'INSANE PLAY.' Last-second Hail Mary lateral lifts Harvard to win vs Colgate

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'INSANE PLAY.' Last-second Hail Mary lateral lifts Harvard to win vs Colgate

'INSANE PLAY.' Last-second Hail Mary lateral lifts Harvard to win vs Colgate

Zac Al-Khateeb, USA TODAY NETWORK · USA TODAY Sports

Sun, Oct 4, 2026 ·

2 min read

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College football's biggest moments, reactions and celebrations in Week 5

Week 5 of the college football season features marquee matchups, standout performances and memorable reactions from around the country.

See some of the biggest moments, celebrations and sideline scenes from Saturday's action across the college football landscape.

Above, Jacob Harris #89 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Camp Randall Stadium on October 03, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin.

(Zoe Davis, Getty Images)

The Northwestern Wildcats celebrate after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ryan Field on October 02, 2026 in Evanston, Illinois.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)

Byrum Brown #17 of the Auburn Tigers runs the ball during the first half of the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 03, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
(Johnnie Izquierdo, Getty Images)

Fans storm the field following the game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Michigan Wolverines at TCF Bank Stadium on October 03, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
(Tyler Clouse, Getty Images)

Kevin Jennings #7 of the SMU Mustangs celebrates a touchdown during the first half against the Boston College Eagles at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on October 03, 2026 in Dallas, Texas.
(Stacy Revere, Getty Images)

Gunner Stockton #14 of the Georgia Bulldogs scrambles during the fourth quarter against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Sanford Stadium on October 3, 2026 in Athens, Georgia.
(Todd Kirkland, Getty Images)

Dallas Wilson #6 of the Florida Gators celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on October 03, 2026 in Columbia, Missouri.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Getty Images)

Cornerback Brian Nelson II #7 of the NC State Wolfpack reacts after a play during the first half of the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Carter-Finley Stadium on October 03, 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
(Alex Halloway, Getty Images)

Jahkai Lang #52 of the SMU Mustangs reacts after bringing down Evan Dickens #23 of the Boston College Eagles during the second half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on October 03, 2026 in Dallas, Texas.
(Stacy Revere, Getty Images)

Mason McKenzie #10 of the Boston College Eagles celebrates a touchdown with DJ Williams Jr. #57 during the first half against the SMU Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on October 03, 2026 in Dallas, Texas.
(Stacy Revere, Getty Images)

Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes goes up the field in the first half against defensive back Zach Lutmer # 6 of the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on October 3, 2026 in Iowa City, Iowa.
(Matthew Holst, Getty Images)

Landon Roldan #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs catches a pass during the second quarter against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Sanford Stadium on October 3, 2026 in Athens, Georgia.
(Todd Kirkland, Getty Images)

Jordan Marshall (23) of the Michigan Wolverines runs the ball for a touchdown against the Minnesota Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium on October 03, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
(Tyler Clouse, Getty Images)

Wide receiver Cody Jackson #2 of the Iowa State Cyclones runs in the ball for a touchdown as cornerback Keyshawn Robinson #20 of the West Virginia Mountaineers pursues the play in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on October 3, 2026 in Ames, Iowa.
(David Purdy, Getty Images)

Jaden Greathouse #1 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates his touchdown with CJ Carr #13 and Guerby Lambert #76 during the first half of the game against North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Stadium on October 03, 2026 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
(Jaylynn Nash, Getty Images)

Darius Taylor #1 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers runs after a catch against the Michigan Wolverines at TCF Bank Stadium on October 03, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
(Tyler Clouse, Getty Images)

John Love #17 of the Virginia Tech Hokies kicks an extra point attempt in the first half during a game against the Pitt Panthers at Lane Stadium on October 2, 2026 in Blacksburg, Virginia.
(Ryan Hunt, Getty Images)

Josh Derry #5 of the UCF Knights scores a touchdown in the first half against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on October 03, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)

Tyrell Henry #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers is tackled by Tre Bell #3 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second quarter of the game at Camp Randall Stadium on October 03, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin.
(Zoe Davis, Getty Images)

Lotzeir Brooks #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide catches a pass against Tanner Johnson #28 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Davis Wade Stadium on October 03, 2026 in Starkville, Mississippi.
(Justin Ford, Getty Images)

College football teams have used Hail Marys to win games . They've used laterals, too.

But Harvard football on Saturday, Oct. 3, pulled a play from the Randy Moss playbook for a Hail Mary-lateral to eke out a win over Colgate to maintain their undefeated start to the season.

Trailing 17-14 at the Raiders ' 39-yard line, the Crimson actually lined up for a game-tying 47-yard field goal attempt, before a false start penalty moved them back five yards to the 44. That penalty ultimately forced the offense back onto the field with just enough time left for a desperation heave to the end zone.

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Quarterback Charlie Smith threw the Hail Mary from near midfield to tight end Teigan Pelletier, who caught the ball at the 5-yard line. However, Colgate defenders couldn't bring the 6-6, 230-pound tight end down, giving him just enough time to make a heads-up play and lateral the ball to receiver Nathan Bailey, who took the ball and raced for the corner of the end zone for the win.

Here's the play and radio call of the hail lateral:

That sequence occurred after Colgate had taken a 17-14 lead off a Jake Stearney 13-yard touchdown pass to Matt Fogler with 27 seconds remaining.

With the win, Harvard advanced to 3-0 on the season. Smith finished the game completing 31-of-45 passes for 360 yards and two touchdowns to one interception. Pelletier had four catches for 62 yards, while Bailey had 16 catches for 197 yards and two scores.

Here's a sampling of reactions to Harvard's game-winning play:

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'INSANE PLAY.' Last-second Hail Mary lateral lifts Harvard to win vs Colgate

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