20 years ago today: Michigan 31, Washington 29
Hard to believe this game was 20 years ago today (I was about to start my third year of undergrad). Easily was one of the top 5 games I've seen at Michigan Stadium and the stadium was rocking after Phil Brabbs made that game-winning field goal. There was also probably some relief because the Wolverines looked like they would roll through the Huskies but mistakes and missed field goals made the game very dicey for Michigan. But in the end, the good guys won and got revenge from that debacle in Seattle from the year before.
August 31st, 2022 at 6:40 PM ^
I was there with my son with a really bad sunburn after this game. We also attended the Mario Manningham last second TD. Both games were incredible finishes.
August 31st, 2022 at 2:06 PM ^
Can still remember sitting in the easy chair at my parents' house, arms stretched up in the air, screaming "He got it! He got it!" as that kick went through.
August 31st, 2022 at 2:22 PM ^
My second game at the Big House, but first Big Game! Section 23, Row 30ish.. That team was loaded with talent! Chris Perry opening up with the TD was a thing of beauty!
I forgot how much heat Navarre took as a starting QB, but we were also supposed to have Drew Henson for 2001 and having Navarre as our QB most felt cost likely the Big10 and more with this team! Watching, remembering as we said in the day Navarre on the mound just throwing rockets and missing passes to open receivers. The fg's missed was huge too.
What a game though. Finish was rough but they weren't calling things on Washington the year before so I didn't care that they called the dropped pass a catch, fumble and recovery btw what awareness by Tabb!!!! Rewatching it again, Braylon had it 2 feet down and began to turn to run, I'd rule it a catch as well, but he totally didn't think it was. Either way, I'd take it. The last couple drives were weird too, Perry falling on his own with a clear path to a first down, first and goal and he tackled himself, the back up fg kicker missed from 25yds... ugh.
August 31st, 2022 at 2:23 PM ^
Watched the game at the Tip-A-Few Tavern in Grand Haven. An excellent burrito, many so-so beers, and a fantastic celebration at the end of the game. I will always remember this one!
August 31st, 2022 at 2:24 PM ^
Man, we ran some pretty screens back in the day.
August 31st, 2022 at 4:28 PM ^
Had them mastered. This very team in the bowl game against Florida had plenty of great ones. The Gators kept coming with pressure all game long and Navarre would throw the screen every time, getting huge chunks of yards.
September 1st, 2022 at 9:15 AM ^
Yep, those were some beauties. I couldn't believe we didn't get a good screen game going for the cfp game knowing how aggressive uga was going to be. Esp with edwards and corum, get them a lane and let them run!
I'd take Chris Perry at rb agian in a heartbeat as well!
August 31st, 2022 at 2:25 PM ^
Lloyd was going to trot Brabbs out for a 60 yarder (based on the kick he made, he did have a heck of a leg) but for some reason the substitution penalty was a 15 yarder. Washington turned out to be a disaster that season, and this was a bit akin to us beating a vastly over-ranked Florida team in 2017. Gave us more hope than warranted for the rest of the season.
That 02 team underachieved big time. They got trounced by Iowa at home, lost at ND, and basically gave away that game in the Shoe with providing zero offense. They did have a very enjoyable beatdown of MSU in Bobby Williams' last game (I sure miss him and John L.) where our very own coach Ron Bellamy kept burning corners on go routes all game long.
I remember looking like a bright cherry tomato after that UW game, and I have never have had a more enjoyable sunburn since.
*On a side note, I'm sure to all of you this game feels like a lifetime ago, but what is even crazier is that at this point, the reigning Super Bowl winning QB and MVP was...Tom Brady. Fast forward 20 years and that same guy is on top of the NFL 100 for the 2022 season.
August 31st, 2022 at 2:28 PM ^
No one could throw a screen pass directly into a RBs butt like John Navarre. He was unparalleled. The greatest ever at that 'skill'
August 31st, 2022 at 2:29 PM ^
Is that Hoke @28:25?
August 31st, 2022 at 2:30 PM ^
I didn't drive back to AA for that game, but I did get to watch it with a Husky-alum/coworker, which was nice.
August 31st, 2022 at 2:52 PM ^
Let's all "link in" with the hero on this momentous anniversary:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/philbrabbs/
August 31st, 2022 at 3:00 PM ^
I vividly remember this. I was 14 and had dental surgery the day before this game since my high school game was on the Thursday before Labor Day. It was about the only logical weekday during the football season you could realistically have a surgery like that and still play the next game. Brabb's kick helped take the pain away that I was feeling. Seems like it was just yesterday.
August 31st, 2022 at 3:07 PM ^
Fitting, I lost 20 years off my life by going to that game.
August 31st, 2022 at 3:17 PM ^
My first game as a freshman.
August 31st, 2022 at 3:50 PM ^
Phil Brabbs has led an extraordinary life.
August 31st, 2022 at 4:24 PM ^
My first game. I barely knew what was going on but my dad wanted to leave early to beat traffic and we saw the game winning kick on someone random tailgate TV and just remember everyone going crazy
August 31st, 2022 at 5:51 PM ^
This was my first year of b-school. About 12-13 years later I was on a deal call and was sharing Michigan football memories with a UM grad attorney who was on the other side of the deal. After I did my babbling, he told me in a very non-bragging way that he was on the football team and in fact was the long snapper for this field goal. Joe Srgoi. I never got to meet him in person, but spent many hours on the phone with him.
Sadly, Joe passed away at the beginning of this year.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/joseph-sgroi-obituary?id=32247509
August 31st, 2022 at 6:23 PM ^
Good Lord, 42.
August 31st, 2022 at 7:04 PM ^
Joe was my partner. He was very well respected and is missed by all of us.
If you listen carefully, you can hear Joe's name on the broadcast of that kick. I think it was Frank Beckmann who called the play. I've heard the replay on WTKA when they would have Phil Brabbs on the show for interview.
August 31st, 2022 at 6:57 PM ^
Remember that well. I was interested not only for Michigan to win the game, but also that Brabbs was from Midland, where I live. He went to Dow High, crosstown rival of Midland High where my boys went.