Did anyone catch the ending to this game? After the refs (who apparently did a horrible job all game...I really only watched the last 5 minutes or so) took nearly 25 seconds to spot the ball between 3rd and 4th down, screwing Michigan out of that time, Michigan gets the ball back with about 7 seconds left. They try a hook and ladder only to end up trying to pull a Cal. I believe they tossed the ball around no less than seven times and at one point, it looked like Nebraska had finally stopped them about 15 yards behind the original line of scrimmage (around Michigan's 30). However, the whistle never blew (rightfully so), but the Nebraska players started going on the field as a Michigan player was still running with the ball. All of the sudden, he's crossed midfield and no one close to him. Luckily for Nebraska, they had two guys still back who didn't stop on the play and they finally tackled the Michigan guy at the 10. I was in bed about to turn the television off to go to sleep. That play had my heart racing for a good 15 minutes. Exciting stuff.
yeah, couldn't sleep from like 6:30 am and on so of course with espn, I've seen the play 89 times now.
I only saw the last quarter myself, but the officiating was terrible from what I saw. And yea, I couldn't believe that last play. About 5 people were still playing at the end. Eight laterals and a fumble. I think if that last Michigan guy had tried to reverse field or tossed to either of his 2 teammates running behind him, they could have taken it in.
The officials were from the crappy Sun Belt. In hindsight, the Michigan player screwed up considering Steve freaking Breaston was trailing him. Lateral the ball then block anyone in front of you.
Video of that final play of the Alamo Bowl... http://www.vidilife.com/index.cfm?f...6F8-9&vchrJoinMedia=FF126AC8-92D9-4D92-96F8-9
If the Michigan guy had thrown a lateral it's a touchdown and probably the greatest play in sports history. I've never understood this with football players. Why do they let themselves get tackled or go out of bounds on the last play of the game? The worst that can happen is that the lateral goes to no one, the other team picks it up and you lose... which would happen even if they didn't do that! I know the game moves incredibly fast and there isn't a lot of time to think... but it would seem as if these guys would realize that the game is over if they go down or out of bounds with the ball in their hands.
exact same thing i was wondering. why in the hell do you even run anywhere near the sideline??? the last thing you want to do is go out of bounds! he had guys trailing him but he blew it. i understand the extreme circumstance he was in, but you've got to play smarter thant that. just get rid of the damn ball!
The funniest part was when Callahan got dumped by the cooler and he kept watching the play completely unfazed...
Yeah, if nothing else, just throw it up over your head behind you. The only thing I can say is this guy was like the 9th option for getting the ball. I don't know who it was, but I'd venture to guess he has rarely, if ever, carried the ball before so he didn't really know what was going on. I was impressed that Michigan was smart enough to keep chucking the ball - and especially to keep doing it across the field. I've never understood why more teams don't do that. If you're going to get a breakaway, across the field is your best bet rather than chucking it 5 feet to another guy when all the defenders are already nearby.
Granted it was a split second decision, the guy was trying to be a hero. I don't know what he was thinking. If he had been smart he would have seen Steve Breaston behind him! Steve OMG Breaston the fastest player on the team! WTF. Dumb decision.
What a great game! Poorly officiated, but great. The real reason for this post is to put a guarantee from a different post I just posted..I can guarantee you that some people are going to flame about my American Indian racial inclusion comment. They are full of crap.
How can the Nebraska players come on the field, and I think I saw a coulple of camera men out threre too, without a penalty?
The same way the Michigan players did. I wonder if he had scored had Nebraska argued that both teams were on the field, hence off-setting penalties. Wouldn't that have resulted in a replay of the down?
Yeah, that was wrong. Players for both teams came onto the field. It should have been offsetting penalties and re-play the down, I think.
I just got back from San Antonio. What a great game. The Michigan fans were all over the refs the entire game. The Nebraska guy sitting next to me about came out of his skin when the Huskers took the lead. It was complete chaos at the end with all the players coming on to the field. Everybody in the stands was yelling "The ball is still live!" The Nebraska fans which appeared to outnumber UM fans 3 to 1 went nuts. If you ever get the chance to see Michigan play, their band kicks a$$. They did the Simpsons theme at the half, and it was one of the highlights of the night. Overall: I got to eat Joel's BBQ twice, drank more Shiner than should be allowed, saw some great football, drank all night, and had a Earl Campbell Dome Dog at the game. Now it's nap time.
