Notre Dame vs. Michigan: 5 Unlikely Wolverines Spark Comeback Victory

For the third straight time, Michigan came from behind to defeat Notre Dame, 35-31, before an NCAA record crowd of 114,804 at the "Big House" Saturday night.

In 2009, Tate Forcier found Greg Mathews with a 5-yard toss with 11 seconds left to give Michigan at 38-34 victory. Last year Denard Robinson scored on a 2-yard run with 27 seconds remaining for a 28-24 win.

This time, the Wolverines scored 28 points in the fourth quarter to bring about the shocking climax. 

With two seconds left, Robinson lofted a pass to Roy Roundtree from 16 yards out for the game-winner.

Robinson and Roundtree became the instant heroes of what some will call an instant classic.

Notre Dame fans will use other descriptive terms, especially since the Irish had a 24-7 lead with 2:13 left in the third quarter.  

But Robinson shook off a horrible start to finish the night with 338 yards passing and 108 yards rushing. 

Junior Hemingway, Kenny Demens and Jordan Kovacs also played their normal outstanding games.

But there were a few others deserving of recognition, too. Let's take a look at five other Wolverines who surprised the crowd with a few plays of their own. 

Brandin Hawthone

Reserve wideside linebacker Brandin Hawthorne was probably first noticed early in the fourth quarter. The crowd roared when he dumped Irish running back Cierre Wood for a 3-yard loss, forcing Notre Dame to punt.

This was the junior's first real playing time, and he took advantage of the opportunity.

Hawthorne finished the night with six tackles and will most likely battle for the starting slot this week.    

Jeremy Gallon

A holdover from the Rich Rodriguez regime, the 5'8", 165-lb. Gallon was thought to be a long-shot for playing time. But the sophomore receiver found himself smack in the middle of the fourth quarter excitement.

First, he caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Robinson with 2:35 left to bring Michigan within three. Then he set up the game-winner with a 64-yard reception as the clock wound down.

Already the team's punt returner, look for him to play a larger role within the receiver corps.    

John McColgan

John McColgan started his career at Michigan back in 2007 as a walk-on fullback. Coming into the Notre Dame game, his only offensive stat was a 2-yard touchdown reception against Bowling Green last season.

Saturday night, McColgan doubled his output with a 15-yard reception and an important first down.

Someday, he may even carry the ball. 

Marvin Robinson

"Marvelous" is finally getting a chance to earn his unofficial nickname. Marvin Robinson actually made his first start in the defensive backfield Saturday night.

The sophomore safety made seven tackles and forced one Notre Dame fumble.

Like Hawthorne, expect Robinson to soon be a fixture on defense.   

Vincent Smith

Other than Denard Robinson, Vincent Smith was Michigan's leading ground gainer last season with 601 yards.

After spring practice, Smith found himself far down the depth chart behind Stephen Hopkins, Michael Shaw and Fitzgerald Toussaint.

But Coach Brady Hoke had always talked about special plans he had for Smith.

With 1:12 left in Saturday's game, Smith caught what was thought to be the game-winner on a 21-yard, throw-back screen.

Of course, Notre Dame marched down the field and took the lead with 30 seconds left.

Unfortunately for the Fighting Irish, Michigan had one trick left up its sleeve.