This Week's Obsession: Good Times With "Phew!"
The Question:
via Jane:
Guys lets talk about our favorite third down conversions I'll go first: 3rd and 12, at MSU, to Manningham: https://t.co/ua66YbunqG
— Jane Coaston (@cjane87) June 3, 2016
The Responses:
Adam: Michigan started the 1997 game against Ohio State—you know, the one with a shot at the Rose Bowl and national championship game on the line--with three three-and-outs; a five-play, zero-yard drive; and an eight-play drive that ended in yet another punt. Deep in the second quarter, Michigan was facing 3rd and 12 from their own 47 when Brian Griese hit Charles Woodson on a square-in for 37 yards.
Chris Floyd picked up 15 on the next play to put Michigan at the one-yard line, and Anthony Thomas punched it in one play later for Michigan's only offensive touchdown of The Game. That third-down conversion was one of two Michigan had in a game that came down to the last three minutes; I shudder to think what would happen if Woodson doesn't catch that ball.
[After the JUMP: more things that didn't go bad]
Seth: Pick any of them on that last excruciating drive of the 1998 Rose Bowl:
- Griese worming out of a 3rd and 11 sack.
- The PA Transcontinental where nothing was open downfield so Woodson just ran.
- Griese throwing a dagger to Shaw.
That whole drive was run Chris Howard into stacked lines for 0-2 yards on 1st down, burn clock, run Chris Howard into a wall again, burn more clock, show Ryan Leaf on the WSU sideline being all ready to commit atrocities, then pull another 3rd and long conversion out of our asses:
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David:
The Game: M at ND, 2010
The Situation: 3rd and 5 on the ND 17, down 24-21 with 51 seconds to go.
The Context: Michigan had mostly controlled the game, being up 21-7 for a decent part of the game. Dayne Crist had been knocked out and Nate Montana had done little to help. Michigan's offense cooled in the 2nd half as well, and ND was able to score 17 points, including a TD on the previous drive to take the lead with just a few mins to go. Michigan had driven into the Irish red zone, including a 4th and 1 conversion.
The Averted Consequence: Either going for it on 4th and 5 or attempting a 3rd FG (after missing the first 2...in what would become probably the worst kicking season that anyone can remember). Even if they did make the FG, they'd be going to OT at ND Stadium...where many bad things happen -especially after getting down the field with a chance to potentially win in regulation.
The Conversion: Michigan runs two slants and a comeback to the top side. Roundtree is the inside slant and gets matched up on Harrison Smith, who actually has tremendous coverage...or like a lot of PI. Robinson stands in the pocket in the face of a blitz and tosses an absolute DO!
The Reward: Robinson would score on a keeper on the ensuing play to put M ahead 28-24. M would make it interesting as ND would get a heave into the end zone the final play, but the returned Crist's pass would fall harmlessly and Michigan would beat Notre Dame for the 2nd straight year and 2nd time in their last 3 games in South Bend. It would also be a wonderful prelude to the final drive of the 2011 game.
The Larger View: Ultimately, Michigan's year would be frustrating and end in an embarrassing loss and a coach out the door. The defense would set many negative records and there would be more painful, disappointing losses. But that one Saturday in September in South Bend, Denard Robinson exploded onto the scene. He had a few highlights the year before and a nice game against UConn the previous week, but Denard carried 28 times for 258 and 2 TDs and was an effective 24/40 for 244 and 2 TDs, 0 INTs...resulting in over 500 total yards of offense. This was the game that we started looking around and wondering just how high this kid's ceiling would be. Losing this game wouldn't have erased all of that, but it added another dimension that Denard was able to bring them back -in South Bend, no less- and do it converting a huge third down with a throw into an NFL window. The Shoelace Experience was just beginning...
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Ace: I’ll go with an oft-forgotten play from a very memorable game. The bulk of Braylonfest had already occurred by the second overtime of the 2004 State game, but Michigan had work to do. After the teams traded field goals in the first overtime, MSU started with the ball in the second and scored on a short touchdown run. At that moment, a rivalry game wasn’t just at risk—so was the memory of an all-time performance.
Chad Henne’s throw to Edwards set up Michigan on the MSU 7, but after a one-yard Max Martin run and an incomplete pass, the Wolverines were running out of chances. On third-and-goal, Henne lobbed a fade to the back pylon.
It wasn’t perfectly thrown, but Jason Avant had gained himself some room with a crisp route; Avant reached back, high-pointed the ball well above the defender’s head, and somehow contorted his body to get a foot down inbounds.
Avant almost immediately took a back seat to Edwards again; Braylon scored the winner on the ensuing drive. Without #8, however, there’s a very good chance this isn’t a game we love to remember. Avant’s catch also just looked really damn cool.
