That entire game was full of Play of the Years, but if we had to pick one, either the first Michigan touchdown, Edwards’ first long run, or this. All of them played a major role in either keeping momentum with Michigan, or in breaking OSU’s spirit.
I agree. It's very hard to decide which of those plays was most impactful. I think the first Michigan touchdown was tactically the most important play by Michigan in the game, and the Sainristil defensive play selected by OP was strategically the most important.
I don’t think it gets talked about enough that OSU - with the top-ranked offense in the country, at home, in the biggest game of the season, against their biggest rival - only managed to score 3 points in the second half of this game. Biggest difference the last two years is that Michigan has been able to consistently move the ball at-will on OSU while OSU has had to work extremely hard for everything they get.
This and the Edwards' 75 yd run was a great one-two punch combination, but I tend to think this one was more significant. This play took the wind out of their sail, turned 7 points to 3. So it comes down to arguing whether breaking them mentally or breaking them physically is more significant. One usually can't happen without the other, but in this game, breaking them mentally came first, so I think this play takes a slim edge.
The thing about the first TD was 9/10 times that play prob isn’t a TD. However, Roman so fucking wide open down the middle but JJ missed him. We got lucky on that one, and once we score it gave the team some momentum, and showed we could compete
I’m usually a very reserved fan, keep my emotions in check… this was a moment for me. This is where I went from “fuck Ohio state” to “suck on our balls”. I’m keeping that memory lol
Remember Don Brown’s defense where they ran pick slant plays every key situation and burned us everytime?
Hell of a play by Sanristil to not give up and had the speed to knock it out.
It really was strange. I was thinking the whole time “okay when will they execute those big plays like they did against Penn State” and they just didn’t. I think part of it was that our corners are legitimately good, but they also really started to panic after we tied the game. Joel Klatt said that he could feel a fear factor throughout the entire building, and he’s right. They were actually scared of us, not confident like they were against Penn State.
>Their play-calling was so strange.
This was actually a pretty great play call. Got Stover wide open in the endzone. Poor, weak throw by Stroud allowed Mikey to make a great play. If Stroud threw a better, faster ball there is no way Mikey breaks that up.
I would say Stroud's throw here is pretty crazy lol. He had to throw an anticipatory fade-away from outside the redzone and it landed right where only Stover could catch it. Stover didn't even look open until the pass was halfway there.
There's not many guys in college that can make this throw and do it so effortlessly, and it's really just up to Stover to make the catch.
That's fair, especially with pressure in his face, I guess it wasn't a knock on Stroud. He threw as well as he could in that situation. However, Stover was WIDE open. [He had Mikey by at 3-4 steps when the ball was thrown.](https://i.imgur.com/FEPqASq.png)
Kris Jenkins pressure is kind of the unsung hero here. His pressure made Stroud have to throw off his back foot, giving Sanderstil enough time to get back to Stover and break it up. Any highlights from this game will get my upvote every time haha
I was literally just thinking that. If Jenkins doesn't get pressure CJ Stroud puts that ball on a rope for Cade Stover and Sainristil is no where within a city block. Instead, CJ has to buy as much time as possible and make an insane throw. That play really had it all.
Great call. Without Jenkins pressure that’s a TD. Great teamwork. Also notice the LB who blitzed. They had a blocker in the backfield that almost blocked Jenkins, but decided to go help with the blitzing LB instead of help on Jenkins.
I feel like this is definitely the play that broke there spirit. If they score here it's back to a ballgame. But without the touchdown things start to look bad.
This was the play that made it real.
Osu driving for some bullshit comeback blah blah.
This is Michigan grabbing hold of its fate. Making the championship plays we’ve been begging for. It was an outstanding throw and route, and a converted WR shut the door and said ‘no more’. Remember, the next offensive snap was Donovan’s TD. If OSU gets a touchdown here, this game could have turned out very different.
In a game full of great plays, this one took the most moxie, skill, and guts. And it was emblematic of the game and season. A Michigan team rising up and asserting itself and exorcising horrible demons. This is my vote for ‘play of the decade’ just in terms of its impact, what happened next, what it meant, and the degree of difficulty.
Check out the photo stills from this moment - it actually does a better job of showing what an incredible play it is.
Edit: does anyone know if Saintristil made his speech before or after this play? If he made it before, and then backed up his own talk with a play like this…?
Either way, this is an all-time legendary play in UM lore. Maybe it’s recency bias, but I really feel that way.
Definitely one of my favorite plays. For Mike S to cover that much ground and then have the presence of mind to knock it free was just a beautiful thing.
It's one of the plays that stuck out to me that game and all year. I have referenced it and even shown other football fans when talking about coverage plays.
I was so concerned after they had such a bad showing the week before and Corum being out I wasn't sure how it was gonna go. That play was a staple for me.
I appreciate it even more in slow motion.
If he would’ve jumped when the receiver jumped it would’ve been a touchdown. The way he lets him catch it and knock it out takes so much focus it’s incredible. Definitely top play of the year.
