By Darin Hayes September 1, 2007, is a date that will forever be etched in college football history. In one of the greatest upsets of all time, the FCS-level Appalachian State Mountaineers traveled to Ann Arbor and stunned the No. 5-ranked Michigan Wolverines, 34-32.
App State Block 02 Sep 2007, Sun The Grand Rapids Press (Grand Rapids, Michigan) Newspapers.com
The Wolverines, a national championship hopeful, were expected to dominate the Mountaineers, who had won back-to-back Division I-AA titles but were considered a massive underdog. But Appalachian State’s dual-threat quarterback Armanti Edwards and a swarming defense had other plans. Edwards threw for three touchdowns and ran for another, helping the Mountaineers to a stunning 28-17 halftime lead.
Michigan clawed back in the second half, taking a 32-31 lead on a 54-yard touchdown run by star running back Mike Hart with just under five minutes to play. But the drama was far from over.
With 26 seconds left, Appalachian State kicker Julian Rauch booted a 24-yard field goal to put the Mountaineers back on top, 34-32. However, the Wolverines were not finished. Quarterback Chad Henne quickly completed a 46-yard pass to Mario Manningham, setting up a 37-yard field goal attempt for the win with six seconds remaining. But in a moment of sheer heroics, Appalachian State safety Corey Lynch burst through the line and blocked the kick, securing the win and silencing the over 100,000 fans in attendance.
The victory was the first time an FCS team had ever beaten a ranked FBS opponent, a monumental achievement that sent shockwaves across the country and cemented Appalachian State’s place in football lore.