The 2024-25 Big Ten athletic season was a showcase of last-second touchdowns, buzzer-beaters, walk-offs, and record-breaking performances. Let's take a look at the best game-winning plays from each Big Ten school last season.

Illinois Football: Comeback Sealed with Last-Second Touchdown

No. 24 Illinois Football secured a thrilling 38-31 victory against Rutgers thanks to a stunning game-winning touchdown. With just 1:08 left on the clock, Illinois marched 75 yards downfield, converting a critical fourth-and-13 play at the Rutgers 40-yard line. Quarterback Luke Altmyer found wide receiver Pat Bryant for a 40-yard catch-and-run touchdown with just four seconds remaining, ensuring the comeback win.  

Bryant, who finished with a career-high 197 yards, showcased his undeniable talent, with Coach Bret Bielema calling him “one of the best receivers in the country.” Watch here.  

Indiana Swim & Dive: Henninger's Final Dive Clinches NCAA Title

Quinn Henninger delivered a clutch performance to earn his first national title on the 1-meter springboard at the NCAA Championships. Sitting behind Stanford senior and former teammate Jack Ryan, Henninger needed 61.2 points to take the lead. With unwavering composure, he executed a flawless 2 ½ somersault into a pike position, scoring 78.40 and clinching the title.  

“Quinn’s first national title was well earned. His composure was world class,” said Indiana head coach Drew Johansen. Watch it now. 

Iowa Wrestling: Buchanan’s Takedown Earns the Belt

Stephen Buchanan II won his historic NCAA Championship victory at 197 pounds with a critical second-period takedown against Penn State’s Josh Barr. The No. 2 seed, Buchanan, strategically executed the takedown to break the tie and take control of the match. He followed it up with a vital third-period escape and a riding time point, cementing his 5-2 victory.  

Buchanan on the championship moment: “You get on that stage, and you use the things that they taught you to win. It means the world." His coach, Tom Brands, praised him, noting, "The way he did it and the way he goes about his daily business is a tribute [to a champion]." Watch here. 

Maryland Men’s Basketball: Derik Queen's Sweet (16) Heroics

With just three seconds remaining and Maryland trailing 71-70, freshman Derik Queen cemented his name in Terrapin history. Out of a timeout, Queen took control, driving left and releasing a fading one-legged shot off the backboard, scoring as the clock expired to seal Maryland’s spot in the Sweet 16.  

Queen reflected on his clutch play, stating, "My teammates trusted me, [coach trusted me]... I knew we were due for one." This unforgettable moment snapped Colorado State’s 11-game win streak and kept Maryland’s NCAA Tournament dreams alive. Watch here. 

Michigan Men’s Basketball: Tre Travels Coast-to-Coast en Route to the Big Ten Trophy

With 5.3 seconds left and no timeouts, Tre Donaldson dashed the length of the court and delivered a clutch, left-handed layup off the glass with just 0.4 seconds remaining, securing an 81-80 victory for Michigan over Maryland in the Big Ten Semifinals. Maryland had just reclaimed the lead on two free throws before Donaldson took matters into his own hands.  

"It feels great to give ourselves a chance to play for another championship," he shared post-game. The Wolverines won the tournament title over Wisconsin the following day. Here’s the highlight. 

Michigan State Hockey: Sudden Death Shot Wins the Longest Game in Tournament History

With 4:51 left in double overtime of the 2025 Big Ten Hockey Tournament Championship, Isaac Howard’s perfectly placed shot through a crowded Ohio State defense secured the 4-3 victory at Munn Ice Arena. Before his heroics clinched the title, Howard also contributed a first-period goal and key assists on two other Spartan scores. Watch now. 

The victory established MSU as the first team to win back-to-back regular season and tournament titles in Big Ten hockey history. Howard, the Big Ten Player of the Year, went on to receive the Hobey Baker Memorial Award. 

Minnesota Football: Red Zone Interception Finishes Field-Storming Upset of No. 11 USC

Koi Perich sealed the Gophers' thrilling 24-17 upset over No. 11 USC with a clutch interception in the final minute of play. With just 56 seconds remaining, Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer scored on a one-yard, fourth-down touchdown run to give his team the lead.  

After getting the ball back, Trojan quarterback Miller Moss drove his team into striking range. With just seconds remaining, Moss launched a pass from the 28-yard line into double coverage in the end zone, where Perich, who had already snagged an interception earlier in the game, made a spectacular grab to secure the ball and the victory for the Gophers. Watch it here.

Nebraska Baseball: Walk-off, Extra Inning Theatrics on the Way to a Big Ten Title

Robby Bolin delivered a clutch performance with a walk-off RBI single, securing a thrilling 5-4 victory for the Huskers in extra innings during the Big Ten Baseball Tournament Presented by IFS.ai.  

After Nebraska tied the game in the ninth on a dropped fly ball, Bolin stepped up to the plate in the 10^th with two outs. On the first pitch, he smacked a sharp hit to center field, driving in Dylan Carey for the win. The dramatic finish capped off a resilient comeback effort for the Huskers, who went on to win their second consecutive conference tournament title (as the No. 8 seed)! Watch now. 

Northwestern Field Hockey: Go-Ahead Goal Cements a Legacy

The NCAA Tournament Semifinal game between Northwestern and UMass was scoreless through three whole quarters. With 10 minutes left in regulation, 2025 Honda Cup Finalist and NFHCA National Player of the Year Maddie Zimmer stole the ball and ran upfield. She passed to Ashley Sessa, who backhanded it into the net.  

