26 Years Ago Today

Submitted by BursleyHall82 on

Michigan went for it against Notre Dame and Elvis connected with Desmond in the end zone. Play still gives me goosebumps. Here's a story from last year on the 25th anniversary, with Desmond talking about the play:

http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/news/desmond-howard-the-catch…

"That play didn't happen on Sept. 14, 1991,” Howard told Sporting News. “That play actually happened during the summer preparing for that season. I give coach Gary Moeller a lot of credit because he had the cojones to give us that chance to be great."

I can't wait to play those sons-a-bitches again.

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Football

DrAwkward

September 14th, 2017 at 9:27 PM ^

I only saw one UM - Notre Dame game in Michigan Stadium (1987) and it was forgettable. The 1991 game was a gloriuos victory that set the world right.

I cannot emphasize how much I hate the fuckin' domers. I respect OSU as a worthy opponent and pity MSU. I just flat out hate ND.

Joined: 03/22/2012

MGoPoints: 3981

ppudge

September 14th, 2017 at 9:29 PM ^

First home game as a student at UM. I remember it well. We had actually played a game the week before - on the road at BC. Besides Desmond being great the two other memories were that I realized seat assignments in the student section were merely suggestions (we entered the correct section but no one sat in their assigned seats) and marshmallows were used like snowballs.

Joined: 10/19/2008

MGoPoints: 11438

MichiganTeacher

September 14th, 2017 at 9:48 PM ^

I was in the stadium that day. Had good seats, perfect view. I was too stunned to think anything when I saw it wasn't a run. My mind went blank while the ball was in the air.

Then - delirious with joy. 

Joined: 10/06/2011

MGoPoints: 9263

darkstar

September 15th, 2017 at 4:03 PM ^

Stupidly missed out on student tickets my sophomore year and scalped a season ticket which was in the Sr section so had a great view.  I had the same reaction but I believe the words "what the fuck are you doing?!?" came out of my mouth before I lost it.

Joined: 11/08/2016

MGoPoints: 11344

WolverineHistorian

September 14th, 2017 at 10:48 PM ^

The frosting on the cake comes from two reactions to that play. Lou Holtz, of course. He rips his hat off, runs his hands through his hair, puts his hat back on and then paces the ND sideline like a mad man. It's beautiful. The second reaction is from Rick Mirer. He just stares off into space, looking like he just got the life sucked out of him. It's subtle but oh so great. Mirer had been planning for years to be the QB at Michigan and had idolized Jim Harbaugh. But Michigan's lack of history in sending successful quarterbacks to the NFL concerned him and so he committed to Notre Dame instead. Fuck Notre Dame always and forever.

Joined: 08/10/2009

MGoPoints: 55466

mbrummer

September 14th, 2017 at 11:06 PM ^

Did not know that was the reason, Mirer committed to ND.  Didn't even know we were in it.  Just remember that Mirer was "gasp" protestant.

What was ND's record of sending qb's?  Montana Theisman?  We only had Harbaugh at the time.  It would soon reverse.

I always thought he got a raw shake in the NFL /  over ND hyped.  

We did fine with Grbac and Collins

Joined: 07/29/2008

MGoPoints: 7872

pfholland

September 14th, 2017 at 11:27 PM ^

I was 13 and went to that game with my father. I will always remember turning to him just before the ball was snapped on that 4th down and saying, "We're going to run it, right?" He replied, "Of course!"

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 4093

wolvemarine

September 15th, 2017 at 8:34 AM ^

It was freaking awesome. In my (deranged old fuzzy memory) it seems like the ball is arcing waaaay too high and far. Then Desmond is flying horizontal. No way... And then... 100,000 people went berserk. And 5,000 Domers were stunned.

Joined: 02/11/2015

MGoPoints: 7281

skurnie

September 15th, 2017 at 9:05 AM ^

This play, man...never forget it. I was 9 and made my dad throw this exact fade route in our backyard so many times. I had bruises all over my stomach/chest diving trying to emulate this play.

The first time I was in the Big House (it was winter before a basketball game) we brought the football along and even tried it on the field. It was awesome. 

Joined: 07/31/2013

MGoPoints: 20170

Naked Bootlegger

September 15th, 2017 at 12:24 PM ^

Is this a roll call thread?!

I was there.  It felt like a dream.   I was in a stunned stupor for many hours after that game.   What a glorious moment in Michigan football history.   Thanks, Mo, for having the guts to (a) go for it and (b) call that play. 

Joined: 01/28/2011

MGoPoints: 34714

StellaBlue

September 15th, 2017 at 11:37 AM ^

I know I'm late to the party, but I was there too with my old man (now departed).  In that corner of the field (~20 yard line).  The jubilation was off the charts.  My favorite live Michigan memory and second favorite overall (second to Woodson's punt return, witnessed in a bar of UM fans).

 

 

Joined: 03/24/2010

MGoPoints: 2180

Heptarch

September 15th, 2017 at 12:55 PM ^

I wonder how many times that touchdown been scored in back yards and parks by kids of my generation. Tens of thousands? Hundreds? Michigan football is more than the sum of its games. It's a shared mythology and Desmond has a statue in our pantheon.

Joined: 12/29/2014

MGoPoints: 7061

M-Dog

September 15th, 2017 at 5:31 PM ^

I was in that end zone when he threw it.  I was shocked.    

I was thinking in a flash "Are they really going try to do that 4th down Brown-to-Kolesar Hall of Fame Bowl thing against Notre Dame?"

Yes. Yes they were.

 

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 257517