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The Craziest Moments In Detroit Sports History

By Colton Wesley

Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson (20) dives into the end zone for a game winning touchdown as the clock runs out in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Michigan State 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson (20) dives into the end zone for a game winning touchdown as the clock runs out in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Michigan State 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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“Appalachian State has stunned the college football world!”

Michigan came into the 2007 college football season #5 in the AP Poll and looking to make a run at a national championship. Appalachian State had won the two previous FCS national championships and entered the season ranked #1 in the FCS. However, Michigan still understandably came in a heavy favorite in their first matchup against an FCS team.

Michigan led 14-7 at the end of the first quarter, but three second-quarter touchdowns by quarterback Armanti Edwards swung the lead in the Mountaineers’ favor and they led Michigan 28-17 at halftime. Both offenses stalled somewhat in the third quarter until a four-yard run by Mike Hart cut the lead to 31-26 going into the fourth.

The game was the first-ever football broadcast on the recently-launched Big Ten Network.

With 4:36 left, Hart scored on a 54-yard run, giving the Wolverines a 32-31 lead after their second failed two-point conversion attempt of the game. Michigan had another chance to score with 1:47 left, but Jason Gingell’s 43-yard field goal attempt was blocked and the lead remained at one.

Appalachian State made the most of the miscue, driving down the field and kicking a go-ahead field goal 25 seconds left to take a 34-32 lead.

Michigan quarterback Chad Henne gave the Wolverines one more chance on a deep completion to Mario Manningham to set up a 37-yard attempt for Gingell with six seconds left to win the game, but three-time All-American Corey Lynch broke through the line and blocked Gingell’s kick—the second blocked kick by the Mountaineers in the game—and returned it down the field, running out the clock to seal the 34-32 upset win.

The game was the first-ever football broadcast on the recently-launched Big Ten Network. Appalachian State was paid $400,000 to play the game. The Mountaineers would go on to finish 13-2 and win their third-straight FCS Championship. The Wolverines finished 9-4 after defeating #9 Florida 41-35 in the Capitol One Bowl in their final season under Lloyd Carr, but would not return to national championship contention until the 2016 season, when they started 8-0.

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