Brian: Speaking of greatest catches in Michigan history that happened to occur on third down, Marquise Walker.
That catch would put Michigan ahead in an eventual 32-26 win over Iowa in 2001. All other great third downs in my memory turn out to be fourth downs, or, like, first down. My memory sucks.
with Arrington in the 2008 Cap One Bowl?
Edit. Found it. 2nd and 4.
I was in middle school at the time of Walker's catch. We happened to be sitting on the endzone side that it happened. It was awesome to see that catch in person!
I was sitting in that corner of the endzone just a few rows back. Everyone around me stood when the ball was in the air, and all I could see was his hand go up and connect with the ball. I had no idea whether he had actually hauled it in. The reactions from the crowd were so mixed and strong in both directions that it wasn't immediately clear to me what had happened.
My first thought was the Courtney Avery INT in the 2011 Ohio State-Michigan game, but turns out that was a 4th down.
And, yes, I know that is pretty much the opposite of a third down conversion.
I vote for the Sparty game in 07 when Mallet fumbled and Mike Hart scooped it up and ran for a first down to save the game.
I remember getting our shit pushed in against Oregon in 2007 and he was in after Henne got hurt and was just hucking the ball 80 yards to no one in particular.
A short ride.
I'd like to add Navarre to Ecker, 2003 vs. OSU. After Michigan dominated the start of The Game, OSU crept back within a touchdown in the 4th quarter after the Michigan offense had been stagnant for a while. The stadium was getting uneasy at the prospect of giving OSU the ball back with a chance to tie the game when this happened: (Go to 3:12 if the embed doesn't work right)
Chris Perry would score a few plays later and the rest of The Game would never be in doubt, sending Michigan to the Rose Bowl.
I long for the day when a victory over OSU is not best replicated by a grainy film.
I was at the 2nd to last game we beat OSU. #feelsbadman
I feel sorry for young Wolverine fans who don't know what it's like to have The Game announced by the great Keith Jackson every year.
I remember crying after Ohio State beat Michigan a couple times in the early 2000's, but my most distinct Michigan Ohio State memory was 2006. I was only 10, but I remember Herbstreet and Musberger called it. I also remember crying like a goddamn baby because we lost. And to be fair, I've never actually watched Michigan beat Ohio State. 2011 was the only game in the last 10 I have not watched.
3rd down ever was in the 2006 OSU game. On their first drive, we had them to 3rd and like 16 at near midfield. We came with a very questionable safety blitz and Troy Smith hit somebody (I think it was Ginn) down the seam. We get that stop and I think we are very difficult to beat that day after our opening drive.
Griese scrambling for the first down that gave UM the possession that allowed them to burn almost all the time off the clock vs. WSU in the NC game. The fact the ref refused to throw the flag against their receiver on an insuing first down only empashizes the crappy level of officiating we have come to know in the RB. It doesn't take away from Brain's scramble.
My favorite 3rd down play is still OSU 1985 when Harbaugh threw to Kolesar. I'm going on memory but I thought it was a 3rd down play.
1994 Notre Dame (the game where Remy kicked the game winning FG.)
Trailing 17-10 in the 3rd quarter, we drive to the ND 27. On 2nd & 10, Todd Collins lobs a wide open pass to Biakabutuka who probably would have ran it in for the TD but the pass was a little too high.
On 3rd down, Gary Moeller calls the exact same play and it works to perfection. Biakabutuka catches it this time and is knocked out at the 4 yard line to set up a 1st & goal, which we would later score on to tie the game.
3:31 in....
I miss RoboHenne. That pass to Manningham was right on the money. Rudock did well last year, but I'm looking forward to having a Michigan QB with a cannon arm.
I was at the Woodson game. One of my all time favorites.
no im pretty sure that was 4th down
Does Washington having too many men on the field on third down with like 5 seconds left in 2002 count?
And shouldn't fourth downs count in this? After all, they are much more dire than third downs. Adams says he doesn't know what Michigan does if Charles doesn't catch the ball on third down against OSU...neither do I but they had another down to work with.
With that in mind my favorite desperation, do or die, conversion play was the 1991 Grbac to Howard 4th Q 4th down TD pass.
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Remember watching the Marquise Walker catch in the stadium from across the field (near midfield, up 30-odd rows). I knew it was a beauty right away even not being very close to the play.
1. About 1:45 left in the third quarter, Brady scrambles to get the first down on 3 and 9. Not a crucial play, but I was impressed he was able to make that.
2. Brady under a heavy rus hits Dihallo Johnson on 3rd and 7 for the game winner.
These weren't necessarily "Phew" in the sense that the game was crucially on the line, but those plays really stood out in my mind before he really took over the QB position the following season.
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