Funchess Details Memorable Touchdown Journey Against Penn State
10/14/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan wide receiver Devin Funchess hauled in a 43-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Devin Gardner in the first quarter on Saturday night (Oct. 11) against Penn State. The play called for adjustments and ended with an "I-told-you-so" affirmation and smile from Wolverines offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier.
While viewing a slide show of photos taken by Michigan Photography, Funchess went through the play on Tuesday morning for MGoBlue.com and explained why Nussmeier's response was special.
"I'm running a corner post route," said Funchess, "and it was a double move. I looked because I had the corner beat, so I took it straight because the safety was inside. Then Devin threw it inside; I don't think he saw the safety (No. 23, Ryan Keiser). So, then I had to adjust the route and went to the left. I saw the ball but didn't see the safety. And then I went to attack the ball.
"I knew somebody was on the inside (Keiser), and so I knew it possibly could've been picked off. I bobbled it; I couldn't really grip it. And then after I bobbled it again, I looked at it, and said, 'I'm too close to drop it.' So, I held on and caught the ball."
Funchess then ran the final five yards into the end zone, and extended both arms and the ball above his head in jubilation. Wide receiver Freddy Canteen and Funchess jumped to exchange an airborne high-five.
"That's me and Freddy," said Funchess. "He did get up pretty high; I wasn't expecting to jump. After I scored, I just heard a lot of loud noise."
As Funchess came to the sideline, Nussmeier tilted his head, smiled and pointed to Funchess.
"I always, in practice, go for the deep balls with one hand," Funchess said. "And I went for it with two hands, and he was kind of excited and happy that I listened. I went up with two and attacked the ball. That's the happiness that I like. The offensive coordinator was happy."
Michigan won, 18-13, with three Matt Wile field goals, a safety and the home team's lone touchdown of the game scored by Funchess on a memorable play before 113,085 fans in the first Big Ten night game in the Big House.
