Wolverines make stunning comeback
In a pleasantly shocking turn of events, the Michigan Wolverines stormed back from a 0-19 deficit at halftime to beat No. 9 Wisconsin at the Big House. Sadly, my knee buckled right before the game so I could only physically make it through the first half and had to leave after a very entertaining halftime performance by the Michigan marching band. However, I watched the rest of the game on HD (I can’t believe I never had HD until this year - makes sports so much better) and saw a fantastic second half by Michigan.
Whereas the team had five turnovers in the first half courtesy of special teams and the offense, the offense stepped up thanks to QB Steven Threet, who finally found a rhythm and made some key plays. Ultimately, it was Michigan’s defense that (1) kept the team in the game during the first half and (2) got the win. Between an interception by John Thompson that he ran in for a touchdown and then a sack by Brandon Graham resulting in a Wisconsin fumble, the defense was the difference maker. Thompson’s interception came just three seconds after Brandon Minor scored a 34-yard touchdown runs. Wisconsin made it a game by scoring a touchdown and then seemingly tied it up on the two-point conversion. Much to the joy of Michigan fans everywhere, Travis Beckhum had lined up on the scrimmage line, which was illegal when he caught the ball, so the play had to be redone and Wisconsin could not get the extra two points giving Michigan its first big win in the Rich Rodriguez era.
Photo Courtesy of the Associated Press
The win seemed fitting as it was Michigan Stadium’s 500th game and Michigan came back from the largest deficit in Michigan Stadium history. Eight gold medal winner Michael Phelps, who trained in Ann Arbor for the four years between the Athens and Beijing Olympics, was honored with other Olympians before the game. Phelps wore a No. 8 Michigan jersey for his eight gold medals. Phelps and the other honored Olympians all wore blue Michigan hats with Beijing 2008 in Yellow on the back. While Phelps was down on the sidelines during the games, the other Olympians sat literally right across the aisle from me in the next section. It was fun overhearing them talk and proudly show off their Olympic ring and souvenirs.
“It’s really great to be back here, this is like home to me,” said Phelps, who has trained in Ann Arbor with Club Wolverine since 2004.
Phelps said Ann Arbor will always be special to him, a place where he matured and developed some strong friendships for life. He sold his home here six months ago, and has since moved back to his native Baltimore. His time at Michigan has been commemorated with a block “M” tattoo, inked in 2005. He only has two tattoos, with the other being the Olympic rings.
“I’m really thankful for the experience here,” Phelps, 23, said. “It changed my life. It was the first time I lived on my own. The first time I did the dishes, laundry, cooked for myself. It’s a lot of memories I will never forget. I have made friends that I’ll have forever.”
Michigan also had former Michigan turned NFL players in attendance including recent graduates Chad Henne and Jake Long.
Related Posts
Leave a Reply