The top-10 moments of the Michigan Wolverines 2023 championship run: 10-6
We just saw what might be the most remarkable run in Michigan Wolverines football history. The team finished 15-0 and demolished almost all of their opponents, culminating in a National Championship win.
There were a lot of plays or remarks that stood out to me as season-defining moments after I watched the entire season again (although in shortened form). I did my best to select the top 10 moments that I believe helped the Wolverines win the national championship this season, but there are no set standards for this list.
Please feel free to offer criticism and suggestions in the comments section. These are the numerals 10–6:
10. The pick-six by Mike Sainristil vs Rutgers
In Week 4, Michigan’s first-half performance against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights was subpar. It was a little shaky at first—Jim Harbaugh’s first game on the sidelines.
Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt gave his team an early 7-0 lead with a 69-yard touchdown throw on the opening play. Despite two first-half scores from the Michigan offense, Greg Schaino’s side still had a good chance to win the game in the second half.
With their opening possession of the second half trailing 17–7, the Scarlet Knights were moving the ball down the field. By the end of the third quarter, Wimsatt had already completed 45 yards of passes to three different receivers, and it appeared as though Rutgers might take the lead.
On the other hand, Mike Sainristil intercepted a screen pass, demonstrated amazing balance, and brought the ball home for a game-changing 71-yard pick-six.
Mike Barrett rolled on top of Sainristil after the interception, so it didn’t even appear like he had picked it off; therefore, nobody knew what was going on during that play. The defense was desperately needed by Michigan, and like he has done so often this season, Sainristil was the one to deliver it.
After defeating Rutgers 31–7, the Wolverines went on to outscore opponents 239–44 in their first six Big Ten games.
9. Against Maryland, the season-saving punt and safety sequence
The Wolverines have faced scares in their unbeaten regular seasons the past two years against the Terps. The second quarter saw Michigan run out to a 23-3 lead, but Mike Locksley’s team wouldn’t go away, and the Wolverines’ offense stagnated for the majority of the second half.
The Wolverines held a slim 29-24 lead going into the fourth quarter, but Maryland had numerous opportunities to win the game by going down the field. With less than five minutes remaining, the Wolverines had another chance to win it all, but a holding penalty pushed them behind the goalie, forcing them to punt the ball back to the Terps.
The Terps were stopped at the one-yard line by Tommy Doman’s finest punt of the year:
With less than four minutes remaining and a touchdown lead, the Wolverines would regain possession of the ball. With a game won by Blake Corum, Michigan managed to escape with its 1,000th victory in school history.
8. In the game, Will Johnson takes a shortcut for an INT
Early in the game, Michigan and Ohio State engaged in a defensive struggle. In the first quarter, both teams exchanged possessions following short drives.
Much had been said during the season regarding Kyle McCord’s play, which was mediocre at best, and his outstanding weapon, Marvin Harrison Jr. Harrison was regarded by many as the top collegiate wide receiver and possibly the best prospect in the entire NFL this season.
Superstar corner Will Johnson matched up with the Ohio State tandem on one of his first targets in the season’s biggest game:
7. In the Rose Bowl, Roman Wilson’s tipped catch put Michigan in the red zone.
You could pick from a ton of moments from the Rose Bowl drive in the fourth quarter. In my opinion, Corum’s reception in the flat to move the sticks on fourth down was more of a play-calling spectacle than a wow moment because it was such an easy catch for a convert.
The play that was tipped at the line of scrimmage by Roman Wilson later in the drive was what caught my attention the most. This ball is intercepted, and Michigan loses the game if Wilson mistimes his leap or misses the ball due to the tip.
By now, it seemed as though the Wolverines had the favor of the football gods and would overcome Alabama. It seemed unlikely that so many things would work out well when things could have easily gone wrong.
6. Sherrone Moore’s outstanding interview following the victory over Penn State
Oh my. Given how emotionally charged the Wolverines’ season was at the time, it was extremely difficult to leave this one out of the top five. It felt like such a cheap shot for Harbaugh to be suspended for the second time less than twenty-four hours before Michigan’s biggest game of the season.
Nearly all of the players were aware of the risks and the extraordinary injustice they were experiencing in the absence of their head coach. Harbaugh even made an attempt to win his appeal in court because the fight was unwinnable. But in Happy Valley, every player and staff member PLAYS ON THEMSELVES to step up and run the ball down Penn State’s neck.
One of the most fervent expressions of the team’s feelings for one another this season came from acting head coach Sherrone Moore, who was unable to control his emotions following the heartbreak and drama of the previous few days:
