Despite watching this approximately 457 times, I'm still in utter disbelief that this worked. Things required to have this happen:
- Jeremy Gallon immediately pitching the ball to an official.
- That official rugby-tossing the ball to the umpire.
- The umpire placing the ball down and getting the hell out of the way.
- FIRE DRILL LINE CHANGE.
- Drew Dileo, barely in the frame when the camera zooms out, realizing after a split-second hesitation that he must sprint to the right spot and slide into position.
- Jareth Glanda snapping the ball at the last possible moment so the line doesn't draw a flag.
- Brendan Gibbons marking off his steps at warp speed, then drilling a 44-yarder despite still moving backwards at the snap (which is legal, as covered in today's mailbag).
100% complete insanity, indeed.
If you're wondering about the identity of the guy in the black jacket running around like a manic behind the goalposts, that's Greg Dooley of MVictors. Livin' the dream, Greg.
[The rest of the Northwestern game in GIFS after THE JUMP, including Brady Hoke RAWKING OUT, Devin Gardner sacrificing life and rib, Derrick Green truck stick, and more angles of the miraculous field goal.]
As per usual, click the links/stills to open each GIF in a lightbox.
HONORABLE MENTION
Jehu Chesson crushes a punt returner (with bonus Norfleet trash talking). Joe Reynolds downs the punt. Brady Hoke reacts to the field goal by almost smiling. Northwestern's president(!) signals no good, is wrong. Taylor Lewan pancakes a guy on the first play of OT. Jibreel Black's essentially game-sealing sack.
10.Welcome Back, Thomas Gordon
Northwestern got a first down on this run, granted. Still, that's a heck of a play from Gordon, who came down from his one-high safety spot to drill Kain Colter just beyond the sticks on a 4th-and-2.
9.Fitz Sees The Future
That is the face of a man who has seen this movie before, and in this movie everybody dies.
8. Derrick Green Trucks Honor
Honor is pretty resilient.
7. #BUTTDOWN
A senior-level catch and a freshman-level celebration. The tag could be interpreted as "Buttdown" (like touchdown) or "Butt down" (post-celebration); Brian is going to have to live with this, as Jake Butt himself has totally embraced the fact that his last name is going to make him an internet sensation for as long as he plays.
6.Devin Gardner Sacrifices Life And Rib
A two-for-one here. First, the overtime touchdown; I took the replay from the postgame montage because it shows Gardner's face—somebody help me up, please—and him getting dragged to his feet by practically the entire offensive line.
Then, on the critical two-point conversion, he breaks contain, takes a glancing hit to the ribs, powers his way to the end zone, and collapses from a combination of exhaustion and SERIOUSLY OW MY RIBS.
I much prefer having this man at quarterback as opposed to the freshman who signaled for a spike before the last-second, fourth-down field goal.
5. Kevin Koger Helmetless Headbutt
Football players, current or former, are rather insane. Also, my favorite part of this GIF may be Cam Gordon smacking Gibbons upside the head—in a celebratory way, of course—when the latter clearly thought the worst was over.
4. Shank/Sad Fitz
A shanked punt is always hilarious as long as it's not your team doing it; making this one a thousand times better is Pat Fitzgerald frantically waving for someone to down the punt, watching it go out of bounds, and perfectly executing the sad Charlie Brown walk while his playcard dangles from his waist and discarded headset hangs from his shoulder. Obvious soundtrack is obvious.
3.BRADY F***ING HOKE WOULD LIKE TO F***ING GO FOR F***ING TWO
This is actually my favorite GIF of the week, though I must defer to the field goal. This is right after Michigan's touchdown in overtime; the offense starts walking off the field and Brady Hoke gently reminds them that they're required to go for two, in so many words. Oh, and he's throwing up the RAWK hand while saying at least one naughty word and tops it off with a tremendous flying Hokepoint. I can lip-read the first thing he says; if anybody can figure out the last part, I'm quite curious to know.
\m/
With bonus Gibbons fist-pump.
FRAMES OF THE GAME
Was there really any question? I can't stop watching this.