Best finish ever?

Submitted by macdaddy on
I'm sure I'm forgetting a ton but here's my take after 30+ years of going to Michigan games: 1) 1979 Indiana - the AC game. Because it was at a time when we were truly an elite program and IU was then, as they are now, horrific. We never HAD to win a game that way in those days which is why it was so unbelievable when it happened. A loss to Indiana in 1979 would have been unthinkable but AC saved the day. 2) 2011 ND - UTL, hated rival, Desmond, flyover, parachute guys, RAWK, creepy halftime show, College Gameday, :02 on the clock! 3) 2005 PSU - :01 on the clock, destroyed their chance to play for a NC. No chance to tie. It was either win or lose. 4) 1995 Virginia - because it was so improbable and the comeback was so huge. 5) 2005 Sparty - Braylonfest. Would have been higher but for the fact that it was a stop that won the game rather than a score. Completely awesome either way. Thoughts?
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The Baughz

September 11th, 2011 at 10:10 AM ^

It was the best considering how awful we played through 3 quarters and then the amount of big plays that happened in such a short amount of time. Words cant describe how awesome that game and the atmosphere was last night.

Joined: 10/08/2010

MGoPoints: 31913

Charlie Chunk

September 11th, 2011 at 10:24 AM ^

They're all special and that's why I'm a fan. I have to say, it's almost becoming a rite of passage to win a game on last second heroics.

They play to win the game! Set up for a field goal to tie...that's for suckers. We create Legends at the University of Michigan!

Go Blue!

Joined: 05/02/2011

MGoPoints: 903

TheDirtyD

September 11th, 2011 at 10:25 AM ^

2011 ND gets Denarded again...! I was so loud people in my hotel called the front desk to complain.

2002 Philip Brabbs hits a 44 yard field goal to win the game Vs. Washington after missing the previous 2. The kick couldnt have been any more perfect. I remember thinking crap... then I jump up hit my head on something and ran around my house like a crazy person.

Joined: 07/18/2009

MGoPoints: 17916

Naked Bootlegger

September 11th, 2011 at 10:32 AM ^

The Dreisbach-Hayes 1995 game was similar in nature.  We stunk it up for the first 3+ quarters in that game and somehow pulled a win out of nowhere.   But the win last night (so strange to say night!) was epic due to all of the hype.  

Joined: 01/28/2011

MGoPoints: 34640

bluebyyou

September 11th, 2011 at 10:46 AM ^

Very special night on so many levels.

I think the PSU Henne to Manningham, while no more exciting, was more relevant in that it ruined PSU's great season.  

Joined: 09/07/2009

MGoPoints: 18562

Tater

September 11th, 2011 at 10:52 AM ^

The massive SPARTY NOOOOO comeback, the Minnesota comeback, Virginia, PSU, the last two ND games.  John Kolesar's 100 yards of total offense on two plays (54 KR 46 pass) with a little over a minute left to beat Ohio State in 1988 was great because it was from a Bo team, and the pass was a total shock.  And, of course, AC's play against Indiana that was immortalized by the late Bob Ufer.  

AFAIC, they were all great.  I am not going to choose between any of them.

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584

caliblue

September 11th, 2011 at 1:19 PM ^

I was there. We were watching from the opposite ( student ) endzone. We went from "we are going to let a bottom feeder tie us " to the greatest victory I ever saw in my 8 years there in 6 seconds. Remember, in those days ties were allowed and a tie in that game was as good as a loss. Nobody left the student section for a good hour or so.

Joined: 11/02/2008

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dennisblundon

September 11th, 2011 at 11:14 AM ^

I am pretty sure that I am still a bit drunk but that may and no doubt is, the greatest game these eyes have ever seen. The ND game is such a swing game in terms of our season that it is hard to see any game being bigger than that in terms of momentum. Still can't believe the ending and will be walking on cloud 9 for at least a week. Did I mention my brother is a ND fan?

Joined: 02/23/2010

MGoPoints: 9613

Mr. Yost

September 11th, 2011 at 11:31 AM ^

And that game, sits #2 for me behind this one. AC is #3, ND last year #4, Henne to Manningham #5. After that you got Tate's ND game, some Navarre and Brady great comebacks, Carr's first game, etc.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

True Blue Grit

September 11th, 2011 at 11:52 AM ^

I'd have to say last night's game and Braylon-fest were the two most amazing finishes overall.  Yes The Catch in 1979 was one of the very biggest single plays, but the overall game stunk rather badly.  Last night was such a special game because of the first night game and the electric atmosphere.  The crowd was more into the game than I've ever seen I think.  It must have been big for recruiting too as we've seen already with Thomas. 

Joined: 01/21/2011

MGoPoints: 32362

M-Dog

September 11th, 2011 at 1:44 PM ^

All of our fantastic finishes are my beloved children:  

Indiana '79 - Wangler to Carter walk-off TD,

Iowa '83 - last second 50+ yrd field goal in the rain I, 

OSU '85 - Harbaugh to Kolesar,

iowa '86 - last second 50+ yrd field goal in the rain II,

OSU '88 Brown to Kolesar,

UCLA '89 on-side kick recovery and FG,

OSU '90 - 4th and 1 stop and FG (God I miss the OSU '80s and '90s),

ND '91 Elvis to Desmond,

ND '94 - Hamilton FG,

Virginia '95 - Dreisbach to Hayes walk-off TD,

Alabama 2000 Orange Bowl - Brady show and missed AL extra point,

Washington '02 - last second Brabbs field goal,

Florida '03 - D stop of Zooker trick play, 

Minnesota '03 - 28 point fourth quarter transcontinental comeback,

MSU '04- Braylonfest, 

PSU '05 - Henne to Manningham :01,

Florida '08 Cap One Bowl - D stop on Tebow,  

ND '09 - Moxie,

ND '10 - Denarded,

Ill '10 - 3 OTs, 3000 points,

ND '11 - Denarded sexy in the dark.

I won't say I love one more than the others, but last night's pedigree is flawless . . . first night game, Game Day, Desmond, national hype, rocking maize pom-pom pulsating Big House, Brady Hoke's national Coming Out party, ND's eternal return to glory face-planted.

 

 

Joined: 07/06/2008

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