20 years ago today: Tshimanga Biakabutuka eviscerates Ohio State
On November 25th, 1995, Tshimanga "Tim" Biakabatuka ripped off 313 yards on 37 carries, ending previously unbeaten Ohio State's chances at a Rose Bowl berth. You all know the story. Go Blue.
November 26th, 2015 at 1:27 AM ^
I was there and it was awesome. For those who don't read the article, that was Eddie George's Heisman campaign, but in that game he got shut down. UM lineman Tree Jenkins also deserved a game ball.
EDIT: And unless I am mistaken in my memories (and I often am), Tree was lined up across from Number 1 overall draft pick Dan "Big Daddy" Wilkinson. (Bengals, I think) Not bad for a UM freshman to win that duel.
November 26th, 2015 at 1:31 AM ^
That was Saturday of Thanksgiving and a lot of OSU fans were able to get tickets. Best part was shutting up the jacklegs from Ohio who would not stop talking crap.
Biakabutuka was so, SO, great that day...and to be honest none of us could have seen it coming.
It was surreal
November 26th, 2015 at 1:42 AM ^
This was the first M game I ever attended. That experience was a large factor in my deciding to attend Michigan.
November 26th, 2015 at 1:44 AM ^
Wilkinson was already in the nfl at that point
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
November 26th, 2015 at 2:18 AM ^
You may be right. It was someone big name and it was supposed to be big the other way. I'd have to see the rosters maybe . . .
November 26th, 2015 at 6:19 AM ^
You may be thinking of Mike Vrabel.
November 26th, 2015 at 2:27 AM ^
I remember the whole crowd chanting "Eddie" in a taunting tone while Biakabatuka went off and George did nothing.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
November 26th, 2015 at 9:13 AM ^
If I remember correctly, BlueInWisconsin, we were all chanting, "Eddie who, Eddie who?!". Best game I have ever attended!
November 26th, 2015 at 4:46 AM ^
Is it healthy to hate something so much? I can't wait till we consistently run down their throat like this again! Let's break their spirits... GO BLUE!
November 26th, 2015 at 1:05 AM ^
!!!!!!!
November 26th, 2015 at 1:09 AM ^
Those shoulder pads are HUGE!! lolz
November 26th, 2015 at 1:34 AM ^
F&$k free world.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
November 26th, 2015 at 1:47 AM ^
That was one of the greatest things I ever saw at the Big House. Touchdown Tim was the best M back ever in my opinion.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
November 26th, 2015 at 1:50 AM ^
One football game for the rest of my life, it would probably be this one.
November 26th, 2015 at 1:53 AM ^
That game is special to me because it is my first Michigan sports memory. Crazy to think it has been 20 years.
November 26th, 2015 at 1:55 AM ^
Best single performance in the Big House of all time? There's other huge performances I can think of but they were on the road.
November 26th, 2015 at 8:58 AM ^
Certainly not the same level of competition, but it was at home.
On November 16, 1968, in his next-to-last game for Michigan, Johnson set an NCAA record by rushing for 347 yards on 31 carries (11.2 yards per carry) against Wisconsin. He also scored a Big Ten record five rushing touchdowns in Michigan's 34-9 victory over the Badgers.[14][15] The Chicago Tribune hailed Johnson's performance against Wisconsin as "the most explosive display of running in the proud history of the Big Ten conference."[14] His 347 rushing yards remains a Michigan single-game rushing record.
November 26th, 2015 at 9:56 AM ^
but yes...his record was against Wisconsin, ths happened against undefeated Ohio State, so I would say yes.
November 26th, 2015 at 10:08 PM ^
The two above are better but Chris Perry running 51 times for 219 yds and a td against a good Staee team was a great all time performance as well.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
November 26th, 2015 at 2:06 AM ^
I was 15 years from my acceptance to Michigan and the start of my fandom, but I remember this game clearly. That's still the best day by a running back I remember seeing in my 4 decades of college football watching.
November 26th, 2015 at 2:09 AM ^
Does anyone else remember there being a streaker at this game? Jumped onto the field at one endzone and ran straight across the field to the other, stark naked. Or was it another game in that 1995-6 era? I seem to remember it being OSU.
November 26th, 2015 at 2:11 AM ^
buckeye fan with nothing much to show!
November 26th, 2015 at 8:46 AM ^
I seem to remember that too - I believe it was in that 1995-96 window. To paraphrase David Niven, who had to deal with a streaker interrupting the 1974 Oscars, I am simply glad that the person had the courage to share with the world their shortcomings.
As for the 1995 game, I was there - "The Timmy Show" was a highly entertaining show and for those who did not catch it in person, if you can catch video of it later today when you're tired of your family, it is highly recommended.
November 26th, 2015 at 2:17 AM ^
It was either 1995 or 1997. I was at both games and can't remember for sure. He made it the length of the field and struck the Heisman pose. Really need a win Saturday. Just tired of the losing and the excuses. It needs to turn around and start now.
