You can imagine I am writing this with a shit-eating grin on my face. Today something historic happened in the world of college football where Div 1 AA Appalachian State shocked the world by beating 5th ranked Michigan in the Big House.
Never before had a D1 AA team beaten a ranked team, but the Mountaineers stood tall and delivered the greatest college football upset of all time. I am not alone when I say this, as the national media has scratched their heads all night trying to identify one game in the entire history of college football that matches the level of surprise and shock as Michigan’s loss today.
( Pictures of the Appalachian State coming back to town after the game)
I had the pleasure of taking in this great game. Appalachian State had a great second quarter which is usually where great teams pull away from inferior competition. Taking a 28-14 lead, Appalachian Stat seemingly began to wilt as chances to break the game game wide open went uncapitalized on. In particular a dropped wide open touchdown right in the hands, a missed field goal, and 2 second half turnovers allowed Michigan to sieze momentum and close the gap.
Despite an ill advised interception by Henne in the 4th quarter, the Wolverines were able to take the lead 32-31 and forced a turnover to get possession of the ball around midfield with just over four minutes left. With under 2 minutes left Michigan attempted a field goal to extend their lead. The Mountaineers not only blocked that kick, but subsequently marched down to kick the potential game winning field goal. Oddly the Mountaineers opted to kick the FG with 30 seconds left rather than risking not being able to run the FG unit on for a last second attempt. This move almost cost them the game as Chad Henne hooked with Mario Manningham with six seconds left for a deep strike that setup a field goal attempt for a trailing Michigan team.
Inexplicably Michigan was a short field goal away from escaping the greatest college football upset of all time. The game that was supposed to be a 40 point + blowout would end on the third field goal attempt in the two minutes of the game.
In a clip that will be forever be etched in college football history, Appalachian State blocked the game winning attempt and actually returned it to the 10 yardline as the clock ran down, preserving the most improbable , shocking, and historic upset in college football history.
Chad Henne, Mike Hart, and Jake Long came back to Michigan purely because they believed they could win a national championship with the team they had. With no wins vs Ohio State or in bowl games, Chad Henne and the rest of 2004 Michigan class are on the verge of becoming the most underachieving group of Michigan recruits ever. I leave you now with two clips. 1) A closer look at the University that shocked the world (very funny) 2) An in depth look at why Michigan is so under achieving (also funny).
