Читать книгу Michigan Motivations - Cyle Young - Страница 16
ОглавлениеCyle Young
October 15, 2005: Penn State at Michigan
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY ROLLED INTO Ann Arbor expecting to trounce the floundering University of Michigan Wolverines. The Nittany Lions were undefeated, and their 6–0 record was Penn State’s best start since 1999. The 3–3 Wolverines had experienced an equal share of offensive and defensive struggles over the course of the 2005 season. Their lone bright spot entering the Penn State game was the fact that Michigan had dominated the last six games in the series, including a 27–24 overtime win in 2002. For whatever reason, Michigan had become Penn State’s Achilles’ heel.
The Nittany Lions were intent on ending the losing record and taking back control of the series. If Penn State’s stellar dual-threat quarterback had anything to do with it, that was exactly what they’d do.
But the first half didn’t go as expected—for either team. The game turned into a defensive battle. With 4:34 left in the second quarter, the score was 3–0. Michigan held a small and unexpected lead on a Garrett Rivas field goal.
The Wolverines entered the third quarter with the newfound belief not only that they could they win but also that they held the lead and the momentum. Michigan extended their lead to 10–0 with a ten-play 72-yard drive early in the third quarter. With ten seconds left in the third, Penn State finally found the scoreboard on a Kevin Kelly 25-yard field goal.
But a well-coached team can never be counted out, and in seventeen seconds, everything changed.
Penn State quarterback Michael Robinson scored on a 4-yard run early in the fourth quarter. On the Wolverines’ next play, quarterback Chad Henne fumbled the ball, and Nittany Lion cornerback Alan Zemaitis scooped the ball up and returned it for a 35-yard Penn State touchdown. A surprise 2-point conversion by Kevin Kelly gave the Nittany Lions an 18–10 lead.
Michigan would respond to the adversity well. Henne tossed a 33-yard touchdown pass to Mario Manningham, and Mike Hart’s 2-point conversion tied the game at 18. The fourth quarter was becoming a game of its own.
The Wolverines forced Penn State to punt on their next drive, and after a nine-play drive, Rivas gave the Wolverines the lead with a 47-yard field goal. Two plays later, Michigan cornerback Leon Hall intercepted Robinson, and the Wolverines looked to be in control of the game once again. Michigan drove into field goal range, but instead of taking a long 51-yard field goal, Michigan punted to the Penn State 19-yard line.
With just under four minutes to go in the game, Penn State had 81 yards standing between them and victory. Robinson looked like a pro as he led his offense down the field and converted a fourth-and-seven. With no time-outs left, he capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run to give his team a 4-point lead. With fifty-three seconds left in the game, it looked as though Penn State would end their losing streak.
On the ensuing kickoff, Michigan’s Steve Breaston returned the ball to near midfield, giving his team a chance to win the game. Henne led his team to the Penn State 10-yard line, and with one second left on the clock, the Wolverines had one final play to determine the outcome of the game.
Henne found wide receiver Mario Manningham in the middle of the end zone, and with time expiring, the Wolverines took a 27–25 lead. The victory extended Michigan’s streak of wins over Penn State to seven in a row.
Though the contest was tough, the Wolverines never counted themselves out. In their minds, they knew they could defeat the Nittany Lions. It didn’t matter what the media predicted. And it didn’t matter what Vegas oddsmakers thought was going to happen. The resilient team persevered—they believed in themselves and in each other.
Do you believe in yourself that much? When others count you out, do you rise to the occasion? Or do you crash under the pressure?
MAKE THE FINAL PLAY
Have you ever experienced a moment in life where everything hangs on your next play? Maybe you are at one of those crossroads right now. Have faith and know that you can have success, even if you have the pressure of a crowd watching your every move. Just like Chad Henne, you can find your receiver in the back of the end zone, and you can have success.
COMPLETE THE CONVERSION
You don’t have to let previous setbacks and defeats define you. The 2005 Wolverines didn’t. In life, you have to make peace with your past failures. Cut yourself some slack. We all mess up and experience failure. Shake off your past failures and regain control of your life, one decision at a time. Your failures don’t define you. Successful people are always defined by how they overcome setbacks and push forward to triumph. Every great quarterback has a short memory of incompletions and interceptions, you too need to have a short memory of life’s hurdles and disappointments. Go Blue!
What do you need to do to make that game-winning throw in your life right now?
