In college football, hard work and practice usually win games. But sometimes, the easiest way to beat a defense is just to fool them. That is why coaches love trick plays.

Coaches spend hours watching film to find tiny mistakes in how a team lines up. A good fake handoff, a surprise pass or a player acting like he isn’t part of the play can flip a game upside down in a second.

Some of these crazy calls led to famous touchdowns and huge wins. Others blew up completely, but people still talk about them anyway. The best trick plays all do the same thing, they get the defense to chase a ghost. By the time the other team figures out what is going on, the ball is already gone.

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From fake punts that went viral to wild calls against powerhouse teams like Alabama, college football has seen it all. Here are seven of the craziest trick plays in the history of the sport.

7. Ohio State’s double-reverse pass: Sugar Bowl (2015)

Posting one Ohio State highlight every day until Ohio State football is back: In 2014, with less than 30 seconds left in the 1st half, the Buckeyes enter the Redzone. Evan Spencer throws a jump ball to Michael Thomas in the endzone to take the lead 21-20. https://t.co/E82e2KUqi4

— Jon “JR” Rhoades (@jrs_rankings) April 29, 2023

Ohio State faced Alabama in the first College Football Playoff semifinal on Jan. 1, 2015. With 19 seconds left in the first half, the Buckeyes ran a double-reverse pass from the Alabama 13-yard line. Cardale Jones handed the ball to Jalin Marshall, who pitched it to Evan Spencer. The wide receiver then threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Michael Thomas. He kept a toe in bounds with 12 seconds remaining, cutting Alabama’s lead to 21-20.

Offensive coordinator Tom Herman wanted a red-zone play after two earlier drives had stalled. However, he realized Spencer was on the wrong hash for the play. The right-handed receiver had practiced it only from the left hash. Urban Meyer still decided to run it without using the team’s final timeout.

Ohio State won 42-35. Ezekiel Elliott rushed for a Sugar Bowl record 230 yards. The Buckeyes later beat Oregon 42-20 to win the first CFP national championship. Herman also believed explosive plays were crucial, recalling a study that linked winning the turnover and explosive-play battles to a 98 percent winning rate.

6. Arkansas State’s fainting goat: Miami (2014)

Paying homage to Arkansas State's fainting goat play as well. There's a lot going on – I wonder how much coffee the coaches had drank coming up with this one late at night. https://t.co/x8FdZ7o9q6

— David Stretch (@coachDStretch) June 5, 2021

Arkansas State tried one of the strangest fake punts against Miami on Sept. 13, 2014. Trailing 20-7 in the second quarter, the Red Wolves lined up to punt. At the snap, gunner Booker Mays suddenly collapsed as if he had fainted. The idea was to distract a defender while a teammate slipped downfield.

Special teams coordinator Luke Paschall came up with the idea. Head coach Blake Anderson liked it because Mays was covered up and could not legally go downfield. That made him a useful decoy. Mays even rehearsed the act throughout the week.

Unfortunately, punter Luke Ferguson’s pass was underthrown and intercepted by Raphael Kirby. Miami turned the possession into a touchdown and eventually won 41-20. Despite failing, the clip became an internet sensation. CBS Sports reported more than 10 million views in roughly 12 hours. Anderson still viewed such calls as lottery tickets worth keeping.

5. Nebraska’s Fumblerooski: Orange Bowl (1984)

#TrickPlayOfTheDay Fumblerooski from the Huskers against Miami https://t.co/0tdzPsS8y8

— Old Football Film (@FilmHistoric) September 30, 2020

Nebraska produced one of college football’s most unusual plays against Miami in the 1984 Orange Bowl. Quarterback Turner Gill took the snap and deliberately placed the football on the ground. The running backs then moved right, making it look like a sweep.

However, guard Dean Steinkuhler picked up the ball and ran 19 yards in the opposite direction for a touchdown. Miami’s defenders followed the backfield movement and completely missed the offensive lineman carrying the ball.

The play showed how effective misdirection could be when executed properly. Nebraska still lost 31-30, but the Fumblerooski became a famous part of the game. Its planned-fumble technique eventually led to a rules change. The NCAA banned the intentional planned fumble ahead of the 1993 season.

