Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Nov. 23, 2024.

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.

On Nov. 23, 1984, Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie completed one of the most famous passes in college football history, connecting with Gerald Phelan for a 48-yard touchdown with no time left on the clock as Boston College defeated the Miami Hurricanes 47-45.

The “Hail Flutie” pass play, 40 years old today, remains what most game-winning heaves are measured against.

The play also generated a phenomenon, the Flutie effect or Flutie factor, which is the increase in fame of an American university caused by a successful sports team. The game-winning pass purportedly boosted applications to the college the following year.

Flutie is a uniq

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