SN 140 Moments: No. 96 - Doug Flutie burns Miami with 48-yard Hail Mary

No. 10 Boston College faced No. 12 Miami on Nov. 23, 1984 – a Black Friday special on CBS that morphed into one of its most legendary shootouts between future NFL quarterbacks Bernie Kosar and Doug Flutie. Kosar threw for 447 yards and two TDs for Miami, which held a 45-41 lead with six seconds remaining. 

Flutie called "55 Flood Tip." The Boston College quarterback flushed right before stepping up into the pocket before over-throwing a pile of Miami and Boston College players. The ball landed into the arms of receiver Gerard Phelan, who was on the ground. 

That touched off a wild celebration from Flutie, who jumped into the arms of offensive lineman Steve Trapilo while the Eagles celebrated a 47-45 victory in the end zone. Flutie, who finished with 472 yards and three TDs,  won the 1984 Heisman Trophy. The "Hail Flutie" remains the standard for miraculous finishes in college football history.

MORE: Back to The Sporting News' 140 Greatest Sports Moments of All Time