24 Incredible Plays From The ’25 College Football Season To Scratch That Itch Before Kickoff

Summer is quickly coming to a close as we get ready to enter the best season of the year. That means one thing for sports fans across the country – College football is finally back.

We’re less than a month out from the 2026 season. Rosters are set. Players are practicing. Optimism is high.

There truly is no better feeling than waking up on a crisp October morning, brewing a fresh pot of Joe, and flipping on your favorite pregame show in preparation for an hours-long Saturday binge.

With that being said, the next few weeks could feel like ages for those counting down the days to kickoff. Fans must wait a bit longer for gameday. Practice clips can only go so far. Viewers need to watch some meaningful competition.

We’re here to scratch that itch.

24 Best Plays From The 2025 College Football Season.

To help you pass the time this offseason, we’ve looked back on 24 of the top plays from the ’25 college football season. These moments will remind you of what we’ve been missing over the last seven months.

Plays vary from regular season competition to the College Football Playoff. I’ve rummaged through highlights and memory to gather what I believe were the best efforts of the year.

These moments all had incredible impacts on either game outcome or season trajectory. Some teams are mentioned on multiple occasions as a result of superb performance.

I will admit that I was not up to the task of ranking the plays, though I will reveal my personal No. 1 at the end of the list. And be sure to let me know what I missed in the comments section below.

Now, for your viewing pleasure, let’s begin.

CJ Daniels defies physics

This play happened relatively early in a contest between Miami and Notre Dame, but it had a lasting impact. As the final seconds ticked away in the first half, Carson Beck threw a strike to CJ Daniels for a one-handed touchdown.

The play put the Hurricanes up 14-7 in a game they’d win, 27-24. The final result would be the difference between Miami making the College Football Playoff over the Irish.

Texas A&M wins on 4th down

The Irish appear for a second time on the list, both with negative outcomes. No one had a more heartbreaking start to the college football season.

A touchdown and botched extra point gave Notre Dame a 40-34 lead late in the home opener. They’d then watch Texas A&M drive the field to take the go-ahead score on fourth down with 13 seconds left.

Jadarian Price goes the distance

Notre Dame avoided a third loss in the 2025 college football season thanks to an incredible play from return man Jadarian Price. A 100-yard touchdown flipped the momentum against USC.

Trailing 24-21 late in the third quarter, Price took a kick to the house to give his team the lead. The Irish used that momentum to shut the Trojans out the rest of the way. The result kept Notre Dame’s playoff hopes alive while ending USC’s national championship pursuit.

Jeremiah Smith’s one-handed grab

Ohio State led Penn State handily in their 2025 meeting, meaning this catch had little impact on the final outcome. That does not diminish how truly incredible the effort was.

Smith somehow tracked a tipped pass while fending off two defenders to nab the football out of midair for a score. On “Wow Factor” alone, it deserves a spot on this list.

Ryan Niblett’s Red River return

There are few series better than the Red River Rivalry. Each year, it seems at least one side is competing for a title. That was again the case in 2025.

Both Texas and Oklahoma had College Football Playoff ambitions. The Longhorns’ resume got a boost thanks to this Ryan Niblett return that put the game out of reach. Ironically, it would be the Sooners who grabbed the postseason bid. Still, this play gave Texas rivalry bragging rights.

Squirrel White terrorizes Alabama in a new uniform

White previously played for Tennessee where he racked up 17 catches for 139 yards across two games vs. Alabama. He terrorized the Tide again in his debut at Florida State.

On a crucial third down with his team trailing 7-0, White laid out for a long grab to set up a touchdown. The ‘Noles would win 31-17. They were back on top of the college football world, if not but for one week.

USF stuns Florida

Keshaun Singleton had the biggest play for the USF offense in an 18-16 upset of Florida in the Swamp. His 66-yard catch and run was the Bulls’ only touchdown.

That upset was one of the most shocking of the year, and it helped USF officially enter the College Football Playoff conversation. It was also the program’s first ever win over the Gators.

Stanford’s scoop and score

This play was incredible to witness in person. The scoop and score swung momentum in a rivalry game for the Stanford Cardinal. For those watching along on television, it was even more entertaining.

The play happened mid-interview with Andrew Luck. His reaction to the touchdown was priceless. Stanford would win, 31-10.

KC Concepcion tightropes the sidelines

LSU hung tight with Texas A&M in a late October matchup. They had eyes on an upset. KC Concepcion wouldn’t let it happen.

He turned a 21-18 advantage into a 10-point lead with a 79-yard punt return down the sidelines. His ability to stay inbounds allowed the Aggies to leave Death Valley with a win.

Alabama pick-six

Back to the defensive side of the ball, Alabama’s pick six just before halftime against Tennessee was one of college football’s most electric plays. The Vols appeared to be closing a nine-point gap. The Tide flipped the script.

