# Your favorite play in football **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 10, 2008, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879 "2008-09-10T01:08:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![T\_SQUARE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@T\_SQUARE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T_SQUARE)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/21 "2008-09-10T07:55:35Z")
I’d like to see more fake spikes at the end of the game, or her cousin, the fake kneel at the end of the first half. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/22 "2008-09-10T08:15:57Z")
[Boise State’s Statue of Liberty](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4s8vdzYwFU) won one of the greatest games in college football history. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mazinger\_z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@mazinger\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazinger_z)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/23 "2008-09-10T15:24:15Z")
Aaaahhh, yes, the old “Annexation of Puerto Rico” is a brilliant play. The Statue of Liberty is good, if it actually gets off. One that’s great, that happens more often than it should is already previously mentioned: the flea flicker. But, the one that I really like, but isn’t seen too often is the WR reverse (or is the end around?), or even better, the double WR reverse (I think I’ve seen that once in recent memory) or slightly different flair, the HB option End Around (but you’ll probably only see this in HS football). ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/24 "2008-09-10T15:33:55Z")
> [@Ace309](#): > > Can I get some fake field goal love here? I’m with you. Who doesn’t love the rush when you realize they’re going for it? "Oh, man, they’re going for the touchdown _they’regoingforthetouchdownrunrunrunruuuuuuuuuuun!_ My very favorite, though, has gotta be a Hail Mary. Watching the ball hang, all the air sucked out of the room… ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/25 "2008-09-10T21:18:19Z")
> [@5-HT](#): > > For some reason I’m a big fan of quick slant routes. > > As a Michigan fan though, nothing beats the play that has been the bread and butter of UM redzone offense for years(probably not anymore though): Fade route to the corner of the endzone with your tallest, most athletic receiver. I think either Desmond Howard or David Terrell did it best, with honorable mention to Braylon. That’s because Braylon never really needed to use the fade. Instead of “Dive to the endzone, and the ball will meet you there”, they went to the simpler “throw it where Braylon is standing, cause he’ll get it anyway” I honestly think most of the issues in Henne’s soph year were caused by Braylon being too good in his freshman year, and he never practised how you usually have to throw a college pass. ---
**Author:** ![TheBoltEater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@TheBoltEater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBoltEater)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/26 "2008-09-10T21:21:14Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > If we’re talking about plays that actually happened rather than a play design, [THIS](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3a4sgJoC7E&feature=related). As a Chargers fan, I was sorry to see that streak end. The Bucs had never scored on a kickoff return, while the Chargers’ Paul Lowe returned the opening kickoff for a TD in the first game the Chargers ever played. Made for a neat little trivia question. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/27 "2008-09-10T21:51:14Z")
> [@Ace309](#): > > Can I get some fake field goal love here? I’m a big fan. My favourite fake field goal play started as a direct snap to the kicker. He started running right and the opposition converged on him. The kicker threw a shovel pass to the holder, who was actually the team’s punter, who ran it to the 2. My least favourite part of the play? They got a penalty for ineligible receiver. That’s right, the coach drew up a fake play and nobody noticed that it was designed to throw to an ineligible receiver. :smack: And they call the CFL a professional league… ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/28 "2008-09-10T22:26:02Z")
What backyard teenager football game would be complete without the fleaflicker? They usually put that amateur crap away in the pros that’s why it’s so great when they do it and it works, it makes you feel like you’re 15 again. ---
**Author:** ![Ol\_Gaffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Ol\_Gaffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ol_Gaffer)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/29 "2008-09-10T22:35:03Z")
A fumble recovery by a defensive lineman who then rumbles into the endzone for a TD. First, its just great watching those guys go. Second, I love how happy all of the other big uglys get when one of their own scores a TD. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/30 "2008-09-11T03:13:51Z")
I like sacks. Just as good are tackles for a loss on a running play. Best of all is tackling the QB before he is able to hand off on a running play. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/31 "2008-09-11T03:25:10Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > I like sacks. Just as good are tackles for a loss on a running play. Best of all is tackling the QB before he is able to hand off on a running play. I wish they’d eliminate the sack as an official statistic. A tackle for loss should be a tackle for loss, period. ---
