The Michigan Wolverines squeezed out a 24-21 overtime win over the Army Black Knights on Saturday, and the final outcome was very much in question from start to finish.
Our turning point this week could have selected a few different instances. It could be argued Shea Patterson’s fumble on the first possession was the turning point in which led to a momentum boost for Army that in turn resulted in a nail-biter of a game. Another option for the turning point could have been the last play of the game where Aidan Hutchinson forced a fumble and Kwity Paye recovered it to seal Michigan’s win. Until that moment, Army still could have won the game in overtime with a touchdown.
The turning point I’m selecting for Week 2 came in the 3rd quarter with Michigan down 14-7 in the 3rd quarter.
It was 3rd & Goal for Army and they appeared poised to at least net 3 points on the drive and go up two-scores, but the Black Knights dialed up a pass play, something they didn’t do often on Saturday.
With Army quarterback Kelvin Hopkins being pressured, he made a poor decision that cost his team points, and drastically impacted their shot at a victory in regulation. Cornerback Lavert Hill made Hopkins pay for his errant pass, hauling in an interception.
HUGE pick for Michigan! #FOXFieldPass pic.twitter.com/fjKlK6YyIK
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 7, 2019
DEFENSE TO THE RESCUE.
— Due# (@JDue51) September 8, 2019
Lavert Hill with perhaps a game saving pick. pic.twitter.com/g9Ys3nqSSL
Hill’s interception proved to be highly valuable. Michigan’s next drive on offense resulted in a 1-yard TD run by Zach Charbonnet. Instead of Army going up two scores and the game being a 17-7 Army lead, Hill’s interception created a 14-14 tie, and the score remained that way until overtime.
If Hill doesn’t get an interception on that play, it’s likely Michigan would have lost the game, and their hopes of a College Football Playoff berth would’ve been greatly diminished in the process. Fortunately for the Wolverines, Hill’s clutch pick was the turning point the team so desperately needed in Week 2.