When major college football teams schedule FCS opponents early in the season, it's usually meant to be a glorified practice game and a nice-sized paycheck for the visitors. The results are often ugly, too, but that doesn't mean the underdogs can't have some fun.
Back in September 2010, the Presbyterian College Blue Hose pulled off one of the greatest trick plays ever against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. It meant absolutely nothing to the outcome of the game, but it gave them a memory of a lifetime and fans a highlight play to watch on repeat.
The famous "bounce pass" trick play never gets old, either.
Presbyterian College's "Bounce Pass" Trick Play
RELATED: The 11 Craziest Trick Plays in College Football History
On first down, and already trailing 28-0 in the second quarter, Presbyterian quarterback Brandon Miley took the snap under center and immediately fired the ball over to wide receiver Derrick Overholt near the sideline. The pass skipped to the ground before Overholt caught it.
Unaware the pass was actually behind the line of scrimmage, the Wake Forest defenders stopped dead in their tracks thinking the play was over as an incomplete pass. However, the whistle never blew, and Overholt launched a deep pass to Michael Ruff, who ran it into the end zone for a 68-yard touchdown.
The replay, which was shown by ESPN, makes the trickery even better. Wake Forest really thought it was a forward pass and just stood there. Overholt sold it perfectly, too, before launching a strike down the field.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Oklahoma Sooners has the Fumblerooski against Miami in the Orange Bowl. Boise State has the Hook-and-Ladder and Statue of Liberty play in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. Michigan State has the fake field goal Little Giants touchdown pass. Those are all iconic moments in NCAA football history and an announcer's dream.
Presbyterian College will forever be known for the football bounce pass.
Although it might never get used, it belongs in every team's playbook, from high school to the NFL. Who knows? It could work better than a flea flicker during a big playoff game. You never never know when a head coach might need it.
This post was originally published on April 23, 2020.
