\n Ohio State\u2019s storied history of outstanding wide receiver talent has spanned across decades and eras of Buckeye football. <\/p>\n
\n\tNames like Jeremiah Smith, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Marvin Harrison Jr. are fresh in the minds of Ohio State fans. But in the mid 1980s, Ohio State fans were enamored by one of its first true stars at the position \u2014 Cris Carter.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n\tBorn and raised in Ohio, Carter was a star football and basketball player out of Middletown High School, garnering much attention from college football programs. But, Carter ultimately decided to remain in Ohio and play for Earle Bruce\u2019s Buckeyes.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tCarter quickly became a household name with the Buckeyes, capping off his freshman season with a nine-catch, 172-yard performance against USC in the Rose Bowl. From there, Carter exploded onto the national scene.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n\tAs a sophomore, Carter served as the engine for Ohio State\u2019s offense. With Ohio State\u2019s expected Heisman Trophy candidate, Keith Byars, sidelined for much of the season, the star wide receiver caught 53 passes for 879 yards and eight touchdowns, helping the Buckeyes to an 8-3 regular season record and an appearance in the Florida Citrus Bowl.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n\tCarter\u2019s efforts helped the Buckeyes average 28.6 points per game, a Top-20 mark in the country, while his eight receiving touchdowns put him into a tie for the most in the Big Ten.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n\tIn the Florida Citrus Bowl, Ohio State\u2019s high-powered offense would meet a similarly outstanding offensive unit in BYU, the defending national champions. In 1985, the Cougars produced 33.5 points per game and boasted one of the most potent passing attacks in the country, led by the connection of quarterback Robbie Bosco and wide receiver Mark Bellini.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n\tWith the dynamic play of Carter mixed with BYU\u2019s outstanding passing offense, offensive fireworks were expected when the Buckeyes and Cougars met under the Florida sun in Orlando for their late-December clash. However, those expectations were quickly eased.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n\tThe Buckeyes and Cougars endured a scoreless first quarter, and it wasn\u2019t until a 47-yard field goal from kicker Rich Spangler that Ohio State opened the scoring. Spangler\u2019s field goal would ultimately prove to be the Buckeyes\u2019 only offensive points for the entire game.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tOhio State\u2019s defense gave Bosco and Co. fits throughout the first half, forcing a pair of fumbles from halfback Vai Sikahema \u2014 both of which came in the Buckeyes\u2019 red zone. BYU\u2019s lone moment of offensive brilliance came late in the first half, when Bosco connected with David Miles for a 38-yard touchdown strike to give the Cougars a 7-3 lead heading into halftime.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n\tEarly in the third quarter, Ohio State\u2019s defense struck again. Buckeyes\u2019 nose tackle Larry Kolic found paydirt on a 14-yard pick-six of Bosco, once again thrusting Ohio State into the lead. From that point forward, Bosco would throw an additional pair of interceptions, bringing his total tally to four on the afternoon.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n\tCarter\u2019s big moment came a quarter later.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n\tWith the Buckeyes clinging to a 10-7 lead, and backed up at their own 8-yard line with 10:27 to play in regulation, Ohio State was in desperate need of some offensive fireworks. Ohio State\u2019s quarterback Jim Karsatos dropped back on the drive\u2019s opening play and immediately felt pressure from his collapsing pocket, opting to throw the ball away and regroup on second down.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n\tCarter had other plans, however.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n\tIn an effort that defied logic, Carter launched himself into the air and snagged the ball out of thin air with an outstretched arm before tapping both of his feet in bounds to complete an incredible catch, giving Ohio State a first down and some much-needed breathing room.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n\tReflecting back on this incredible catch, Carter believed it wasn\u2019t his greatest catch, but he understood the hype around it.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n