The Villanova Wildcats were in desperate straits at home, down 27-13 with just 3:15 left in their CAA rivalry game with the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens, nicknamed The Battle of the Blue.
But they were on the one-yard line, and just needed to punch it in to cut the deficit in half and ohmygod what???
That’s quarterback Daniel Smith “passing” to Charlie Gilroy while about to be sacked, but it goes in the scorebook as a one-yard touchdown pass. It was Gilroy’s only reception of the contest, and of all the lucky bounces you’ll see in a football game this is about the luckiest. And before you ask: No this wasn’t a desperation heave by Smith, as it was only third down. We double-checked the play-by-play here, and we’re sure the score bug is correct.
The Fightin’ Blue Hens did hang on for the 27-20 victory, and are 5-0 on their way back to the FCS Playoffs. The ‘Cats fall to 2-2 on the season, but they did lock up one of the most memorable plays of 2021 in college football.
