In wake of playoff appearance, how Chad Henne fared at Michigan vs. Notre Dame
As Mike Tyson once said, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face”. Most would agree that the Kansas City Chiefs suffered the football equivalent of being punched in the face in Saturday’s AFC divisional round when likely 2022 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes left the game with an ankle injury.
Mahomes wound up coming back in later in the contest but in the middle parts the Chiefs were forced to go to backup Chad Henne. Henne is a Michigan product and a player I’ve rooted for in recent years. Why? He graduated college the same year I did and as long as he or the other seven players from the 2008 NFL draft stick around, I won’t feel quite as old watching the NFL.
Henne wasn’t remarkable in Kansas City’s win over the Jaguars, but was effective enough. He completed 5-of-7 pass attempts for 23 yards which included a touchdown toss to Travis Kelce. Those are hardly amazing numbers but without them who knows if the Chiefs move on?
The former second round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins appearing made me feel a hair younger on Saturday. It also made me think of the Notre Dame–Michigan rivalry from 2004-2007 and had me trying to recall how Henne fared against the Irish.
I remembered the game results but didn’t remember his performances specifically. If you’re sick in the head like myself and are curious how Henne performed against Notre Dame then the following is for you.
2004:
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Henne, a highly regarded freshman making his first career road start, had a rough day against Notre Dame’s pass rush that featured [autotag]Justin Tuck[/autotag]. Henne went 25-of-40 on the afternoon for 240 yards and a touchdown while also throwing an interception. Henne helped get Michigan out to a 9-0 halftime lead but failing to finish those first half drives would prove costly as the Irish would come alive offensively in the second half and upset No. 8 Michigan, 28-20.
2005:
Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images
It didn’t happen often during [autotag]Charlie Weis[/autotag]’ time at Notre Dame but on Sept. 10, 2005, the Irish defense had a field day against a top-tier team. After marching down the field on the opening possession the Irish held a 14-3 halftime lead. They would keep Henne (19-of-44, 223 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) and the Wolverines out of the end zone until just over three minutes remained while holding on for a 17-10 upset victory.
2006:
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
After Notre Dame was able to upset a top-10 Michigan team the two years previous, it was Henne and the Wolverines returning the favor in 2006. And in a huge way. Henne was solid despite the numbers not being overly impressive (13-of-22 for 220 yards, 3 TD, and 1 INT) but Notre Dame’s “decided schematic advantage” was nowhere to be found on a day the Wolverines routed their way to a 47-21 win in South Bend.
2007:
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
After an 0-2 start by both squads, the 2007 matchup was hardly anticipated the way Notre Dame-Michigan generally is. Henne was roughed up and didn’t play this day in Ann Arbor but it was the Wolverines dominating the Irish a second year in a row as they ran away with a 38-0 victory. Looking back, had Henne played with his right arm tied behind his back the entire game, Michigan would still have probably scored at least 24 points.
Overall Results:
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
During his time at Michigan, Notre Dame and the Wolverines met every year. Man, if that were only still the case these days. Henne went on to be drafted in the second round, 57th overall by the Dolphins in 2008. Here are his career numbers in those three games he played against the Irish:
57 of 106 passing, 883 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT and a 1-2 overall record.
Keep at it in the NFL please, Chad. As long as you do then I’ll at least feel a hair younger than I really am.
