Tag: Mercury Hayes

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𝑳𝑶𝑶𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑩𝑨𝑪𝑲: 𝑴𝑰𝑪𝑯𝑰𝑮𝑨𝑵 𝑽𝑺. 𝑴𝑰𝑪𝑯𝑰𝑮𝑨𝑵 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑻𝑬, 1995

Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins Highlighting Key Rivalry Games

The fourth installment of this week’s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State takes us to 1995. This series has a long history of giving first-year head coaches rude introductions to the rivalry. In keeping with that tradition, the Michigan State Spartans gave Michigan coach Lloyd Carr a greeting that was as cold as the chilly, snowy day in East Lansing.

It started out well enough for Michigan. Remy Hamilton kicked a 35-yard field goal to put the Wolverines up, 3-0. But special teams play turned out to be a give and take proposition on that day, as Derrick Mason returned a punt for a 70-yard touchdown in the second quarter. That play turned the momentum in the Spartans’ favor. It’s always a challenge to trail Michigan State on the road in a rivalry game.

Still, the Wolverines fought gamely as the struggle went back and forth. Quarterback Brian Griese connected with Mercury Hayes for a 22-yard touchdown pass that gave the Wolverines a 4-point lead, but Michigan State still had 3:38 to work with, and that was more than enough time. Then the ghosts of Paul Bunyan games past went to work. On a 4th down and 11 yards to do, Tony Banks connected with Mason along the Michigan sideline, and got the first down on a controversial spot. That play breathed new life into Michigan State. Michigan started missing tackles and Michigan State enjoyed some very fortunate bounces. Finally, Banks connected with Nigea Carter, who twisted and turned his way into the end zone for the winning score, as Michigan State beat Michigan, 28-25.

Michigan went on to finish the season with some excellent victories, but on this day, the Spartans reminded Lloyd Carr that it’s not easy for a newcomer to win in this rivalry.

This and other great content can be found at newyorkwolverine.com

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Looking Back — Michigan Football Season Openers – 1995 Virginia

Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins

College football is built on a season that builds to a crescendo. Still, there’s something about the opening game. No matter which teams are playing, there’s a sense of excitement that comes with the clean slate of a new season.

For Michigan, the most memorable opening day in recent memory occurred in 1995. The Wolverines had a new coach, Lloyd Carr, who was hired as an interim coach until the university could find someone more qualified to guide the football program. By the end of the first game, one thing was clear: Carr’s Michigan teams would certainly provide their moments of excitement.

The game started in ferociously hot weather, and for the first three quarters, most Michigan fans and alumni were hoping that then-athletic director Joe Roberson was poring through his Rolodex, looking for qualified candidates to replace Carr. It was also the first time that many fans saw the Barber twins, Ronde and Tiki. Suddenly, all the noise was about Virginia, and Michigan fans were getting just a little bit restless.

The game continued into the fourth quarter, and slowly, Michigan began to show a little fight. At the time, many people thought it was too late, but the Wolverines kept plugging away, one play at a time. Finally, the Wolverines were left with a 4th down and 10 yards to go from the Virginia 15-yard line, fully aware that they needed it all on the last play. For one play, quarterback Scott Dreisbach became a legend, even if it was only for a fleeting moment. Dreisbach faded back, and threw to receiver Mercury Hayes, who ran a buttonhook right into the northeast corner of the north end zone. Amazingly, Hayes caught the ball with his feet barely in bounds, and no time left on the clock. Having trailed virtually the entire game, Michigan took the lead at the only time it really mattered, at the end of the game. Virginia coach George Welsh had the option to make Michigan attempt the try for point after the touchdown, knowing that if Virginia blocked the kick and returned it all the way, the Cavaliers would get two points and the win, but Welsh opted to let the result stand. Michigan had completed arguably the most memorable comeback in its illustrious history, topping Virginia, 18-17.

Ironically, neither Hayes nor Dreisbach went on to distinguished careers. Lloyd Carr? Well, let’s just say that the “interim” tag was removed at the end of the season.

Thanks to ABC Sports, YouTube poster RxWolverine, and YouTube for the following broadcast. As always, neither umgoblue.com nor I own anything, and we do not profit off this blog post in any way.