Appalachian State beats Michigan 34-32
September 1st, 2007 Posted in NCAA football
(Photo: Dexter Jackson scores TD vs Michigan; from historymike blog)
Appalachian State, a division 1-AA team from Boone, NC (population 15,000), walked out of the locker room to play against the #5 ranked team in the country with 100,000 fans filling the Big House to watch the carnage. Appalachian State is not just any 1-AA team (back-to-back national championships), but most assumed the Mountaineers had made the trip to collect the check, avoid injuries that could derail their run at a three-peat, and hopefully have a few good moments against the Wolverines. No 1-AA team had ever beaten a ranked 1-A team, let alone beat mighty Michigan on their home turf.
Even after Appalachian State used a 21-point second quarter to take a 28-17 halftime lead, most assumed the outburst would wake up the Wolverines and they would come out in the second half ready to explode on this small school team from the North Carolina mountains, but App State hung in there and weathered the storm. However, with a minute and change remaining, it looked like the inevitable was going to occur - a Michigan victory. Heisman hopeful Mike Hart ran for a dazzling 54-yard touchdown to give Michigan the 32-31 lead (two-point conversion failed), and then the Michigan defense picked off an Armanti Edwards pass. Appalachian blocked the ensuing Wolverine field goal attempt to maintain a faint heartbeat, but App State had done nothing the entire fourth quarter, had gained less than 100 yards of offense in the second half, and was left with 90-seconds and no timeouts.
Appalachian State had not won consecutive 1-AA championships by folding after taking a couple hard punches, even if the punches were coming from a heavyweight champion that was supposed to be out of their league. Quarterback Armanti Edwards put the team on his capable shoulders - and legs - starting the Appalachian drive with an 18-yard scramble, and then quickly moving the pigskin 55 yards through the air via completions to four different receivers to setup a 24-yard field goal attempt. Julian Rauch’s kick was true, and App State reclaimed the lead at 34-32 with 20 seconds to play.
App State had not done the unthinkable yet. A long pass completion gave Michigan a chance at a 37-yard field goal to win the game, but this game belonged to the Mountaineers. Corey Lynch blocked the kick to secure the victory.
The Appalachian State Mountaineers walked out of the locker room as a good team from that other division, a team from some small town up in the North Carolina mountains that could fit into a corner of the Big House. The Mountaineers walked off the field as the owners of one of the greatest upsets in college football history. Mountaineers 34, Wolverines 32 in an absolutely stunning start to the 2007 college football season.
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4 Responses to “Appalachian State beats Michigan 34-32”
By MSU MIKE on Sep 1, 2007
I am completely at peace and satisfied. Almost Nirvana like in its simplicity and absolute clarity. I hope this sets the Michigan program back 25 years.
By Buckeye fan on Sep 1, 2007
Bless you, App State, and may your wishes for a 3 peat come true. My great suffering from the 2006 season (being married to a Gator) has eased, thanks to you. Ahhhhhh. App State, you rock!
By Badger Tom on Sep 8, 2007
On behalf of the Big Ten, I’d like to officially extend an invitation to App. State to upgrade to Div 1A, round out the conference at 12 teams, and, like Ohio Stete, be scheduled to play Michigan annually.