No. 2 Michigan and the Wolverines offense made a very questionable play call early in the College Football Playoff semifinal game against No. 3 TCU in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday.
They attempted the famous Philly Special trick play, and it ended about as poorly as possible.
Coming out of a timeout on 4th-and-goal with two yards to go in a then-scoreless first quarter, the Wolverines tried to get tricky to get in the end zone. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy took the snap and quickly handed the ball off to wide receiver Ronnie Bell, who then tossed it to tight end Colston Loveland.
Loveland was supposed to then get the pass off back to McCarthy, but the quarterback was well-covered, leaving Loveland scrambling to try and get back to the linen of scrimmage, if not the end zone.
Unfortunately for the Wolverines, TCU defensive lineman Dylan Horton tackled Loveland at the TCU 10-yard line.
TCU STOPS MICHIGAN ON 4TH & GOAL FROM THE 2 YARD LINE!!!! FIESTA BOWL IS OFF TO AN ELECTRIC START! pic.twitter.com/yu3wLsxaKB
— 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 @𝗙𝗧𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝟳 (@FTBeard7) December 31, 2022
And just like that, Michigan’s first drive of the playoff game ended with a turnover on downs.
College football fans on Twitter could not believe Michigan not only attempted the play but also failed, and they had so many jokes, including a few jabs at Matt Patricia and some calls to retire the Philly Special.
Michigan: “We have the best offensive line in the country and will out-physical any team we play by running it down their throats.”
Also Michigan: “lol playoff time, let’s do a Philly Special and try passing, what could go wrong here”
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) December 31, 2022
The next time an OC tries to call the Philly Special pic.twitter.com/oF2qdltYNf
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) December 31, 2022
Michigan called the Philly Special against TCU… but they weren't playing against a Matt Patricia defense so it didn't work out. pic.twitter.com/fG8e10UZm0
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 31, 2022
Philly Special only works on Matt Patricia.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) December 31, 2022
Jim Harbaugh drawing up the Philly Special on Michigan’s first drive of the game: pic.twitter.com/uz3c5i36di
— Brian Y (@byysports) December 31, 2022
How not to run the Philly Special pic.twitter.com/Wi28TXsqsb
— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) December 31, 2022
Imagine your team messing up The Philly Special. I simply cannot relate. pic.twitter.com/IGz0hHlBZ2
— Justin Thind (@JustinThind) December 31, 2022
Guy hears Boyz II Men sing one national anthem and tries to go with the Philly Special
— Bill Landis (@BillLandis25) December 31, 2022
Best O-Line in country for the past 2 years, but let’s run Philly special pic.twitter.com/5rpI9S5d2T
— Will Blackmon 🍷 (@WillBlackmon) December 31, 2022
People are ruining the Philly Special
— NBA Slime (@TerryFranconia) December 31, 2022
The Eagles’ Philly Special vs. Michigan’s Philly Special pic.twitter.com/OcFkC7lP5C
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) December 31, 2022
Retire the philly special from all goal line packages
— doogs (@d00gs) December 31, 2022
Philly special has jumped the shark.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) December 31, 2022
Aye I’m not even gonna lie. Philly special when you have the best OL unit in the nation is criminal. Nick Saban running that rock down your throat.
— Fehoko Show (@breidenfehoko4) December 31, 2022
TCU wins round 1. Massive hold after opening 60 yard gallop
Didn’t love the play design. Philly special after a TO? Yuck
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) December 31, 2022
If you try the Philly special and it’s fails, 7 points for the other team. That’s should be the rule.
— Brett Sours (@BrettCemetery) December 31, 2022
