1995: Michigan 18 Virginia 17

Lloyd Carr's first game as head coach.
Game played on August 26, 1995 in Ann Arbor.
1995 Michigan Wolverines Starting Lineups...
OFFENSE:
Split End - Amani Toomer
Split End - Jerame Tuman
Left Tackle - Jon Runyan
Left Guard - Zach Adami
Left Guard - Damon Denson
Center - Rod Payne
Right Guard - Joe Marinaro
Right Tackle - Jon Jansen
Tight End - Jay Riemersma
Tight End - Jerame Tuman
Flanker - Mercury Hayes
Flanker - Rob Vander Leest
Quarterback - Brian Griese
Quarterback - Scott Dreisbach
Tailback - Tshimanga Biakabutuka
Tailback - Ed Davis
Fullback - Chris Floyd
Fullback - Rob Vander Leest
Fullback - George Howell
Fullback - Chris Howard
Fullback - Mark Campbell
DEFENSE:
Defensive Tackle - Trent Zenkewicz
Defensive Tackle - William Carr
Defensive Tackle - Ben Huff
Middle Guard - Willam Carr
Middle Guard - Jason Horn
Defensive Tackle - Jason Horn
Defensive Tackle - Juaquin Feazell
Defensive End - Glen Steele
Defensive End - Rasheed Simmons
Defensive End - Juaquin Feazell
Outside Linebacker - Mike Elston
Outside Linebacker - David Bowens
Outside Linebacker - Steve King
Inside Linebacker - Jarrett Irons
Inside Linebacker - Rob Swett
Inside Linebacker - Sam Sword
Inside Linebacker - Clint Copenhaver
Short Cornerback - Clarence Thompson
Short Cornerback - Woodrow Hankins
Wide Cornerback - Charles Woodson
Wide Cornerback - Tyrone Noble
Strong Safety - Steve King
Strong Safety - Clarence Thompson
Free Safety - Chuck Winters
Free Safety - Marcus Ray

[@erajewski]

I remember being at this game and watching fans depart in the 4th Q. Even my uncle wanted to part ways but we stayed and watched from the corner of the endzone that Hayes pulled in that huge catch with 4 secs left. What a moment.

[@petergarlitz8911]

I was there as well. That is one thing that stands out in my memory, the number of fans who left. My section felt empty by the time of the thrilling final touchdown.

[@devinsmith4964]

Eric Rajewski

[@jona.scholt4362]

I was there as well and it is perhaps the hottest game I've ever attended

[@beedub93]

This game epitomized LC's coaching career at Michigan. The man truly was at his best when his back was against the wall. What a way to bookend a coaching career, open up with a thriller like this one, and close it out with a win as a decided underdog, with nobody giving the man a chance. God Bless you Lloyd, and thank you for 13 wonderful years.

[@Joseph-bh7kj]

True. He had a lot of great comebacks. I rewatch 04 MSU and 03 Minn a lot. Such amazing games.

[@jona.scholt4362]

I remember that Ann Arbor News the next day had a pic of Hayes catching the ball with the headline "Mercury Rising". It was extremely hot that day but I was 11 years old so I didn't care too much. We had picture from the paper taped on our fridge for a long time. Our season tickets were in the opposite corner of the stadium (the SW corner) so I didn't get a great look, but after the crowd went insane I knew we had won.

[@WolverineHistorian]

Everyone was stunned over Gary Moeller leaving and the circumstances around it more so than Carr being named interim coach. Lloyd's interim title was removed after the Purdue game. Good thing too because half the players on the team threatened to quit if Carr was not named permanent head coach.

[@NP-ui3tr]

11 years old I was in my parents house going bananas when Mercury Hayes (what great name lol) made this catch. I remember being in tears when Virginia went up 17-0…then the comeback was on. What a great moment in Michigan Football history

[@WUDAT]

This was the 1st game of Charles Woodson's great career. I was always big fan of Mercury Hayes.

[@WolverineHistorian]

Lucky you. I was born 3 months after AC's catch against Indiana. But I get chills every I see it.

[@abney20]

i jumped up so high in the living room that i hit the ceiling with my head after hayes's catch in the back of the end zone as time expired!!! this is my FAVORITE michigan game of all time.

[@NuRm69]

I remember this game, and my dad ( who was an MSU fan) claimed that the TD pass was BS, and the next day, there was a big picture in the newspaper that showed that was the correct call. BTW, I have a lot of respect for Carr, but I think Moeller got a raw deal. I'm surprised he never got a second chance anywhere else. I know he was an interim Head Coach for the Lions for 7 games when Ross left, but still....one bad night ruined his life.

[@DMichiganWol21]

What a come back! I remember that game when I was a kid. But, nothing beats the my first game in the "big house". Im from California so my first game in the big house was in 2004, Michigan/Michigan State! That was even better than this one! But, this game was AMAZING as well!

[@Cromulus420]

I remember being in the hotel getting dressed for my cousin's wedding watching this game on TV. I wasn't real happy about having to go to the wedding but the finish to this game put me in a great mood for the rest of the night!