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4. Michigan State’s ‘Little Giants:’ Notre Dame (2010)

September 18, 2010: Michigan State with a fake FG 29-yard TD pass on a play called “Little Giants” to beat Notre Dame 34-31 in overtime in East Lansing. https://t.co/ACCJmhkhpK

— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) September 19, 2026

Michigan State faced fourth-and-14 in overtime against Notre Dame on Sept. 18, 2010. Trailing 31-28, the Spartans appeared ready to attempt a 46-yard field goal. Instead, holder Aaron Bates took the snap, stood up and threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to tight end Charlie Gantt.

Notre Dame’s defenders rushed toward the kicker, leaving Gantt room to slip away from his blocking position. Bates, who had played quarterback in high school, delivered the pass perfectly.

Head coach Mark Dantonio called the play “Little Giants.” He knew a missed field goal would likely end the game anyway. Rather than settle for a difficult kick, Michigan State took a chance on the fake. The decision worked, giving the Spartans a 34-31 win.

3. LSU’s blind over-the-head lateral: South Carolina (2007)

September 22nd, 2007: #2 LSU runs a fake field goal to perfection vs #12 South Carolina #GeauxTigers https://t.co/k4bNl8k2fp

— Back Then Football (@BackThenFB) September 22, 2026

LSU caught South Carolina completely off guard with a fake field goal on Sept. 22, 2007. Holder Matt Flynn received the snap and tossed the ball blindly over his head. Kicker Colt David caught it in stride and ran around the edge for a 15-yard touchdown.

Head coach Les Miles had spotted a weakness in South Carolina’s field goal block formation. The Gamecocks’ edge rushers were attacking the inside gaps to reach the kicker. Flynn’s backward toss bypassed them and gave David an open path around the perimeter.

LSU won 28-16, and the touchdown helped the Tigers move closer to their eventual 2007 BCS national championship. It was also a rare moment when a kicker became the main runner on a fake field goal.

2. Boise State’s Statue of Liberty: Fiesta Bowl (2007)

Throwback to Boise State “Statue of Liberty” play at the 2007 Fiesta Bowl 👀 https://t.co/4oKEF1w6vs

— Kalshi Football (@KalshiFB) December 31, 2024

Boise State produced one of the most famous trick plays in college football history against Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. Trailing 42-41 in overtime, the Broncos needed a two-point conversion to win. They turned to the Statue of Liberty play.

Quarterback Jared Zabransky faked a quick pass to the right. Meanwhile, he secretly handed the ball behind his back to running back Ian Johnson. Johnson ran toward the left side and reached the end zone untouched.

The play used Oklahoma’s aggressive defensive movement against it. The Sooners reacted to the passing fake and left the opposite side open. Boise State had also used a similar alignment earlier in the game, helping sell the deception.

Johnson finished with 101 rushing yards. His successful conversion gave Boise State a stunning 43-42 win. The play remains one of the most difficult and memorable gadget calls in college football.

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1. North Texas’ fake fair catch: Arkansas (2018)

September 15, 2018: North Texas scores a TD on a 90-yard fake fair catch punt return during a 44-17 win at Arkansas. pic.twitter.com/GI8dPVdxnV

— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) September 15, 2023

North Texas pulled off a remarkable punt return against Arkansas on Sept. 15, 2018. Returner Keegan Brewer caught the punt near his own 10-yard line and stood completely still. Arkansas’ coverage players slowed down, believing the play was effectively over. Brewer then took off along the sideline for a 90-yard touchdown.

The trick worked because the defenders expected the returner to signal for a fair catch. However, Brewer never gave the required signal. NCAA rules require a clear, one-arm waving motion above the head to indicate a fair catch. Standing still did not make the ball dead.

The touchdown gave North Texas a 14-0 lead. The Mean Green went on to win 44-17 against an SEC opponent. Brewer’s clever move exploited the defense’s own caution and turned an ordinary punt into a spectacular score.

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Source: Yahoo Sports