A New Beginning for Michigan Football
It was the morning of November 27th, 2021. Freezing temperatures gusted into Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Big House sparkled with frost, and snow was in the forecast for the day that lay ahead. The notorious team from Ohio had made the trek into enemy territory to face their arch rival, the Michigan Wolverines. This year’s matchup was particularly tense for several reasons. The Wolverines entered the game ranked number 5 in the nation, while the Buckeyes entered the match ranked number 2, making this the first top 5 matchup in the series since the infamous and controversial “JT Was Short” game of 2016. Each team had aspirations of a Big 10 East division title, an appearance in the Big 10 Championship game, and ultimately a spot in the College Football Playoff. The terms were simple; The winner advances, and the loser is eliminated. All signs pointed towards another convincing Ohio State win. The Buckeyes boasted the most potent offense in the country led by their Heisman candidate quarterback, CJ Stroud, who made waves all season slinging the ball to his 3 NFL caliber receivers. The previous week Stroud led the Buckeyes to a 49-0 halftime lead against the mutually hated, highly ranked Michigan State Spartans. Adding to the mystique was the fact that Michigan hadn’t beaten Ohio State in a full decade. ESPN television analyst Paul Finebaum was quoted as saying that Michigan and their head coach Jim Harbaugh were “incapable of beating the Buckeyes,” and that it wouldn’t happen in two of his lifetimes.
The stage was set. I watched from home in my maize and blue gear as the Michigan team exited the tunnel and took the field. The most beautiful ritual in college football ensued as the swarm of players in winged helmets rushed onto the field and sporadically leaped upward to touch the famous “Go Blue” banner. Moments later the teams lined up for kickoff. Michigan would be receiving the ball first. The energy in the stadium was electric for this 117th rendition of “The Game,” often referred to as the greatest rivalry in all of sports. I felt my usual pregame emotions of excitement and anxiety, but something was different this year. I began to weep uncontrollably. My wife, pregnant with our first child, got up and embraced me without saying a word. She knew exactly what was going on.
This was my first Game without my Dad. My Dad was a Michigan Man. He bled maize and blue. He used to proudly tell me stories about the battles between Ohio State’s Woody Hayes and Michigan’s Bo Schembechler, or educate me about how Michigan’s Fab Five not only changed the game of basketball but changed the entire culture around the country. As I grew up 1200 miles from Ann Arbor, Michigan, my Dad instilled a deep fanhood inside me for the winningest college football program of all time, which also happens to have the largest stadium in the country. We would watch games together here in Austin and we’d scream at the TV together when there was a bad call or when the other team scored. When Michigan scored a touchdown we would hop up and face each other, let out 3 loud grunts, spin around and let out 3 more, then end our touchdown celebration with a massive belly bump and a howl. We watched every game together in ‘97 when Charles Woodson led us to our first national championship in over 50 years. My Dad passed away prior to “The Game” this year. Now here I was preparing for the biggest game in recent memory without the man that had taught me to love and respect the Michigan Wolverines. Before I could fully process my emotions, the ball was kicked off and “The Game” had begun.
Michigan received the ball. The Wolverines methodically marched down the field and into the redzone. Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara faked a pass to freshman runningback Donovan Edwards then handed the ball off to the speedy AJ Henning on a reverse. Henning broke containment and streaked down the sideline for a 14 yard touchdown. Michigan scored first! The stadium predictably erupted, but the Michigan fanbase knew better than to get too excited. This was a familiar story. They knew all too well that it’s not how you start the game, it’s how you finish. The talented Ohio State offense took possession for the first time and went nowhere. After a quick three and out, they punted it back to the Wolverines who quickly marched it back down the field into scoring position. Fans held their breath as it appeared the Wolverines may in fact take a firm 14-0 lead. Cade McNamara dropped back and threw a strike over middle. Interception. The entire Michigan team and fanbase took a proverbial gut-punch. After the missed opportunity the Buckeyes rattled off 10 consecutive points to take a 10-7 lead with 9 minutes remaining in the 2nd quarter. In previous years this was the point in the game in which that team from Ohio would steal the momentum, build upon their lead, and never look back. If this year was going to be different the Wolverines would need to answer right here, right now. With a balanced running and passing attack Michigan moved the ball to the Ohio State 43 yard line, converted a pivotal 4th and 1, then vaulted a beautiful pass to Cornelius Johnson down to the 2 yard line. Then the offensive line easily pushed forward allowing runningback Hassan Haskins to leap into the endzone for his first score. Michigan led 14-10. After Aidan Hutchinson and the Michigan defense held the Buckeyes to another field goal, the teams jogged into the locker room with a halftime score of Michigan 14, Ohio State 13.
Tempers flared in the tunnel as the teams headed into their respective locker rooms. Footage showed both squads having to be held back from each other by trainers and coaches as the smack talk and jarring peaked. Coming out in the second half the Buckeyes offense received the ball and once again were held to a crucial three and out. The Michigan offense methodically rattled off 4 consecutive time-consuming touchdown drives in the second half, while Ohio State struggled to keep up. Hassan Haskins tallied 5 total touchdowns in the game, cementing himself forever in Michigan football folklore. The legend of Aidan Hutchinson grew as he passed up his father, Chris Hutchinson, on his way to the single season sack record, tallying 3 for the game. Late in the 4th quarter the Wolverines held a 42-27 lead. The Buckeyes took over possession with 2:28 left on the clock with nothing left but hope and prayer. CJ Stroud dropped back to pass. He didn’t stand a chance. Defensive end David Ojabo devoured him to collect his first sack of the game. His Nigerian parents celebrated from the stands as they watched their son play in person in the Big House for the first time. Cade McNamara gathered the offense into the most glorious formation known to football fans; Victory formation. He took a knee and the clock struck 0. Michigan wins.
Michigan wins!!! Michigan wins!!! The Buckeyes go down! My wife and I were dancing around our living room in disbelief with our voices cracking and our eyes welling. I called my Mom(also a hardcore fan) to quickly celebrate with her over the phone. I looked back up at the TV and saw the fans rushing the field with a vigor that I’ve never seen before. As the snow began to fall again across the sea of maize and blue, the entire Michigan Wolverine nation felt the reality set in. A decade of heartache melted away. My attention shifted to the man that started it all for me, my Dad. Many people would recognize the irony of the win coming after his death as an unfortunate occurrence. But I can’t help but feel as though my Dad played a part in the victory. Jim Harbaugh, Cade McNamara, the offensive line, Hassan Haskins, Aidan Hutchinson, and all the boys will forever be remembered for this legendary performance. But I know that every Michigan fan that watched the game would admit that there was a clear divine energy running through the team that day. This team was different. This game was different. I choose to believe that my father, a true Michigan Man, gave us the extra push that we needed on that glorious snowy day.
This new beginning for Michigan Football coincides with new beginnings in my life. This week the Michigan Wolverines prepare for their first ever trip to Indy to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes for the Big Ten title and a berth in the College Football Playoffs, while I prepare for the birth of my first child and continue to adjust to life without my Dad. In honor of my family and my fanhood, I am proud to present to the world the Wolverine Chronicle. This project’s mission is to provide professional accounts of Michigan Football and Basketball with a personal twist from a lifelong fan.
Thank you and Go Blue!
