The College Football Playoff has featured some of the most thrilling plays in the sport’s history, including some of the longest in postseason history. The 2024 edition has already produced two plays into the top 10 longest plays in College Football Playoff history. Let’s take a closer look at who else makes the list.
10) 76 Yards – Quentin Johnston, TCU
The TCU Horned Frogs’ semifinal victory over the Michigan Wolverines is considered one of the playoffs’ greatest upsets.
Quentin Johnston vs Michigan:
• 6 receptions
• 163 yards
• 1 TDAll the potential in the world🔥pic.twitter.com/FDbii8JTnY
— 🧙♂️ (@ChargersConvict) November 20, 2023
With the Frogs leading 41-38 and 13:20 remaining in the fourth quarter during a thrilling shootout, Quentin Johnston caught a pass behind the line of scrimmage. Uncovered, the TCU wide receiver evaded one defender before propelling himself into open space.
9) 77 Yards – Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
Michael Penix Jr. connected with Ja’Lynn Polk for a 77-yard explosive play in the 2023 Sugar Bowl.
In one of the game’s first plays, the Washington Huskies quarterback uncorked a beauty downfield to unleash Polk into space, where he spun around two Texas Longhorns defenders before being downed inside the five-yard line.
8) 77 Yards – Jaydon Blue, Texas
In 2024, Texas running back Jaydon Blue entered the top 10 longest plays in College Football Playoff history with an electrifying run against Clemson in the first round of the new 12-team format.
The Longhorns’ rusher accelerated through the line of scrimmage unfazed by grabbing hands before fighting through contact in the second level to sprint away from the Tigers’ secondary.
7) 79 Yards – Kelee Ringo, Georgia
Kelee Ringo’s 79-yard pick-six in the 2021 National Championship Game will go down as one of the top overall plays in Georgia Bulldogs program history. The standout cornerback intercepted Bryce Young with 1:09 left in the fourth quarter to secure Georgia’s first championship since 1980.
6) 80 Yards – Mecole Hardman, Georgia
Mecole Hardman caught an 80-yard touchdown from Jake Fromm in the 2018 National Championship Game.
The speedy wide receiver outran Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback Tony Brown on the far side of the field, breaking his tackle in the process to put the Dawgs up 19-7. Despite one of the longest plays in College Football Playoff history, Georgia lost 26-23 in overtime.
5) 81 Yards – Mike Sainristil, Michigan
The Wolverines made history by winning the 2024 national championship with a comprehensive victory over Washington, putting a bow on the Jim Harbaugh era.
Mike Sainristil picks off Michael Penix Jr. to go 81 yards. 👏
(🎥: @espn)pic.twitter.com/AWzgnESlD2
— theScore (@theScore) January 9, 2024
One of the most glorious plays of the day was from cornerback Mike Sainristil, who intercepted Huskies quarterback Penix in the fourth quarter and ran it 81 yards down the field to the eight-yard line, effectively closing the game with a little over three minutes remaining in the contest.
4) 85 Yards – Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
Ezekiel Elliott’s 85-yard touchdown in the Sugar Bowl sealed the Ohio State Buckeyes’ victory over the Crimson Tide. With Ohio State up 34-28 with 3:37 left on the clock in the fourth quarter, the legendary running back found a gap as the trenches collapsed and exploded into space with no defenders near him.
The play is seen as one of the most impressive runs in program history and one of the most memorable in the playoff era.
3) 86 Yards – Van Smith, Clemson
Van Smith’s 86-yard interception return ranks third in the longest plays in College Football Playoff history. The Clemson cornerback intercepted Ohio State QB JT Barrett on a 4th and 27 pass in the fourth quarter of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl.
Smith caught the interception in the end zone before dashing into space, weaving in and out of the opposition before hitting the ground in the opposing red zone.
2) 95 Yards – Kenyan Drake, Alabama
Kenyan Drake’s epic kickoff return in the 2016 National Championship Game is one of the most explosive plays of the playoff era.
The Crimson Tide playmaker fielded the ball on the five-yard line before making several Clemson special teamers miss. Drake found open space once over the halfway line and dived for the pylon to record the longest kickoff return in College Football Playoff history.
1) 98 Yards – Jeremiah Love, Notre Dame
Jeremiah Love set the record for the longest play in College Football Playoff history in 2024.
Everybody loves LOVE 🫶
On his 9️⃣8️⃣ yard touchdown run @JeremiyahLove eclipsed 1000 yards for the season 💚#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/Ya6XqNzD4e
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) December 22, 2024
In the Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s opening-round victory over the Indiana Hoosiers, the star running back sprinted for an incredible 98 yards, scoring a touchdown from his own two-yard line. The touchdown run was also the longest in school history and the longest run of the 2024 college football season.
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