Michigan football: Five best offensive fireworks from last season
TheWolverine.com is wishing Michigan football fans across the country a happy fourth of July. What better way to celebrate with some fireworks of our own? The 2021 season had plenty of them.
Michigan had a number of explosive offensive plays go its way during its run to the College Football Playoff. It is impossible to limit it to five, but most feature players that will be on the field in active roles this upcoming season.
It did not make the list of single plays, but the Michigan win over Ohio State gets an honorable mention nod. That was a total team effort and a bludgeoning on the offensive side of the ball that made it hard to limit to just one. With some extra time today, Michigan fans can always flip to highlights from The Game.
Here are five picks from last season in no particular order. The most notable development is that all but one (running back Hassan Haskins) will return to Michigan in 2022.
Blake Corum’s long touchdown vs. Washington
The 31-10 domination before a Maize Out crowd in Week 2 was a national announcement that the Wolverines were to be taken seriously. Running back Blake Corum had 171 yards rushing and three scores on the day, but his 67-yard explosion in the second quarter stood out the most. It put Michigan up 10-0, and it never looked back.
J.J. McCarthy’s first touchdown pass at Michigan
The excitement of quarterback J.J. McCarthy in his freshman season hit a fever pitch in the opener against Western Michigan. He hit wide receiver Daylen Baldwin for a 69-yard touchdown while throwing the ball across his body on a third and 25. This type of playmaking ability has fans eager to see him get a shot at the starting job.
Hassan Haskins’ hurdle at Nebraska
Michigan did not have to play from behind often last season, but it got critical plays when it needed it the most. Hassan Haskins was tailor-made for those situations. Down 29-26 at Nebraska on the road, he ripped off a 50-yard run to set his team up for a game-tying field goal. The Wolverines would later escape Lincoln with a 32-29 victory.
Erick All wins it for Michigan at Penn State
Speaking of game-changing plays late in a contest, tight end Erick All likely made the most consequential. Down 17-14 with under four minutes to play at Penn State, All grabbed a pass on a crossing route from Cade McNamara and did the rest of the work himself, scoring from 47-yards out on. a bad ankle. With a loss already on its resume, Michigan’s conference title and playoff hopes would have been dashed if it fell that Saturday. Thanks to All, it was no problem.
Donovan Edward’s trick-play touchdown in the Big Ten title game
Coming off a euphoric 42-27 victory over Ohio State, the Big Ten Championship game vs. Iowa felt like a coronation. The floodgates were busted wide open by freshman running back Donovan Edwards, who launched a halfback pass to wideout Roman Wilson from 75-yards out to put Michigan up 14-0 in the first quarter. Things got sluggish in the second, but the Wolverines ultimately walked out with a 42-3 victory over the Hawkeyes.
