Appalachian State University football pulled off one of the biggest upsets in college football history with a 34-32 victory No. 5 (FBS) Michigan Wolverines. A Julian Rauch field goal with 26 seconds left followed by a blocked attempt for Michigan Wolverines as time expired sealed one ASU’s greatest victories in the storied history of the program.
Appalachian State led 28-17 at halftime and maintained that lead deep into the fourth quarter when preseason Heisman candidate Mike Hart rattled off a 54-yard run to give UM a 32-31 lead. The ASU defense stymied the two-point conversion attempt, its second such stop of the day, to keep Michigan’s lead easily within reach.
On the ensuing possession, the Wolverine defense intercepted an errant pass at the ASU 43-yard line and marched down to the ASU 26-yard line before the defense held, forcing a 43-yard field goal attempt. The special teams then made the first of two big plays blocking the attempt to keep the deficit at one.
Sophomore signal caller Armanti Edwards returned under center and promptly made up for his earlier gaffe, rushing for 18 yards on the first play of the drive and then completing four-straight passes for 55 yards down to the UM 5-yard line. Head coach Jerry Moore elected to trot out the field-goal unit and Rauch easily knocked in the chip shot to give ASU a 34-32 lead.
Michigan didn’t go easily without a fight in the waning seconds as a 46-yard Chad Henne to Mario Manningham pass put the Wolverines on the ASU 20-yard line with six seconds remaining. For the second time, the Apps’ special teamers changed the course of the game, knocking down the game-winning attempt to make history in the Big House.
A complete recap of the Appalachian State Mountaineers' victory will follow shortly on www.GoASU.com
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