January 29th, 2023 at 8:04 AM ^
2022 - Sainristil knocking the ball out of Cade Stover's hands in the end zone.
2021 - The Edwards pass in the B1G championship game.
January 29th, 2023 at 8:16 AM ^
Seriously, can't pick 1, but 6 would be the scores against THEEEEEE ohio community college. 2 - CJ, Colston, JJ ahead of his blocker, and 2 - Thheee Doonnnnnn!!!!
January 29th, 2023 at 8:22 AM ^
I'd probably agree on the 2022 opinion. If one play seemed to represent that game it is probably that play. He wasn't even assigned to Stover, sees he's breaking open, sprints to him and makes it there in just enough time to knock the ball out. From TD to...no TD.
People look at a final score and say things like "never in doubt" but that's not how games are played. Well, mostly. Most games have a few breaks one way or another that change it from a win to a loss, a narrow game or a blowout. Often, you change one play outcome and the cascading effects are too many to even pretend to know how it turns out from there. Momentum changes and players mentalities change in real-time because they're human. You cannot watch the game and truly know the impact of a team seeing they have a touchdown only for it to fall apart at the last second.
That breakup was massive. Every TD was as well but playing modern OSU is a game of just holding them to FGs. If they get inside the 20, for the love of all that's decent, hold to a FG. That's a win. Sanristil turning a TD to FG there was a massive win not just on the scoreboard but for the overall momentum and flow of the game.
January 29th, 2023 at 8:47 AM ^
Thank you for posting this. I am generally frustrated by backyard analysts that only see the final score. I occasionally have to point out that the losing team was winning at half time and may have won the majority of the statistical battles until an injury, a turnover and a bad call swung the game by 14 points and then the better (losing) team throws a pick six (or two) in the last minutes to make it look like a blowout. [Note: I am not saying that the winning team didn't deserve to win, just that the score didn't reflect the quality of play.]
January 29th, 2023 at 8:57 AM ^
Very true. This has been happening for about fifteen years with the Florida game after the 2007 season. In many tellings, Michigan "pounded" Tebow and Meyer. It was actually a close game. It's the example that came to mind when I was thinking about these types of games.
January 29th, 2023 at 9:10 AM ^
Good example. It felt like Michigan should have won that by 3 scores but it just didn't happen. The UM fan remembers Hart's totally uncharacteristic fumbles inside the 1yl. To a UM fan, it was a dominating pounding because if only he hadn't fumbled.
But that's not what happened. The fumbles happened and it was a close game. UM could have easily lost it. I'm on my phone so I don't want to search but my memory was that UF even had the ball with a chance to win it late. Michigan won by 6pts that forced UF to need a TD after kicking a late FG to make it a 6pt lead, right?
So the memory is a vicious beating of Florida when that's not what happened. It was a back and forth game that Michigan played out of their minds in and it took all of that to win.
January 29th, 2023 at 9:04 AM ^
Exactly. Games are rarely as decided as the fans of the winning side will make you think it was after the game.
Sometimes it's true but most games have a few moments or instances that changed the dynamics, perception and outcome completely.
January 29th, 2023 at 10:59 AM ^
I’m still not sure I get the phrase. How did the nickel (Sainristil) “save a dime”? He saved 4 points no?
January 29th, 2023 at 11:47 AM ^
The throw was a dime (10 out of 10), and he didn’t save it, he wasted it. So, the nickel that wasted a dime makes more sense to me.
January 30th, 2023 at 10:02 AM ^
My nickel is worth more than your dime
January 29th, 2023 at 8:04 AM ^
That great All-American, Jack Campbell, meeting Corum in the hole-has him dead to right...Corum jukes him in the phone booth-never gets touched and walks in for a TD.
January 29th, 2023 at 8:14 AM ^
Blake's run against Indiana was amazing!
January 29th, 2023 at 8:20 AM ^
2021. The Haskins run and hurdle to the 3 yard line. That finally let me believe that we would win.
Runner up. Victory formation against OSU for the first time in forever.
2022. This was more difficult, but I think the sainristil pass break up and the first long Donovan run tie for first.
January 29th, 2023 at 8:28 AM ^
I picked the Sainristil pass after seeing it on TV but I was at the game sitting in the opposite end zone so it was hard to see. The Don was running right towards us so in real time those plays were more exciting. I think Sainristil's play was the dagger.
January 29th, 2023 at 8:32 AM ^
2021 is easy. i was there, as were many of you all, and if you didn't know for 100% certain we were going to win, you sure as excrement did at this point:
2022: probably that second edwards mile-long TD v. ohio.
January 29th, 2023 at 5:32 PM ^
All of us were there. Legend has it, 420,027 people were in Michigan Stadium that day. It's one of those games where the attendance seems to grow every year.
