Michigan football took another turn in their wild, crazy 2005 season with a last second (in the most literal sense of the word!) win over previously undefeated and #8 nationally Penn State. The first half was a defensive battle reminiscent of the Days of Leather Helmets, with neither offense able to muster much. The field goal kicking was also suspect in the opening 30 minutes, as Penn State missed two kicks and Michigan one. Wolverine booter Garrett Rivas did manage to make good on another attempt and so at intermission the score was a 1920s-esque Michigan 3-Penn State nil.

The second half would be much more interesting to those who like scoring. Michigan seized the early momentum as they took the opening kick and drove 70 yards for the game's first touchdown. Mike Hart, the Barry Sanders lookalike in Maize and Blue, punched it in from the two and it was 10-0 Michigan.

But Penn State was not ranked #8 in the USA for nothing, and they tied the game up early in the fourth quarter. Then things got worse in a big way for Michigan, as QB Chad Henne lost the ball and Penn State took it to the end zone for another score. It really got absurd on the point after, as PSU botched the snap from center but their kicker somehow managed to sneak across the goal line for two points and an 18-10 Penn State lead.

Michigan absoultely needed to do something right away to keep this from becoming a blowout, and they quickly went 55 yards in five plays with Henne passing to Mario Manningham for the six pointer. The Wolverines made a gutsy call on the conversion, sending Hart on a running play. The Michigan line got just enough of a surge and Magnificent Mike did the rest. Just like that the score was tied again.

The Big Blue D forced a punt, and the offense got just close enough for Rivas to connect on a 47 yard field goal for a 21-18 Michigan lead. Three minutes and 45 seconds remained in the fourth quarter, and the drama was far from over.

Penn State took over on its own 20, and two plays later Michigan's Leon Hall intercepted a pass that looked to be a possible game clincher. But then a penalty moved the ball back, and Michigan was unable to pick up a first down.

Penn State got the ball back and played it almost perfectly, scoring a go ahead touchdown and milking much of the clock in the process.

Fifty three seconds left...Michigan needs a touchdown as they are behind by four. Steve Breaston almost takes the kickoff all the way, and at least gets Michigan into decent position with a 41 yard return to almost midfield.

Henne to Jason Avant for 17 yards and into Penn State territory. Two short passes bring up third and one, Hart picks up the first down and gets out of bounds. Then an incomplete pass, a pass to the 10 yard line, and another incomplete. Fourth down, one second left on the clock. Henne to pass, Manningham open in the end zone...TOUCHDOWN MICHIGAN! No time is left on the clock and Bob Ufer is going nuts up in Football Heaven! Final score Michigan 27-Penn State 25.

It was certainly a thrilling win by a hard working and gutsy bunch of Michigan players. But once again this game revealed the shortcomings of Michigan's coaching staff. Like in so many of their games this season, the Michigan coaches played not to lose instead of playing to win, and like in the Michigan State game they were lucky to come out on top. Of course they weren't so lucky against Notre Dame, Wisconsin, or Minnesota. All teams that Michigan should have beat but did not thanks to their conservative and stodgy leadership.

Quarterback Chad Henne continues to puzzle me. At times he looks Worse Than Scott Mitchell, then when the game is on the line with one second left he suddenly transforms into Brett Favre. Maybe it is just a sophomore slump or something.

Next up is Iowa on the road. The Hawkeyes are a good team and their house is tough to play in. That being said, Michigan is a better team on paper. We will see if they can prove it on the field. I have a feeling they will, as long as the coaches make good use of the talent they have instead of handcuffing the players with unimaginative strategy.

Central Michigan won, and so the Chippewas remain in the hunt for the MAC title and a possible bowl bid.

Notre Dame came up just short against the (expletive deleted) Hollywood Pretty Boys of Southern Cal.

This is one of my longest posts (I think) so I will let it go at that for now. Have a Nice Day and Punch Any Southern Cal Person You May See.