Zabien Brown stepped in front of a pass and took it 99 yards to the house. The momentum swing was massive in what ended up a 37-20 Alabama victory.

Cam Coleman uses one hand

With a man draped on his shoulders, Coleman somehow maneuvered his body to free up his right arm. He then used that mitt to pull in a touchdown pass against Arkansas.

Pass interference might’ve been warranted but went uncalled. It didn’t matter. Auburn would capitalize on the early score in a 33-24 win.

Bear Bachmeier will not be denied

Late in the fourth quarter of a 17-14 game, BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier ran roughshod through the Utah defense for a decisive touchdown.

Bachmeier ran over, through, and around the Utes for a 22-yard score. It put his team up by 10 in the Holy War to help the Cougars secure a Big 12 Championship invite.

Sam Leavitt’s jump pass

Arizona State played Texas State in non-conference action early in the season. There would be little drama in a 34-15 win. There were some incredible plays, though.

The best came in the second quarter for the Sun Devils. Starting quarterback Sam Leavitt evaded pressure, leapt up, and found Jordan Tyson a touchdown.

South Carolina’s do-over

The Gamecocks entered the year with tons of hype. I fully expected this to be a playoff team after watching Vicari Swain take this punt back to the house. That, of course, wouldn’t happen but it doesn’t make this return any less exciting.

South Carolina had already fielded a punt on the play prior, which went for a short return. A penalty flag was thrown, giving the Gamecocks a re-do. Swain swung the momentum in what had been a close contest.

Pitt denies Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech entered this late November matchup at 9-1 with College Football Playoff hopes. National title pursuits would end with a dejecting loss to an ACC rival.

A 100-yard pick-six turned this game on its head. The Yellow Jackets were driving to make it a seven-point game. Instead, the touchdown went the other way to put Pitt up three scores.

Gunner Stockton’s clutch 4th down

Georgia trailed by eight with less than three minutes left to play vs. Tennessee. On a crucial 4th-and-6, Gunner Stockton found a receiver on a fade pass.

The touchdown helped send the game into overtime, where the Bulldogs would win. It was UGA’s first SEC victory on their run to the conference championship.

Alabama survives in Auburn

Another clutch fourth down pass in an SEC rivalry game, Alabama’s Ty Simpson booked the Crimson Tide’s College Football Playoff ticket with a touchdown throw in a tie game.

On 4th-and-2, Simpson found Isaiah Horton for a third score. It gave Alabama a lift in a 27-20 win.

Indiana intercepts Oregon

Oregon and Indiana faced off in the College Football Playoff for their second meeting of the year. The Hoosiers won the first, 30-20. This one wouldn’t be as close.

Things started as poorly as possible for the Ducks with a pick-six on the first play. Indiana would go onto win 56-22 in route to a national title.

Miami’s playoff pick

Ohio State faced Miami in the College Football Playoff, falling into an early 7-0 deficit. They appeared on their way to tying up the score. The ‘Canes had other plans.

Keionte Scott stepped in front of a Julian Sayin pass and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown. The play helped Miami win and later advance to the national title game.

Texas A&M’s comeback

South Carolina jumped out to a 30-3 first half lead over eventual playoff participant Texas A&M. The Aggies stormed back with 28 unanswered points to win.

Ashton Bethel-Roman’s diving catch in the third quarter helped spark the comeback. He’d later set up another score with a 76-yard reception. The comeback was the largest in school history.

Miami beats Ole Miss

Carson Beck sent Miami to the national title game with a touchdown scamper vs. Ole Miss. It capped a wild final seven minutes of action that saw 24 points scored.

The game was back and forth with seven lead changes. Miami got the last score with less than 20 seconds left to book its ticket to the CFP Final.

Trinidad Chambliss works magic

Ole Miss trailed Georgia in the fourth quarter of this College Football Playoff matchup. Trinidad Chambliss somehow kept a third-down play alive with some incredible improvisation.

The quarterback retreated 25 yards to his endzone after feeling pressure. He then scrambled around and found his running back for a first down. The play resulted in just an eight-yard gain, but it would lead to a score in a 39-34 win.

Indiana’s toe touch

Indiana was staring down the barrel of an upset against Penn State, trailing 24-20 in the final minute of play. Fernando Mendoza would keep his undefeated season alive.

On 3rd-and-goal, he found Omar Cooper in the back of the endzone. Cooper made a leaping grab before tapping his toe to secure the catch.

Fernando Mendoza wins the national title

Fernando Mendoza would not be denied against Miami. During the fourth quarter of a three-point game he ran through the Hurricanes’ defense to put his team up 10 in the College Football Playoff title game.

The score would be Indiana’s last of the season. It provided the necessary boost to allow the Hoosiers win their first ever national championship.