The Hilltopper Play

In American football, the "Hilltopper Play" is an unofficial trick play similar to that of a fumblerooski. In the Hilltopper Play, the offense lines up in a perceived victory formation. The quarterback conceals a handoff to the back and runs right while the back sweeps left.
Uses
2016 Boca Raton Bowl
During the 2016 Boca Raton Bowl, the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers (WKU) lined up in an apparent victory formation with 45 seconds left in the 1st half. WKU's quarterback, Mike White, concealed a handoff to running back Anthony "Ace" Wales. White ran right, and Wales swept left for a 53-yard gain. Many would link the trick play to the as seen in the 1994 film The Little Giants. WKU defeated the Memphis Tigers 51-31.
Super Bowl LI
With 3 seconds left in the 4th quarter of , the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots were tied 28-28. Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady, hid a handoff to running back Dion Lewis. Brady ran right, and Lewis swept left for a 13-yard gain. However, Lewis sustained a hamstring injury at the end of the play and time expired: sending the game into overtime. The decision to run the trick play was criticized by some because the Patriots passed on a potential free kick opportunity that would have prevented overtime. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28.
In a post game interview with Chris Berman, Randy Moss, and Steve Young, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick addressed the trick play, stating: "We tried to run that ya know the fake...we call it the Hilltopper Play...the fake kneel-down...but they played it pretty good." Boston.com would connect Belichick's comment to the play in which the Hilltoppers ran in the 2016 Boca Raton Bowl.

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