Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks' last-second heave beat Tennessee Saturday in Gainesville, but was it a Hail Mary, typically a pass made in desperation with little chance of success? The Times' college football coveage team weighs in:
NO, BUT IT WAS A MIRACLE
Most of the UF-UT game was utter garbage, and as a college football fan raised on SEC games, that hurts to say. When it looked like the game was headed to overtime, I said they should flip a coin to decide the winner, spare the viewers more pain. Was it a textbook Hail Mary? Nope. But "Hail, yeah" plays better in headlines and on social media soooooo … let it slide.
— Traci Johnson, Assistant Sports Editor @TBHomeTeam
HAIL NO, IT WASN'T A DESPERATION TOSS
Over time, the Hail Mary has come to refer to a spiraled prayer, flung toward the end zone with random targets (but no specific one) waiting with outstretched arms in the end zone. Franks' throw was a deliberate pass to an intended receiver (Tyrie Cleveland) who got behind his coverage.
— Joey Knight, USF beat writer @TBTimes_Bulls
HAIL FELEIPE, THE ARM STRENGTH IS WITH THEE
Staubach to Pearson. That's a Hail Mary. (Dating myself, but for effect). Flutie to Phelan. That's a Hail Mary. (Again, with the dating). "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee…. :" That's a Hail Mary (or at least the start of one). Somewhere in the Gator playbook is that prayer of a play. This was not it, though McElwain should say one for his coaching brethren in Knoxville.
— Mike Sherman, Sports Editor, @mikesherman
PRAYER? YES. HAIL MARY? NO
A Hail Mary is a planned heave into the end zone, where multiple players await hoping the ball somehow bounces their way. That wasn't the plan here; UF wanted to set up a field goal, but Cleveland just happened to speed by his defender, and Franks just happened to see him and chuck the ball his way. It was miraculous and unbelievable, but not a Hail Mary.
— Matt Baker, College football writer @MBakerTBTimes
A PRAYER ANSWERED IS A PRAYER ANSWERED
Technically, it was not a Hail Mary, but in the spirit of the thing, it was a wing and a prayer. Thanks to Tennessee and bungling Butch Jones, a Florida season that was hanging by a thread suddenly had life. That is enough of a prayer. Mary, at the very least, was a spectator. I'm surprised she couldn't be seen on the side of the stadium after.
Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene
Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter
You’re all signed up!
Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.
Explore all your options— Martin Fennelly, Sports Columnist, @mjfennelly