Football

Weekend Football Schedule: Remembering the Double Pass

By DCSportsFan.com

Posted on November 7, 2025

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Are you ready to feel old? Like really old? This weekend marks the 30th anniversary since Gonzaga defeated St. John’s on the infamous double pass that broke a 14-14 tie late in the fourth quarter on November 10th, 1995. Gonzaga won the game and advanced to the league championship and lost to DeMatha. But even thirty years later, the game is remembered as one of the most memorable between the two schools. 

With the game tied at 14 late in the fourth quarter, legendary Gonzaga Coach Maus Collins went to his bag of tricks to defeat the Cadets. Collins split senior wide receiver Jack Egle wide right and put sophomore Brian Gallagher in the slot next to him. Senior Willie Mack, the quarterback, took the snap and fired a lateral to Gallagher, who heaved the game-winning touchdown pass downfield to Egle. The play sent Gonzaga’s sideline and fans into a frenzy. 

Thirty years later, Brian Gallaher, who runs Gallagher Elden Law in Annapolis with a DeMatha graduate, still vividly recalls the events from that night. Gallagher started under center the next two seasons and led the Eagles to back-to-back championships. But the double pass remains one of his best memories. 

“I was just not trying to screw it up,” Gallagher said when Mack called the play in the huddle. “I was a sophomore, so I played more out of fear of screwing up than anything else.”

Gallagher said the team practiced the play for the first time the week leading up to the game and the team remained calm when the play was called.

“It’s weird, but there wasn’t any reaction in the huddle,” Gallagher added. “The huddles at Gonzaga never had any wasted chatter when I played.  Not that year when Willie was the QB and not when I was the QB.  The only person that ever spoke was the QB.  You came in, said the play, and broke the huddle.  It was never more or less than that.”

When the ball was snapped, the stadium fell silent during the play as the St. John’s defense fell for the trick play. 

“I was really concerned with getting the laces because I knew I had to catch it and throw it quickly and far,” Gallagher said. “ I didn’t actually see the play.  One of the St. John’s linemen ear-holed me as soon as I threw it.  I was on the ground, and I heard a cheer and I saw a flag.  I didn’t know if the flag was for or against us or if the cheering was by Gonzaga or St. John’s fans.  Turns out the flag was for unnecessary roughness on the hit.   Everything after that was a blur.”

Three decades later, Gallagher said the team still tries to stay in touch despite the challenges.

“As much as you can with families and life.  It is always awesome to run into everyone.  The past two years were tough because of Reyda’s passing, but it also gave everyone a chance to see each other.  It was really great to see so many of the guys at Reyda’s wake, funeral, and the games that were dedicated to him.   I know it would have made him proud to see all his guys together.”

Gonzaga will host St. John’s Saturday at 2PM at Joe Reyda Stadium. Both teams are 1-2 in league play and desperately need the victory to advance to the WCAC playoffs. 

The complete game schedule for the week is listed below.