Stanford Cardinal fans were treated to a moment of pure magic during their recent clash with the Syracuse Orange.
Quarterback Ashton Daniels connected with star receiver Elic Ayomanor for a catch that left spectators rubbing their eyes in disbelief.
Ayomanor’s one-handed snag in the end zone wasn’t just impressive – it was downright extraordinary.
The play instantly drew comparisons to one of the NFL’s most iconic moments: Odell Beckham Jr.’s gravity-defying catch against the Dallas Cowboys in 2014.
CATCH OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE BY ELIC AYOMANOR 🔥 pic.twitter.com/eSyIiBihno
— ESPN (@espn) September 21, 2024
For those who need a refresher, Beckham’s catch happened during a Sunday Night Football showdown at MetLife Stadium.
The Giants were trailing 7-3 in the second quarter when Eli Manning unleashed a deep ball down the right sideline.
Beckham, blanketed by Cowboys defender Brandon Carr, reached back with one hand as he fell into the end zone.
“Odell, is that you?” What a blast from the past!@obj https://t.co/kDB5EF0ffd pic.twitter.com/IyW0i6c50Z
— Tom LeBronaldo (@LeBrady_Flex) September 21, 2024
Despite Carr’s interference, Beckham somehow plucked the ball out of the air with just his fingertips, securing a touchdown that would be replayed for years to come.
Fast forward to Ayomanor’s catch, and the sense of déjà vu was clearly visible.
The Stanford receiver, touted as an NFL-caliber talent, had been having a relatively quiet season with just 10 catches for 147 yards before Friday night.
But this single play showcased why he’s considered such a promising prospect.
