Giant Killers: Appalachian State 2007

As I continue with my weekly contributions to the Giant Killers series here at Bleacher Report, I don't see any reason to save one of the greatest upsets in the history of college football for another day.

On September 1, 2007, the Appalachian State University Mountaineers took the field in Ann Arbor to take on a Michigan team who was ranked fifth in the nation. The game was pretty much considered an afterthought as an FCS team beating an FBS team seemed impossible, not just improbable.

To put things in perspective, Las Vegas doesn't even list point spreads for games between FCS and FBS teams and FCS teams have 30 less scholarship players on their rosters so they are basically running at barely over 60 percent of the talent level of a  FBS program.

In any event, as the game kicked off in front of 109,218 fans in the Big House, it became apparent early that the Mountaineers had come to play.

With returning stars Mike Hart, Jake Long, and Chad Henne all returning for another year with the Wolverines to hopefully make a run at a National Title, the Wolverines marched down the field and scored quickly.

Appalachian State answered quickly and within three plays they had found the endzone with a 68 yard passing play. As the first quarter ended it was 14-7 Michigan.

The second quarter was dominated by Appalachian state as they scored 3 touchdowns while allowing just a field goal to Michigan and the teams went to the half in front of the shocked crowd with the Mountaineers leading 28-17.

The teams exchanged field goals in the third quarter and Michigan added a touchdown. After the touchdown Wolverine Head Coach Lloyd Carr opted to go for a two-point conversion which failed, leaving the score 31-26. This was a move that would come back to haunt Michigan later.

Most thought at this point that the game would still be Michigan's and few were surprised when the Wolverines took the lead in the fourth quarter.

While it took Michigan a few tries after an interception and a loss of possession on downs, Michigan found the endzone but once again failed on the two point attempt making the score 32-31 Michigan.

Appalachian State QB Armanti Edwards went to work again and drove the Mountaineers  down the field and with 27 seconds remaining, Appalachian State kicked a field goal to take the lead 34-32.

Michigan wasn't done. Henne guided his team down the field in a hurry getting down to the Appalachian State 20 with three seconds remaining.

While Michigan and Big Ten fans held their collective breath hoping to watch the chip shot sail through the uprights, instead the thud of the blocked field goal served as a representation of Michigan's National Title hopes for 2007 crashing to the earth.

While there have been many upsets over the years in College Football, This one certainly has it's place among the category we call, The Giant Killers.

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