Die-hard sports fans looking for live sports to watch on Christmas Eve, hours before the present day opener, had a choice: South Florida against San Jose State in the Hawaii Bowl in Honolulu.
One moment in particular caught the attention of fans on the field on a 93-yard kickoff return touchdown by USF's Ta'Ron Keith, where it was far from a linear path to the goal line.
Keith caught the ball at the 7-yard line and faked a throw to JeyQuan Smith as he crossed the 10.
Then a gap opened up in the middle of the Spartans' coverage. Keith was touched three times before midfield by defenders and broke all contact.
Two more members of the San Jose State team touched Keith before he approached the goal line, and the latter attempted to push him out of bounds.
Keith dives into the pylon to score and is immediately mobbed by his teammates. And college football fans on social media went crazy.
Ta'Ron Keith electrified his college football audience on Christmas Eve with a kickoff return
Keith dazzled when he went 93 yards for a score in the first half and put the Bulls up by two touchdowns.
“Hawaii Bowl after Christmas Eve dinner and a few drinks will be like crack,” said one social media user.
“Double overtime at the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve for the sick at CFB,” said Tony Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars of Premier League club Fulham and CEO of All Elite Wrestling.
“People are treating tonight's Hawaii Bowl like it's the Super Bowl.”
“Nothing represents Christmas Eve better than USF and San Jose State playing in the Hawaii Bowl.”
“If you're with your family and you don't watch the Hawaii Bowl, you're casual.”
A collection of social media messages about Keith's return to South Florida on Tuesday
Keith's score put the Bulls up two touchdowns on the Spartans. His touchdown was USF's last trip beyond the regulation goal line.
San Jose State would complete the comeback and send the Hawaii Bowl to overtime.
Since the game ended just before midnight, some college football fans could go to sleep and open Santa's gifts on the same day.