TD with 8 seconds left] ]
* 2006 — Arkansas State vs. Memphis: A 53-yard Hail Mary from quarterback Corey Leonard to wide receiver Patrick Higgins with 6 seconds left gave ASU a 26-23 victory. [ESPN.com [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=262870235 Arkansas State 26, Memphis 23] ]
* 2006 — Washington vs. Cal: In his third career start, quarterback Carl Bonnell threw a 40-yard Hail Mary that was tipped by three Cal defenders at the goal line and caught by Marlon Wood at the two yard line with no time left. He dove into the endzone to tie the game at 24-24. Cal would win in overtime. [ESPN.com [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?confId=&gameId=262940025 Miracle catch forces OT, but UW can't overcome Lynch, Cal] ]
* 2007 — Army vs. Tulane: In his first Army touchdown pass, quarterback Kevin Dunn threw a 36-yard Hail Mary that was tipped by two Tulane defenders and a diving catch was made by Mike Wright to tie the game at 17-17. Army was down 17-7 with just 4 minutes left, and went on to win the game in overtime 20-17 after the Hail Mary tied the game as time expired. [ESPN.com [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=272790349 Army 20, Tulane 17, OT] ] [ESPN.com [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=3054015 Schlabach: On (and off) the Mark] ]
* 2007- Iowa vs. Indiana: Trailing 21-0 with five seconds left in the first half, Iowa quarterback Jake Christensen's desperation heave into the end zone is deflected by a group of three Hoosier defensive backs before being caught by Iowa receiver Trey Stross. Iowa went on to lose the game.
* 2008 — SUNY at Buffalo vs. Temple: Flanker Naaman Roosevelt hauled in a 35-yard "Hail Mary" pass from quarterback Drew Willy to stun Temple and turn UB Stadium on its ear with bedlam. The play capped a remarkable final three minutes that saw the lead change hands three times. Bulls win for a final score of: 30 - 28
*2008 — UC Davis vs. University of Northern Colorado: After an illegal procedure penalty, UC Davis was moved out of field goal range to the 38 yard line, down 30-28 with two seconds remaining on the clock. Quarterback Greg Denham completed a Hail Mary pass to wide receiver Bakari Grant as time expired to win the game 34-30.

