Kicker's Clutch Tackle Highlights Bizarre Moments in Week 12 Action

The 2025 college football season has been filled with plenty of on-field action, but Week 12 also delivered a slate of wacky and wild moments off the gridiron.

One of the saddest in-game pyrotechnic displays occurred during Massachusetts' 45-0 loss to Northern Illinois on Wednesday night. When the Minutemen finally got on the scoreboard with a 44-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, their kicker, Derek Morris, was met with an unfortunate viral moment - a fireworks launch from behind the end zone. The premature celebration did not spark a miraculous comeback.

Elsewhere, college football games were played in some unusual venues, as two historic Major League Baseball stadiums - Fenway Park and Wrigley Field - hosted contests this past Saturday. The Secretaries Cup rivalry between the Coast Guard Academy and Merchant Marine Academy took place at a neutral site in Boston, while Northwestern welcomed Michigan to Chicago.

The most bizarre play of the week, however, came from Pittsburgh kicker Sam Carpenter. With Notre Dame leading the Panthers 21-3 at halftime, Fighting Irish return man Jadarian Price broke free down the sideline on the opening kickoff of the second half. Carpenter managed to grab onto Price's undershirt and stretched it several yards, slowing him down just enough for a teammate to make the tackle. While the effort was ultimately futile, it provided an unforgettable moment in a game Notre Dame would go on to win.