Hail Flutie: Still amazing after 30 years

Miracles can happen on college gameday. 

The Nov. 23, 1984 game between Boston College and University of Miami produced one of the most incredible finishes in sports history, one that still gives college football fans chills 30 years later: the Hail Mary pass to end all Hail Mary passes, courtesy of Eagles quarterback Doug Flutie. 

The Hurricanes, then ranked No. 12, trailed 28-21 at the half. But they fought back against the No. 10 Eagles to steadily close the gap, eventually gaining a 45-41 lead thanks to Melvin Bratton's touchdown in the final minute of the game. 

The Eagles took over at their own 20-yard line with 28 seconds remaining and made three quick plays to advance the ball to the Hurricanes' 48-yard line. 

Flutie wasn't ready to pack it in yet. He called a Flood Tip play, requiring his receivers to sprint straight toward the end zone with two available for a tip from Gerard Phelan. 

With six seconds left on the clock, Flutie scrambled to his right, narrowly avoiding a sack. He made it to his own 37-yard line and threw the ball 63 yards, against 30 mph winds, into the arms of a waiting Phelan, flanked by a crowd of Miami defenders. 

Flutie won the Heisman Trophy that year, and the Flutie Effect drove up applications to Boston College.  

Watch the pass, which remains magical: