Michigan
12-0
Washington State
10-2
Wolverines Stake Claim to National Title with Rose Bowl Victory
1/1/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
Site: Pasadena, Calif. (Rose Bowl Stadium)
Event: 1998 Rose Bowl
Score: #1 Michigan 21, #8 Washington State 16
Records: U-M (12-0), WSU (10-2)
Attendance: 101,219
Next U-M Game: Season completed
PASADENA, Calif. -- The No. 1-ranked University of Michigan football team laid claim to the national title as the Wolverines won the Rose Bowl, 21-16, over Washington State (No. 8 AP, No. 7 USA Today/ESPN) on Thursday (Jan. 1). Michigan (12-0) finished the season undefeated and untied for the first time since the 1948 national championship season.
Washington State won the toss and chose to receive, and the two opponents traded possessions (two apiece) before the Cougars struck for the game's first score.
The Cougars jumped to an early lead 7-0 lead as quarterback Ryan Leaf hit wide receiver Kevin McKenzie on a 15-yard touchdown pass. The first-quarter scoring drive was the third touchdown scored on the Wolverines' during the open quarter all season. The six-play drive carried 47 yards (3:09).
Leading 7-0 early in the second quarter, the Cougars drove deep into the Wolverines territory. Charles Woodson (Fremont, OH) kept the deficit at seven as he made a diving interception in the end zone. Woodson's end-zone pick of a third-down Leaf pass was the only turnover the Michigan defense would manage on the day.
After trading possessions for a few series, Michigan got on the board as quarterback Brian Griese (Miami, FL) and wide receiver Tai Streets (Matteson, IL) connected on a 53-yard scoring reception. The three-play, 66-yard drive took 56 seconds and knotted the score at seven apiece.
The teams traded series to end the half and headed to the locker room tied, 7-7.
The Wolverines took the second-half kickoff and marched to the Cougars' 37-yard line before the drive was halted. Senior/junior punter Jason Vinson (Troy, MI) had his punt downed on the WSU one-yard line.
Taking over on the one-yard line, Washington State marched 99 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. The Cougars scored on a 14-yard reverse by wide receiver Michael Tims. The Cougars drive went nine plays and took 3:45. Michigan's James Hall (New Orleans, LA) kept the deficit at 13-7 when he blocked WSU's extra-point attempt.
Michigan responded to the Washington State score immediately as Griese and Streets connnected on their second scoring play of the game, giving the Wolverines a 14-13 edge after placekicker Kraig Baker (Terre Haute, IN) converted the extra point. The touchdown reception, the longest of the season, covered 58 yards. The seven-play, 80-yard scoring drive took 3:26.
After the stingy Wolverine defense held the Cougars offense, the Michigan offense used one of its patented time-consuming drives to take a 21-13 lead. Griese rolled right and hit tight end Jerame Tuman (Liberal, KS) on a 23-yard TD reception. The 14-play scoring drive took 5:25 off the clock. The Wolverines managed four first downs on the drive and converted twice on third down.
On its next possession, Washington State managed a 48-yard field goal by Rian Lindell. The scoring drive carried 49 yards (eight plays and 3:56).
Taking over on their 19-yard line, the Wolverines iced the contest as they chewed up all but the final 29 seconds, running 16 plays in 6:56. After lining up for a potential 47-yard field goal, placekicker Jay Feely (Odessa, Fla.) received the direct snap and proceeded to pooch-punt the ball to the Washington State seven-yard line.
The Cougars attempted to score a last-second victory as they took over on their seven-yard line. After two incomplete passes and a delay of game penalty, Leaf connected with Nian Taylor on a 46-yard reception. Washington State was assessed a five-yard delay of game penalty on the next play, moving the ball back to the WSU 48-yard line. Leaf hit Love Jefferson, who lateraled the ball to Jason Clayton on a hook-and-ladder for a 36-yard gain. With the ball on the Michigan 16-yard line, Leaf's attempted stopping of the clock was thwarted as time ran out and Michigan claimed the Rose Bowl title.
Offensively for the Wolverines, Griese was named the Rose Bowl Most Valuable Player after throwing a Michigan Rose Bowl record three touchdown passes. He completed 18 of 30 passes for 251 yards. His 18 completions are the most by a Michigan quarterback in a Rose Bowl. The previous best was 17 by Elvis Grbac vs. Washington in 1993. Griese now owns the Wolverines' top two completion totals in bowl play, with his 21 vs. Alabama in the 1997 Outback Bowl as the school record.
Streets led the team in the receiving department as he hauled in 127 yards on four receptions, including a career-best two touchdowns. His TDs of 53 and 58 yards were the two longest by the Wolverines all season. Senior Russell Shaw (Los Angeles, CA) capped his career with his second straight bowl game with six receptions (49 yards). Tuman caught two passes for 33 yards in the game, including the 23-yard game-winner in the fourth quarter. On the ground, Chris Howard (River Ridge, LA) rushed 19 times for a team-high 70 yards, and Anthony Thomas (Winnfield, LA) contributed 20 yards on seven carries. Michigan gained 128 yards rushing and 251 passing for a game total of 379 total offense.
Defensively, Dhani Jones (Potomac, MD) sacked Leaf twice (minus 11 yards) and led the team with 10 total tackles (six solo, four assists). Tommy Hendricks (Houston, TX) totaled seven tackles (five solo, two assists), while Hall, Marcus Ray (Columbus, OH) and Andre Weathers (Flint, MI) each contributed five stops. Hall and Josh Williams (Houston, TX) had one sack apiece. Woodson made the team's only pass interception and tied for second all-time in the Michigan single-game record book with four passes broken up.
