Poetic Justice: Milroe Stuffed at the Same Goal Line Where Charles White Scored Phantom TD
I was a freshman in the Michigan Marching Band on Jan. 1, 1979, when Charles White of USC fumbled the ball at the goal line in the Rose Bowl and was awarded a touchdown nonetheless. The band was seated at that goal line and the play happened right in front of us. We all saw exactly what happened and it was heartbreaking. Forty-five years later, it still is. We lost the game, 14-6.
After our defense stuffed Jalen Milroe on fourth-and-3, one of my first thoughts was that the play happened at that exact same goal line.
It was poetic justice, and we didn't have to rely on a bad call to achieve it. (And RIP Charles White, who passed away in 2023.)
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:20 AM ^
There should be a picture of the last play hung in Chrisler just like the phantom TD of White. Only without the ball circled. What a Win!
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:21 AM ^
The NFL needs to send the Michigan football team a fruit basket for getting their sorry asses off of the front page of the news.
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:23 AM ^
That's such a good point.
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:39 AM ^
Is brian doing a podcast today? shouldn't we hear a half hour of great content mixed with 1.5 hours of hot sauce takes and feelings ball.
I'll admit, i don't care about the mechanics, i want some Brian and Seth feelings ball. Seth, over step every narrative structure of the podcast with glee!
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:51 AM ^
I saw Seth at the hotel before the game and saw Brian when I got through the tunnel to my section.
/cool story bro.
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:58 AM ^
I saw Seth and a Sklar standing together as the camera panned the fans.
January 2nd, 2024 at 12:02 PM ^
I’m pretty sure I saw him on the broadcast at one point too. Was he wearing our white jersey if I saw correctly?
January 2nd, 2024 at 1:08 PM ^
I have to imagine this might be delayed a day or three as they probably want to get back to Ann Arbor so those on the podcast who didn’t go can participate. They’re probably just now getting up and on flights.
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:27 AM ^
I did not understand Alabama's last play call at all. They had been destroying Michigan on the edges for the entire second half. Of all the plays they could have ran that was pretty much the only one I KNEW Michigan would stop.
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:32 AM ^
I read that the last play was actually an RPO, and that the Bama running back was open in the flat, but the snap was low which forced Milroe to run it.
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:42 AM ^
We did have a defender going to cover the back, he was open and it woulda come down to that tackle probably
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:59 AM ^
I’ll be curious to see the UFR.
I thought the safety cutting in front of the WR and Colson going with the back had that area pretty well covered against a pass. It sounded on ESPN today like the RPO was: “if the LB (Colson) clears out, run the QB power” they just couldn’t get past M’s line.
As for running to the edge, Barrett had one side shut down and given how the ends crushed both tackles I don’t think there was an edge to get to.
January 2nd, 2024 at 11:56 AM ^
I think a couple of things.
Saban in the presser said it was a designed run like they would do with a 2 pt attempt. If so, not very well designed. That said, a number of Bama fans are saying it should've been an RPO, but the low snap forced the keep. Maybe.
This was a moment post-snap. Number 5 was in motion from right to left. You can see our LB by the "CH" following the motion guy. You can also see off to the left of the screen a defenders arm, presumably matched up man-to-man on another WR. 5 would've had a shot making it into the endzone on a swing pass were it not for the fact that Sainristil shot into the backfield. I'm guessing Milroe saw that, didn't think he'd be able to get the ball out in time, and kept it.
Some other Bama fans were saying Milroe should've run to the gap on the left side, but that again ignores the fact that Sainristil was literally right there and would've been in perfect position to make the tackle. Michigan also had the backside defender, so his only choice was to go up the gut and hope his blockers could move the pile forward. It does look like there could be the smallest sliver between Alabama blockers 72 and 74, which is where he ultimately tried to go, but that gap was closed very quickly. Ultimately, the DL just dominated the OL on this play.
