The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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the preseason, to the thrilling night- game victory against Notre Dame, to a Sugar Bowl championship, the Wolverines were exciting at every turn. T Best Game MICHIGAN 35, NOTRE DAME 31: For three quarters of the landmark "Under The Lights" matchup versus Notre Dame, everything about the first night game in Michigan Stadium history had gone perfectly — every- thing but the actual game, that is. Athletics director Dave Brandon made sure it was a night no Michigan fan would forget, filling the darkened Big House with fireworks, neon-lit halftime shows, parachuters, music — all the bells and whistles. But then the Wolverines took a nosedive, falling behind 24-7 go- ing into the fourth quarter, and had had just one drive that lasted more than four plays. The palpable excite- ment that had spread through The Big House turned to despair — yet another "rebuilding year" to suffer through, it seemed. What transpired after that was one of the most exciting quarters in Michi- gan football history, a wild comeback, including three touchdowns — two for Michigan and one for Notre Dame — in the final 72 seconds. When redshirt junior receiver Roy Roundtree hauled in the final touch- down, a 16-yard jump ball with two seconds left on the clock, the record- setting crowd erupted and continued to celebrate for almost 45 minutes af- ter the game. To make things even more special, it was the third consecu- tive year that the Wolverines had de- feated Notre Dame with a score in the final minute. Best Win MICHIGAN 40, OHIO STATE 34: It's not every year you win a BCS bowl, and the Wolverines' 23-20 win over Virginia Tech was a great mo- ment. But after seven long years of losses to the Buckeyes, finally tallying a victory in The Game tops all others. Even though Ohio State finished the year 6-7 — its first losing season since 28 THE WOLVERINE FEBRUARY 2012 BY ANDY REID he 2011 season will certainly be one that Michigan fans remember for a long time. From the uncertainty of Highlighting The Most Memorable Moments Of The 2011 Campaign SEASON'S BEST Roy Roundtree hauled in a 16-yard touchdown catch with two seconds remaining to complete Michigan's rally for a 35-31 win over Notre Dame. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN