Michigan Mt. Rushmore of Defensive Plays
Since it’s a slow day on the board I’d like to see what you would include in your Mt. Rushmore of Michigan defensive football plays. A couple of plays that come to my mind are Thom Darden’s interception to seal the ‘71 game against OSU (the play where Woody tore up the sideline markers), John Milligan’s interception to close out the ‘89 Rose Bowl, Woodson’s interceptions against MSU and Washington St. Anywho, let’s see what you guys come up with and if you like the idea we can do offense tomorrow. Hope you are all enjoying your summers and Go Blue!
Mike Sainristil's PBU on Cade Stover in the endzone to prevent a TD - one of the best plays in recent memory
Recency bias on that one, for sure, but I expect it will stand up over time as being in the discussion when it comes to M Defense Mt. Rushmore.
I suppose the only thing that could have made it more critical is if it was the year before. But the drubbing we've taken for two decades makes it worth it.
Not negging you or anything since you did say it could belong.
BUT
Mikey is 5’10 and Cade Stover is 6’5”. This forced a FG when the game was still in reach for both teams.
I agree with you, I think on its face it's not on the individual level of Woodson's MSU int or even Jourdan Lewis's int against Wisconsin, but considering the context and the stakes of the game it's absolutely up there on the list of legendary plays. Like it wasn't the most athletic or jaw-dropping performance but it was insanely clutch
Wasn’t the Lewis int on a 4th down anyway?
Yes. The Lewis INT was an amazing play, but it was 4th down late in the 4th quarter so it would have been a game ender whether he'd caught it or merely knocked it down. In fact if memory serves, Wisconsin was pinned deep in their own territory so a PBU might have given us a chance to score or take a FG. Not that it would have been necessary.
Actually there was still some time on the clock and Wisconsin had timeouts.
The game was still in play. Knocking the ball down and gaining the field position could have been critical but it wasn’t.
The pick itself was extraordinary. If he knocks it down it probably never gets talked about again.
If you tack on Sainristil's other 4Q PBU in the end zone, the one against the 5* projected to go in the 1st round of next year's NFL draft, then maybe we have something. It was a work of art, him swatting the ball away with the front (nearest the QB) hand, without even touching Egbuka AFAICT. Two plays later Taylor Upshaw got his interception.
That's a converted WR who a year before caught the big flea flicker. Sainristil needs some sort of memorial for what he did last year.
Wishing Amorion Walker the same progression.
What's wrong with you people? Daydrion Taylor. Dude ended Penn State's whole day on one play right in front of JoPa.
Sainristill 2022 OSU EZ TD break up
Woodson Sideline INT @ MSU 1997
Woodson RB INT in EZ 98 (97 season)
2nd half Thom Darden pick against OSU in 69
It’s hard to beat a game sealing pick or sack in a rivalry game…but Sainristil’s PBU has got to be on the list.
How huge was that?
In the context of that game, REALLY HUGE.
In the broader context of expelling the demons of past nightmares, it was even bigger. Michigan is now the team making the big plays at critical moments, not withering under the bright lights, but rather playing with confidence and swagger. Now Michigan is the team going for the jugular, putting games away.
What a great fighting spirit this team has!
Charles Woodson one-handed pick against Sparty after jumping off the “wrong foot”.
I win
That's the one I always think of. Seeing that ball sailing away harmlessly, then... oh, he intercepted that, didn't he? Then on each replay it looked more and more superhuman.
When Odell Beckham Jr. made that catch for the Giants, I was thinking, "yeah, great catch, but I've seen one level better."
Absolutely one of the best plays I've seen, but as if I remember correctly that game wasn't in much doubt, so I think that makes it hard to put in the top four ever
Exactly, now that season in the Rose Bowl, iff Woodson doesn't intercept that ball in the EZ, we go down 14-0 in the 2nd QT. I was sitting about 20 feet from that play.
That play changed the momentum of the game, we were sputtering on offense and that play woke is up!
I was sitting in the opposite end of the stadium wearing my #2 jersey. After the interception, I stood on my seat and told all of the WSU fans who the best player in America was.... Charles MF Woodson!!
We were about half way up the stands behind you
You're right. But the key to that interception, was I saw thousands of MSU fans hang their head when that play was made.
Every year hope springs eternal for them, and they truly believed they were going to beat us that year.
That interception made them realize they had no chance.
I never saw it in them before and I haven't seen it since.
Must not have paid attention during the John L. & Bobby Williams eras.
Gustave is right. The score was still not so far apart. But they knew the game was over after that play.
The best thing about the Woodson pick against Staee is it’s a full team play. DLine wrecks the QB. Linebacker or safety destroys the outlet reciever. Woodson picks off the QBs attempt to throw it out of bounds. By far still the best football play I’ve seen.
O-JA-BO
The Woodson ones are my obvious #1, but this makes my list:
(Jordan Lewis INT vs Wisconsin to seal the game)
https://youtu.be/kwZwFfsr8YA
That’s an excellent choice. While knocking it down would’ve potentially been better the play was incredible and the still photo even more impressive
I don't really care what play you use but if we're talking a Michigan Football Mt. Rushmore then you have to include Jordan Kovacs
1993 four-down goal line stand against Penn State in their first season in the Big 10. From the NYT:
The scene was ripe: it was the 1,000th game in Penn State football history, played before the largest crowd in Beaver Stadium history (96,719), against the titan of a new conference, Michigan of the Big Ten, on a beautiful autumn afternoon.
And for your viewing enjoyment (called by a familiar voice that I just can't place):
2016 in Columbus: Fourth and one in the fourth quarter. J.T. Barrett on a keeper...
Yeah, still ticked off about it. Look at my join date,
Methinks you'd be the kind of guy I'd never invite to a fun party. 👎
Tell me about your fun party. Do we get to sit in a circle and revel in how wonderful we are compared to everyone who has ever lived, past or present? Or is one of those parties where everyone has their cells out the whole time, and you're actually holding one right this minute? And I missed out? Oh, no.
Ah. Social cues. The kind of party where people gather to celebrate great things or a series of happy moments. Featuring high fives, loud cheering, and big smiles. Yep, like that.
Well now I am sad. I've always wanted to be in a beer commercial.
Were you at the 45-23 or 42-27 games? Fun times. Great moments to celebate.👍😉👍
Still mad about the play before that. We should have had them at fourth and 14
Agreed. But then they probably kick the field goal and then we have to rely on a hobbled Wilton Speight (Wilton Speight!) in the next OT.
One question I've not seen discussed around here is how Michigan would have fared against Clemson in the playoff. Certainly better than OSU did in their 31-0 loss, but how much better?
Too soon
Mikey
Fucking
Sainristil
I hesitate to cite this play, but out
of respect for him, Daydrion Taylor's hit on Bob Stevenson of Penn State in the 1997 Judgement Day game at Beaver Stadium is one defensive play I will never forget. That was the most violent collision I have ever seen on a football field. Maybe the tone was already established in that game, but Taylor's hit left no doubt about Michigan's intentions on that day. Sadly, neither guy ever played football again, although Taylor has had a successful life from all I have read.
The play was simple, but the result will live on forever.
If I recall correctly we knocked two of their QBs out of that game. The defense was nasty that year.
The only thing missing was Branch yelling to the crowd "Are you not entertained?!?
Coming in’24 Gladiator 2 starring Denzel.
Marcus Ray sending David Boston into orbit was a fun one.
Made the cover of Sports Illustrated!!
Since it happened during my Michigan alum/fan days, I've gotta list the Sainristil play. He...teleported. It's the only way to explain the distance he covered.
I saw the Woodson play live on t.v. as it happened, so that one too. It similarly defied imagination.
Didn’t see it mentioned yet, but Jourdan Lewis’ game-clinching diving one-handed interception against Wisc is one of the greatest plays I’ve seen in real time.
1980: Bobby Thompson's sack of Art Schlichter on the last play of Michigan's 9-3 win over OSU in Columbus. Totally epic. It was my one game in Columbus and a great one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SJp78bHKsA
in case you wish to relive it