Former Clemson wide receiver Hunter Renfrow’s legendary “Orange Crush” touchdown has earned a spot among ESPN’s Top 25 college football plays since 2000.
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In the storied annals of college football, certain moments transcend the ordinary, etching themselves permanently into the hearts of fans and the history books of the sport. For Clemson fans, and indeed for college football enthusiasts nationwide, Hunter Renfrow’s “Orange Crush” touchdown stands as one such moment—a play that perfectly encapsulated the drama, precision, and magic that the sport can deliver on its grandest stage. Recently, ESPN honored this iconic play by naming it among the Top 25 college football plays since 2000, a fitting recognition of a moment that defined a championship and a legacy.
The stage could not have been larger. The 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship game pitted the Clemson Tigers against the Alabama Crimson Tide in a rematch of the previous year’s title contest. The Tigers, under head coach Dabo Swinney, entered the game determined to avenge the heartbreak they had suffered a year earlier. Throughout the contest, both teams traded blows in a battle of titans, with momentum swinging back and forth, and the outcome in doubt until the final seconds.
As the clock wound down, Clemson trailed Alabama 31-28. The Tigers had driven deep into Alabama territory, setting up a play that would become immortal. With just one second remaining, Clemson faced second-and-goal at the two-yard line. Quarterback Deshaun Watson took the snap, rolled right, and with the poise of a seasoned veteran, delivered a pinpoint pass to Renfrow, who had slipped unnoticed into the flat. Renfrow caught the ball cleanly and stepped untouched into the end zone, sealing a 35-31 victory for Clemson and delivering the school’s first national title in 35 years.
The play was, on the surface, a simple pick route—a concept practiced thousands of times on the practice field. Yet, in that moment, everything had to be perfect: the timing, the execution, the composure. The Tigers had spent the entire season working toward this opportunity, and Renfrow’s catch represented the culmination of that journey. What made the play even more remarkable was the fact that it was executed against one of the most formidable defenses in college football history, led by the legendary Nick Saban.
Hunter Renfrow’s touchdown, quickly dubbed the “Orange Crush” by Clemson fans, became the stuff of legend. For Renfrow, a former walk-on who defied expectations to become one of Clemson’s most reliable receivers, the moment was the ultimate validation of his hard work, resilience, and quiet determination. The image of Renfrow clutching the ball in the end zone, arms raised in triumph, has been replayed countless times, a visual shorthand for one of the most dramatic finishes in college football history.
ESPN’s decision to place Renfrow’s “Orange Crush” touchdown among the Top 25 plays since 2000 speaks volumes about the significance of the moment. In an era filled with breathtaking athletic feats, improbable comebacks, and heart-stopping finishes, Renfrow’s catch stands out for its perfect blend of importance, execution, and dramatic timing. It was a play that did not merely win a game—it secured a national championship, shifted the balance of power in college football, and gave Clemson fans a memory they will cherish forever.
Part of what makes Renfrow’s touchdown so iconic is the context in which it occurred. Alabama had been the dominant force in college football for much of the 2010s, a program synonymous with excellence and championship pedigree. For Clemson to dethrone the Crimson Tide required not just talent but belief, resilience, and flawless execution in the game’s most critical moments. The Tigers had fallen short a year earlier, losing to Alabama 45-40 in another classic championship game. That loss fueled their determination, and when the opportunity presented itself on that January night in Tampa, Renfrow and his teammates seized it with both hands.
Beyond its impact on Clemson’s program, the “Orange Crush” touchdown helped reshape the landscape of college football. The victory signaled the arrival of Clemson as a true powerhouse, a program capable of going toe-to-toe with Alabama and emerging victorious. It ushered in a new era in which Clemson would appear regularly in the College Football Playoff, winning additional national titles and cementing its status as a perennial contender. For Dabo Swinney, Renfrow’s catch symbolized the realization of a vision he had preached to his players for years—a belief that Clemson could achieve greatness on the biggest stage.
Renfrow’s journey to that moment makes the play even more special. Coming out of Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Renfrow was not heavily recruited. His slight frame and unassuming demeanor led many to overlook him. But what Renfrow lacked in size, he made up for in intelligence, work ethic, and reliability. At Clemson, he earned his way onto the field through sheer determination, becoming a favorite target of both Deshaun Watson and later Trevor Lawrence. His sure hands and precise route running made him invaluable in critical situations, and no situation was more critical than the final play of the 2017 championship.
In the years since, Renfrow’s catch has taken on a life of its own. It is replayed in highlight reels, featured in documentaries, and celebrated at Clemson gatherings. The play has become a symbol of what can be achieved through hard work, preparation, and belief. For young athletes, Renfrow’s story serves as inspiration—a reminder that with dedication and heart, anything is possible, even catching a game-winning touchdown in the national championship game.
The significance of the “Orange Crush” touchdown also extends beyond the Clemson community. For college football fans at large, the play represents the very best of the sport—the drama, the unpredictability, the moments that can change lives and alter the course of history in an instant. ESPN’s decision to rank the play among the Top 25 since 2000 is a recognition not only of Renfrow’s heroics but of the way that single play captured the essence of what makes college football so beloved.
In examining why this particular play earned such high acclaim, one must consider the myriad factors that contributed to its greatness. There was the pressure of the moment—national championship on the line, final seconds ticking away, the weight of a season’s hopes and dreams resting on one play. There was the execution—Watson’s perfect throw, Renfrow’s flawless catch, the precise timing of the pick route that freed Renfrow to the flat. And there was the opponent—the mighty Alabama defense, which had stifled so many challengers, undone in the game’s most critical moment by a perfectly executed plan.
It is also worth noting the ripple effects of the play. Clemson’s victory helped diversify the competitive landscape of college football, proving that Alabama’s dominance was not insurmountable. It inspired other programs to dream bigger and believe that with the right combination of talent, culture, and execution, they too could climb to the mountaintop. And for Renfrow, the play was a launching pad to a successful NFL career, where he has continued to defy expectations and make an impact at the professional level.
Years later, fans continue to talk about where they were when Renfrow caught that pass, reliving the moment as if it happened yesterday. The play has become a shared memory, a point of pride for Clemson supporters, and a touchstone for college football enthusiasts who appreciate the sport’s capacity for producing unforgettable drama.
In the final analysis, Hunter Renfrow’s “Orange Crush” touchdown is more than just a great play—it is a symbol of perseverance, precision, and the magic of college football. It is a reminder that heroes can come from unexpected places, that preparation meets opportunity in the most dramatic ways, and that sometimes, in the final seconds of a game, everything can come together perfectly to create a moment that will live forever. ESPN’s recognition of the play among the Top 25 since 2000 is not just a tribute to Renfrow, but a celebration of all that makes college football the cherished spectacle it is.
