Everyone knows UH receiver Daniel Spencer is an explosive player — just ask BYU.

Down 23-9 last Thursday, Sept. 11 against No. 25 BYU, the red Cougars took over possession after sophomore safety Adrian McDonald forced, then returned, a fumble for a 28-yard gain 28 to the blue Cougars’ 45-yard line.

Three seconds remained in the first half, which is enough time for one play.

Sophomore quarterback John O’Korn took the snap, bought time by turning around and scrambling to his left, then heaved a Hail Mary pass to the right end zone before getting hit.

Spencer, with a BYU defender draped over him, leaped up and hauled in the 45-yard touchdown catch. This served as an introduction to ESPN SportsCenter, which ranked the play as No. 1 in its top plays for the night.

The senior receiver held onto the ball as two BYU defenders tried to poke it out from his grasp before he fell to the ground.

When halftime began after this play, UH had scored 15 unanswered points and shifted the momentum to bring what was once a blowout to a one-possession contest.

“It was one of those unbelievable plays, and, hey, it worked out,” O’Korn told the Houston Chronicle at the postgame interview. “That’s what happens when you give your guys a chance. We have great receivers like Deontay (Greenberry) and Danny (Daniel Spencer), and Danny went up and got it. It was pretty cool.”

O’Korn finished with his best game of the season, going 30-52 for 307 yards and three touchdown tosses. Spencer not only got the touchdown but also had game-highs in receptions (10) and receiving yards (130).

Despite strong playing late in the game, Spencer and his red Cougars couldn’t overcome an early 23-point deficit and succumbed to BYU 33-25 for the team’s sixth loss in eight games.

sports@thedailycougar.com

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“Spencer’s touchdown earns SportCenter’s top play” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar