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.