A safety can be a big momentum turner, too. Stop a team in a goal line stand on the one, then get tackled in the end zone on the next play. Gives up two points, and often 7 more because you have to also kick it away from a short field.
I only remember a few instances of this, but when team A is about to score and the RB fumbles before crossing the goal line. Then team B picks up the fumble and runs it all the way back. Clemson vs WVA in maybe 2011? (Clemson fumbling.) That turned the game and WVA ended scoring 70 that day. Throwing a pick 6 into the opponents endzone and a runback for 100+ yards is aclose 2nd. DW did this vs Auburn in 93. We went yards away from a 17-0 lead to a paltry 10-7 lead, and lost the game. Grr...
I'll give the same answer as before: Fast forward 2 years when Trask's pick in the red zone in the game against LSU.
It was still 27-13 at half. We never should have lost that game. Refs got in it as they usually do up in Auburn.
There is no bigger momentum play than when a defense ends the game on a great defensive play and throws a shoe. 100% of those games Ive seen in my life all end with a loss after a sure victory.
I've thought about this a little more. The team that throws an opponent's shoe after a big stop loses 100 percent of the time.
I could have swore you were going to say something like "when the guy with the short arms blocks a kick, stiff arms a defender or.. makes a Ricky Pearsal catch but arms half the length."
Punt or FG block. So demoralizing knowing that you couldn’t achieve your goal of either a 1st down or TD so you’re gonna settle for this “easy play and regroup…..but then it get blocked. You’re getting beat with a stick twice in one play.
The best was the fake to Fields. I said watch this shit before they snapped the ball. If it crossed my mind…..
Third and Grantham is not a specific play (nor is our trick play that never works). Third and Grantham was exactly what you described and predictable...giving up a long score on 3rd and long. To that point it created the phrase "third and Grantham".