College Football

College Football's Top Plays: Week 9

Updated Nov. 1, 2020 12:20 a.m. ET

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The No. 1 ranked Clemson Tigers avoided an upset without their No. 1 QB, Michigan and Michigan State did battle once more with the Paul Bunyan Trophy on the line, and Ohio State clashed with Penn State in the marquee matchup of Week 9.

But the top play of Saturday came in a double-digit Indiana victory over Rutgers.

Yes, you read that right. Check out the top moments from the biggest Saturday of college football so far this season! (All odds provided by FOX Bet.)

Absolute bedlam in Indiana vs. Rutgers

With no exaggeration, this might be the wildest play you've ever seen – and certainly the wildest of this season.

Facing 4th-and-32 and a double-digit deficit, Rutgers went for it with just over two minutes remaining. And when the play looked dead, they refused to give up, pitching the ball all over the field as seemingly every Scarlet Knight got his hands on the rock.

Sincerely, words can't do it justice. 

We lost track of how many laterals were involved in the play – eight? Nine? – but unfortunately, the fifth one was flagged for an illegal forward pass. Still, when there's that much chaos, the touchdown should count anyway, right?

And special shoutout to defensive lineman Aaron Lewis, who chucked the ball backward, over his head, into next Saturday, yet somehow still found a teammate.

That one deserves another look:

By the way, Rutgers would have covered the 12-point spread if the score had been allowed.

Circus catches for the Nittany Lions

Jahan Dotson wasn't about to let Ohio State run away with a victory vs. Penn State, as he came away with consecutive bonkers, one-handed catches, including one pinned against his helmet and another for a touchdown to pull the Nittany Lions back within shouting distance late against the Buckeyes.

The Tigers destroyed the Tigers

And no, we're not talking about Clemson – although we'll get to Dabo Swinney's squad in just a second.

Instead, it was Auburn lighting up LSU, as the Alabama-based Tigers put up 48 points on Ed Orgeron's crew, the most ever in the rivalry's 119-year existence, thanks to plays like this 91-yards touchdown pass from Bo Nix.

Some slight confusion on a Saturday

The Buckeyes looked to take a 21-3 lead into halftime against Penn State, but there was one problem. QB Justin Fields had kneeled out the clock on fourth down, only to take a knee with time remaining.

Replay officials determined the half wasn't over and called both teams back onto the field, setting up a Nittany Lions field goal.

Despite that field goal, and Dotson's circus catches above, Ohio State held on for a 38-25 win.

Texas is back

At least in their game against Oklahoma State, the Longhorns certainly were. 

Texas took a 34-31 lead against the No. 6 Cowboys on Sam Ehlinger's fourth-down TD pass in the fourth quarter, before Oklahoma State kicked a last-second field goal to force overtime.

That followed an epic 101-yard kickoff return by D'Shawn Jamison – on which he originally bobbled the ball, no less – to keep the Longhorns within striking distance after having gone down 31-20.

In the extra frame, Ehlinger and Texas got on the board first, then shut down Oklahoma State on the subsequent possession for the 41-34 win.

All that despite the video operations squad even trying to get in on the action in Stillwater.

D.J. spins up a win for Clemson

He might not be Trevor Lawrence, but as long as backup Clemson QB D.J. Uiagalelei has Travis Etienne, he should be all right.

Although it wasn't all smooth sailing for Clemson on Saturday. Boston College responded to the Etienne touchdown with a score of their own from David Bailey to take the lead.

It looked as if Clemson was on its way to tying the game, but an Etienne fumble at the one-yard line led to a 99-yard touchdown return for Boston College to take a 21-7 lead.

The Tigers didn't lay down, coming out of the half and scoring on their first drive with a 30-yard rushing touchdown from Uiagalelei.

Clemson battled back to take the lead thanks to a 17-yard rushing touchdown from Etienne, holding off B.C. for a 34-28 win.

A forceful showing in the SEC

Several players were ejected from No. 10 Florida's contest against Missouri following a massive, benches-clearing brawl.

The Gators rolled to a 41-17 win, and coach Dan Mullen donned his Halloween finest in his postgame press conference.

Can't stem the Tide

What's better than one touchdown? How about two in three minutes?

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith had himself a day in the first quarter alone, tallying six quick receptions for 130 yards and two scores, on the way to 150 yards receiving in the first half alone.

All in all, Smith had himself quite the day.

Sooner or later for Oklahoma

Although Texas Tech took the lead first, the No. 24 Sooners punched right back with two quick touchdowns to go on top.

And from there, it was all Oklahoma.

Spartans strike first

Michigan State hopped on the board first in its rivalry game against No. 13 ranked Michigan with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Rocky Lombardi.

Preserving the lead

Antjuan Simmons came up with a huge defensive play to keep the Spartans ahead of the Wolverines.

All hands on deck

The Michigan State wide receivers put on a show in Ann Arbor.

And the Spartans came away with a 27-24 upset win.

To the crib!

Tahj Washington of Memphis knew exactly what to do with the ball when he got it, taking it 92 yard for the touchdown.

When the defense scores...

...everyone is happy.

Over the top

Alec Pierce of the No. 7 ranked Cincinnati Bearcats went up for this 43-yard touchdown reception.

Pick 'em!

Sean Mahone might need reps at wide receiver after he high-pointed this ball for an interception for West Virginia.

Letting Leddie cook

Leddie Brown has been racking up touchdowns all season for West Vriginia, and they followed his lead into the endzone against Kansas State.

Pick-6!

Add an interception returned for a touchdown to the list of ways West Virginia has racked up points against Kansas State.

Bell seals it for Purdue

David Bell makes a one-handed catch to seal a victory for the Boilermakers.

What a fake

Even the camera-man didn't know which way to go on this one.

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