November 26th, 2015 at 2:23 AM ^
But yes, it was an OSU game for sure.
November 26th, 2015 at 5:51 AM ^
Yup. IIRC, it was at halftime. We heard a sudden roar from the crowd and saw this dude running the length of the field. He started to strike Dez's Heisman pose in the north end zone and was rushed by security and wrapped up in a blanket. I was in the student section.
November 26th, 2015 at 7:57 AM ^
You're correct. During halftime, he ran from the S end zone to the north. We were seated on the E side of the field, at about the 30. He did the Heisman at the end of his run and the cops very calmly came out onto the field once he'd finished and put a blanket around him and led him away.
We encountered a very drunk, belligerent OSU fan at the corner of State and Liberty after the game that evening, next to a small bus with Ohio plates. His buddies had obviously left him there and told him not to leave because he seemed almost chained to the spot, but he had something to say about everyone who passed by. Its funny how one impression can define an entire fan base and the memory of that guy somehow defines tOSU's for me.
November 26th, 2015 at 2:10 AM ^
could have a similar day as Touch Down Tim! Great game. I watched it in Lubbock, TX back when I use to work there in the mid and late 90s.
November 26th, 2015 at 5:52 AM ^
Drake would have to be the guy then. If we can get a RB to 100 yds Saturday we will be in good shape.
November 26th, 2015 at 8:12 AM ^
Peppers
November 26th, 2015 at 2:22 AM ^
Such a great game to be at. I remember there was a banner hanging from the wall in the endzone that an OSU fan made that read " Mom send roses." It was gone by late in the third quarter. Some OSU fans by where I was sitting left near the beginning of the fourth quarter. Need that to happen Saturday. Michigan is due for a win.
November 26th, 2015 at 2:49 AM ^
I'm closing in on 30 years a Michigan fan and that is still my favorite performance by any player in any year since. The crowd roared every time his spectacular name was called.
November 26th, 2015 at 2:49 AM ^
that I was STUNNED that Michigan beat Ohio State...I mean stunned.
This is my favorite UM game to watch on youtube.
November 26th, 2015 at 2:54 AM ^
"He's not that good."
November 26th, 2015 at 3:04 AM ^
I remember big Tim would just lay on the field after the whistle to the point where you got worried that he may be hurt, but he always got up, then he'd break off another awesome run, and he'd lay there, then he'd get up, then after he did this enough you realized he was just resting between plays
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
November 26th, 2015 at 4:23 AM ^
I was there...I had the worst seats in the stadium, absolute top row. We had the best time ever. As we drove away from the golf course parking my buddy who was driving accidently bumped into a van. He hit it pretty hard and right then i looked at the plates and they read OHIO. I looked at my friend and I said "YES". Best day ever.
November 26th, 2015 at 4:42 AM ^
I hope you didn't damage that license plate. Some former Buckeye worked hard to make that, you know.
November 26th, 2015 at 6:06 AM ^
He waited for his blockers to open up huge holes. He had great vision and seemed to always go the right way. He had great shifting and spins.
That video should be required watching by the players during OSU week.
November 26th, 2015 at 6:54 AM ^
This was my first game at the Big House. The streaker was about 30 feet from me in the endzone when he started his Heisman run. I remember all the Northwestern fans there rooting for us as they went to the Rose Bowl with UM winning that game. Good times!!!
November 26th, 2015 at 7:04 AM ^
I will never forget that day! We played lights out!
November 26th, 2015 at 7:05 AM ^
This was my first OSU game while in the MMB. Good times! We had a Biakabutuka cheer in the band that year.
November 26th, 2015 at 7:13 AM ^
For so many reasons stands out. I remember being so excited every time Timmy got a carry that day. We win, out rush the Heisman favorite, and break Ohio hearts. Such a great performance.
November 26th, 2015 at 7:26 AM ^
Has anyone ever wondered why the 2 and 1 were so far apart on his jersey?
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
November 26th, 2015 at 7:47 AM ^
So long ago. *sigh*
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
November 26th, 2015 at 7:50 AM ^
Tim was great, but that offensive line was just pushing back the OSU's DL about 5 yards on every play. That wad a great OL with most of them continued playing on Sundays.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
November 26th, 2015 at 8:01 AM ^
Very true. I watched the highlights in the OP link and thought Smith could do this today if there were gaping holes like I saw in the 1995 film. That Oline was beastly.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
November 26th, 2015 at 10:25 AM ^
Not that he didn't get a lot of yards on his own, but you will never see a 300 yard rushing performance with so few yards after contact.
That's the best I've ever seen an OL play. He wasn't touched by first-level defenders all day. The holes were yards wide. Runyan absolutely ate Vrabel's lunch.
November 26th, 2015 at 8:56 AM ^
Their D-line just gets caved on every play. Hopefully we're only a few short years from looking like that again