Illinois Game: Your favorite moment
November 8th, 2010 at 9:25 AM ^
Winning the game due to a defensive play and becoming bowl eligible. That was my favorite moment!
November 8th, 2010 at 10:57 AM ^
Looping from end and roaring up a wide open middle on the last play of the game. The QB took one look at him bearing down and was toast.
November 8th, 2010 at 9:25 AM ^
It was the happiest I have been in the last 3 years of Michigan Football. It was so wonderful watching the afternoon games and waking up in the morning knowing that we are goin bowling. I did however love very much the block you have prtrayed above. It was so nice to finally see us run some form of a "trick" play.
November 8th, 2010 at 9:26 AM ^
Forcier to Stonum laying down in the corner. Illinois had us dead to rights so many times, I had accepted our fate. That play gave me hope.
November 8th, 2010 at 9:26 AM ^
That crushing block is definitely number one, but next would probably be either of Hemingway's awesome TD catches. The one that he dances around 3 different guys and the one that he catches the ball off the defender's helmet.
November 8th, 2010 at 10:22 AM ^
The one where he dances around 3 guys is absolutely insane, and if I had to pick one, is my favorite.
Re-watching that just made my jaw drop and wonder how the hell he pulled it off. There was like 5 different ways that play should have ended in less than a touchdown, but, we found the end zone.
November 8th, 2010 at 10:27 AM ^
Yeah I couldn't believe what I was watching during that play. Hemingway made all three of those guys look like fools.
November 8th, 2010 at 10:43 AM ^
Yeah, like the ILL players, I was was already thinking about the next play! That play exemplifies the team's attitude in the game...don't give up...don't ever give up.
November 8th, 2010 at 9:26 AM ^
Also, I don't know why, but I really loved Avery's open field tackle to stop a key drive in the first quarter after we had turned the ball over. It was a big stop.
November 8th, 2010 at 9:29 AM ^
Watching the replays, they really made some big plays out there. Yes, they gave up 65, but in triple overtime, while dealing with 5 turn overs. They made some plays they haven't made all year, but they're not going to get any credit for them. That play was one of them.
November 8th, 2010 at 9:31 AM ^
Also, it's good to see you back. Hopefully your work will understand.
November 8th, 2010 at 10:20 AM ^
In the stadium I kept thinking how the D was keeping us in the game. That Avery stop you mentioned was excellent along with a handful of really good plays by Cam Gordon, Demens, and Vinopal. The D made some plays and tackles that they hadn't all year. Also, it was really nice seeing the D line and linebackers make some solid arm tackles when the Illinois back made a good move in the hole.
November 8th, 2010 at 10:51 AM ^
for the Purdue game and we hold a team under 25. But, then again, I am a slappie.
November 8th, 2010 at 12:34 PM ^
ain't gonna do it. I'm tempted to say the same thing but I'm keeping my mouth shut. I've been burned to many times. That's like a recovering alcoholic deciding he can handle his liquor now, I ain't going there.
November 8th, 2010 at 12:22 PM ^
Not only having to deal with the turnovers but dealing with the field position Illinois had after the turnovers! They seemed to play on Michigan's side of the field the entire first half. I was very impressed with their play regardless of the score. Then again, maybe I'm jaded after watching last week's performance against PSU. Either way, I was impressed this week.
November 8th, 2010 at 10:24 AM ^
I also loved Avery's open field tackle, but how about Vinopal charging up and filling the gap AND somehow not letting his significant weight deficiency matter and standing LeShoure up for a huge 3rd down stop. Vinopal and Avery played huge on Saturday.
November 8th, 2010 at 10:34 AM ^
Might have been the play of the game. Who knows what happens if we don't get that stop and force the punt.
November 8th, 2010 at 7:55 PM ^
making that stop on 3 and 1. Who knows if they got that 1st down we may not have tied it up to force ot, plus it hyped us up and demoralized them, only way I coulda been better would have Been Ray putting lashore(sp) down like Atwater on Okoye
November 8th, 2010 at 8:00 PM ^
please correct this to proper time frame and score of the game lol should read "we may not have preseved the tie too force ot"
November 8th, 2010 at 9:30 AM ^
When I found out RR took Denard's health into account and decided to not let him play. Classy
November 8th, 2010 at 9:36 AM ^
This was SO significant. I've always agreed with the decision to hire him but was originally skewd by his "shady character." I quickly learned that he was misrepresented in the MSM (I know shocker huh) and that he is a great coach that cares about his players. Some say no family values at Michigan anymore - I say whatever.
November 8th, 2010 at 9:31 AM ^
Stonum's TD catch after Tate's scramble. It was so badly needed and the desperation and innovation of the play reminded me of ND last year. Honorable mentions to Hemingway's amazing catch off the tip, the defensive stops late in regulation and overtime, and the first play of the game. That play-action might be my favorite play in the book.
November 8th, 2010 at 9:33 AM ^
Yeah I almost said the first touchdown also. That play set the tempo for the game, IME.
November 8th, 2010 at 10:23 AM ^
anyone else recognize the route Hemingway ran for the 2pt conversion? Somewhere Greg Mathews was smiling.
