Great Tyrone Wheatley TD Run
Courtesy of the Wolverine Historian, of course. Check out #6 at 4:13 of this vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi39gYUHLv0
Speed and power. That is 6-star talent
With Wheatley, Powers, Jesse Johnson, Alexander, Hayes, Toomer, Riemersma and Collins, that was one hell of an offense.
They looked like NC material against WSU, but then went on to an 8-4 record with three horrible close losses to ND, Wisky and Illinois as well as to Sparty. At least they pounded the Bucks 28-0.
Yeah I noticed that and did some research on Hayes. He was a true sophomore in that game against WSU. The next week, against Notre Dame, he had 6 catches for 96 yards and a TD, and in week 3 he had 6 for 127 yards against Houston. The rest of the season he was quiet-- he never had more than 2 grabs in a game after Houston. Was he injured? I don't recall.
In '94 he had a quiet year, as his best performance was against Purdue, 5 catches for 88 yards. He didn't record a TD until the bowl game.
In '95, he opened with the performance for which he will always be remembered. Including the miracle catch in the northeast corner of the endzone, he had 7 catches for 179 yards and 2 TDs in the opener against Virginia. The rest of the season was consistent but unspectacular-- he had big games against Miami (Oh) (6 for 107 yards) and Penn State (6 for 127 yards).
Hayes also had 21 carries for 210 yards in his career, which I'm presuming came from reverses. He had 53 kickoff returns for an 18.8 yard average and no TDs, and 23 punt returns for a 7.3 yard average and no TDs.
So, I'm piecing this together mostly from memory, but I think Hayes was mostly a complimentary wideout to the bigger target, Amani Toomer. And that makes sense given their NFL careers. But he was valued as an athlete-- on returns and reverses. Looking at the tape, he was definitely undersized. I'm betting he watches at home these days and wishes he could be a slot man in RichRod's offense. Nonetheless, he definitely holds a lifelong spot on the All-name team, and he will always be remembered for the Virginia TD.
And he held this record until 2001, when it was broken by Marquise Walker: 30 consecutive games with a reception. The current record is Braylon's with 38.
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:04 AM ^
...recruiting was not the subject of the internets and blogs and such. At some point in the paper you read about the class that was coming in. If you were a real nut about the topic, you knew one or two of the guys coming in.
All I remember was seeing the name for the first time and thinking, "We got a guy named 'MERCURY'??? And he plays wide receiver??? Sweeeeeet!"
I don't think any Michigan fan alive for that game will forget Hayes' performance in that Virginia game. Hottest game I've ever been to at Michigan Stadium but the ending made it worth it.
Funny story: the following Saturday, my dad and I had a guy join us (at random) for a morning round of golf. My folks lived in Maryland at the time. I of course had on my block M wool baseball cap. By the third hole, we determined that the man-giant playing with us was a former linebacker at...Virginia.
The rest of the season he was quiet-- he never had more than 2 grabs in a game after Houston. Was he injured? I don't recall.
I don't think he was injured. He was not a starting wideout at that time. Derrick Alexander and Walter Smith were the two starters (wearing jerseys #1 and #2, appropriately enough), with Toomer, Hayes and Felman Malveaux rounding out what was dubbed the football program's own "Fab Five."
In '94, Hayes became a starter as Alexander was gone and Smith suffered a torn ACL. Toomer was the top target then, setting what was then the school record for receiving yardage (since broken by Braylon).
The following year, Hayes initially seemed to become our go-to guy with Scott Driesbach playing QB, but when Driesbach broke his thumb a month into the season and Griese replaced him, Toomer then seemed to take over (relatively speaking, as Griese couldn't hit the broad side of a barn back then - he was nowhere near the level he'd later reach).
Felman Malveaux is one of my all-time favorite U-M football names.
August 2nd, 2009 at 11:39 PM ^
I was so pumped to see Wheatley play that year, but instead I picked a game (Wisconsin) and they came out flat and Brent Moss put it to us. Wheatley is still one of my favorites regardless.
Wheatley had phenomenal talent. I was really surprised that he didn't become an NFL star.
Thanks for the link. Given all the OOC talk, it was cool to use YouTube for games in the past. Also, since I became a true fan once enrolled, (2002) I definitely appreciate videos across earlier eras of Michigan football.
anyone remember the over shoulder twisting and turning catch that hayes had against O$U (in the 28-0 game i think)??? that catch is right up there with the game winning TD catch against UV.
but as for this vid it was nice to see some walter smith highlights!!!
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:17 AM ^
Here ya go, 40 seconds in:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-QZ-h9ePSs&feature=channel_page
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:31 AM ^
you my good man!!! that was a great game and a great catch. alson in that game ty law had two picks and shut down galloway!!!
I missed out on everything before 1997. My first game that I watched was the 1996 season's bowl game. Arkansas wasn't it? I don't quite remember without looking it up. Anyways, my point is, for those of you who got to see Wheatly and those wins over OSU in the mid-90's...i'm jealous. Oh well, I have seen my share of RB's such as A-Train, Perry, and Hart!
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:40 AM ^
know how you feel, even though i was priviledged to be able to go to michigan football games at a young age. the furthest i can remember back is the mid 80's when this little RB from floida was tearing up the field. jamie morris was the man!!! and i highley suggest that you (if you haven't already) go and find some you tubes of games from 84-87.
i'm jealous of my dad because he has been able to see every home game at the big house since 1977 (1st year as a season ticket holder). and he was able to go to many more games before that. i would give have given my left nut to leach play.
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:10 AM ^
I am a relative baby compared to you guys, only coming to love Michigan football after becoming a grad student at Michigan about 4 years ago. Though I dont have the longevity yet that many of you all have, nonetheless, like many of you, my love of college football had its genesis with love of Michigan football - I came to love college football after coming to love michigan football. Then one reinforced the other. I see all other college football games, media, and general phenomena through Michigan football lenses.
Thus, I really appreciate historical discussions like this, learning through collective and negotiated memory, backed by videos such as wolverine historian's. Only a few programs have this much to offer its fans (or players).
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:45 AM ^
Wheatley was our Bo Jackson. He was incredible. Injuries at the end of his junior year and beginning of his senior year made him tenative but before that, was as good as any we've ever had. His sophomore year 7.3 ypc average probably won't be surpassed in our lifetimes. He had his best performances in big games too. He averaged an incredible 8.8 ypc in bowl games.
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:59 AM ^
That's a pretty good run, but the one I always think of when it comes to Wheatley is at the start of the second half of the Rose Bowl against Washington. It's just unreal to see him leave the DB's in the dust like that.
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 AM ^
Man, Wheatley was a tough runner. He didn't have much of a cutback but he was crazy good and fast when he got loose in the open field. I think he was fastest as a freshman. He added bulk through his career and lost some top end speed but became a power runner in the process.
And I forgot how good of an arm Collins had. Thanks for the vid.