By Darin 
In college football, the game isn’t over until the clock reads 0:00, but on November 9, 2002, the Kentucky Wildcats forgot that rule. Thousands of UK fans were already on the sideline, ready to tear down the goalposts to celebrate an upset over No. 16 LSU. The Wildcats’ coach, Guy Morriss, was already soaked from a premature Gatorade bath. They were celebrating a 30-27 victory that, thanks to one deflected prayer, never actually happened.
The scene in Lexington was one of pure pandemonium. With the Wildcats leading in the final seconds, the upset seemed complete. LSU had the ball on their own 15-yard line with only two seconds left, needing a miracle. Quarterback Marcus Randall dropped back and heaved the ball as far as he could. The pass, known as “Dash Right 93 Berlin,” wasn’t even intended to reach the end zone; it was a desperate launch.
LSU Hail Mary 2002 10 Nov 2002, Sun The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) Newspapers.com
As the ball descended 74 yards downfield, it fell into a crowd of players. A Kentucky defender, in perfect position to end the game, leaped and deflected the pass. This tip, however, proved disastrous. Instead of falling harmlessly to the ground, the ball ricocheted directly into the hands of LSU wide receiver Devery Henderson, who caught it in stride.
Henderson, finding himself suddenly open with a clear path to the end zone, sprinted past the stunned Kentucky defense and the fans who were already on the field. He crossed the goal line as time expired, completing the 74-yard touchdown. The premature celebration turned to disbelief as the scoreboard flipped to 33-30 in favor of LSU. The play was instantly dubbed the “Bluegrass Miracle,” forever etching this unbelievable finish into college football history.
Accolades and Accomplishments
- The Play: The “Bluegrass Miracle” won the 2003 ESPY Award for Best Play, beating out moments from all other sports.
- The Players: The play made legends of sophomore quarterback Marcus Randall and receiver Devery Henderson.
- The Team: This miraculous win kept LSU’s ranked 2002 season alive. The following year, Randall and Henderson were both key members of the 2003 LSU team that won the BCS National Championship.
- The Receiver: Devery Henderson went on to a successful 9-year NFL career, playing for the New Orleans Saints and winning Super Bowl XLIV.