Professional football

* 1972 Pittsburgh Steelers vs Oakland Raiders. Pittsburgh trailed in this game 7-6, faced 4th down and 10 from their own 40 with 22 seconds remaining. Terry Bradshaw hit Franco Harris on a controversial pass for a touchdown. This play has become known as the Immaculate Reception.
* 1974 Thanksgiving Day Washington Redskins vs Dallas Cowboys Dallas reserve quarterback Clint Longley, in the 1974 NFL Thanksgiving Day Classic filling in for an injured Roger Staubach, Longley, then a rookie, threw two touchdown passes including the game winning 50 yarder to Drew Pearson with less an a minute remaining to push the Cowboys to a 24-23 victory and to keep the Cowboys in the playoff hunt.
* 1975 — Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings: Dallas quarterback Roger Staubach's post-game comments about the play are thought to have popularized “Hail Mary” as a football term.
* 1978 — Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints: The Falcons beat the Saints 20-17 on a "Hail Mary" pass from Steve Bartkowski to Alfred Jenkins. The play was known as "Big Ben." Later in the season, the Falcons beat the Saints again on the final play of the game after a failed "Hail Mary" pass when the Saints were called for pass interference. The Falcons scored on a run from the one-yard-line on the next play. The play became known as "Big Ben II." The second game was one of the few times (if not the only time) that officials called defensive pass interference on the play, even though it could be argued that pass interference occurs often on "Hail Mary" passes.
* 1980 — Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns: Using a play from their playbook called "Squadron Right", Minnesota quarterback Tommy Kramer completed a Hail Mary pass to Ahmad Rashad as time expired resulting in a 28-23 victory for the Vikings. This pass is also known as the “Miracle Catch.” Kramer passed for 456 yards in the game. As a result of the victory, the Vikings qualified for the playoffs.
* 1987 (season) — Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints: In the Saints' first-ever playoff game, they were victimized once again. The Vikings were ahead 24-10 near the end of the first half, when Wade Wilson completed a "Hail Mary" pass to Hassan Jones, to make the halftime score 31-10. The touchdown put the game basically out of reach, and the Vikings defeated the Saints 44-10 [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20060103/ai_n15975885]
* 1991 — Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins: The Dallas Cowboys were playing the then undefeated Washington Redskins in 1991. With the Cowboys leading 10-7 in second quarter with time running out and a 4th down from Redskin 34 yard line, the Cowboys decided to go for it. Then Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman threw the "Hail Mary" in the right corner of the endzone where Alvin Harper cleanly caught the ball for a touchdown putting the Cowboys up 17-7. The Cowboys would end up winning 24-21 and ending Washington's 11-game winning streak [ [http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was1991.htm 1991 Washington Redskins Statistics & Players - Pro-Football-Reference.com ] ]
* 1996 — Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts: The Steelers hosted the Colts in the 1995 AFC championship game at Three Rivers Stadium and the Colts were leading 16-13 late in the fourth quarter. Pittsburgh regained possession with 3:03 remaining and a 1-yard touchdown run by Bam Morris and extra point made the game 20-16 Pittsburgh. Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh drove his team down to the Pittsburgh 29-yard line and lofted a Hail Mary pass intended for wide receiver Aaron Bailey, but the pass was batted down by Pittsburgh defensive back Randy Fuller to hold onto the win and advance to Super Bowl XXX, where they ultimately lost to the Dallas Cowboys [ [http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/category/boise-state-football/2007/01/16/cowhers-greatest-games-no-2-1995-season-steelers-colts-afc-c/ Cowher's Greatest Games: No. 2, 1995 Season Steelers-Colts AFC Championship - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog ] ]
* 1999 — Cleveland Browns vs. New Orleans Saints: On Halloween, the Browns won their first game since coming back to the NFL against New Orleans as Tim Couch completed a 56 yard "Hail Mary" pass to Kevin Johnson as time expired for the stunning 21-16 victory.
* 2001 — Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns: Chicago tied the game on a 34 yard deflected "Hail Mary" from Shane Matthews to running back James Allen. The play capped off a 14 point comeback in the final 28 seconds of a game Chicago won in overtime, 27-21, on an interception return by Mike Brown.
* 2002 — Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Cleveland won on a 50 yard "Hail Mary" pass from Tim Couch to Quincy Morgan against Jacksonville for a 21-20 shocker. It was Couch's second "Hail Mary" victory. [ESPN.com [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=221208030 Browns stun Jags with 50-yard TD as time expires] ] Many fans refer to this as the "Hail Morgan" catch.
* 2003 — Arizona Cardinals vs. Minnesota Vikings: The Cardinals stunned the Vikings on a 28 yard touchdown pass from Josh McCown to Nathan Poole to win 18-17. The loss was costly for the Vikings as they not only lost the game, but lost the NFC North title to the Packers and finish the season 9-7. [ESPN.com [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=231228022 McCown tosses 28-yarder to Poole] ]
* 2006 — New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons: Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw a 48-yard toss-up to Terrance Copper who made a spectacular catch in the end zone at the end of the first half to raise their lead, 21-6. The Saints went on to win 31-13. [ESPN.com [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=261126001 Saints send Falcons to fourth straight loss] ]
* 2007 - Washington Redskins vs. Miami Dolphins: Tied 13-13 with 4 seconds remaining, at their own 43 yard line, Jason Campbell threw a 54-yard pass to the endzone. Dolphin defenders batted down the pass, but it fell directly into the hands of Redskins receiver Antwaan Randle El. Randle El dove for the endzone, but was tackled out of bounds at the 2 yard line as time expired. The Redskins would go on to win in the overtime period. [ESPN.com [http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=270909028 Campbell, Redskins edge Dolphins with overtime victory] ]
* 2007 — Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers: Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner threw up a 48-yard toss to Larry Fitzgerald at the end of the first half of the game to take the lead against the shocked 49ers, 21-17. San Francisco, however, would win 37-31 in overtime at the end of the game on a Warner fumble recovered for a touchdown. [ESPN.com [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=271125022 Fumble recovery for touchdown snaps 49ers' losing skid] ]

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