The 1-0 victory advanced Northwestern to its fourth consecutive national championship match, where the Wildcats defeated St. Joseph’s, 5-0, to claim their second NCAA title in four years. See the semifinal-winner.  

Ohio State Football: Smith Seals the Natty

On third-and-11 with just over two minutes remaining in the College Football Playoff Championship game, quarterback Will Howard launched a deep ball down the left sideline. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State’s freshman wideout, leaped over a defender to secure the 56-yard reception, taking the Buckeyes to the Notre Dame 10-yard line. The clutch catch effectively sealed the game for Ohio State, setting up a final field goal to extend their lead and put the Irish out of reach.  

"The protection was excellent by the offensive line,” said head coach Ryan Day. “The throw and catch by Jeremiah and Will was special and, again, a huge play in Ohio State history.” See it here. 

Oregon Softball: Walk-Off Sends Ducks to Supers

With the Ducks facing a 7-7 tie in the bottom of the seventh, senior transfer Dezianna Patmon stepped up to the plate. She launched the very first pitch she saw deep into left-center field for a regional-clinching, walk-off, three-run home run. 

"This is why you come to Oregon, right? To have big moments like this," Patmon shared postgame. "I wasn't hanging up the cleats today." The walk-off secured the Ducks' spot in the Super Regionals, where they eventually advanced to the Women's College World Series. See the moment.  

Penn State Volleyball: A Kill for the Title

After battling through a nail-biting 34-32 loss in the second set of the NCAA Championship, the Nittany Lions regrouped. Jess Mruzik dominated, piling up 29 kills, including one pivotal strike that gave Penn State the edge in the third set. Maggie Mendelson and Taylor Trammell’s clutch efforts in the front row helped Penn State get ahead in the fourth frame.  

The final point, a powerful kill by Camryn Hannah, punctuated the 3-1 win, crowning Penn State with its eighth national title and cementing Katie Schumacher-Cawley’s place in history as the first woman head coach to claim a Division I Women's Volleyball Championship. Click to watch. 

Purdue Softball: A Cinderella Story

With the score tied at four against No. 4 seed Ohio State, Julia Gossett stepped up to the plate and blasted her third homer of the tournament. The clutch hit not only gave Purdue a 5-4 lead but also ignited a momentum shift. It set the tone for Purdue’s explosive offense later in the game, as they went on to score 10 more runs and become the first No. 12 seed to reach the Big Ten Softball Tournament Semifinals. (Not to mention that Gossett had pitched a full seven innings and hit two bombs in the Boilers' win over No. 5 Northwestern the day before). See it now. 

Rutgers Men’s Basketball: Pandemonium in Piscataway

With 6.4 seconds left on the clock and the game tied at 63, Dylan Harper dribbled up the court and launched a 28-foot three-pointer, sinking it as the buzzer sounded and erupting Jersey Mike's Arena in celebration. The game-winner secured Rutgers' 66-63 victory over Seton Hall in the Garden State Hardwood Classic, a rivalry that continues to deliver thrilling contests.  

"I just wanted to win," Harper said. "I worked on this a lot. Constant reps in practice. I was very confident in this shot." Watch the buzzer-beater. 

UCLA Women’s Gymnastics: A Perfect 10 for a 0.100-Point Win

With UCLA trailing Michigan State by 0.700 points heading into the final rotation, the spotlight turned to Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles. She needed nothing less than a 9.925 to complete the comeback. Chiles executed a flawless routine capped by a perfect 10.0, sealing the win for UCLA, 197.300-197.200.  

"That was incredible. It was one of those moments in sport that you live for," said UCLA head coach Janelle McDonald. "I couldn't be more proud of their resilience and their fight and grit in that moment." See the routine. 

USC Women’s Soccer: The Trojans’ First Big Ten Title

In a battle for the Big Ten Women's Soccer Championship, USC opened UCLA’s backline with a sharp sequence of passes from Hannah Griffin and Helena Sampaio. Sampaio spotted Maile Hayes making a run toward the box and delivered a well-timed through pass toward Hayes. Without taking a touch, Hayes sent a shot on the ground past the keeper, netting her eighth goal of the season and what would be the game-winner for USC. It was the school's first-ever conference title in the Big Ten. Watch the shot. 

Washington Women’s Track & Field: Moll Gets Gold and an NCAA Record

Entering the final stages of the NCAA Championships, pole vaulter Hana Moll faced immense pressure after missing earlier attempts. On her third and final try, she cleared 15-8 ½, breaking the NCAA outdoor record set by her twin sister Amanda and sealing her victory.  

“It wasn’t a perfect meet, but I cleaned it up at the end," Hana said. "I focused on jumping, not winning, and gave it my all. It means a lot.... I'm really happy for the win and to go home with the gold." Watch the winning vault. 

Wisconsin Women’s Hockey: National Title Clinched in Overtime

With just 18.9 seconds left in regulation of the national title game, Wisconsin's Kirsten Simms knotted the score with a clutch penalty shot, sliding the puck past Ohio State's netminder. Simms followed it up in overtime, scoring the game-winning goal after capitalizing on a rebound to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory and the Badgers' eighth NCAA title.  

“No matter how the job got done, it got done," Simms said. "And we’re taking that trophy home with us.” Watch the overtime winner.  

Quite the Highlight Reel

The 2024-25 Big Ten athletic season was a testament to the power of perseverance, skill, and the ability to shine under pressure. From game-winning touchdowns and walk-off home runs to buzzer-beaters and record-breaking performances, these moments captured the essence of what makes sports so thrilling. 

Which game-winner was the best? Vote here for the chance to win two tickets to the 2025 Discover Big Ten Football Championship game! 🏈