Two years ago, Michigan placekicker Remy Hamilton kicked a game-winning field goal at Notre Dame on his way to an All-America season.
Every Michigan fan loved him.
Saturday against Boston College, Hamilton had the worst kicking day of his career. He missed two field goals, had a third field goal attempt blocked, and had extra point blocked.
Today, every Michigan fan hates him.
Such is the life of a placekicker.
"Our kicking game right now (is) killing us," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "We can't make a field goal, for Christ's sake."
Hamilton hooked a 35-yarder midway through the first quarter and was short on a 48-yard attempt late in the half. He also had a 42-yard try blocked early in the third quarter.
On the season, Hamilton has hit just four-of-nine field goal attempts. He missed only eight field goals last year and only five in 1994 - the year he was a second-team Associated Press All-America selection.
He did manage to kick two extra-points Saturday, but his second attempt - which tied the game at 14-14 - drew a groan from the crowd, as it barely went through the uprights.
In fairness to Hamilton, the field-goal kicking game was not the only part of Michigan's special teams to struggle against Boston College. The Wolverines also punted the ball poorly and returned kicks like they hadn't a clue.
It was a total team effort.
Punter Paul Peristeris, who was averaging 47.4 yards a kick going into the weekend, didn't even make half of that per punt on his two attempts. He punted two balls for a total of 42 yards and was benched in favor of pooch punter Brian Griese for Michigan's final punt.
Punt returner Chuck Winters returned one kick 31 yards but fumbled a punt deep in Michigan territory on the final play of the first quarter. After the turnover, the Eagles needed just four plays to go 19 yards for a touchdown, tying the score at seven.
"We had a chance to jump right in front early in the game," Carr said. "The longer you let a team like that stay in the game, the more you give them hope."
Peristeris and Winters each made critical mistakes which allowed Boston College to take the lead midway through the third quarter.
With the score still knotted at seven, the Wolverines forced the Eagels to punt. Jason Malecki boomed a kick that Winters failed to field around the Michigan 20. The ball rolled dead at the four-yard line.
After a Boston College penalty moved the ball to the 19-yard line, the Wolverines went three and out. Peristeris' punt from the Michigan 23 managed just 12 yards. This time, the Eagles needed only three plays to cover 35 yards and grab the lead, 14-7.
Unfortunately for the Wolverines, their special teams' problems were far from over. On the ensuing kickoff, the Eagles caught Michigan napping with an on-side kick. The ball bounced off of a Michigan up-man, and Shalom Tolefree pounced on the ball at the Michigan 49.
Free safety Daydrion Taylor saved the Wolverines from complete disaster with an interception, killing Boston College's drive at the Michigan 21.
The Wolverines then scored two straight touchdowns to retake the lead, but Hamilton missed the extra-point after the second score. The Eagles were still in striking distance, trailing only 20-14 with 8:59 remaining.
Jarret Irons finally clinched the game for Michigan when he intercepted a Matt Hasselbeck pass at the Boston College 37 with under a minute left.
"We just simply made far too many mistakes," Carr said. "We can be a really good football team. But we have to stop the mistakes. There's a lot of things we have to improve on."
MARK FRIEDMAN/Daily
Michigan just missed blocking this Jason Malecki punt, and that was one of the better special teams' plays Saturday. The Wolverines missed three field goals, one extra-point and fumbled a punt return.