8 Worst Plays/Calls That Went Against Michigan Teams In 2015 [VIDEOS]
By Dan Jenkins
@DanTJenkins
Fans of Detroit and Michigan sports are no strangers to heartbreak. Every year, there are plays (and/or calls by officials) that go against our teams in gut-wrenching fashion.
Here's a list of the eight worst instances from 2015. Did we miss anything? Let us know what you would add to this list in the comment section below.
8. Justise Winslow posterizes Pistons' Ersan Ilyasova
I'm never one to hate on a player for challenging someone at the rim, but that can lead to plays like this from time to time. Credit Ilyasova for trying, but Winslow got the better of him on this fastbreak. The Pistons would go on to win this game, but Winslow got the top highlight, scoring his only two points on this tomahawk.
7. Matt Barnes drains half court game-winner vs. Pistons
What's worse than losing on a buzzer-beater? Losing on a halfcourt buzzer-beater. To add insult to injury, the guy who made the shot was the much maligned Matt Barnes. He's not the greatest 3-point shooter and is better known for his off-the-court endeavours.
6. Nebraska's Brandon Reilly catches game-winning touchdown vs. Michigan State
Michigan State fans will remember this one for a while. The play where Nebraska wide receiver Brandon Reilly goes out of bounds before coming back into play to catch the game-winning touchdown ruined the Spartans' bid for a perfect season. The referees determined that Reilly was pushed out of play before making the catch, ruling in favor of a Nebraska touchdown.
5. Seahawks bat football out of the endzone on Monday Night Football
On the biggest of stages -- Monday Night Football -- is where the referees missed one of the biggest calls of the year in the NFL. Seahawks' defensive back Kam Chancellor made an outstanding play to knock the ball loose from Calvin Johnson at the goal line, but another Seattle defender batted the ball out of the back of the endzone. The play should have resulted in another play for the Lions, but resulted in a touchback for the Seahawks.
4. Aaron Rodgers "facemask" penalty
The Lions were a fingertip away from sweeping the Green bay Packers for the first time since 1991. In real-time, this play looks like a pretty obvious facemask penalty. But in slow motion, it looks like Devin Taylor may not have gotten ahold of Aaron Rodgers' facemask. The play is obviously not reviewable, but that may change in the future thanks to this play.
3. Refs pick up flag for pass interference during Lions' playoff game vs. Cowboys
This play had the sports world buzzing for days. What looked like an obvious pass interference was called as a pass interference, but was later overturned after referees discussed the play. Who knows what was said, but the Lions would go on to lose this playoff game to the Dallas Cowboys. This play isn't exactly why the Lions lost, but it was a major, major turning point.
2. Aaron Rodgers throws game-winning Hail Mary vs. Lions
In the play of the year in the NFL, the Lions lost on a last-second Hail Mary to the Packers on a play that was only allowed because a faskmask penalty extended the game with no time left. Lions fans have seen a lot of heartbreak, but this one might take the cake.
1. Michigan loses to rival Michigan State on mishandled punt
Talk about having your heart ripped out. Michigan was looking at a sure victory, all they needed to do was punt the ball and defend for a Hail Mary on the last play of the game. That scenario didn't play out after Blake O'Neill fumbled the snap and the Spartans returned the ball for a touchdown as time expired.
