Our Honor Defend

In the past few weeks, we’ve had lots of fun at the expense of Texas A&M and Pitt.  However, we haven’t forgotten who the real enemy is here.  The protagonists of this blog hate Michigan with every aching muscle of our collective tired bodies and will pause at nothing to undermine their position further.  Through the week, I uploaded some clips of the 1994 Michigan game, which was John Cooper’s first win over Michigan… and sadly a feat he would only replicate once more.  However, I call attention in this post to the 1987 Michigan game, which — with all things considered — might have been Earle Bruce’s finest hour.  Earle Bruce was unceremoniously sacked earlier in the week after a string of losses to Sparty, Wisconsin and Iowa.  As such, the Michigan game in Ann Arbor would be his last as coach for the Buckeyes.  Bruce and his players responded in a big way in the second half against Michigan, turning the tide on the Wolverines who dominated much of the first half.

Down 13-7, and getting their first possession after the intermission, Carlos Snow drew blood on the first play of the drive with a 70yd TD reception and sprint to the end zone.  The extra point gave the Buckeyes a 14-13 lead over Michigan.

After the Buckeyes punt on their next possession, the Wolverines’ QB (Demetrius Brown) throws an interception to David Brown, ultimately resulting in a Tom Tupa QB sneak for a touchdown.  The Buckeyes missed the extra point, but took a 20-13 lead over the Wolverines.

The Wolverines later knotted the game up, until an Ohio State FG in the 4th quarter gave the Buckeyes the lead at 23-20, which became the final margin for the game.  With the seconds winding down and Michigan opting for a last minute heave on their own one yard line, the Buckeyes celebrate Earle Bruce’s last game as many Buckeye fans storm the pitch.  The emotion from Earle Bruce is palpable, as you can plainly see.

This game was a lot of fun to watch.  You got the feeling through the first half watching it that you would be surprised to read that the Buckeyes didn’t end up losing the game by 50.  The turnaround in the second half was nothing short of remarkable and had the Wolverines shellshocked for most of the second half.  Seriously, the look you saw on Bo Schembechler’s face after the Brown INT and Tupa TD — the look of “what in the sam hell is going on here?” — was his expression for the entire second half.