Amazing lateral play gives Univ. of Virginia-Wise unlikely victory (video)

It’s the annual Southwest Virgina Bowl game between the Highland Cavaliers (University of Virginia at Wise) and Emory & Henry, two Div. III college teams. Trailing 30-27 with only a few seconds remaining, the Cavaliers field a punt return, and mayhem ensues.

Marcus Bratton returns the kick to around the opponent’s 37, stumbles, and as he’s going down laterals backward to teammate Josh Wright, who grabs the ball and runs untouched into the end zone. As always, the TV announcers becoming unhinged is the best part.

Be sure to watch the punt, which shows rather clearly that the punter was knocked over by at least one of the Cavaliers’ rushers. I’m not sure what the Div. III rules are on running into the kicker, but that has to qualify as a penalty, I would think. When one of the coaches (I guess) protests, he’s shoved off the field by the officials (about the 41-second mark).

***
You need to see this game-winning punt return [CBSSports]