〽️ On This Day in Michigan History — September 24: The “Miracle at Michigan”

Not every date in Michigan history brings happy memories. September 24 includes one of the most painful — and famous — finishes the Big House has ever witnessed, alongside a vintage Denard Robinson performance 17 years later.

1994 — #7 Colorado 27, #4 Michigan 26

Michigan appeared to have completed a terrific comeback against undefeated Colorado.

After trailing 14-3, the Wolverines scored 23 unanswered points. Tyrone Wheatley, making his season debut after a shoulder injury, scored from six yards before Todd Collins found Amani Toomer for a 65-yard touchdown that put Michigan ahead 26-14.

Colorado cut it to 26-21 with 2:16 remaining but, with six seconds left, still had the ball at its own 36-yard line.
Then came the play forever known as the “Miracle at Michigan.”

Kordell Stewart launched the ball more than 70 yards through the air. Blake Anderson tipped it near the goal line and Michael Westbrook caught it in the end zone as time expired.

Colorado won 27-26 in front of 106,427 stunned fans at Michigan Stadium.

A brutal Michigan memory — but unquestionably one of the most iconic endings in college football history.

2011 — #22 Michigan 28, San Diego State 7

Denard Robinson didn’t need to do much damage through the air. Shoelace simply ran through the Aztecs instead.
Robinson carried 21 times for 200 yards and tied his career high with three rushing touchdowns, all before halftime. His second score was a 53-yard run that put Michigan ahead 14-0.

It was Robinson’s third career 200-yard rushing game, putting him alongside Ron Johnson and behind only Mike Hart at the time among Wolverines with three or more.
Michigan rushed for 320 yards as a team and improved to 4-0 under first-year head coach Brady Hoke — against the San Diego State program Hoke had left to take the Michigan job.

The victory also extended Michigan’s September winning streak to 13 games.

1983 — #17 Michigan 38, Wisconsin 21

Bo Schembechler’s Wolverines went to Camp Randall and went almost entirely to the ground.

Michigan rushed for 351 yards while passing for just 42.
Kerry Smith led the Wolverines with 107 yards on 22 carries, while Rick Rogers scored twice and Brian Mercer added another rushing touchdown.

Michigan turned an early 7-0 deficit into a 32-7 advantage by the end of the third quarter before Wisconsin mounted a late rally.

The Wolverines steadied themselves with Mercer’s 11-yard touchdown and left Madison with a 38-21 victory.

🎂 Wolverine Birthday — Paul Kromer

Paul Kromer was born September 24, 1917.

Kromer played halfback at Michigan alongside the legendary Tom Harmon, with the pair becoming known as the “Touchdown Twins” during the 1938 season.

That 1938 team was particularly important in Michigan history: Fritz Crisler’s first Wolverines squad finished 6-1-1 and helped begin the turnaround from Michigan’s difficult mid-1930s seasons.

September 24 gave us one we’d rather forget, one vintage afternoon of Denard being Denard, and a classic Bo-era ground assault in Madison.

**Go Blue! 〽**️