Wolverines Smelling Roses After 20-14 Victory Over Ohio State

Saturday, November 22

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Noon

Michigan

11-0 , 8-0

Ohio State

10-2 , 6-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

OHIO STATE

MICHIGAN

Wolverines Smelling Roses After 20-14 Victory Over Ohio State

11/22/1997 12:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: #1 Michigan 20, #4 Ohio State 14
Records: U-M (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten), OSU (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten)
Attendance: 106,982
Next U-M Game: Thursday, Jan. 1 -- vs. TBD at Rose Bowl (Pasadena, Calif.)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Get ready, Pasadena, Michigan is coming. For the first time since the 1992 season, the No. 1/No. 2 Wolverines (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) are going to the Rose Bowl after a thrilling 20-14 victory over the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2, 6-2). In front of 106,982 fans, the largest crowd in Michigan Stadium history, the Wolverines raced out to a 20-0 lead and survived a Buckeyes comeback to complete its first regular season without a loss or tie since 1971.

Both defenses dominated in the first quarter as neither team could put any points on the board. Finally, on Michigan's sixth possession of the game, the Wolverines got on the scoreboard. After taking over on the Michigan 38 yard line, U-M was faced with a third-and- 12 from its own 47-yard line. But Brian Griese came through as he dropped back and fired a pass to a wide open Charles Woodson for a 37-yard reception. After Chris Floyd raced for a 15-yard gain, Anthony Thomas scored from a yard out to give the Wolverines a 7-0 lead with 6:22 to go in the first half.

It didn't take long for the Wolverines to strike again. After three plays, the Buckeyes were forced to punt. Woodson caught Brent Bartholomew's punt at the U-M 22-yard line, broke a couple of tackles, and was off for a 78-yard touchdown, his first career score on a return. The extra point was blocked so Michigan had a 13-0 advantage with 3:43 left in the second quarter.

The Wolverines carried the 13-0 lead into the locker room and were just 30 minutes away from a victory and a trip to Pasadena.

Things looked good for the Wolverines when Andre Weathers intercepted a Stanley Jackson pass on the first play of OSU's second possession of the third quarter and brought it all the way back for a 43-yard touchdown. With the defensive score, U-M increased its lead to 20-0 with 10:29 to go in the third quarter.

But the Buckeyes didn't give up. Two possessions later, Ohio State took over at its own 28 yard line. After a Pepe Pearson run for six yards and a Dee Miller catch for 10 yards, Joe Germaine went deep to David Boston for a 56-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 20-7.

The Wolverines carried the 20-7 lead into the fourth quarter, but on its first possession, Griese fumbled on the Michigan seven-yard line and Ohio State recovered it and returned the ball to the U-M two-yard line. On the very next play, Pearson scored from two yards out and the Michigan lead was reduced to 20-14 with 13:08 still to go in the game.

But with a Big Ten Championship, Rose Bowl berth, and potential chance at a national championship on the line, the Wolverines defense proved why it is the best in the nation. After a U-M punt, Ohio State drove from its own 27-yard line to the Michigan 45, but the Wolverines pressured Germaine into two incompletions and forced the Buckeyes to punt.

On the next Buckeyes possession, Glen Steele recorded his second sack of the game on third-and-13, forcing another punt. However, once again, the Michigan offense faltered, so Ohio State got one last chance with 1:35 left in the game from its own 16-yard line. On first down, Steele dropped Germaine for a seven yard sack, his third sack of the afternoon. After Woodson broke up Germaine's pass attempt for Miller on 2nd down, Germaine found Boston for a seven yard reception, bringing up a fourth-and-10 situation. When Ian Gold deflected Germaine's intended pass for Boston, the Wolverines sealed a victory and a Rose Bowl appearance.

Griese, playing in his final home game, had another stellar performance, completing 14-of-25 passes for 147 yards and no interceptions. Thomas caught eight of those balls for 77 yards, plus he ran 14 times for 29 yards and a touchdown. Chris Howard was the only other Wolverine with more than one catch as he had three receptions for seven yards, in addition to seven carries for 12 yards before he left the game with an injury. Woodson (37 yards), Jerame Tuman (17 yards), and Aaron Shea (nine yards) each caught one pass, while Floyd led the running attack with 11 carries for 33 yards.

Defensively, Marcus Ray and Rob Renes were each in on a team high seven tackles. Dhani Jones compiled six tackles, while Steele came up with five tackles and three sacks. Weathers also had five tackles plus the 43-yard interception return for a touchdown. Woodson had three tackles and an interception to go along with his 37-yard reception and 78-yard punt return for a touchdown.

In victory, Michigan was outgained by 63 yards on the day as the Buckeyes compiled 252 total yards to the Wolverines 189 yards. Michigan had 42 yards on the ground and 147 yards via the air. Ohio State managed 119 yards on the ground, but it took 41 carries for just a 2.9 average per rush attempt. Michigan pressured both Ohio State quarterbacks, Germaine and Jackson, as the duo completed just 9-of-26 passes for 133 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.

The Big Ten champion Wolverines now head to the Rose Bowl with a shot at a national championship. Michigan must await the conclusion of three Pac-10 games later this afternoon to find out its opponent in Pasadena.