[@WolverineHistorian]

I don't see why not. I forgot how good his record was as a starter. Lloyd also could have made Dreisbach the starter for the 98 season but went with Tom Brady instead. Go figure.

[@Take0ffYaHoser]

this was the exact day i was born. FUCK YEA WOLVERINES!

[@jmarkhinton]

I'm an Iowa Fan, but I remember watching the end of this game and praying Scott Dreisbach would find a way to win this game - he was a good QB until he broke his pinky then Brian Griese took the job and you all know the rest. Michigan Historian - do you think Scott Driesbach would have been a four year starter at Michigan if he had not had the injury problems he did?

[@WolverineHistorian]

I don't know about today but he'd still most likely be the coach in 95.

[@stevenlorenz9202]

Herman Moore at 9:20

[@juliansmith4352]

Lloyd Carr did something at Michigan that made him a legend a winning record verses that team up north his first three years went unbeaten and won a split national championship in 1997 plus he never had a losing season

[@EderikSchneider1973USA]

Lloyd Carr was very successful at Michigan

[@jordan23912]

I know Scott Dreisbach had some injuries at Michigan, but when he started, I don't think lost many, at least I don't remember him losing much, just a game at Northwestern when up 16-0 in 4th

[@Tigersfan829]

It's weird how everyone used to wear white

[@BigSpencer77]

Wow that was a great game. Too young to remember it though :D

[@WolverineHistorian]

No, I don't. I just remember seeing short highlights of it on the news later that night. But it was nice to see Lloyd go to bat for Gary Moeller.

[@Knightmessenger]

@commodorefan2 from your view, did it look like Hayes had the foot in? Every time I see this play at full speed from any angle, I am amazed that the field judge got the call correct. It was so close.

[@machineunit]

I'm starting to think he got it wrong, tbh lmao

[@wmrossritter]

I was a student at the time. I started going to M in 77. The 5 best games I have ever seen in person and in order 97 Rose Bowl vs WSU, UofM vs IU, M vs UVA, the M vs OSU game in 2003 and the 77 game vs OSU.

[@blink182isbarker]

I just wanna say I was 8 when I saw this game, and remember it clear as day, We had a friend come in from out of town, and when the first half was over, he was doubting our season and the game, but I never thought we would lose, even though it was tough, all my hope was in for Michigan's season, a stable coach, and a victory that day! To this day I have a picture frame and in it is the Front page of the paper, i believe it says, ""OUT OF THE BLUE!" GO BLUE BABY...FAN FOR LIFE!

[@jzmusizz-4057]

UVA was a great team in 1995...I was mad when I found out it wasn't a home and home series

[@grinder359]

Im going to do a prpject about you Tai Streets and present it to workshop

[@Knightmessenger]

I had been to Michigan football games before but this was the first one I ever paid attention to the action on the field. (I was 9) I remember the final pass floated up in the air and because everyone stood up, I didn't see it land. But when the crowd went wild I knew we must have won somehow.

[@kevinhochradel7090]

I’ve had season tickets for 42 years. Besides the exciting game, I remember it as being one of the hottest game days ever. It had to be 90 degrees and very high humidity. That’s why most were wearing white shirts in the stands. People were dropping like flies. I also remember a ND game and FSU#2 being very uncomfortable.

[@javabarbarian]

I was there, in the end zone. What a game!

[@fredjones9853]

I saw the game. Barber showed up Michigan's running game!! Virginia made the mistake late by not substitute D-line when they were gased!! No pressure let Michigan score. Big Coaching Mistake!

[@jhumpmgoblue]

My dad and I had seats in front of the Hayes TD. That's me in the maize and blue striped shirt at 9:38. The heat was just about unbearable that day. The ending made it all worth it.

[@MrBigStuff456]

lloyd carr with this game, and rich rod had the wisconsin game 4 games into his career, our coaches sure know how to start their career lol

[@goblue918]

God, I pissed I was only two year old when this game was played, wish I coulda see this finish! Go Blue!

[@jonathanc4166]

If they had replay back then that game winning td would have been close.

[@TheZooCrew]

@boomps88 No one really knows...including Wikipedia upon latest investigation. He ended up transferring to a historically black college and won the Black College Heisman twice. Fantastic athlete, just not a D-1 caliber football player.

[@jmcieslak0]

Well it wasn't quite Labor Day yet :P

[@shsbluejayforever06]

Who is your friend sir? Does he still work their?

[@boomps88]

Why was Tyrone Butterfield given the #1 jersey?

[@brettcourtney5377]

Virginia should have won that game still the best team they ever had in my oppinion 1995

[@tekon1994]

8:52

[@MWolverine9]

my first game, i was 3

[@wmrossritter]

I was at the this game. It was one of the best games I ever saw. Not quite as exciting as AC's catch (I was at that game too) vs IN, but a great one nonetheless..

[@christopherowens8829]

I seen this game ,Virginia should had won but they made up for it by being the first team to beat Florida St. in the ACC.

[@FredrickFields-pi8ho]

This was Mercury Hayes greatest game ever I don't know why he didn't have a better career at Michigan but it beat Hall of famer ronde Barber the whole gang