Michigan Football's Top 10 Plays of 2014

Michigan Football's Top 10 Plays of 2014

By brookshooley

June 30, 2015

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Michigan Football's Top 10 Plays of 2014

Michigan wolverines Football — The Wolverines made the wrong kind of history last season. They started conference play with an 0-2 record for the first time in 47 years and had had three losses by the month of October for the first time ever. Michigan finished with a 5-7 overall record which resulted in the firing of Brady Hoke, thus opening the door for Jim Harbaugh. Here are the 10 best plays from Michigan last season.

The Wolverines made the wrong kind of history last season. They started conference play with an 0-2 record for the first time in 47 years and had had three losses by the month of October for the first time ever. Michigan finished with a 5-7 overall record which resulted in the firing of Brady Hoke, thus opening the door for Jim Harbaugh. Here are the 10 best plays from Michigan last season.

10. Devin Funchess' Huge Reception vs. Ohio State

Devin Funchess michigan wolverines

10. Devin Funchess' Huge Reception vs. Ohio State

Devin Funchess michigan wolverines — The Wolverines fell behind early after the Buckeyes cashed in on a Devin Gardner interception. A couple drives later, Gardner found prime target Devin Funchess down the middle of the field for 45 yards. This set up a 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Butt on the next play to tie the score at seven.

The Wolverines fell behind early after the Buckeyes cashed in on a Devin Gardner interception. A couple drives later, Gardner found prime target Devin Funchess down the middle of the field for 45 yards. This set up a 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Butt on the next play to tie the score at seven.

9. Ben Gedeon's Special Teams Touchdown vs. Appalachian State

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9. Ben Gedeon's Special Teams Touchdown vs. Appalachian State

michigan football banner — This game was highly anticipated by players and fans alike. The outcome was in stark contrast to 2007 as Michigan had no trouble with Appalachian State. The Wolverines led 28-0 just before half as the Mountaineers were set to punt. The punt was blocked and Ben Gedeon scooped it up and returned it 32 yards to extend the lead to 35-0. Michigan stomped Appalachian State 52-14 and eased the sting of the embarrassing loss from seven years earlier.

This game was highly anticipated by players and fans alike. The outcome was in stark contrast to 2007 as Michigan had no trouble with Appalachian State. The Wolverines led 28-0 just before half as the Mountaineers were set to punt. The punt was blocked and Ben Gedeon scooped it up and returned it 32 yards to extend the lead to 35-0. Michigan stomped Appalachian State 52-14 and eased the sting of the embarrassing loss from seven years earlier.

8. Willie Henry's Pick-Six vs. Utah

Willie Henry michigan wolverines

8. Willie Henry's Pick-Six vs. Utah

Willie Henry michigan wolverines — Early in the second quarter, Michigan had surrendered a 66-yard Kaelin Clay punt return touchdown and trailed 10-3. But with five minutes left till the half, defensive tackle Willie Henry intercepted Utes quarterback Kendall Thompson and stumbled seven yards into the end zone to tie the score at 10. This would be Michigan’s only touchdown of the game in the 26-10 home loss.

Early in the second quarter, Michigan had surrendered a 66-yard Kaelin Clay punt return touchdown and trailed 10-3. But with five minutes left till the half, defensive tackle Willie Henry intercepted Utes quarterback Kendall Thompson and stumbled seven yards into the end zone to tie the score at 10. This would be Michigan’s only touchdown of the game in the 26-10 home loss.

7. Drake Johnson's Touchdown Run vs. Ohio State

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7. Drake Johnson's Touchdown Run vs. Ohio State

Drake Johnson michigan wolverines — Michigan was tied at seven with Ohio State heading into the second quarter. After an Ohio State punt downed at the Wolverine five-yard line, Michigan put together an impressive 15-play, 95-yard drive capped off by a two-yard touchdown run by running back Drake Johnson. Michigan led 14-7 until Ohio State tied the score right before halftime. The Buckeyes pulled away late 42-28.

Michigan was tied at seven with Ohio State heading into the second quarter. After an Ohio State punt downed at the Wolverine five-yard line, Michigan put together an impressive 15-play, 95-yard drive capped off by a two-yard touchdown run by running back Drake Johnson. Michigan led 14-7 until Ohio State tied the score right before halftime. The Buckeyes pulled away late 42-28.

6. Devin Funchess' Second Touchdown Reception vs. Appalachian State

Devin Funchess michigan wolverines

6. Devin Funchess' Second Touchdown Reception vs. Appalachian State

Devin Funchess michigan wolverines — Before the offensive onslaught, Michigan held a 7-0 lead against the Mountaineers late in the first quarter. Gardner hit a wide open Funchess at the 10-yard line who shed a Mountaineer tackle and danced his way into the end zone to put Michigan up 14-0. Funchess finished with three touchdown receptions on the day.