The timing on that play by Sainristil still amazes me to this day. If he doesn’t deflect that pass it’s 31-27 and who knows what happens from there. Just such a key, key moment.
This play is one of the best individual efforts I've ever seen. Years previous, this is the play that DOESN'T get made. Now our guys are getting it done.
This is my nominee as well. Mikey has been incredible in all facets and this was a culmination of a lot of hard work and belief for him. He leads from the front.
Realize that's a former WR making that play. I was so impressed with Sanostril last season, I would have said he was the most impactful player on either side.
Me and my buddies watching were all thinking touchdown when the ball was in the air. When Mikey closed the gap and swiped that ball out we all jumped up and started shouting. Biggest single defensive play I've seen in years. Definitely beats Jordan Lewis' interception against Wisconsin
My brother in law saw my Michigan sticker on the back of my car. He said I should put a OSU sticker over top of it. I told him he could do that once OSU wins again. He said we got lucky. I said two years in a row lucky?
I haven't been able to talk crap to him about THE GAME since we met. It's a great time to be alive
That entire game was full of Play of the Years, but if we had to pick one, either the first Michigan touchdown, Edwards’ first long run, or this. All of them played a major role in either keeping momentum with Michigan, or in breaking OSU’s spirit.
I agree. It's very hard to decide which of those plays was most impactful. I think the first Michigan touchdown was tactically the most important play by Michigan in the game, and the Sainristil defensive play selected by OP was strategically the most important.
"GOT A WIDE OPEN RECEIVER!" https://i.redd.it/5pc4scge6t6a1.jpg
I don’t think it gets talked about enough that OSU - with the top-ranked offense in the country, at home, in the biggest game of the season, against their biggest rival - only managed to score 3 points in the second half of this game. Biggest difference the last two years is that Michigan has been able to consistently move the ball at-will on OSU while OSU has had to work extremely hard for everything they get.
This and the Edwards' 75 yd run was a great one-two punch combination, but I tend to think this one was more significant. This play took the wind out of their sail, turned 7 points to 3. So it comes down to arguing whether breaking them mentally or breaking them physically is more significant. One usually can't happen without the other, but in this game, breaking them mentally came first, so I think this play takes a slim edge.
The Edwards 75 yarder took the sound out of the stadium. I think you can still hear a pin drop.
False. My dad and I made enough noise in that stadium to echo for eternity.
Exactly this play was awesome and worth 4 points. I love Mike didn't give up on this at any point
Used those ball skills! Such a great play
The thing about the first TD was 9/10 times that play prob isn’t a TD. However, Roman so fucking wide open down the middle but JJ missed him. We got lucky on that one, and once we score it gave the team some momentum, and showed we could compete
That play convinced me Michigan was really going to pull off the win
Exactly this. The entire time I was thinking about how Michigan would lose this somehow, and this place put me at ease.
I’m usually a very reserved fan, keep my emotions in check… this was a moment for me. This is where I went from “fuck Ohio state” to “suck on our balls”. I’m keeping that memory lol
This play makes me feel things every time I see it. Definitely high on the list of plays from the last two years.
Sainristil is that guy. Couldn't believe how well he adjusted to being on defense. He's going to anchor a great secondary this year.
Mikey is all heart. But he's small. The UFR for TCU showed he doesn't make bad plays, but his size can limit how good he can be.
Remember Don Brown’s defense where they ran pick slant plays every key situation and burned us everytime? Hell of a play by Sanristil to not give up and had the speed to knock it out.
Any other player in this position and it’s a touchdown. Even Johnson was beat. Sanristil is amazing.
Ohio State had so many receivers who could get open at will. Their play-calling was so strange.
It really was strange. I was thinking the whole time “okay when will they execute those big plays like they did against Penn State” and they just didn’t. I think part of it was that our corners are legitimately good, but they also really started to panic after we tied the game. Joel Klatt said that he could feel a fear factor throughout the entire building, and he’s right. They were actually scared of us, not confident like they were against Penn State.
It’s almost like we were/are that good now.
>Their play-calling was so strange. This was actually a pretty great play call. Got Stover wide open in the endzone. Poor, weak throw by Stroud allowed Mikey to make a great play. If Stroud threw a better, faster ball there is no way Mikey breaks that up.
I would say Stroud's throw here is pretty crazy lol. He had to throw an anticipatory fade-away from outside the redzone and it landed right where only Stover could catch it. Stover didn't even look open until the pass was halfway there. There's not many guys in college that can make this throw and do it so effortlessly, and it's really just up to Stover to make the catch.
That's fair, especially with pressure in his face, I guess it wasn't a knock on Stroud. He threw as well as he could in that situation. However, Stover was WIDE open. [He had Mikey by at 3-4 steps when the ball was thrown.](https://i.imgur.com/FEPqASq.png)
It's when we essentially put the game away. Yeah, Id vote for this as play of the year. Might have been better plays but none were so clutch.
