How a single touchdown pass launched Sebastian Tretola’s Heisman campaign

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — It’s been nearly a decade since Arkansas faced UAB on the football field.

The October 2014 game looked like a routine 45-17 win for the Razorbacks over the Blazers, but one unique play captured the eyes of college football fans across the country and launched a Heisman campaign for an offensive lineman.

The play was in the middle of the second quarter with Arkansas in a 4th & goal situation from the six-yard line. The offense was in an unusual formation with Sebastian Tretola lining up to receive the snap in a field goal situation.

Tretola received the snap and threw the pass to the long snapper, Alan D’Appolonio, for a touchdown that made the score 28-0.

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ESPN staff writer Sam Khan Jr. called the play “equal parts amazing, fascinating and comedy.”

“I’ve got an arm,” Tretola said, laughing. “[Brandon Allen] better be careful. He better watch out. I love him to death but I might be coming for his spot.”

FILE – In this Oct. 25, 2014, file photo, Arkansas offensive tackle Sebastian Tretola (73) and linebacker Braylon Mitchell (34) walk off the field after an NCAA college football game against UAB in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas offensive lineman Sebastian Tretola is best known nationally for his touchdown pass last season. To Razorbacks coach Bret Bielema, however, the senior might be the most surprising and personable player he’s ever coached. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File)

Then-Arkansas Head Coach Bret Bielema was asked by SEC Network’s Laura Rutledge at halftime of the game about what went into the play.

“We drew it up about three weeks ago and he’s actually got a pretty good live arm. I’ve never actually seen him throw off his back foot. Come to Arkansas, you’re an O-Lineman, and we’ll make you famous,” Bielema said.

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The program capitalized on the touchdown by releasing a #VoteTretola” Heisman campaign video and did a follow-up video in 2015 where he discussed his life after the play.

Tretola was allowed to recreate the play in the Red-White Spring Game in April 2015, however, it was not as successful as the original.

His bio was updated after the 2014 season which said “Caught the college football world’s attention when he tossed a touchdown pass to Arkansas’ long snapper on a fake field goal.”

Tretola played two seasons at Nevada and one at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa before landing in Fayetteville. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the 2016 NFL Draft in the sixth round.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.