January 29th, 2023 at 8:35 AM ^
2022: "Got a WIIIIIIIIIIDE OPEN receiver." That play and call keep me warm on cold nights. And they said the kid couldn't throw the deep ball....
2021: Erick All's TD against Penn State with one bad ankle.
January 29th, 2023 at 11:01 AM ^
Mine are similar.
2022: the first long Edwards run made me feel like the game was in our control.
2021: All’s catch kept our championship hopes alive.
January 29th, 2023 at 8:43 AM ^
Mike Saintrist's touchdown saving denial batting ball out of OSU receiver's hands. Pure genius play.
January 29th, 2023 at 8:44 AM ^
Maybe/maybe not my favorite, but a huge shout out to Isaiah Gash’s fourth-down catch with a minute to go against Illinois.
January 29th, 2023 at 8:46 AM ^
2022 - Sainristil knocking the ball out of Cade Stover's hands in the end zone.
2021 - Haskins run and hurdle.
January 29th, 2023 at 8:47 AM ^
CJ first OSU TD. It showed the cracks.
Mike S TD breakup slightly behind.
January 29th, 2023 at 8:50 AM ^
2022: Philly Special
2021: Aidan Hutchinson strip sack fumble recovery touchdown against MSU
January 29th, 2023 at 8:55 AM ^
2022 - Edwards' 85 yard touchdown run to make it Michigan 45 Ohio State 23.
2021 - Haskin's busting a big run and hurdling Cryin' Cam Brown vs. Ohio State
January 29th, 2023 at 9:12 AM ^
2021 (offense) is the Edwards pass in the BTCG. Just an absolute dagger against an Iowa team with no offense, to score their 2nd TD on the first play of a drive like that. Not only was it an awesome play, but it put the game effectively out of reach.
2021 (defense) O-JA-BO! But edit to add the Josh Ross TFL on Henderson on 3rd and short on OSU's first possession of the 2md half. That really felt like a moment where OSU realized they didn't have answers and were actually in real trouble.
2022 (offense) Edwards 75 yard rush TD against Ohio.
2022 (defense) Sainristil PBU on Stover. Those plays were back to back, and constituted an 11 point swing that turned what was looking like a close-and-nervous Michigan victory into a hilarious blowout. Best complimentary football I've ever seen live.
January 29th, 2023 at 9:19 AM ^
2nd big run from Edwards vs OSU (w/ Gus going 'Woah'!)
Haskins pile mover vs Northwestern
January 29th, 2023 at 9:35 AM ^
Agree with those above about Edwards' second long TD. I finally relaxed.
2021 would be the Haskins hurdle for me.
January 29th, 2023 at 9:37 AM ^
Being that they are basically the same play, I would say the 2 Donovan Edwards TD runs vs OSU.
75 yds & 85 yds off the right side.
Those runs definitely broke their spirit, and prevented another senior class from collecting their "golden pants" trinkets.
(Note: Too many other great plays that were a part of a great season.)
January 29th, 2023 at 9:38 AM ^
It was actually probably the Roman Wilson end around TD against TCU. Just an awesome play. Sucks my favorite play was in a loss but that was an outstanding call and individual effort by Wilson.
January 29th, 2023 at 9:40 AM ^
'21: as others said, this one is obvious: the Haskins hurdle run vs OSU.
'22: the bomb to CJ. It broke JJ's streak of missed bombs, put U-M ahead for the first time, and made it feel-- for the first time that day-- like victory was possible.
January 29th, 2023 at 9:45 AM ^
JJ’s 3rd quarter 19 yard run against OSU. It was just a hard nosed run that told me the Wolverines would win the game. It was the kind of play you have to have to win The Game…was like Josh Ross’ stop in the 2021 game. Just a huge confidence booster play in my opinion. The very next play he hits Loveland for the 45 yard go ahead TD. JJ’s run is at 4:42 of this video.
January 29th, 2023 at 9:45 AM ^
Donovan Edwards 85 yard TD, untouched to seal the win in Columbus.....and driving a dagger into the hearts of the fans in the Toilet Bowl
January 29th, 2023 at 9:48 AM ^
Taylor Upshaw’s interception vs OSU to stop their drive under four minutes was exhilarating.
Then Donovan’s 85 yard TD run followed to drive the spike in the heart of Buckeyes everywhere.
Topped off with a Makari’s interception so that JJ could go victory formation and flip the ball back deservedly to Blake.
This was one of the greatest 4 minute sequences in Michigan Football. If only you could bottle that feeling.
January 29th, 2023 at 10:08 AM ^
2022 - I have some love in my heart for Kalel Mullings. Played LB for most of the year and while he has speed and thump, it's just not his best position. When Corum goes down, he reads the Cliff Notes on 'How to be a Michigan Running Back' and does his best in trying circumstances. Getting some short yardage TDs was nice, but I loved his fluttering jump pass against OSU. Did his best to get the ball to a wide open Schoonie, and it was just good enough. Kalel has heart.
