# Is Cal-Stanford's "The Play" the greatest play in college football history?.... **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [November 9, 2019, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201 "2019-11-09T13:47:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/21 "2019-11-10T04:18:34Z")
The best play ever? No cameras caught Alley Oop’s header and grab of an entire brontosaur in the Muvian vs Atlantean '06 classic. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/22 "2019-11-10T05:03:36Z")
> [@survinga](#): > > John Elway goes on to a great professional career, as one of the greatest QB’s ever in the history of the game, including 2 Super Bowl Championships. And Mark Harmon goes on to brutally murder some 30 young women in a TV movie. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/23 "2019-11-10T05:12:50Z")
You forgot a few things: Before the play 2.5 - a representative from the Hall of Fame Bowl tells the Stanford coach that they’re pretty much got an invitation to the game After the play 0.5 - the same representative pretty much shrugs his shoulders at the Stanford coach. The bowl spot went to Air Force. Stanford never went to a bowl game in John Elway’s four years. Then again, neither did Cal. After, 14 - whenever Stanford wins The Axe back from Cal, pretty much the first thing it does is to change the score of that game that is on the plaque The Axe is on to “Stanford 20, Cal 19.” When Cal wins it back, it is changed back to Cal 25, Stanford 20. ---
**Author:** ![survinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/24 "2019-11-10T12:47:54Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > You forgot a few things: > > Before the play 2.5 - a representative from the Hall of Fame Bowl tells the Stanford coach that they’re pretty much got an invitation to the game > > After the play 0.5 - the same representative pretty much shrugs his shoulders at the Stanford coach. The bowl spot went to Air Force. Stanford never went to a bowl game in John Elway’s four years. Then again, neither did Cal. > > After, 14 - whenever Stanford wins The Axe back from Cal, pretty much the first thing it does is to change the score of that game that is on the plaque The Axe is on to “Stanford 20, Cal 19.” When Cal wins it back, it is changed back to Cal 25, Stanford 20. Yes, how could I not mention that Stanford changes that score whenever they get the Axe? Thanks for mentioning that. I did mention that Elway was denied a bowl, but thanks for the extra info. It just adds more description to the chaos. ---
**Author:** ![survinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/25 "2019-11-10T12:56:24Z")
> [@racepug](#): > > If I remember correctly the next year members of the Stanford band wore helmets to that game. During The Play, they were wearing those white hard hats to protect against fruit being thrown at them. Check out this angle. This is a picture apparently taken from the stands during the climax of the play. Can you imagine a live football play that is about to collide with this mass of humanity? If you look closely, it appears the ball is in mid-air from being lateraled during this picture. > **[The Play](http://www.theplaymovie.com/)** There was a movie made about The Play a few years ago, which is from the link above. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/26 "2019-11-10T13:25:08Z")
One thing I’ve never understood: Everyone says that the Stanford band hurt their team, by “acting as extra blockers”, i.e., they were interfering with the Stanford athletes’ movements. But wouldn’t they have been interfering with _both_ teams’ movements? How can we be sure that their presence wasn’t, on net, a benefit to their team? ---
**Author:** ![survinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/27 "2019-11-10T14:12:25Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > One thing I’ve never understood: Everyone says that the Stanford band hurt their team, by “acting as extra blockers”, i.e., they were interfering with the Stanford athletes’ movements. > > But wouldn’t they have been interfering with _both_ teams’ movements? How can we be sure that their presence wasn’t, on net, a benefit to their team? Well, let’s start with this. Cal scored a touchdown. That doesn’t prove that the Band acted as blockers by itself. But it’s evidence to that effect. And if you look at the third link I provided in the original post, here’s a quote from Stanford player Mike Noble, the guy who probably could’ve tackled Moen at the 10 yardline… “The only player with a reasonably unobstructed view of the proceedings was Noble, running in futile pursuit of Moen through his own school band. “I didn’t know what was going on,” says Noble. “At one point I may have had a shot at him, but it was a madhouse out there. Once I hit the band I slowed down. I didn’t know where the end zone was, but I figured the band must be in it.”” To me, that’s an admission that Noble stopped because of the band. Their presence ended his pursuit…unwitting blockers… ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/28 "2019-11-10T16:47:10Z")
Definitely related to The Play is the following question. Suppose a player running full tilt at his 40 yard line tosses the ball to a teammate at the 39 also running full tilt. But with the forward momentum of the players and the ball the ball is caught when the receiver is at the 41. Is that a legitimate lateral pass? I have watched the play many times and, while I am not certain about this, I think some of those laterals were of that nature. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/29 "2019-11-10T17:46:17Z")
Dave Wyman is a former NFL linebacker (mostly for the Seahawks but he also played a couple of years with the Broncos). He’s currently a sports radio host in the Seattle area and also does radio analysis for Seahawks games. He was on that Stanford team for that game and maintains that “The Play” was still the worst moment in his football career and still stings. He also maintains a grudge against the Stanford band (though apparently that started before that game). ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/30 "2019-11-10T20:03:27Z")
