WATCH: Memphis trick play results in easy interception for Arkansas

We’ve seen some bad trick plays in football, but what Memphis pulled off against Arkansas Saturday might deserve its own trophy case in the Football Hall of Shame. Philly fans are spoiled forever by the Philly Special in the Super Bowl. When a trick play goes right, it’s iconic. When it goes wrong, well, you get a live-comedy sketch.

Memphis was trailing 21-10 late in the second quarter and clearly desperate for a spark. Quarterback Brendon Lewis took the snap, looked left, and handed the ball to wideout CJ Smith.

The design wasn’t awful.

The intended receiver downfield was wide open. This was the moment. All Smith had to do was hit his guy. Instead, he wound up and just said, “fuck it,” and lofted a moon ball straight into the arms of Arkansas defensive back Miguel Mitchell.

WATCH: Memphis trick play attempt against Arkansas ends in disaster

WE WILL TAKE IT 🔥 pic.twitter.com/sZk63fQgdS

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) September 20, 2025

Trick play turned turnover, and the Hogs used it to bury Memphis.

No read, no check, not even a glance. He just looked to the heavens and chucked it as high as he could, to literally nobody wearing Memphis colors.

So instead of cutting into the Hogs’ lead and getting the home crowd fired up, the Tigers coughed up possession at midfield. Arkansas had the momentum after the pick and capitalized immediately, needing 4 plays to go 52 yards, with Mike Washington Jr. scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Razorbacks a 28-10 lead.

Memphis did answer with a touchdown of its own, but Arkansas still went into halftime with a 28-17 lead. We’re at the end of third quarter and Arkansas is holding onto a 31-26 lead over Memphis as they attempt to bounce back from last week’s loss at Ole Miss.

if you’re going to run a trick play, have someone who can actually throw the football. Otherwise, you’re just giving the other team a highlight-reel turnover, and Pat McAfee new material for his next podcast. Arkansas fans got a gift, Memphis fans got misery and the rest of us got a front-row seat to one of the worst play calls of the weekend.

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