App State-Michigan: Football’s biggest upset 15 years later
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (BVM) – On Sept. 1, 2007, University of Michigan kicker Jason Gingell lined up for a game-winning 37-yard field goal attempt with seconds remaining. With the No. 5-ranked Wolverines trailing the FCS champion Appalachian State 34-32 in Michigan Stadium, Gingell had the opportunity to give Michigan a win despite their struggles throughout the day. However, Mountaineers safety Corey Lynch had other plans, blocking the kick and returning it 62 yards as the clock expired.
One of the greatest upsets in CFB history.
15 years ago today, @AppState_FB SHOCKED Michigan 🤭 pic.twitter.com/57aF6qNy6o
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 1, 2022
This marked the first time an FCS team ever beat a ranked FBS opponent. The win has gone down in history and is considered by many to be one of, if not the greatest upset in college football history. While people may expect this game to send Appalachian State into the stratosphere of small-school football royalty and send Michigan down a path of turmoil and rebuilding, that hasn’t been the case.
Today, 15 years after that fateful September day, both the Mountaineers and Wolverines have had some of their best seasons and are looking to continue building for the future.
Appalachian State has been on a tear since its meeting with Michigan. During the 2007 season, the Mountaineers would finish 13-2 and went on to win the FCS National Championship, its third consecutive at the time. Though the team never won another championship at that level, they did go to the playoffs every season from 2008-2012, making it as far as the semifinals.
𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙩 𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙠
… to exactly 15 years ago: Sept. 1, 2007#GoApp pic.twitter.com/hcu59qwdE5
— App State Football (@AppState_FB) September 1, 2022
Though the team did play FCS football in 2013, due to plans to transition to the FBS level, the team was ineligible to play in the postseason. Since joining college football’s highest level, the Mountaineers haven’t slowed down, recording winning records every season since 2014 and going to seven straight bowl games. The team has gone 6-1 in those contests and has also been ranked in the AP Top 25 polls on numerous occasions, first in 2018 and most recently in 2020.
Michigan, on the other hand, hasn’t had as much consistency but has still had some great seasons. The Wolverines finished that season with a 9-4 record and a win in the Capital One Bowl as head coach Lloyd Carr retired. Since that 2007 season, Michigan has only had three losing seasons and has gone to 10 bowl games. The Wolverines are just 2-8 in those bowl games, however.
In 2014, Michigan did get a level of revenge on its smaller opponent. That season, the Wolverines trounced the Mountaineers, who were playing their first season as an FBS member, 52-14 at Michigan Stadium.
Things are looking up for Big Blue, however. Last season, Michigan had a return to form as it went 12-2, won the Big Ten Championship and made the College Football Playoffs for the first time in program history. While the team didn’t reach the national championship as it had hoped, the Wolverines seem to be on the upswing under head coach Jim Harbaugh.
While both teams are more focused on their bright future than the result of a game that happened a decade and a half ago, Appalachian State still has some fun with the moment.
Ann Arbor, Michigan https://t.co/LTv3ThVbtK
— App State Football (@AppState_FB) January 22, 2022
With Week 1 of the college football season happening this weekend, plenty of upsets will occur. Though there will be plenty of shocking results, it will take a lot for the Mountaineers’ surprise victory over Michigan in the Big House to be knocked off of its prestigious pedestal.