Video:
January 2nd, 2024 at 1:26 PM ^
The only thing other than the gap on the left side was throwing the ball backwards 10 yards and hoping Michigan missed the tackle
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:30 AM ^
I was thinking about the Phantom touchdown during the Alumni Pep rally which was held at the USC basketball arena. Still bitter about that game but this was a great way have some better memories in Southern California
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:34 AM ^
Still too soon
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:51 AM ^
Sorry - we lost the game 17-10. I apparently still have PTSD.
January 2nd, 2024 at 12:02 PM ^
I still remember where I was while I was watching that damn game and that damn fumble that wasn't called by that fucking crooked Big Ten ref. It's games like those that formed a permanent gash in my sports psyche when it comes to Michigan and bowl games, especially the Rose Bowl.
What's sort of weird is that the place I was living in when I watched that Phantom Touchdown is right across the street from the house my wife and I bought twenty years later, and still live in today.
Yesterday's game has gone a long way towards healing that gash.
January 2nd, 2024 at 12:35 PM ^
I was at that game in the band as well. My freshman year. At the very end of the broadcast, they zoomed in on George Cavendar and the band leaving the field. I was close behind him, and was on national TV - the agony of defeat.
I will never forget the joy turning to pain as what we saw (the fumble) turned into a touchdown by the refs. Such a bogus call.
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:54 AM ^
Not sure how a legitimate game winning stop is poetic justice for that screw job.
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:57 AM ^
i wouldn't have seen the ball if it weren't for that gigantic arrow. This team is just exorcizing all the program's demons, aren't they?
January 2nd, 2024 at 11:37 AM ^
I'd like to point out that the one official who called fumble (but was overruled by the others) was from Grand Blanc, my old hometown.
January 2nd, 2024 at 11:42 AM ^
And he was the one closest to the play. Michigan recovered the fumble as well.
January 2nd, 2024 at 12:04 PM ^
I'll bet he was one of those ethically crooked refs who hated Schembechler and always took advantage of an opportunity to stick it to him.
January 2nd, 2024 at 2:01 PM ^
GB is my hometown. Unfortunately I am not 842 mil richer today.
January 2nd, 2024 at 11:38 AM ^
My dad is still angry about that.
January 2nd, 2024 at 11:40 AM ^
The Cottage Inn in Ann Arbor had a huge picture on the wall near the entrance of Charles White’s fumble for years and years. I’m not sure if that’s still there or not.
January 2nd, 2024 at 11:40 AM ^
I love posts that tell me that I'm not the only one who bitterly holds on to injustices from decades ago. But, this is why when the Big Ten put together its conference commercial highlighting its fans, Michigan was represented by a dude celebrating his 90th birthday.
January 2nd, 2024 at 11:42 AM ^
I thought the calls were excellent in both playoff games. I especially enjoyed the interception reversal, which was called correctly on the field. That is what the hat falling means AFAIK. If I were to juxtapose two plays that would be the one from this game. It would have made the difference. So glad they got it right.
January 2nd, 2024 at 11:42 AM ^
Was scrolling through the sports figures that we lost last year and Charles White was one of them. RIP
January 2nd, 2024 at 11:48 AM ^
Vince Young looked too old as well watching the other game. Life happens quick.
Charles took his hits, in a bad cohort for the game. RIP indeed.
January 2nd, 2024 at 12:15 PM ^
Never forget.
January 2nd, 2024 at 12:41 PM ^
I'm pretty sure there was (may still be) a larger version of this photo that I remember seeing at the Coach & Four barber shop, autographed by Bo, with the goal line ref circled, asking "What is this man looking at?"
January 2nd, 2024 at 1:59 PM ^
I was a heartbroken 8 year old that day. Charles White was indeed a hell of a player. Not his fault officiating of Rose Bowls through the 70s and 80s, and maybe even early 99s, was decidedly partisan.
January 2nd, 2024 at 2:08 PM ^
Looks like a full spectrum of emotions. From heartbreak to appreciation for a hell of a player.
January 2nd, 2024 at 2:22 PM ^
Indeed. Well played. +1.