Who had Michigan's best individual performance against Ohio State?
Recycling is pretty big in Ann Arbor. So, why not revisit a poll that we ran back in August. It is, after all, quite relevant once again.
Back when we caught up with former Michigan running back Tshimanga "Tim" Biakabutuka for our "Catching Up With ... " series, we ran a poll asking if his 313-yard performance against Ohio State was the Wolverines' greatest individual performance in The Game.
After 359 votes were cast at the time, Biakabutuka won with 38 percent of the vote. Today, we reopen that same poll as the Wolverines prepare to travel to Columbus for Saturday's regular season finale. Can Touchdown Tim keep the title?
Our nominees, in alphabetical order:
Tim Biakabutuka (1995): Carried the ball 37 times for 313 yards in a 31-23 win over the previously-unbeaten Buckeyes. That effort remains the second-most single game rushing yards in Michigan history.
Tom Harmon (1940): Rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns, completed 11-of-12 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns, kicked four extra points and intercepted three passes in a 40-0 win.
Barry Pierson (1969): Now the head coach at Whitmore Lake High School, Pierson had three interceptions and set up a touchdown with a 61-yard punt return in a 24-12 win in Bo Schembechler’s first season as head coach.
Charles Woodson (1997): Sealed his Heisman Trophy during a 20-14 win, intercepting a pass at the goal line, catching a pass that set up Michigan’s only offensive touchdown and returning a punt 78 yards for a score.
Comments
michboy40
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : 12:03 p.m.
You gotta put Desmond Howard up there too. He struck the Heisman Pose after his punt return. CLASSIC!
Blu-n-Tpa
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : 6:45 a.m.
Touchdown Tim did it vs a "great" OSU team which include Orlando Pace and Eddie George, if memory serves me correctly, and like this weekend UM was given little chance to win that game. I still have a copy of that game and I might just watch it late Saturday evening, if I need it, for my mental health. Go Blue
3 And Out
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : 5:29 a.m.
How bout when I made my crappy girlfriend go to the 93 game with me, and sat watching us crush OSU 28-0 while having to endure my crappy girlfriend complaining all game about how cold it was and that the bench hurt her butt. That was a great performance by me putting up with that crap.
johnnyonenote
Tue, Nov 23, 2010 : 5:56 p.m.
It's a "no-brainer"....Harmon did it in Columbus, and even got Buckeye fans on their feet at the end. Excellent performance, in all phases of the game, both offensively and defensively.
obama from kenya
Tue, Nov 23, 2010 : 2:18 p.m.
Will RichRod be recycling some of his salary back to the University? He certainly does not deserve most of it.
rongalap
Tue, Nov 23, 2010 : 2:17 p.m.
I saw Tom Harmon in 1939. I still believe he is the all time greatest player in Michigan history. But,Biabatuka's performance against Ohio State ranks as the best show by a Wolverine.
P U MSU
Tue, Nov 23, 2010 : 2:04 p.m.
Denard was touted for a 250 yard game on the ground...and another 250+ in the air. While I love Tim, he did not put Denards 500+ total yards to shame.
garrisondyer
Tue, Nov 23, 2010 : 1:05 p.m.
Tom Harmon's game stats are unreal. Sounds like he channeled his inner Superman.
johnnya2
Tue, Nov 23, 2010 : 12:59 p.m.
I did not see Tom Harmons game and was quite young for Piersons, but Tims game was amazing. i remember sitting in the crowd thinking, damn he is piling up the yardage. To put it in perspective, Denard Robinson was touted for Heisman based on a 250 yard game against ND. Tim put that number to shame, and it was against a much more formidable opponent