Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins Highlighting Key Rivalry Games
Mike Lantry approched the ball with the game on the line. There was a lot of pressure, but nothing like what he faced in Vietnam.
The second installment of this year’s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State takes us back to 1974.
The mid-1970s featured two of the most controversial games between the two rivals, both involving Michigan kicker Mike Lantry. Lantry was older than mostly college football players, because he did three tours of duty in the Vietnam War. In 1973 the game ended in a tie, with Lantry missing a pair of field goals in the final minutes. One year later, Lantry was given another chance.
With just seconds left in the game, Lantry lined up for a 37-yard field goal, but it wasn’t a chip shot. The ball was placed at an odd angle, and Lantry couldn’t kick the ball straight ahead. He had to kick it far to the left to make sure it went through the uprights. As Lantry drove his leg into the ball, it soared high into the air, invisible to most people.
The ball sailed high, and far to the left. After several seconds, the referees said it was too far to the left, and Ohio State won, 12-10.
Since technology and video were not as advanced in 1974, there really was no good view of the kick, other than that of the referee standing directly under the goal post. Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno, who was providing color commentary for the tv broadcast that day, said that he thought the kick looked good from his angle.
Michigan finished the season with 10 wins for the third consecutive season, and for the third consecutive season, the Wolverines were not able to play in a bowl game, due to Big Ten rules. That would change after the 1974 season, another thing that propelled college football toward the game we know today. From 1972-1974, Michigan had a record of 30 wins, 2 losses, and 1 tie. Unfortunately, every game that was not a victory came against Ohio State.
Following the game, Lantry received countless expressions of sympathy and support from the Michigan faithful. He went on to a successful career as a consultant to the automotive industry, and retired not long ago.
Thanks to ESPN Classic, YouTube, and YouTube poster ROLL TIDE Graham 2 for the broadcast of this game. As always, neither I nor anyone involved with umgoblue.com own anything, and we do not profit from this blog post, which is intended strictly for the enjoyment of readers.