Before the offensive onslaught, Michigan held a 7-0 lead against the Mountaineers late in the first quarter. Gardner hit a wide open Funchess at the 10-yard line who shed a Mountaineer tackle and danced his way into the end zone to put Michigan up 14-0. Funchess finished with three touchdown receptions on the day.

5. Devin Gardner's Second Touchdown Run vs. Rutgers

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5. Devin Gardner's Second Touchdown Run vs. Rutgers

Devin Gardner michigan wolverines — This game featured several lead changes and momentum swings. Early in the fourth quarter, Rutgers scored to take a 26-17 lead. Michigan wasn’t done though, as Gardner scrambled around the right end and crossed the goal line with a little over nine minutes to play. Unfortunately, the Wolverines would leave High Point Solutions Stadium with a 26-24 loss and an 0-2 Big Ten record.

This game featured several lead changes and momentum swings. Early in the fourth quarter, Rutgers scored to take a 26-17 lead. Michigan wasn’t done though, as Gardner scrambled around the right end and crossed the goal line with a little over nine minutes to play. Unfortunately, the Wolverines would leave High Point Solutions Stadium with a 26-24 loss and an 0-2 Big Ten record.

4. Jake Butt's Touchdown Reception vs. Miami (OH)

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4. Jake Butt's Touchdown Reception vs. Miami (OH)

Jake Butt michigan wolverines — Running back Derek Green scored before halftime to give Michigan a flimsy 17-10 lead heading into the locker room. This score remained through most of the third quarter, but with the fourth quarter nearing, the Wolverines needed another score to help put away Miami (OH). A 29-yard touchdown pass from Gardner to Butt did the trick as Michigan took a 24-10 lead into the fourth quarter. The Wolverines came away with a 34-10 win.

Running back Derek Green scored before halftime to give Michigan a flimsy 17-10 lead heading into the locker room. This score remained through most of the third quarter, but with the fourth quarter nearing, the Wolverines needed another score to help put away Miami (OH). A 29-yard touchdown pass from Gardner to Butt did the trick as Michigan took a 24-10 lead into the fourth quarter. The Wolverines came away with a 34-10 win.

3. Devin Funchess' Touchdown Reception vs. Penn State

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3. Devin Funchess' Touchdown Reception vs. Penn State

Devin Funchess michigan wolverines — Penn State opened the game with a field goal to take a 3-0 lead. On the ensuing possession, Gardner engineered a six-play, 75-yard drive and finished it with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Funchess to take a 7-3 lead. Michigan sent Penn State back to Happy Valley with an 18-13 loss.

Penn State opened the game with a field goal to take a 3-0 lead. On the ensuing possession, Gardner engineered a six-play, 75-yard drive and finished it with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Funchess to take a 7-3 lead. Michigan sent Penn State back to Happy Valley with an 18-13 loss.

2. Jehu Chesson's Muffed Punt Recovery vs. Northwestern

Jehu Chesson michigan wolverines

2. Jehu Chesson's Muffed Punt Recovery vs. Northwestern

Jehu Chesson michigan wolverines — After a scoreless first half in a sloppy game, both Michigan and Northwestern were searching for any kind of momentum. Michigan found it when receiver Jehu Chesson recovered a muffed punt by Northwestern’s Tony Jones at the Wildcat 21-yard line. This set up a three-yard touchdown run by De’Veon Smith to give Michigan a 7-0 lead.

After a scoreless first half in a sloppy game, both Michigan and Northwestern were searching for any kind of momentum. Michigan found it when receiver Jehu Chesson recovered a muffed punt by Northwestern’s Tony Jones at the Wildcat 21-yard line. This set up a three-yard touchdown run by De’Veon Smith to give Michigan a 7-0 lead.

1. Frank Clark's Game-Winning "Sack" vs. Northwestern

Frank Clark michigan wolverines

1. Frank Clark's Game-Winning "Sack" vs. Northwestern

Frank Clark michigan wolverines — Michigan was clinging to a 10-3 lead with time winding down. Northwestern scored with three seconds left to make the score 10-9. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald elected to go for two and end the game rather than go to overtime. Wildcat quarterback Trevor Siemian rolled right, ran into Wolverine defensive end Frank Clark and fell down, ending the play and thus giving Michigan a 10-9 road win. It was a fitting end to an atrocious football game.

Michigan was clinging to a 10-3 lead with time winding down. Northwestern scored with three seconds left to make the score 10-9. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald elected to go for two and end the game rather than go to overtime. Wildcat quarterback Trevor Siemian rolled right, ran into Wolverine defensive end Frank Clark and fell down, ending the play and thus giving Michigan a 10-9 road win. It was a fitting end to an atrocious football game.

Brooks Hooley is a Junior Big Ten Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @brookshooley.

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