It's early July, looking back at some of my favorite Michigan games.
I think this is the game when Tom Brady became Tom Brady. During the '98 season, Brady got off to a rough start. He gradually began to solidify himself during the season as not only the starting quarterback, but an up and coming great Michigan quarterback.
This game was a waves of momentum. Michigan dominated the first half, leading 24-10 at the break. Arkansas came storming out of the locker room, controlling the 3rd quarter into the 4th quarter, taking a 31-24 lead.
Michigan went on a 15 play, 85 yard drive midway through the 4th to tie the game. Many will say the key play on the drive was a Brady to Streets pass on 4th and short to move the chains and keep the drive alive, but I would go back about 4 plays when it was 3rd and 12 deep in our own territory. Arkansas had a defensive end come completely clean, Brady somehow avoids him, delivers a strong throw to Streets at the first down marker, meanwhile he is getting hit by another defender coming on the rush. Michigan continues the drive, moves the chains and ties it up.
Next Arkansas drive, 3 and out leading to a punt. Diallo Johnson got a nice return setting up Michigan at the Arkansas 35 yard line. 5 plays later, it's 3rd and 7. Arkansas brings the house on a blitz, Brady under heavy pressure and getting tattooed delivers an absolute strike to Johnson for the touchdown. Michigan 38-31.
Next Arkansas drive, Whitley picks off a pass and takes it to the endzone to end the game. Michigan 45-31.
2 different 21 point runs by both teams. Michigan scored the last 21 points of the game in the final 5 minutes.
This is the game, in my opinion where Brady became the comeback kid. Michigan wore down Arkansas in the 4th quarter, and Brady made some extremely clutch throws under some very heavy pressure. It wasn't his best game statistically, but he was money when we had to have it.
I think this is the game when Tom Brady became Tom Brady. During the '98 season, Brady got off to a rough start. He gradually began to solidify himself during the season as not only the starting quarterback, but an up and coming great Michigan quarterback.
This game was a waves of momentum. Michigan dominated the first half, leading 24-10 at the break. Arkansas came storming out of the locker room, controlling the 3rd quarter into the 4th quarter, taking a 31-24 lead.
Michigan went on a 15 play, 85 yard drive midway through the 4th to tie the game. Many will say the key play on the drive was a Brady to Streets pass on 4th and short to move the chains and keep the drive alive, but I would go back about 4 plays when it was 3rd and 12 deep in our own territory. Arkansas had a defensive end come completely clean, Brady somehow avoids him, delivers a strong throw to Streets at the first down marker, meanwhile he is getting hit by another defender coming on the rush. Michigan continues the drive, moves the chains and ties it up.
Next Arkansas drive, 3 and out leading to a punt. Diallo Johnson got a nice return setting up Michigan at the Arkansas 35 yard line. 5 plays later, it's 3rd and 7. Arkansas brings the house on a blitz, Brady under heavy pressure and getting tattooed delivers an absolute strike to Johnson for the touchdown. Michigan 38-31.
Next Arkansas drive, Whitley picks off a pass and takes it to the endzone to end the game. Michigan 45-31.
2 different 21 point runs by both teams. Michigan scored the last 21 points of the game in the final 5 minutes.
This is the game, in my opinion where Brady became the comeback kid. Michigan wore down Arkansas in the 4th quarter, and Brady made some extremely clutch throws under some very heavy pressure. It wasn't his best game statistically, but he was money when we had to have it.
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