U-M Upset by Appalachian State in Season Opener

Saturday, September 1

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Noon

Michigan

0-1

Appalachian State

1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Appalachian State

Michigan

9/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: Appalachian State 34, #5 Michigan 32
Records: U-M (0-1), Appalachian State (1-0)
Attendance: 109,218
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Sep. 8 -- vs. Oregon (Michigan Stadium), 3:30 p.m.

Boxscore | Player Participation | Postgame Notes | Quotes | Photos

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan football team (No. 5 AP, No. 5 USA Today) lost a heart-wrenching battle against the Appalachian State Mountaineers, 34-32, in front of 109,218 fans Saturday afternoon (Sept. 1) in both teams' season opener in Michigan Stadium. After trailing 28-14 in the first half due to 21 unanswered points by ASU, Michigan recaptured a 32-31 lead thanks to three Appalachian State turnovers and a dazzling 54-yard touchdown run by senior running back Mike Hart(Syracuse, N.Y./Onondaga Central HS) with 4:36 left in the game.

However, after the teams traded possessions, the Mountaineers drove 69 yards in 11 plays, and Julian Rauch connected on a 24-yard field goal with 26 seconds remaining in the contest to give ASU to a 34-32 lead. On the ensuing drive, the Wolverines drove to the ASU 20-yard line, but senior kicker Jason Gingell's(Northville, Mich./Catholic Central HS) field goal attempt was blocked as time expired.

Hart carried the load of the Wolverine offense, rushing for 188 yards on 23 carries and three touchdowns. Senior quarterback Chad Henne(Wyomissing, Pa./Wilson HS) completed 19 of 37 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown. Henne's primary target of the afternoon was sophomore receiver Greg Mathews(Orlando, Fla./Edgewater HS), who hauled in seven receptions for 68 yards and a score. Senior receiver Adrian Arrington(Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Washington HS) chipped in with four catches for 52 yards, and junior receiver Mario Manningham(Warren, Ohio/Warren G. Harding HS) added three catches for 66 yards.

Defensively, co-captain and fifth-year senior Shawn Crable(Massillon, Ohio/Washington HS) led the Wolverines with 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Senior linebacker Chris Graham(Indianapolis, Ind./Warren Central) added nine tackles, and fifth-year senior Brandent Englemon(Covington, Ky./Holmes HS) and senior Jamar Adams(Charlotte, N.C./Butler HS) chipped in with six tackles apiece.

The Wolverines began the day by scoring on a six-play, 66-yard drive. The series was capped off by a four-yard touchdown run by Hart, who totaled 46 yards on four carries in Michigan's first possession. The lead was short lived, however, as the Mountaineers tied the game at seven following a 68-yard touchdown pass from Armanti Edwards to Dexter Jackson with 10:55 left in the first quarter. Both teams featured key third-down conversions on their opening drives: Hart broke loose for four yards on third-and-two for U-M, while Jackson's touchdown scamper came on third-and-four.

After trading possessions, the Wolverines regained control with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Henne to Mathews at 3:16 in the fist quarter. The score, which was Mathews' first of his career, finished off a 10-play, 52-yard drive that featured four pass completions for 46 yards by Henne.

The offensive fireworks continued, as ASU tied the game 14-14 with 13:35 remaining in the first half. The Mountaineers were keyed by a 19-yard reverse by Jackson that brought Appalachian State to the four-yard line, before Edwards found Hans Batichon for a nine-yard touchdown pass. Jackson paid huge dividends for ASU on the Mountaineers' next possession, taking a quick slant route 20 yards into the end zone. The scoring reception was Jackson's second of the afternoon and gave ASU a 21-14 lead at 9:47 in the second quarter.

The Mountaineers took a two-score advantage late in the first half on a six-yard scramble by Edwards, capturing a 28-14 lead with 2:15 remaining before the break. Edwards' legs served him well earlier in the drive, when a 21-yard quarterback draw allowed ASU to convert on third-and-five. He would finish the first half with 41 rushing yards while completing seven-of-seven passes for 129 yards and three touchdowns.

Michigan attempted to regain momentum before halftime, driving the ball deep inside ASU territory, but had to settle for a 22-yard field goal by Gingell -- the first FG of his career -- with 16 seconds left. The kick capped off a 10-play, 63-yard drive in which Henne completed five passes for 61 yards, bringing the score to 28-17 at the half.

Gingell came through again on the Wolverines' first possession of the second half, connecting on a 42-yard field goal from the right hash to cut the Mountaineers lead to 28-20. The possession was set up by an interception by senior cornerback Morgan Trent(San Diego, Calif./Orchard Lake St. Mary's, Mich.). Appalachian State rebounded on the following drive, marching 64 yards in 11 plays to set up a 31-yard field goal by Rauch at 8:17 in the third quarter. The Mountaineers' key play of the drive came on a 27-yard hookup between Edwards and CoCo Hillary on third-and-10 at the Michigan 41-yard line.

Michigan cut the deficit to 31-26 with 24 seconds left in the third quarter on a four-yard touchdown run by Hart. The Wolverines were given possession after Crable forced an Edwards fumble at the Appalachian State 31-yard line. Michigan's two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

With the momentum behind him, Hart continued to churn out the yards, rushing for a twisting-and-turning 54-yard touchdown with 4:36 left. Working left, Hart darted right into the open field and continued to weave in and out of defenders before he outraced the Mountaineers' defense into the end zone. The score gave Michigan a 32-31 lead, its first advantage since the first quarter.

The Wolverines return to action next Saturday (Sept. 8) when they host the Oregon Ducks at Michigan Stadium. The game will be televised on ABC at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

Media Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423