Michigan's Halloween Scare
Anyone who watched Michigan's prime time game against Minnesota could not have imagined that the game would have ended the way that it did. Look at the last three plays of the game.
On 2nd and 6, Minnesota quaterback Mitch Leidner hit Drew Wolitarsky for what was ruled at touchdown with 19 seconds left in the game. The crowed at TCF Bank Stadium erupted, believing that the Gophers had knocked off the No. 15 team in the country. Replay showed that Wolitarsky was down at the one-half yard line.
Then the chaos ensued...
Minnesota inexplicably burns 17 seconds at the line before Leidner's pass to Brandon Lingen was incomplete. This left Minnesota with 2 seconds to trot out the field goal unit and send the game to overtime. Right? Right Tracy Claeys?
Nope. Tracy decides he is going to go for the win right there on the one-half yard line. Minnesota setup for a QB sneak.....
Stuffed. Blocked. Nope. Michigan Wins.
Michigan escaped Minneapolis with the Little Brown Jug. Golden Gophers fans had to feel the same way that Michigan fans felt two weeks ago when Michigan State robbed Michigan of a home win. The Gophers went from having a touchdown, to having 1st and Goal with 19 seconds left, to a loss. And on the Michigan sidelines it was pure jubilation. The win kept Michigan nationally ranked and with an outside chance of a Big Ten championship. The win also earned the Wolverines something they didn't get last year: bowl eligibility.
Michigan fans also saw what happens without quarterback Jake Rudock. For as average as Rudock has looked all season, and for as frustrating as it has been watching him miss wide open plays, Rudock's injury (he is expected to return for Rutgers) allowed Wilton Speight to play meaningful minutes for the Wolverines. Speight ultimately led Michigan to a game-winning touchdown, but it is clear that there is a significant gap between Michigan's starting and backup quarterbacks.
Defensively, this was the sloppiest game all year. Michigan seemed to struggle with Leidner who is a mobile quarterback. Jabril Peppers continued to shine including a touchdown saving, shoestring tackle in the 4th Quarter. For his efforts, Peppers was named the Big Ten Freshmen of the Week.
Next up for Michigan are the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Rutgers is having a disastrous year. Michigan needs to come out prepared and have a clean game against the Knights to get past the last two weeks of near wins and near losses.
Weather calls for clear skies but highs in the upper-40's. Stay warm in Ann Arbor this Saturday.
On 2nd and 6, Minnesota quaterback Mitch Leidner hit Drew Wolitarsky for what was ruled at touchdown with 19 seconds left in the game. The crowed at TCF Bank Stadium erupted, believing that the Gophers had knocked off the No. 15 team in the country. Replay showed that Wolitarsky was down at the one-half yard line.
Then the chaos ensued...
Minnesota inexplicably burns 17 seconds at the line before Leidner's pass to Brandon Lingen was incomplete. This left Minnesota with 2 seconds to trot out the field goal unit and send the game to overtime. Right? Right Tracy Claeys?
Nope. Tracy decides he is going to go for the win right there on the one-half yard line. Minnesota setup for a QB sneak.....
Stuffed. Blocked. Nope. Michigan Wins.
The stop.
And the reaction.
#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/BU2xt4OJnO
— Michigan Athletics (@UMichAthletics) November 1, 2015
Michigan escaped Minneapolis with the Little Brown Jug. Golden Gophers fans had to feel the same way that Michigan fans felt two weeks ago when Michigan State robbed Michigan of a home win. The Gophers went from having a touchdown, to having 1st and Goal with 19 seconds left, to a loss. And on the Michigan sidelines it was pure jubilation. The win kept Michigan nationally ranked and with an outside chance of a Big Ten championship. The win also earned the Wolverines something they didn't get last year: bowl eligibility.
Yes, that happened last night. The Jug is back in Ann Arbor!!
#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/lv2GmtFnAO
— Michigan Athletics (@UMichAthletics) November 1, 2015
Michigan fans also saw what happens without quarterback Jake Rudock. For as average as Rudock has looked all season, and for as frustrating as it has been watching him miss wide open plays, Rudock's injury (he is expected to return for Rutgers) allowed Wilton Speight to play meaningful minutes for the Wolverines. Speight ultimately led Michigan to a game-winning touchdown, but it is clear that there is a significant gap between Michigan's starting and backup quarterbacks.
Defensively, this was the sloppiest game all year. Michigan seemed to struggle with Leidner who is a mobile quarterback. Jabril Peppers continued to shine including a touchdown saving, shoestring tackle in the 4th Quarter. For his efforts, Peppers was named the Big Ten Freshmen of the Week.
Next up for Michigan are the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Rutgers is having a disastrous year. Michigan needs to come out prepared and have a clean game against the Knights to get past the last two weeks of near wins and near losses.
Weather calls for clear skies but highs in the upper-40's. Stay warm in Ann Arbor this Saturday.
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