There are...

Submitted by UM Fan from Sydney on

 

...days until Jourdan sees a Michigan victory. This was the most beautiful and unnecessary (because it was on fourth down and we had them pinned within their own ten yard line) interception of all time.

MGoblu8

August 7th, 2017 at 11:21 AM ^

There it is. What a great INT.

This is always the slowest month of the year. I hope when the season gets here it comes with a win, because this is one of the few times that I actually have to live amongst the enemy. I'm surrounded by gator fans.

Everyone Murders

August 7th, 2017 at 10:03 AM ^

IIRC (and as the OP references), the INT cost us about 30 yards or so in field position.  I remember being a tiny bit frosty about the INT, but mostly came around when Harbaugh noted after the game that it was a great athletic play and what we want our DBs wired to do.

Still, I hope this year the DBs have better situational awareness on similar fourth and long situations.  I'm still damaged from the Colorado game in 1994 - just bat down the damned ball!

rc15

August 7th, 2017 at 10:12 AM ^

I'd still argue it wasn't the wrong choice. 2 minutes left and we are just trying to run-out the clock. If we're inside the 10, we can't get a first down, meaning they're getting the ball back. Even if that's with 30 seconds left down 14, I'd rather be able to get a first down and end it like we did.

Also, that catch might've been what got him to be voted as an All-American last year. Even if it's not adding points on the scoreboard, or helping get a win, it doesn't mean it doesn't help the program in other ways... Recruits seeing that replay on SportsCenter over the next week probably didn't hurt.

The FannMan

August 7th, 2017 at 12:13 PM ^

I was a wee-bit frosty too when it happened.  But, I think it was a good decision based on his position when he caught the ball.

Looking at the picture and the replay, I don't think he could have batted the ball down.  At the top of his jump, his arm is fully extended and his hand is somewhat under the ball and to the side.  His momentum is also going toward the receiver.  A swat at the ball may just tip it up.  Similarly, once he is falling, letting go of the ball opens up the possibility that the ball bounces off of his body and into the air.  (There was also very little time to make that decision.)  In either of these scenarios, he is on the ground with the ball up in the air and receiver on his feet.  No thanks. And besides, it worked out pretty damn good.

[Edit - I just noticed that the Wiconsin guy falls down, so the nightmare wouldn't have happened.  Still, there is no way JD can know that when he is in the air.]

LSAClassOf2000

August 7th, 2017 at 12:19 PM ^

Oh, it's OK. At some point in the next few weeks, usually on the week before the first game week, I will post the usual warning, then I will post it again, then in those final three days every really obscure and inane thread that the board can conceive will start appearing. I usually just post the warning, then go sit on the back porch and consume alcohol and have a cigar. I need them for the upcoming season usually.