January 29th, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^
2022 - JJ taking his first snap as the official starter. It was on from that point forward.
2021 - Hutchinson putting Thayer Munford on his ass after telling their line to send it all his way.
January 29th, 2023 at 5:35 PM ^
If that's your 2022... I'm surprised your 2021 wasn't JJ to Baldwin.
What a play! I think a tear streamed down my cheek.
January 29th, 2023 at 10:53 AM ^
Whichever the one was that helped Jim decide on the 2022 season starting QB. Changed the trajectory and proved the value of competition.
The 2021 Hutchinson helicopter tackle behind the line as a key goal line stop. Was it MSU or PSU? Not sure. He did the same thing for the Lions this year against the Bears, I believe. Just looked cool and stole momentum.
Blake runs moving the pile with OL help are a close second for the team spirit enhancing nature they seem to have.
January 29th, 2023 at 11:04 AM ^
2022- JJ throwing a misslie to the hashes, in the face of a blitz, to Cornelius Johnson to tie it up 10-10 in the toilet bowl.
2021- Erick All @ psu went against the grain on a drag route and took that thing to the house!!!
January 29th, 2023 at 3:57 PM ^
The Erick All TD catch and run against PSU is one of the biggest, if not the biggest play, of the Harbaugh era. If Michigan drops that game….this program probably looks a lot different right now. It felt like this team had turned a corner when they pulled that tough road win out. Sad that things ended the way they did between him and Michigan, but we’ll always have the All/PSU moment.
January 29th, 2023 at 11:50 AM ^
The second long Edwards run against OSU. Basically put the game out of reach and broke their spirits in the process.
January 29th, 2023 at 12:04 PM ^
Hard to pick just one and I agree the Sainristil play is a great one. However, the Edwards 3rd quarter 27 yard TD run through the middle of the Purdue defense was awesome.
January 29th, 2023 at 12:13 PM ^
2021 - Haskin's hurdle vs the.
2022 - I have 75 to 85 of them.
January 29th, 2023 at 12:23 PM ^
2021: Corum gashes OSU for 50+ on a bum ankle to set up the first TD of the second half.
I knew, at that point, OSU would not stop the run (despite whatever halftime adjustments they made) and UM was in complete control and would maul them to the whistle.
2022: Edwards first long TD run to put UM up 15.
Again, OSU was exposed as a very talented team, but soft, one that could not deal with adversity or play from behind. The air was completely sucked out of the stadium at that point and I knew they had already folded like a cheap lawn chair. Edwards doing it again for 85 yards on the next possession was just the cherry on top. All game Klatt hyping Eichenberg..in the end, Tommy Two Thumbs works for The Don.
January 29th, 2023 at 12:40 PM ^
2022 :Ronnie Bell's TD in the big ten championship ( felt like that was the full circle moment of the comeback)
2021 :The hurdle
January 29th, 2023 at 12:43 PM ^
Agree with a lot of candidates mentioned in 2022. I'm going with McCarthy's 3 yard rushing touchdown. That play cashed in a 15 play, 81 yard drive that took 7:51 off the clock. I love those drives. I love the way McCarthy taps Keegan on the ass before the play is snapped and runs right by him. That drive gave Michigan a two score lead.
For 2021, the Haskins leap is a phenomenal choice. So is the Erick All TD. For me, I'm going with O-JA-BO!!
McCarthy TD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHnw2kKahU4
Ojabo sack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u6vq7tZJ98
January 29th, 2023 at 12:52 PM ^
2022 - The Don's 75 yard TD run right after Knowles was being lauded for his hiring - and how his hire was to stop UM from running over Ohio ever again. (The 85 yard TD run with the choo-choo at the end was a close second).
2021 - Hutch's 3rd down sack inside the 15 on Ohio's first scoring drive, down 7-3. After the 118 points the previous two games, we always seemed to wilt vs. Ohio in forcing FGs. I was at the game and felt like that play set the tone for the day on D. (2nd place would be Haskin's hurdle on the clinching drive).
January 29th, 2023 at 1:06 PM ^
2021:
2022:
Lots of choices, but 3rd and short is always a nail-biter, and this made AN Ohio university look like chumps and led to us going up two scores.
January 29th, 2023 at 1:12 PM ^
From 2022:
From 2021, it's hard to pick one. It's one of these 3:
Hassan Haskins leaping over the Nebraska defender starting at 0:48 of this video. It added needed yards to that important drive:
Erick All's game winning catch, run and TD against Penn St. Maybe this is #1 though.
The beautiful throw from Cade McNamara to Roman Wilson against Penn St starting at 14:35 of this video. Pin point placement. No crumbs were harmed in the placing of this biscuit in the basket!