The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: No. 1

We are 25 years into the 2000s, and to celebrate, we’re picking out the Top 25 moments for Michigan athletics this century. The champion? The 2023 National Champion Michigan Football team:

At long last, the No. 1 spot on our 25 best moments in Michigan athletics over the last 25 years, just in time for the next 25 to kick off. This one was easy; it was the most memorable game and the culmination of one of the most unforgettable seasons in the sport’s history. The day business was finished. The day The Victors became national champs once again.

No. 1: Sainristil’s INT seals Michigan’s first national title since 1997

After coming back to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl , the only thing in the way of destiny was the undefeated Washington Huskies. At the same time, it felt like nothing would get in the way of the Michigan Wolverines being crowned national champions; it almost felt like a foregone conclusion at this point.

Still, Washington was nothing to sniff at. Michael Penix had a great season for the Huskies in his sixth college football season, and he had a trio of elite wide receivers and a Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line. But it was a very similar opponent to what the Wolverines were used to, with teams like Ohio State boasting offensive firepower. So if executed correctly, the Wolverines had a proven game plan and path to success.

It was executed to perfection with a barrage of rushing attacks from the Wolverines, which led to a big lead that the team would maintain with a stout defense. Donovan Edwards got the Wolverines on the board early with a 41-yard touchdown run.

Washington responded with a thousand paper cuts that nearly drained out the rest of the first quarter. A 14-play, 65-yard drive ended with a field goal. It was an early win for the Wolverines, commanding a 7-3 lead after each team’s opening drive.

It didn’t take long for that lead to grow. J.J. McCarthy found Roman Wilson for a 37-yard gain that put the Wolverines at midfield. Then, Dono did it again.

Two carries, 87 yards, and two house calls in a massive launch to a 14-3 lead.

Momentum in Michigan’s hands, the defense forced a three-and-out, and on the last play of the first quarter, Blake Corum erupted for a 59-yard run into the red zone. The Wolverines had more than 125 rushing yards in the first quarter and were on the brink of expanding their lead, as the drive ended with a field goal from James Turner, increasing the Michigan lead to 14.

Up two touchdowns, Michigan’s defensive line started to put some heavy pressure on the Huskies. Kenneth Grant made one of the most dominant plays you will ever see from an interior lineman.

That’s how the Huskies opened their drive after forcing their first three-and-out of the game against the Michigan offense. Talk about a momentum swing from the Wolverines’ defense.

Back to work, and it was an Alex Orji drive for the Wolverines. After six straight runs, Michigan decided to go for it on 4th and 2 at the 38-yard line and failed, giving Washington its best field position of the day.

Immediately, the Huskies capitalized as Penix completed three straight passes and forced a defensive pass interference call that put them in optimal field position. On 4th and goal, Penix found Jalen McMillan for a touchdown with 42 seconds left in the half to draw the game back within a score. Things started to swing towards Washington, as it got the ball to open the second half.

But on the first play of the third quarter, the defensive front forced a bad pass from Penix. It was picked off by sophomore superstar Will Johnson, giving the Wolverines excellent field position.

The result was only a field goal for the Wolverines, and Washington followed suit on its next drive to push the game back to only seven points, 20-13.

What ensued was a quarter where the teams traded possessions into the early portion of the fourth, as neither defense wanted to break. That is, until McCarthy hit Colston Loveland for a 41-yard gain to reignite the Michigan offense. Now inside the red zone, Corum had the dagger to increase the lead back to two scores.

Feeling the heat, Washington had to air the ball out and score quickly to get back in this thing. Penix found Rome Odunze for a 44-yard gain that flipped the field for Washington. But he continuously had next to no time to throw as the Michigan rush constantly put pressure in his face. On 4th and 13, the knife was twisted as Mikey Sainristil sealed the national title with an interception.

Corum would score his final touchdown as a Wolverine two plays later, as Michigan took a 34-13 lead that would be the final score.

For the first time since 1997, Michigan was crowned national champs. A team led by Corum finished business with the goal they set out to accomplish at the start of the season, ending at a perfect 15-0. Jim Harbaugh returned his alma mater to glory from the ashes, completing his historic run as head coach of the Wolverines in a season that will never be forgotten among college football faithful.

---

Here are the links each portion to the full offseason series:

• The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: 25-21
• The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: 20-16
• The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: 15-11
• The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: 10-6
• The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: No. 5
• The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: No. 4
• The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: No. 3
• The Top 25 Michigan athletics moments since 2000: No. 2