No Letdown as Wolverines Romp Over Baylor, 38-3

Saturday, September 20

Ann Arbor, Mich.

12:30 PM

Michigan

2-0

Baylor

1-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

BAYLOR

MICHIGAN

9/20/1997 12:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: #8 Michigan 38, Baylor 3
Records: U-M (2-0), Baylor (1-2)
Attendance: 106,041
Next U-M Game: Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Notre Dame (Michigan Stadium), 3:30 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- If letdowns are supposed to take place between big games, Michigan didn't show it Saturday afternoon. In front of a Michigan Stadium crowd of 106,041, the eighth-ranked Wolverines stormed by Baylor, 38-3.

Even though Michigan's Chris Howard fumbled on the second play of U-M's first drive, the Bears (1-2) had to settle for a field goal, the only points Baylor would score all day.

Michigan (2-0) immediately came back and took the lead on the next possession. The Wolverines drove 65 yards in seven plays for the touchdown. Howard ran for 31 yards on the drive while Brian Griese completed all three of his passes. He finished the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Charles Woodson.

Two possessions later, the Wolverines put another seven points on the board as Howard capped off a five-play, 47-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run to put the Wolverines ahead 14-3. U-M extended the lead to 21-3 on its next set of downs as Michigan drove from its own eight in 16 plays and scored on a Howard one-yard dive.

With Baylor reeling, Michigan scored on its second possession of the third quarter as Anthony Thomas capped off another 92-yard drive on a two-yard touchdown run for his first collegiate score. In the fourth quarter, Michigan added a 51-yard Jay Feely field goal and one-yard touchdown run from Tate Schanski for the final margin of victory, 38-3.

Michigan dominated both ends of the ball, compiling 532 total yards while limiting the Bears to just 154 yards of total offense. The Wolverines gained 358 yards on the ground, after struggling with the rushing game last week, and added 188 yards via the air. U-M held the ball for 35:25 and converted on 8 of 14 third down conversions. Michigan will look to improve on its penalties after committing 11 for 90 yards, with nine of the penalties occurring in the 2nd half.

The Wolverines running game was powered by the trio of Thomas, Howard and Clarence Williams. Thomas gained 122 yards on 21 carries, Howard added 112 yards on 19 rushes, and Williams ran 11 times for 77 yards. Griese completed 13 of his 22 attempts for 169 yards. Williams also led the team in receiving with five catches for 52 yards, as nine different receivers caught at least one pass.

Michigan held Baylor's top running back, Jerod Douglas, in check throughout the game as Douglas managed just 12 yards on 12 carries. Bears quarterback Jeff Watson had trouble all day long, completing only 12 passes in 24 attempts for 62 yards. Tommy Hendricks led the Wolverines defense with nine tackles and Sam Sword added six tackles. DeWayne Patmon had the Wolverines' lone interception. In two games this year, Michigan has given up just two field goals.

Michigan is home again next week, Sept. 27, as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish make an appearance in the Big House. Baylor is off before facing Texas Tech on Oct. 4.