Michigan football: 25 years ago, Desmond Howard struck Heisman pose against Ohio State

Howard struck Heisman pose after punt return touchdown against Ohio State

As Michigan football prepares for its biggest game in a decade, one of its all-time great players celebrates the anniversary of the greatest moment of his career.

Desmond Howard was the second of three Michigan Wolverines to win the Heisman Trophy, beating out Casey Weldon and Ty Detmer in a landslide after the 1991 season.

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Howard finished the season with 21 offensive touchdowns and over 1,000 yards from scrimmage, but it was his lone punt return touchdown that earned him the reward.

On Nov. 23, 1991, No. 4 Michigan hosted No. 18 Ohio State with a chance to finish up an undefeated Big Ten season. En route to a 31-3 blowout of Ohio State, Howard fielded a punt inside the 10-yard line and split two pairs of defenders. He outran the last Buckeye between him and a long stretch of open field and cruised into the end zone.

When he crossed the goal line, Howard trotted to the middle of the end zone and struck one of the most recognizable poses in sports: the Heisman Trophy pose.

To this day, Howard's punt return is one of the most iconic moments in the history of the sport.

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Wednesday marks 25 years since that play, when Michigan knocked off Ohio State and stayed No. 4 in the country. If Jim Harbaugh's Wolverines can mimic that feat in three days, Michigan will stay on track for the College Football Playoff.


About the Author:

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.