Talk Football: Are there two consecutive plays in UM history bigger than Sainristil/Edwards against OSU

Submitted by Buy Bushwood on February 16th, 2023 at 10:32 AM

Obviously, I'm taking out the two special teams plays in between.  But I can't think of two consecutive plays in a game that we're more significant for UM history than those two plays.  We live in great times.  

redjugador24

February 16th, 2023 at 10:35 AM ^

If we're taking out plays in between, how about Edwards / Edwards in that same game?  Or CJ / CJ in that same game?

 

EDIT: But it seems silly to take out plays in between.  

Grampy

February 16th, 2023 at 4:43 PM ^

UTL I was spectacular, but I’ll throw 1979 Indiana out there:

- Lawrence Reid tosses the ball out of bounds to Lee Corso to kill the clock at their 45

- John Wangler pitches the ball to AC at the 23, he dusts two defenders and scampers into the end zone. 

- the crowd and Bob Ufer go crazy

- Profit
 

 

Mgoscottie

February 16th, 2023 at 10:37 AM ^

Not quite the same, but I'd bet Haskins had quite a string of consecutive runs in a row in the game the year before. It's something beautiful to drive down the field with only running the ball while holding the lead and running down the clock. 

Mr. Elbel

February 16th, 2023 at 10:38 AM ^

Were the throws to Gallon and Roundtree against ND at UTL1 back to back? Can’t remember if there was a play in between or not. That’s the only other big one I can think of, though in the larger scheme of things it was still not as impactful.

Eng1980

February 16th, 2023 at 6:35 PM ^

I love that play.  You could see it develop from the start.  Some anxiety about the pass rush but once Denard let it go you knew it was going to be good.  Our kick-off return guy is getting the ball in the open field.  Cackle with knowing glee while the ball is still in the air.

Harball sized HAIL

February 16th, 2023 at 2:50 PM ^

Yes.  I didn't have to get the hampster wheel spinnin too hard to come up with the same thought.  Dunno if there's ever been a crazier finish to a Michigan game.  3 TD's & lead changes with 1:22 on the clock.  Considering the opponent, 1st night game, the home crowd........Denard.  Take a few minutes and re-live it.

(63) Denard Robinson's Comeback vs. Notre Dame UNDER THE LIGHTS! - YouTube

m_go_T

February 16th, 2023 at 10:39 AM ^

I would say JJ to Roman -> Mullings fumble were more significant in terms of impact on UM history, just in the other direction. That series came right off of a Rod Moore int on the first play of TCU's drive after we scored our first points.  

 

Perkis-Size Me

February 16th, 2023 at 11:47 AM ^

Ugh….had the defense wrapped Samuel up in the backfield, that plays turns into 4th and forever and OSU has to either fire off a low percentage long ball that Barrett hadn’t connected on all day, or try a long field goal with an extremely shaky kicker that was 0/2, and on shorter kicks, up to that point. 

Instead, that play became a microcosm of everything about the rivalry through the Tressel and Meyer years. OSU adjust skating circles around Michigan, dangling victory in their face, and yanking it away from them either with superior athletes making that one high leverage play they needed, or just letting Michigan vomit all over itself when the lights got too bright and the stage got too big.

m_go_T

February 16th, 2023 at 11:24 AM ^

Dammit, I opened that can of worms and forgot about this one.  That play basically derailed the Harbaugh train until 2021.  Win that game and its a whole different trajectory of college football.  Michigan likely plays Clemson (which beat the brakes off OSU) but at the very least we would have gotten the OSU monkey off our back and who knows what happens in 2017-2020.  

leidlein

February 16th, 2023 at 10:39 AM ^

I did not realize they were "consecutive plays" as you said. Pretty impressive now that I think about it. 

But I will give a response of two truly consecutive plays. UM vs MSU back in 2004. UM kicks a FG then uses two kickers in an onside kick, recovers it. Would not win the game without either of these plays. An amazing / improbable 17 point 4th quarter comeback to win in OT.

TeslaRedVictorBlue

February 16th, 2023 at 12:10 PM ^

Interesting that we did a similar thing this year against illinois... kicking and praying for a stop and getting the ball back. i was watching my son's soccer game and by the end i had a lot of people around me asking what was going on... bad reception made it hard to watch... also, being interested in his soccer game was mildly important! :)

Jordan2323

February 16th, 2023 at 10:47 AM ^

The Gus build up of something is about to happen on that play was what made that play by Edwards even better. He’s openly talking about Knowles defense needing something and that’s what they got lol 

CompleteLunacy

February 16th, 2023 at 2:38 PM ^

My favorite call from the game, by far, is CJ's long bomb TD. The way Gus' voice cracks in almost a bit of disbelief as he shouts "Got a WIIIIIIIDE OPEN RECEIVER" makes me smile every damn time I watch it.

It was also the first moment in the game I remember thinking "holy shit, Michigan might actually have a chance today even without Corum"

WCHBlog

February 16th, 2023 at 10:53 AM ^

Mercury Hayes game-winning TD vs. Virginia, directly preceded by Tyrone Butterfield wisely dropping his eighth pass of the game to stop the clock the play before.

Eng1980

February 16th, 2023 at 6:49 PM ^

Yeah, that was an incredible decision by Butterfield.  Ball hits him right in the hands and he sees maybe three defenders between him and the goal line so he drops it. 

Meanwhile, MSU versus Indiana, the MSU running back dances in the end zone without realizing that Indiana let him score so they could get the ball back, down by 8, with time on the clock.

willirwin1778

February 16th, 2023 at 11:15 AM ^

This is an interesting topic if you wrap it around the concept of "Sudden Change" which is something Bo used to preach to his teams every year.  It seems like football is full of examples of two play "sudden change" scenarios, usually started with a turnover. 

Anyone remember an all time great Michigan sudden change situation?  

tybert

February 16th, 2023 at 11:32 AM ^

Braylon Edward "catch" that was ruled a fumble (recovered by us for a 1st down too), followed by Wash having illegal participation with 12 men (15 yd foul), followed by Brabbs FG after kickers had been something like 0-3 or 0-4 on the day. 2002 Washington game.

Best Bo memory of sudden change - 1986 opener at ND and Holtz' 1st game there. Morris scores on a TD run in the 3Q to put us up 17-14. Bo calls for pooch kick, recovered by UM. Next play JH hits Morris for TD on a wheel route. Up 24-14 and hold on 24-23.