**Author:** ![Dosipede](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dosipede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dosipede)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/32 "2008-09-11T04:44:48Z")
The halfback pass. Especially when you have a bruiser in there that takes half a team to bring down. Give it to him, the DBs bite, and nobody’s within 20 yards of the receiver when it settles into his hands. Also, I love it when they put a defensive lineman in as a goal line tailback. You know somebody’s losing a few teeth when that guy lurches out and lines up behind the fullback. That’s good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![5-HT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/f19dbf/32.png) [@5-HT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5-HT)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/33 "2008-09-11T20:52:56Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > That’s because Braylon never really needed to use the fade. Instead of “Dive to the endzone, and the ball will meet you there”, they went to the simpler “throw it where Braylon is standing, cause he’ll get it anyway” > > I honestly think most of the issues in Henne’s soph year were caused by Braylon being too good in his freshman year, and he never practised how you usually have to throw a college pass. true enough. Another lloyd carr specialty that I always loved was not a single play but a whole set-up. Carr would send a wide-out around end 4 or 5 times a game for no apparent reason. It might seem like a waste to take a receiver out of the play like that, but when he actually ran the end around later in the game for a big gain, it didn’t seem so stupid anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Rapier42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/90db22/32.png) [@Rapier42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rapier42)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/34 "2008-09-11T21:34:00Z")
> [@pepperlandgirl](#): > > Wow. That was pretty cool. > > I love the fake FGs, the Statue of Liberty (I’ve only ever seen it work once but I was impressed!), and, much less showy, I just enjoy watching play-action passes. Here’s one: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSk91GLrLsw](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSk91GLrLsw) Which set up this: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcHa4MzCICc](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcHa4MzCICc) ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/35 "2008-09-11T23:23:03Z")
A beutiful executed play action. When the QB fakes the handoff so well that the cameraman is fooled along with pretty much everybody else. Then the pass to a wide open strekaing reciever. When done well it is as much art as it is athletics. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/36 "2008-09-12T00:23:51Z")
I like the Emory and Henry, named after a Virginia college that first used it. Steve Spurrier used it when he was coaching Florida. The center and guards would be together just like in a normal play, but the offensive tackles and tight ends would be way near each sideline, and the wide receivers behind the tackles and tight ends. Here is a picture from a video game: [http://www.sportsgamer.com/forums/past-gen-ncaa-football-discussion/55689-spurriers-emory-henry-offense.html](http://www.sportsgamer.com/forums/past-gen-ncaa-football-discussion/55689-spurriers-emory-henry-offense.html) It would usually confuse the defense enough to get a few yards in a short-yardage situation. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/37 "2008-09-12T16:18:47Z")
[This one.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b-TxkrEWAg) It requires a fake by the RB, QB, & WR. This link illustrates all three, though it was executed so well that there is really no good footage of David Greene (QB) playing his part. Richt still tries to run this one once or twice a year. It almost always goes for huge yardage or a TD. **Gangster Octopus** , this one is for you. It doesn’t get any better. ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/38 "2008-09-12T16:23:00Z")
> [@Ol\_Gaffer](#): > > A fumble recovery by a defensive lineman who then rumbles into the endzone for a TD. > > First, its just great watching those guys go. Second, I love how happy all of the other big uglys get when one of their own scores a TD. “I love seeing a fat guy score, because then you get to see a fat guy dance.” John Madden, _The Replacements_ ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/39 "2008-09-12T16:47:22Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > [This one.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b-TxkrEWAg) > > It requires a fake by the RB, QB, & WR. This link illustrates all three, though it was executed so well that there is really no good footage of David Greene (QB) playing his part. > > Richt still tries to run this one once or twice a year. It almost always goes for huge yardage or a TD. > > **Gangster Octopus** , this one is for you. It doesn’t get any better. Beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879/40 "2008-09-12T19:16:39Z")
I couldn’t find a good video link, but Toledo ran the best fake field goal I’ve ever seen in their 2001 upset win over Marshall in the 2001 MAC championship game. Toledo’s coach Tom Amstutz has dubbed the play, “Nerd up the middle.” While Toledo’s lineman deflected the charging Marshall players off to each side the Toledo kicker, Todd France (who had a really high GPA if I recall correctly), took the ball and went straight up the middle. There was a huge whole and France went 16 yards for a crucial TD. [Game story here](http://cgi1.usatoday.com/sports/scores101/101334/101334340.htm) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-play-in-football/462879.md?page=3)