Kodi Whitfield Touchdown Catch Gave Stanford Lead Over UCLA, May Have Been Wizardry (VIDEO/GIF)

This One-Handed Touchdown Grab May Be The 'Catch Of The Year'

In another era, Kodi Whitfield could have been accused of some sort of wizardry for making the type of unbelievable, one-handed touchdown catch that staked No. 13 Stanford to an early lead over No. 9 UCLA on Saturday. In 2013, the Stanford wide receiver will instead find himself on "SportsCenter" for such an improbable grab.

With Stanford marching into UCLA territory near the midpoint of the first quarter, quarterback Kevin Hogan rifled a deep pass toward the end zone. Not only did Whitfield have one defender draped over his back and another running at him but the ball was thrown high, hard and slightly behind him as he attempted to make a play on it. Somehow the 6' 2" sophomore reached up with his right arm and pulled down the ball into his body for the 30-yard touchdown catch. The sensational grab broke an early 3-3 tie and gave the Cardinal an early 10-3 lead over Bruins.

Again, such improbable sleight of hand could have gotten someone in trouble in a less enlightened era. On Saturday, it resulted in a GIF.

(GIF via @SBNation)

Before You Go

Rashad Greene

PHOTOS: College Football Week 8

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot