Before Michigan State, there were Flutie, McMahon

Published Nov. 30, 2011 4:44 a.m. ET

foxsports

On Oct. 22, with the game tied, Michigan State's Kirk Cousins threw a desperation pass toward the end zone after the final snap. The ball caromed to wide receiver Keith Nichol, who caught it and then reached the goal line to give the Spartans a 37-31 win. Some other famous last-ditch passes from the past 35 years of college football.

-Brigham Young 46, Southern Methodist 45 (Dec. 19, 1980). This Holiday Bowl is remembered not only for the wild final play, but for the improbable comeback that preceded it. BYU trailed 45-25 with about three minutes remaining before scoring a touchdown, recovering an onside kick, then scoring another TD. After a failed onside kick, BYU stopped the Mustangs and, amazingly, blocked a punt in the game's final seconds, setting up Jim McMahon's 41-yard touchdown pass to Clay Brown with no time remaining.

-Boston College 47, Miami 45 (Nov. 23, 1984). Perhaps the most famous finish of them all: Doug Flutie's 48-yard touchdown pass to Gerard Phelan as time expired gave the Eagles a shocking win over the Hurricanes. Flutie went on to win the Heisman Trophy. BC didn't beat Miami again until 2007.

-Colorado 27, Michigan 26 (Sept. 24, 1994). Like Flutie's play, but from 16 yards farther back - and with a deflection. And with more than 100,000 in the crowd at Michigan Stadium. Kordell Stewart's throw actually traveled some 70 yards before being tipped a few extra feet, where Michael Westbrook made the catch in the end zone for a 64-yard TD that stunned the Wolverines.

-LSU 33, Kentucky 30 (Nov. 9, 2002). The Tigers had the ball on their own 25 when Marcus Randall took the snap and threw as far as he could. As the ball sailed down the field, fireworks exploded overhead and some celebrating Kentucky fans charged toward one of the goal posts. Imagine their surprise when, at the other end of the field, Devery Henderson caught the deflected pass and ran the last few yards to the end zone.