We’ve hit the final two in our series of the 25 best moments in Michigan athletics over the last 25 years. As mentioned when No. 4 was Michigan’s win against Ohio State to snap the streak in 2021, each and every one of these four moments had reasons to be No. 1.
The selection for No. 2 may make the strongest case — the Michigan Wolverines’ Rose Bowl victory over Alabama. This was one of the most enjoyable games of football I have ever watched. Michigan met every moment and proved this was a team of destiny
with several season-defining plays. To call this game thrilling would be an understatement.
No. 2: 4th down conversion, goal-line stand highlight OT win over Alabama in the Rose Bowl
After defining wins over Ohio State and Iowa, Michigan was the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. But there was quite the shakeup in the landscape of the sport because of a stunning Georgia loss in the SEC Championship to Alabama.
What remained were three undefeated teams — Michigan, Washington Florida State, all of which won their conferences. Of the one-loss teams, Texas, was the most likely to make the playoffs as it heralded a win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa earlier in the season.
Based on history, those four teams made the most sense to be in the dance, leaving the SEC behind. The problem was FSU quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a devastating, season-ending ankle injury against North Alabama midway through November.
Michigan should have faced either a weakened Florida State team or a one-loss Texas Longhorns team in the Rose Bowl. Instead, the Seminoles were inexplicably left out in favor of Alabama in what wound up being Nick Saban’s final season with the program.
A path to a championship got a lot harder for the Wolverines in a season where just about everything was stacking up against them. But destiny kept calling out names of the Victors and Valiant, even on the national stage in the most important bowl game in the history of the sport: the Rose Bowl.
Just like the year before, the CFP nearly started in disaster for Michigan. J.J. McCarthy threw a pick-six on the first play of regulation for the Wolverines, but after review, the Alabama defender was out of bounds.
Then, Semaj Morgan muffed the first Alabama punt of the game. A few plays later, Jace McClellan ran for an untouched 34-yard touchdown. It was ugly early, and the Crimson Tide had a 7-0 lead.
Thankfully, it didn’t take long for Michigan to strike back. Blake Corum converted a fourth down near midfield and then punched it into the end zone with an eight-yard run later in the drive to tie the game.
After trading a few possessions, the Wolverines had a chance to take the lead before halftime. In typical Jim Harbaugh fashion, he called up a trick play in a key moment. Donovan Edwards, McCarthy and Roman Wilson delivered for one of the most unbelievable plays of the season (No. 17 on this list).
J.J. McCarthy took a shot and still completed the trick play pic.twitter.com/2gnMzDNtNL
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 1, 2024
A few plays later, McCarthy found childhood friend Tyler Morris crossing over the middle for the most significant play the young receiver would make at Michigan.
TYLER MORRIS TIP-TOES INTO THE END ZONE FOR MICHIGAN #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/r8UweoCjdg
— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2024
Alabama had one last turn before the half and was threatening with about 30 seconds left in the half. But Derrick Moore earned a huge sack on a third and short to force a 50-yard field goal from Will Reichard. Despite the slow start, the Wolverines had a 13-10 lead at the break.
It was a scoreless third quarter, but Alabama was starting to wear Michigan’s defense down because of quarterback Jalen Milroe’s legs. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Milroe scrambled for 18 yards inside the Michigan five. McClellan would punch in his second touchdown of the day to give the Crimson Tide a 17-13 lead at the start of the last frame.
Things were spiraling out of control as Michigan went three-and-out. It started to look like it could be the beginning of the end. Instead, Quinten Johnson made a play, forcing a fumble from the hands of Milroe.
JALEN MILROE FUMBLES AND MICHIGAN RECOVERS
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2024
: ESPN | #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/ILLsa1W1mI
The Wolverines took over at midfield, but a Corum run went backwards for a seven-yard loss and the team had to settle for a 49-yard field goal that was missed. Alabama once again had a shot to put the game away.
Marching down the field again, the Crimson Tide were in prime real estate. However, a penalty and a Braiden McGregor third-down sack forced the Tide to kick a field goal, leaving the difference at just one possession.
What ensued for Michigan was one of the greatest drives in the history of the program. With just three minutes left, the Wolverines found themselves in a 4th and 2 — a situation they ran the ball all season long. A little wrinkle saw Corum flash out to the flat instead as Alabama all-out blitzed, leaving him wide open for a 27-yard gain.
This 4th down play by JJ McCarthy and Blake Corum in the Rose Bowl was so clutch pic.twitter.com/Zpajj4a3mm
— Swanky Wolverine (@swankywolverine) February 5, 2024
Two plays later, and Bama brought another blitz. Deontae Lawson tipped the ball near the line of scrimmage, changing its trajectory, but Roman Wilson made a phenomenal snag that put Michigan inside the five.
McCarthy to Wilson. Final drive. Tip drill. #RoseBowl pic.twitter.com/7gZ8ZFWRBQ
— Rose Bowl Game (@rosebowlgame) January 5, 2024
Wilson would catch the game-tying touchdown pass two plays later to lock the game at 20 with less than two minutes left. But more special teams chaos ensued, as Jake Thaw muffed the final punt of the game. He recovered the ball just in time to be crushed by a defender. Mere inches from catastrophe, the Wolverines had new life.
5 months later, Jake Thaw is still my hero. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/eqvnlmwiy1
— Don Thomas (@REALDonThomas) June 16, 2024
The score would stand as the final whistle blew, sending this game to overtime for just the third time in the history of the Rose Bowl.
Michigan got the ball first, and it didn’t take long to take hold of the opportunity. Harbaugh put the ball in the hands of the heart and soul of the team, the guy who tore his ACL a year earlier who came back for an opportunity just like this one. Blake the Great.
Blake Corum TD to give Michigan the lead in OT at the Rose Bowl! #CFP pic.twitter.com/E14i1sF5bu
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 2, 2024
Are you kidding me?!?! I still get chills watching this play.
Michigan took a commanding 27-20 lead. All of the pressure on the Wolverines was flipped on its head.
Alabama wasn’t done yet, though. Milroe ran for 15 yards on the second play of the possession. But the Michigan defense stood tall, stuffing McClellan twice inside the 10, forcing a 3rd and goal from the 14. Dropping back, Milroe found Jermaine Burton for an 11-yard gain. It all came down to one final play — it was a low snap and Milroe had to do it himself, getting sandwiched by Kenneth Grant and Josaiah Stewart. Michigan won the game and was headed to the National Championship.
JALEN MILROE IS STOPPED ON 4TH DOWN
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2024
THE WOLVERINES ARE HEADED TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/X2x3tPzwqr
Milroe was sacked six times in the game. Michigan had 10 tackles for loss, including three on this final possession for Alabama.
Title hopes still alive, business was still not finished, but it was “a glorious day for the Michigan Wolverines.”
Postgame interview: Jim Harbaugh called Michigan’s overtime victory in the Rose Bowl “a glorious day for the Michigan Wolverines.” pic.twitter.com/GrsNAiU9IO
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 2, 2024
For more in this series:
- The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: 25-21
- The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: 20-16
- The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: 15-11
- The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: 10-6
- The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: No. 5
- The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: No. 4
- The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: No. 3
