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WEEK 4

LITTLE BROTHER

Cyle Young

November 3, 2007: Michigan at Michigan State

THE 2007 SEASON WAS SUPPOSED to be great. University of Michigan entered the season ranked number five in the country. The nation expected Michigan, with a large group of returning players, to be one of the teams to beat. However, after humiliating losses to University of Oregon and Appalachian State, Michigan had slipped from frontrunner to disappointment.

A late-season meeting between Michigan and in-state rival Michigan State would make or break the season for both teams. After the rough start to the season, Michigan had managed to win seven straight games and brought a 7–2 record into the rivalry game. Michigan State struggled through their first season with new head coach Mark Dantonio. The team’s 5–4 record was nothing to be excited about, but a victory over Michigan would end the Spartans’ season on a high note.

As with any UM and MSU game, players on both teams traded barbs via the media. Anticipation built in the weeks leading up to the game, and even though neither team entered the game with a championship-caliber season, in-state bragging rights were on the line.

In the first half, everything pointed to an easy Wolverine victory. Spartan quarterback Brian Hoyer struggled to find wide-open receivers. With the Spartans’ obvious offensive challenges, the Wolverines managed to take a 14–3 lead into halftime. The MSU cornerbacks struggled to contain Michigan’s star receiver, Mario Manningham, who would finish the game with eight receptions for 129 yards.

At halftime, the teams entered their respective locker rooms to game-plan for the second half. When the Spartans returned to the field, they looked like a completely different team. At the close of the third quarter, running back Javon Ringer ripped off a 72-yard run to set up Brian Hoyer’s go-ahead touchdown pass, and giving the Spartans a 17–14 lead. Shortly after, running back Jehuu Caulcrick converted a 1-yard rush for a touchdown to give MSU a 24–14 lead with 7:40 left in the game.

Michigan had to get their act together fast. On the next drive, Wolverine quarterback Chad Henne twisted his ankle. He had to leave the field for one play, and freshman quarterback Ryan Mallett replaced him on the field. Mallett fumbled the snap, but running back Mike Hart grabbed the ball and ran for a first down. MSU coach Dantonio later stated, “The turning point was when the ball came out and we blitzed Mallett, and Hart scooped it up.”

And a turning point it was.

Henne reentered the game on the next play and ended that drive with a touchdown pass to Greg Matthews. Only forty-eight seconds had expired since the Spartans had scored.

Michigan’s defense held on the Spartans’ next possession, and the Wolverine offense entered the field with momentum. Henne drove Michigan down the field and on third and eleven tossed the game-winning pass to Manningham.

After the game, Michigan running back Hart famously quipped, “Sometimes you get your little brother excited when you’re playing basketball—let them get the lead. And then you come back.” This come-from-behind victory didn’t only help Michigan recover some pride in its season, it also created the new MSU moniker “Little Brother,” which is still in use by UM fans today.

Have you ever faced what you thought were unbeatable odds and pulled out a win anyway? How were you able to push yourself to victory?

COME FROM BEHIND

The early season losses were devastating for the Wolverines, but the team didn’t let them ruin their season. Sure, Oregon and Appalachian State were major setbacks, but the team recovered. You’ve probably experienced something similar in your own life. There are many times when situations don’t go how you planned—in the workplace, at home, or in relationships. Sometimes we go into things expecting success only to find out that we have a lot of work to do to get those personal wins.

But you, too, can turn this season of your life around!

SCOOP UP THE BALL

Have you ever felt like success is right before you, but someone else has come into the game and fumbled the ball and put your chances of success at risk? Take a deep breath, lower your level, and scoop up the ball. You can do it. Drive forward in your life or relationships, and stretch for the first down. Many times, a personal victory comes from one defining moment in time.

Fear is often what holds us back from success. Ask yourself what negative thoughts and emotions are setting you back, and then affirm yourself in the moments you feel those fears or pressures. When you know what attitude or emotion is holding you back, call it out. Force yourself to overcome fear with positive and affirming thoughts. Wake up every day with a Harbaugh mindset—attack each day—and then repeat that same mindset throughout the rest of your day. You can do it, and each time you press forward is like gaining another clutch first down. No setback has to define you, and you can look at each setback as an opportunity to springboard to your greatest victory. Go Blue!

Is there a ball in your life that you need to scoop up? At work? At home? Or in a relationship? If so, what do you need to do to get that first down?