As hard as Sherrone Moore tries to ascend out of the metaphorical quicksand that is the Harbaugh era, he seems to get hauled further in. Coach Moore just had the biggest result of his tenure so far at the helm at Michigan. Yet, the past continues to haunt him. Even Michigan native Gus Johnson showed no respite.

After the curtain closed on the Wolverines’ almost unfathomable upset over Ryan Day and the Buckeyes, the context wasn’t lost on Gus Johnson on the call. The sign-stealing debacle under Jim Harbaugh has marred the program for the last year. Gus added a somewhat patronizing touch to Sherrone Moore’s big moment. He said, “Sherrone Moore says we didn’t cheat…this time” as Moore appeared to wave to the rival fans in the stands. Witty, but brutal!

In some ways, the comment is an allegory for Ryan Day’s predicament. He lost fair and square to a Michigan team he had no business losing to. Ohio State was about 3-touchdown favorites to finally snap their losing streak to their arch-nemesis. They came up short once again. This one performance at the Shoe may well lead to Ryan Day getting the boot.

As for Sherrone Moore, he’s stood on the opposite spectrum. This result will go a long way in warming him to the Michigan fans and stakeholders. Year 1 was traversed rather tumultuously. However, wins like this on the enemy territory can kickstart eras. This could well be the dawn of a new one in Ann Arbor.

Fans on social media couldn’t help but commend Gus Johnson on his instinctive call about Moore. However, those of a maize and blue persuasion weren’t thrilled. In fact, Wolverines fans were quite consensual in what they thought about Gus and his commentary throughout The Game.

Michigan fans not happy with Gus Johnson’s commentary

Gus Johnson was putting in a broadcasting clinic during The Game. He even lost his voice at one point. Buckeyes’ star “Captain” Jack Sawyer picked off Davis Warren right on the goal line in the 4th quarter to keep the score at 10-10. The call that ensued from Gus can only be described as transcendent.

Yet, Michigan fans felt the commentary throughout was rather biased towards Ohio State. This feeling was accentuated when Gus labeled Michigan players’ actions “disrespectful” and “unsportsmanlike” after the game when they planted a Michigan flag in midfield at the Shoe. This, in tandem with the comment on their head coach, left a bad taste in Wolverine’s mouths on what was a historic night.

Whether Gus Johnson’s one-liner on Sherrone Moore was perceived as funny or rather back-handed, it will be lost in the commotion. The discourse that is going to follow this result will perhaps overshadow anything Gus said, in jest or otherwise. Sherrone Moore will be a huge part of the discourse. But not as much as his adversary, Ryan Day. As the dust settles on this fateful Saturday for the Buckeyes, expect some difficult questions to be asked of their figurehead.