Top 7 Plays in Baylor Football History
From that Heisman moment to the McPlay, we look at and rank the seven most iconic, important and winning plays in Baylor football history
Even watching live, the players seemed to be moving in slow motion. The celebratory reaction for fans and players alike took a moment to register.
Jairon McVea had just stopped Oklahoma Stateβs Dezmon Jackson inches short of the pylon on fourth and goal with 24 seconds remaining in the Big 12 title game with the Bears up five.
The play was more impressive than just a goal line stand; it was a championship saving; playoff-hope dashing; and iconic winning time play that will live in not only Baylor folk lore, but also be forever ingrained in the rich tapestry of college football.
The NIL deals poured in for the former walk-on, and the debate quickly raged on if this was the best play in Baylor football history.
We combed through the Bearsβ history and ranked the top seven plays of all time. We used the following five requirements:
How important was the game - what was at stake?
Is the standalone play iconic?
Did the play win the game?
What was the playβs everlasting impact?
Where does it stand in terms of CFB history?
#7 Texas Overtime Two-Step (October 2004)
The Play
Shawn Bell threw two perfect passes in overtime to Dominique Zeigler for a TD and then game-winning two-point conversion to beat the Aggies.
How important was the game - what was at stake?
All that was at stake here for 2-5 Baylor was bragging rights against No. 16 Texas A&M who was 6-1, but still had not played the Big 12 big boys and would finish 7-5.
Is the standalone play iconic?
It is certainly iconic in Baylor history. On consecutive plays in overtime, quarterback Bell rolled to his right and found receiver Zeigler just across the goal line to beat the Aggies in the Battle of the Brazos.
Did the play win the game?
Yes. Two-point conversion in overtime; it does not get much more finite than that.
What was the playβs everlasting impact?
It is just a nice chapter in the Baylor-A&M rivalry series.
Where does it stand in terms of CFB history?
Not really at all.
#6 Miracle on the Brazos, Punt Block (November 1974)
The Play
With Baylor trailing 24-7 to start the second half to six-time defending SWC champ and No. 12 Texas, Johnny Greene blocked a punt to begin the Baylor comebackβthe Miracle on the Brazos.
How important was the game - what was at stake?
The Bears were playing SWC rival Texas in a game that would ultimately decide who won the conference that year. Baylor was 4-3 entering the game while the Longhorns were 6-2.
The Bears trailed at half 24-7, but used 27 unanswered points in the second half to comeback and win what was coined the Miracle on the Brazos. The run was spearheaded by a blocked punt right after halftime.
Is the standalone play iconic?
Unfortunately, this game predates much readily available video and social media and therefore we do not have an iconic image of this play that immediately stands out. But in Baylor history, the Greene punt block is something that fans adore.
Did the play win the game?
It was still too early to even come close to wining the game, but it gave the Bears a short field at the Texas 17-yard line and they quickly cut the lead to 10.
What was the playβs everlasting impact?
Texas was ranked 12th in the nation; Baylor had not beaten the Longhorns since 1956, which was right before Texas coach Darrell Royal got to the 40 acres. Texas had won the SWC six years in a row. The upset gave Baylor their first conference title and really cemented third year coach Grant Teaffβs place in Waco.
Where does it stand in terms of CFB history?
It does not stand too tall in the grand scheme of CFB history, but it is more than a footnote. Baylor won the SWC with an iconic comeback over powerhouse Texas that ensured Baylor would not be an easy out anymore.
#5 Miracle on the Brazos Part II, Shawn Oakman Punt Recovery (October 2014)
The Play
Up 31-24, TCU lined up to punt from their own 48-yard line with eight seconds before halftime. The ensuing snap went over the puntersβ head for a loss of 40 yards where Shawn Oakman recovered with a second remaining. A field goal on the next play made it 31-27.
How important was the game - what was at stake?
Though it was early October, both TCU and Baylor were ranked in the top 10 and squaring off in a rivalry game that would go a long way in deciding the Big 12. It would turn out, that it would also go a long way in deciding the CFP.
Is the standalone play iconic?
This play gets overlooked and forgotten, but it was a huge special teams play in order for Baylor to add a critical field goal right before halftime.
Did the play win the game?
No, but it gave Baylor some momentum heading into the locker room. Which, of course, they would lose quickly in the second half anyway. The play made it possible for Baylor to keep the game within reach and ultimately comeback from 21 down in the fourth quarter to win with a field goal as time expired.
What was the playβs everlasting impact?
Oakmanβs recovery was perhaps the first of several dominos to fall that created chaos in the first season of the CFP and revived a Big 12 championship game.
Where does it stand in terms of CFB history?
Every college football fan knows what 61-58 means. The Big 12 brought back their championship game three years later in order to add a thirteenth data point, arguments for more Playoff teams began immediately, and the CFP Committee would never be able to be trusted by the general public.
#4 Lache Seastrunk 80-Yard Pull Away vs No. 1 Kansas State (November 2012)
The Play
Running back Lache Seastrunk outraced the entire No. 1 Kansas State defense for an 80-yard, game-sealing touchdown to put Baylor up 52-24 with a minute left in the third quarter.
How important was the game - what was at stake?
