Jalen Watts-Jackson and the Spartans’ punt-block team, the “rangers,” pulled off the 2015 ESPN Sports Science “Most Improbable” Play of the Year in the final ten seconds of a 27-23 victory against the University of Michigan on Oct. 17.
Watts-Jackson's touchdown in The Big House named Sports Science 'Most Improbable' Play of the Year
Former redshirt freshman defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson runs the ball for the game winning touchdown during the game against Michigan on Oct. 17, 2015 at Michigan Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines, 27-23.
—Sport Science announced its Newton Award winners Feb. 14, which are named after the man who formed the idea of gravity, Sir Isaac Newton. The awards are judged “on unprecedented scientific analysis of thousands of athletic performances from the world of sports,” according to a Spartan Athletics press release.
Freshman safety Grayson Miller reached a speed of 17 miles per hour and covered 39 feet in 1.5 seconds on his way to U-M punter Blake O'Neill, according to the Sports Science segment on the play with John Brenkus. Upon contact with O’Neill, the ball flung 18 feet across the field and into the hands of redshirt-freshman defensive back Watts-Jackson.
The other Newton Awards handed out were for “Best Geometry,” “Best Flight,” “Best Vector,” “Best Catch,” “Projectile Launch,” “Best Power Output” and “Outstanding New Limit.”
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