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Most of the football world was watching the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Denver Broncos square off on Thursday night with Taylor Swift in attendance. But, they missed an incredible finish to the West Virginia-Houston game, as Houston won a walk-off Hail Mary.
That wasn’t the only late drama in the game, as it was probably the best finish of any college football game this year.
4-1 West Virginia found themselves down 35-24 midway through the fourth quarter. But, an impressive touchdown drive and two-point conversion cut the lead to 35-32. They forced a punt, which set up this dramatic touchdown on 4th and ballgame
WHEN THE GAME WAS ON THE LINE GARRETT GREENE FOUND HUDSON CLEMENT FOR THE TOUCHDOWN AND WVU LEADS 39-35! pic.twitter.com/VpLCEtmyYL
— James (@mountaineerjdub) October 13, 2023
Game over, right? Wrong. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty moved the kickoff back to the 20-yard-line, and Houston took it out to their own 40. A Quick out pattern got them out of bounds at around midfield. And then, Houston hit the best Hail Mary of the college football season so far. Take a look.
HOUSTON WINS IT ON A TIP DRILL HAIL MARY‼️ pic.twitter.com/4BQb0GR1FB
— ESPN (@espn) October 13, 2023
First off, what a great hookup between Donovan Smith and Stephon Johnson. But, Mountaineer secondary, what are you doing? Why are you trying to catch the ball! Knock the ball down! Just an absolutely crushing loss on what was going to be an excellent win to get to 5-1 and likely be ranked next week.
And, it’s a revenge win for former West Virginia coach Dana Holgerson. Holgerson was at West Virginia from 2011-2018 before leaving for Houston prior to the 2019 season. It was his first matchup against the Mountaineers.