The Wildcats were No. 1 in the BCS coming into Floyd Casey Stadium, had the Heisman Trophy favorite in QB Collin Klein and were hoping to win the Big 12 and play for a BCS championship.
Baylor was 4-5, needing to win two of their last three games to become bowl eligible.
Baylor forced Klein into only completing 27 of 50 passes and three interceptions and stuffed him on a goal line stand late in the game to destroy the Wildcats
Is the standalone play iconic?
Yes. To see Seastrunk make a man miss and then pull away from five defenders from a birds eye view on a center cut run right up the gut is super cool. Just pure speed as he was nearly caught, but then said βnot so fast my friends.β
Did the play win the game?
No, and thatβ along with the Bears being a sub-five hundred teamβ is what holds this play back. The Bears were up 45-24 at the time with a minute left in the third quarter. In that era of the Big 12, crazier things have happened, but it certainly seemed to seal the deal.
What was the playβs everlasting impact?
Basically this will live on in highlight videos everywhere. Kansas State still won the Big 12, however, their national championship and Heisman hopes were dashed. On the other side, this propelled the Bears to a four-game winning streak to end the season and a foundation to win the Big 12 next year.
Where does it stand in terms of CFB history?
The loss probably put another kink in the BCS armor to pave the way for a Playoff, but truly it was just another historic CFB upset.
#3 The Wright Pass (September 2011)
The Play
On third and 10 and down one in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, Coach Art Briles dialed up a double pass from Robert Griffin III to Kendall Wright back to RGIII to get a first down and keep the game winning drive alive.
How important was the game - what was at stake?
On Friday night of CFBβs opening weekend, No. 14 TCUβthe defending Rose Bowl champsβ and Baylor owned all the eyeballs on ESPN. Playing at home, it was an opportunity for the Bears to make a statement and get off to a fast start.
Nobody would ever forget the name RGIII after that.
Is the standalone play iconic?
Pretty much. On the ultimate game-winning drive, facing third and 10 deep in their own territory, Baylor calls a trick play: Griffin to Wright back to Griffin for a 15 yard first down.
It gave the spark the Bears needed after going into hibernation for much of the second half.
Did the play win the game?
No, but without it who knows if Baylor was able to get going without it.
What was the playβs everlasting impact?
It kicked off Baylorβs first 10-win campaign in decades and put RGIIIβs name in the thick of the Heisman race.
Where does it stand in terms of CFB history?
That was the first night that really first turned Baylorβs fortunes around.
#2 The Heisman (November 2011)
The Play
No timeouts for Baylor, and RGIII rolled out and launched a 34-yard TD pass to Terrance Williams in the back of the end zone to take a 45-38 lead over Oklahoma with eight seconds to play.
How important was the game - what was at stake?
The No. 5 Sooners was vying to make the BCS title game with one loss and chaos in Stillwater on Friday night. No. 22 Baylor was looking for their first victory ever over Oklahoma, and an opportunity to finish a special season.
Is the standalone play iconic?
You tell meβitβs easiest the single most iconic Heisman winning moment since Desmond Howardβs punt return.
Did the play win the game?
The touchdown pass to Terrance Williams broke a 38 all tie with eight seconds left. It gave Baylor their first win over Oklahoma. Ever.
What was the playβs everlasting impact?
The play not only won RGIII and Baylor the Heisman trophy, but kicked off a major fundraising campaign to build the $266 million dollar McLane Stadium.
Where does it stand in terms of CFB history?
That play probably ranks in the top 10 or 15 CFB plays this century. Enough said.
#1 The McPlay (December 2021)
The Play
On fourth and goal, Oklahoma State had one last opportunity to score a game winning touchdown with under 30 seconds to play. Instead Baylor stopped the Cowboys short of the goal line on final time to win the Big 12 championship.
How important was the game - what was at stake?
Everything. The game was for the Big 12 title and, for No. 5 Oklahoma State, a shot at the Playoff. The only way there could have been more at stake was if No. 9 Baylor had only one loss instead of two and the winner could have been guaranteed a Playoff berth.
Is the standalone play iconic?
The last goal line stand had that old school, 1980s college football feel including that final play. A one on one, mano y mano, contest on the final play that was literally was defined by inches with seconds left on fourth and goal is just about the best ending you could ask for in a championship game.
Did the play win the game?
An emphatic, resounding yes.
What was the playβs everlasting impact?
In the new age of NIL, McVea has been able to profit off this play in the short term while the long termβlike signing Coach Dave Aranda to a long term dealβ still remains to be seen.
Where does it stand in terms of CFB history?
Again, this remains to be seen however it has provided more evidence for Playoff expansion.
A decade apart and the two most iconic plays in not only Baylor, but college football history are separated by a razor thin marginβa Big 12 championship.
Honorable Mention
RGIII step back vs Northwestern State (2009)
RGIII tip pass to Wright (2011)
Seastrunk hammie (2012)
Charlie Brewer game-winning TD to Denzel Mims (2018)
Seth Russell hurdle vs Texas (2016)
Bryce Petty TD flip vs UCF (2014)
LaQuan McGowen Cotton Bowl TD (2015)
Terrance Ganaway Alamo Bowl TD with RGIII block (2011)
Taylor Young sack on Baker Mayfield (2017)
Wrightβs two fourth down TDs vs Kansas State (2011)