November 8th, 2010 at 9:32 AM ^
Please ignore double post
November 8th, 2010 at 9:32 AM ^
The last play where we won the game has to be number one.
Second would be the Hemingway WOOP! play.
Third was Floyd Simmons laying that guy out.
November 8th, 2010 at 11:26 AM ^
There were several times towards the end of the game that I was thinking (hoping) how awesome it would be for our defense to make a huge play to win the game. Wow, no disappointment here!
November 8th, 2010 at 9:32 AM ^
Can't go wrong with a 75 yard TD to start the game. After that play I just felt that their defense would have more problems stopping us than I had previously thought.
November 8th, 2010 at 11:18 AM ^
I wasn't ready for that first play at all! It was outstanding, but I almost didn't know what happened. What a way to start!
November 8th, 2010 at 9:32 AM ^
Loved the elusive effort of Hemingway to score on the pass from Tate. Improv by both the QB and the receiver including the blocking by Stonum. Could set up as a future hook and lateral play if it was a few more yards away from the sideline.
November 8th, 2010 at 10:31 AM ^
That play was unbelievable. Good move by Hemingway to keep moving without stepping out of bounds and huge block from (I believe) Roundtree to basically open up the sideline past a pack of defenders. I love Michigan's WRs' blocking!
November 8th, 2010 at 11:23 AM ^
I think the downfield blocking has been a huge but understated difference in the offensive productivity between last year and this year. Cannot be said enough.
November 8th, 2010 at 11:54 AM ^
And oh boy would it be fun to bust out that hook and lateral next week!
November 8th, 2010 at 9:32 AM ^
Man, tough to choose one. Heck, tough to choose less than a dozen. The last play was special. After doggin on Mouton all day long I had just said to my son, "wouldn't it be great if he ended this thing right here?"
Also loved the juggling catch in 2OT!
Also, also loved Shaw's TD untouched.
Also, also, also loved starting the game with a 75 yard bomb. That happened because of Denard's ability to run. Sucked the entire defense to him.
Also, also, also, also, ok really I could go on but I must stop and try to be productive.
November 8th, 2010 at 9:37 AM ^
the reverse on the kickoff, something we havent seen yet and it worked out pretty well for us
November 8th, 2010 at 10:07 AM ^
I agree... we haven't really done much "trickery" this year, it was refreshing to see RR say "ahhh screw it, let's spice things up" to liven things. The crushing block was phenomenal, and the blitz (maybe there were two in the game total?) that we called at the end.
November 8th, 2010 at 9:37 AM ^
...but Barwis wiping a tear from his eye right before hugging Fred Jackson after the game was pretty awesome. It just shows the level of commitment these guys have day in and day out. FWIW, GERG was reportedly in tears after the game as well.
November 8th, 2010 at 9:41 AM ^
I totally missed that.
November 8th, 2010 at 9:55 AM ^
I probably watched the failed conversion attempt and ensuing celebration about 10 times in a row last night.
November 8th, 2010 at 10:11 AM ^
I saw this and this was AWESOME. Barwis is the man.
November 8th, 2010 at 1:00 PM ^
Did I see Barwis holding a little baby after the game? Is there a Little Barwis running around out there? If so, watch out world!
November 8th, 2010 at 9:37 AM ^
There were a lot of highlights, but my favorite was Hemingway catching the ricochet in OT. This week started off bad and that play showed we are finally getting some Michigan bounces.
November 8th, 2010 at 9:38 AM ^
Hemingway's first TD.
I was laying down in bed watching the game (been sick all week). When Denard completed that bullet of a pass while running straight ahead, I sat up and started laughing. When Hemingway danced around the 3 would be tacklers and ran it in for a TD, I couldn't stop laughing for about 10 minutes.
November 8th, 2010 at 10:20 AM ^
At first I thought is was Tate that threw it. Hard to keep track.
November 8th, 2010 at 11:02 AM ^
That was my favorite too. I kept yelling for Denard to run the ball because it was wide open for him. Then at the last minute he threw a frozen rope to Junior and for Junior to, first of all, catch that lazer was amazing. Then for him to use some nifty sideline footwork to turn that play into a touchdown was simply awesome.
The Tate pass to Junior pass which bounced around at the goal line would have to rank next - one of the few times all year that fortune has favored this team. Followed by the Vinopal stuff.
November 8th, 2010 at 11:58 AM ^
myself included. I was happy to be wrong, great play by Denard and Jr.
November 8th, 2010 at 1:22 PM ^
Just noticed my double "pass" gaffe in my post above. Multi-tasking while at work can do that. Anyhow, that pass play was awesome. Go Blue!
November 8th, 2010 at 9:38 AM ^
moment was after we made the final stop on defense because I hugged so many people I didn't know. It was the craziest moment I have ever been a part of.
November 8th, 2010 at 9:38 AM ^
on the defender. Everyone I was watching with thought it would be reviewed, and my 6 year old nephew kept saying it was a TD.
November 8th, 2010 at 9:39 AM ^
2 pt. conversion. A very stressful moment from the couch.