> [@survinga](#): > > I did mention that Elway was denied a bowl, but thanks for the extra info. It just adds more description to the chaos. Also note that, two years earlier, there was a Peach Bowl representative at the game, and Stanford was considered pretty much a lock for it if it beat Cal - and it had first and goal late in the game (and needed a touchdown), but got stuffed; Elway was a much better long passer at the time. > [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > Definitely related to The Play is the following question. Suppose a player running full tilt at his 40 yard line tosses the ball to a teammate at the 39 also running full tilt. But with the forward momentum of the players and the ball the ball is caught when the receiver is at the 41. Is that a legitimate lateral pass? I have watched the play many times and, while I am not certain about this, I think some of those laterals were of that nature. If the ball went forward, then it’s a forward pass, regardless of where (a) the thrower aimed it, or (b) the receiver was located when the ball was released. What some people forget is, in college, the game cannot end on a penalty against the offense, so if an illegal forward pass would have been called, Stanford would have accepted it (otherwise, the touchdown counts, and Cal wins), and Cal would get one more play - and if it was close enough, could kick a field goal to win 22-20. ---
**Author:** ![sps49sd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@sps49sd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sps49sd)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/31 "2019-11-10T21:17:56Z")
I can’t disagree with OP, but I’m putting up the [Kick 6](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GKmkD1pUG0)Alabama vs Auburn game. ---
**Author:** ![survinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/32 "2019-11-10T21:39:04Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > What some people forget is, in college, the game cannot end on a penalty against the offense, so if an illegal forward pass would have been called, Stanford would have accepted it (otherwise, the touchdown counts, and Cal wins), and Cal would get one more play - and if it was close enough, could kick a field goal to win 22-20. If you go to my 2nd link in the original post, you can see at least one Cal player step onto the field during the play - something I had read but had never noticed until today. It seems that when Garner was corraled, players on the sidelines from both teams thought the play was over. Stanford also has a player laying on the field, who came on illegally around their own 35, plus their band. Perhaps the textbook correct call would’ve been offsetting penalties on both teams for illegal participation, and therefore, a rekick? ---
**Author:** ![survinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/33 "2019-11-10T21:52:40Z")
> [@sps49sd](#): > > I can’t disagree with OP, but I’m putting up the [Kick 6](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GKmkD1pUG0)Alabama vs Auburn game. It deserves discussion. I think the Kick Six had a bigger national impact obviously. And it was a unique ending when it occurred (not the first ever kick six, but maybe the first ever game-ending walk-off kick six). I think the thing that makes The Play my choice is the overall chaos during the play and after the play. To me, it’s not something that can ever be repeated. Lateral plays have occurred since and will occur again - although this might have been the first. ---
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/34 "2019-11-11T01:48:21Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > And Mark Harmon goes on to brutally murder some 30 young women in a TV movie. Different Mark Harmon. That Mark Harmon was QB for UCLA. This Mark Harmon was kicker for Cal (Berkley). And that Mark Harmon played in the 70’s. ---
**Author:** ![survinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/35 "2019-11-11T13:21:15Z")
> [@Hoopy\_Frood](#): > > Different Mark Harmon. That Mark Harmon was QB for UCLA. This Mark Harmon was kicker for Cal (Berkley). And that Mark Harmon played in the 70’s. Yes, different Mark Harmon…Stanford Kicker. Not Cal kicker, and not UCLA QB. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/36 "2019-11-11T15:02:04Z")
As a Michigan State alum, I have to go with the [2015 game-ending punt fumble by Michigan.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqv48MwEbaQ) That one had it all, last play of the game, big rivalry, improbable miscue and scoring a TD as time expires. ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/37 "2019-11-11T16:01:34Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > As a Michigan State alum, I have to go with the [2015 game-ending punt fumble by Michigan.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqv48MwEbaQ) That one had it all, last play of the game, big rivalry, improbable miscue and scoring a TD as time expires. OmG - that was fantastic. Any time I see that highlight on T.V. I have to play it over and over. ---
**Author:** ![survinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/38 "2019-11-11T16:16:27Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > As a Michigan State alum, I have to go with the [2015 game-ending punt fumble by Michigan.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqv48MwEbaQ) That one had it all, last play of the game, big rivalry, improbable miscue and scoring a TD as time expires. That was an amazing play. Not only did he fumble the snap, but then he threw it right to an MSU guy. Simply amazing way to finish a game. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/39 "2019-11-11T17:06:21Z")
> [@survinga](#): > > 1. Ford gets trapped by Stanford players at around the 25, including Harmon, and gives himself up. He dives into the Stanford defenders and simultaneously does a completely blind lateral that actually ricochets off a Stanford helmet. The ball appears to go forward, but that’s only because it bounced off a helmet. This is the second controversy, as Stanford thinks is a forward lateral. It’s likely not, as the ricochet takes care of that. I’m not buying that. The ball appears to travel unimpeded from the 27-yard-line to the 25-yard-line. It was an illegal forward pass. > [@That Don Guy](#): > > What some people forget is, in college, the game cannot end on a penalty against the offense . . . That rule makes an exception, however, for penalties against the offense that entail loss of down. Illegal forward pass is one such penalty. For weird plays, I’ve always been a fan of the [Flea Kicker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flea_Kicker), just for the random accidental weirdness of it. And the fact that when you first see it at live speed, you have no idea what happened. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201/40 "2019-11-11T17:38:58Z")
Guys…its the announcing that makes it the greatest play ever. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cal-stanfords-the-play-the-greatest-play-in-college-football-history/843201.md?page=3)