The last time we won on a goal line stand

Submitted by WolverineHistorian on

Before last night, our last goal line stand for a victory came against Illinois in 1982.  (I don't think M00N counts...or at least it shouldn't because that game...ugh.)

It was November 6, 1982.  A record crowd at Memorial Stadium of 75,256 showed up and they were, Steve Smith said at the time, the most hostile crowd he had ever played in front of.  The previous season, Michigan won this game 70-21 at the big house.  The Illini had not defeated Blue in 15 years.  It had been 25 years since they won this matchup in Champaign.  They were hungry for a win.  Michigan needed this win to remain alone atop the Big Ten standings with 2 weeks left in the season. 

The refs screwed Michigan numerous times.  The most notable examples were when Jerry Burgei clearly intercepted a pass that was ruled incomplete.  Also, an Illini defender shoved Larry Ricks face first into the bench several feet out of bounds after the play was dead.  When Bo screamed at the ref for a flag, the ref threw the flag on Bo instead, the penalty pushed Michigan out of field goal range and we were forced to punt. 

Illinois came up with a goal line stand of their own earlier in this game.  Michigan had a 4th & goal from the 1 yard line in the first quarter.  Bo decided to go for it to try and go up 14-3 but Larry Ricks was stuffed about an inch short of the goal line. 

Here, on 4th & goal from the 2 and 27 seconds left in the game, Illinois tried a running play, which left Keith Jackson in shock.

Watch the final 1:21 of the game here.  (Embed on the first reply)

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flashOverride

November 1st, 2015 at 12:20 PM ^

Yeah, put me down as another who unfortunately thought "Akron" when I saw this thread. I've never walked out of the Big House so pissed off after a win. I invoked a certain religious figure while bestowing a certain F-word as the middle name and just walked out. My girlfriend was like you don't want to hang for a few minutes? Hell no let's just get out of here.

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xtramelanin

November 1st, 2015 at 1:24 PM ^

but didn't we stuff illinois in that triple OT game to win it 67-65 about 4 yrs ago?   mabye frank clark did the sticking?  no?  my mind is gone?  figures. 

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BlueMan80

November 1st, 2015 at 2:36 PM ^

I do remember the crowd being extra hostile. Some people around us complained about being spit on. The passing game with crossing routes was moving the ball all day, but M would stiffen inside the 20. I couldn't believe they ran the ball either. The defense expected run on that play, so no chance for ILL. My hard core Illini friends claim that game cemented their rivalry with Michigan. Whatever. They were super obnoxious in 1983 when we had to play again in Cham-bana and won that one. I was at that one too and remember what horrible winners they were. Couldn't tell much of a difference vs. 1982.

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father fisch

November 1st, 2015 at 4:50 PM ^

I remember that game. Illinois was passing successfully that day but not as much in the running game. It made it all the more beautiful that they ran on fourth down to try and shove it in our faces.

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