It’s a play college fans everywhere won’t soon forget.
With no time left on the clock, Central Michigan scored the game-winning touchdown on a Hail Mary and lateral for an incredible 30-27 upset of No. 22 Oklahoma State on the road Saturday.
CMU quarterback Cooper Rush lofted up a Hail Mary pass that hit Jesse Kroll just inside the 10-yard line. As Kroll was being taken down by several defenders, he pitched it back to Corey Willis who quickly cut back across the field and raced for the end zone for a miraculous Hail Mary touchdown.
Are you kidding me!!! Wow!! Central Michigan beats No. 22 Oklahoma State with an unbelievable Hail Mary. pic.twitter.com/JWj2Y9YuUr
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) September 10, 2016
“To be honest, I actually had a missed assignment on that, I wasn’t supposed to be right there, but it all worked for the better,” Willis told reporters after the game. “We know Jesse Kroll is going to go up and get the ball every time, it’s just something we practice all the time and we executed it.”
“It’s an improbable finish, but it’s a situation that we practiced and rehearsed. We were able to execute and pull out the win,” said CMU Head Coach John Bonamego.
Flashback: Central Michigan fans were likely having flashbacks to the Bahamas Bowl two years ago when the Chips lost a heartbreaking game against Western Kentucky. After covering the length of the field on a long pass and lateral play to make it a one-point game and with no time left on the clock, CMU went for the two-point conversion and the win, but didn’t get it. This time, their prayer was answered for one of the school’s biggest victories ever.
Next Opponents
Central Michigan: The Chips return home to face UNLV.
Oklahoma State: The Cowboys play their third straight home game, hosting Pittsburgh.