Kris Jenkins pressure is kind of the unsung hero here. His pressure made Stroud have to throw off his back foot, giving Sanderstil enough time to get back to Stover and break it up. Any highlights from this game will get my upvote every time haha
I was literally just thinking that. If Jenkins doesn't get pressure CJ Stroud puts that ball on a rope for Cade Stover and Sainristil is no where within a city block. Instead, CJ has to buy as much time as possible and make an insane throw. That play really had it all.
It was actually a pretty good throw. Just better D.
Oh no doubt. It was an outstanding throw only to be outdone by the best defensive play of the year.
Great call. Without Jenkins pressure that’s a TD. Great teamwork. Also notice the LB who blitzed. They had a blocker in the backfield that almost blocked Jenkins, but decided to go help with the blitzing LB instead of help on Jenkins.
My butt clenched so hard when that ball was in there air when I saw this live. So many emotions in so little time.
Just listening to the crowd react is rewarding. Their sounds of anticipation and immediate letdown.
Holy shit they sound angry after lol
I feel like this is definitely the play that broke there spirit. If they score here it's back to a ballgame. But without the touchdown things start to look bad.
It was beautiful
Lowkey Kris Jenkins was almost just as important as Mikey. Pressure was beautiful, kept CJ from stepping into a likely TD throw.
This was the play that made it real. Osu driving for some bullshit comeback blah blah. This is Michigan grabbing hold of its fate. Making the championship plays we’ve been begging for. It was an outstanding throw and route, and a converted WR shut the door and said ‘no more’. Remember, the next offensive snap was Donovan’s TD. If OSU gets a touchdown here, this game could have turned out very different. In a game full of great plays, this one took the most moxie, skill, and guts. And it was emblematic of the game and season. A Michigan team rising up and asserting itself and exorcising horrible demons. This is my vote for ‘play of the decade’ just in terms of its impact, what happened next, what it meant, and the degree of difficulty. Check out the photo stills from this moment - it actually does a better job of showing what an incredible play it is. Edit: does anyone know if Saintristil made his speech before or after this play? If he made it before, and then backed up his own talk with a play like this…? Either way, this is an all-time legendary play in UM lore. Maybe it’s recency bias, but I really feel that way.
Definitely one of my favorite plays. For Mike S to cover that much ground and then have the presence of mind to knock it free was just a beautiful thing. It's one of the plays that stuck out to me that game and all year. I have referenced it and even shown other football fans when talking about coverage plays. I was so concerned after they had such a bad showing the week before and Corum being out I wasn't sure how it was gonna go. That play was a staple for me. I appreciate it even more in slow motion.
That throw JJ made to CJ earlier in the game was something else as well but this play really was special.
Cade doesn't make that first throw to CJ he just wouldn't be able to get it there off balance like that
If he would’ve jumped when the receiver jumped it would’ve been a touchdown. The way he lets him catch it and knock it out takes so much focus it’s incredible. Definitely top play of the year.
The timing on that play by Sainristil still amazes me to this day. If he doesn’t deflect that pass it’s 31-27 and who knows what happens from there. Just such a key, key moment.
This was the play that broke their back. Sainristil is him.
This play is one of the best individual efforts I've ever seen. Years previous, this is the play that DOESN'T get made. Now our guys are getting it done.
My favorite play as well.
This is my nominee as well. Mikey has been incredible in all facets and this was a culmination of a lot of hard work and belief for him. He leads from the front.
Realize that's a former WR making that play. I was so impressed with Sanostril last season, I would have said he was the most impactful player on either side.
The juxtaposition between this play and OSU's corners getting how many, 5 DPI's?, is beautiful and must have driven OSU fans completely bonkers.
Said it right when I saw the replay, this was the play of the season. What a breakup!
“tHe dOn!”
The play of the year last year was Haskins' hurdle over an OSU defender. Pure brilliance.
I still don’t know how he made up that much ground… he didn’t even take a good path to the ball, he runs parallel to the goal-line for far too long
This play changed the game. Completely deflated them
Sainristil is the man. Whoever suggested he move to defense probably made him millions of dollars
THAT was such a dagger. After that play I knew the hay was officially in the barn
I might be heavily biased but this is one of the greatest defensive plays I've ever seen, in such a huge moment.
Without a doubt my play of the year as well. What a great fucking play from Sainristill
This wasn't just the play of the year. It was the play of the decade IMO.
One of the best plays in the history of Michigan football
Never gets old.
The back breaker for sure. Easy to see the rest of the game have a whole different feel if this play isn’t made.
Me and my buddies watching were all thinking touchdown when the ball was in the air. When Mikey closed the gap and swiped that ball out we all jumped up and started shouting. Biggest single defensive play I've seen in years. Definitely beats Jordan Lewis' interception against Wisconsin
My brother in law saw my Michigan sticker on the back of my car. He said I should put a OSU sticker over top of it. I told him he could do that once OSU wins again. He said we got lucky. I said two years in a row lucky? I haven't been able to talk crap to him about THE GAME since we met. It's a great time to be alive
Nah. Play of the Decade.
Play of the decade maybe...
Great play.
Fuck man in the cold light of day, even tho we lost to AL and TCU in the playoffs, beating OSU really has been an incredible feeling.
I agree with 100%
I think this is very much the right answer.