1998 FBL vs. Wisconsin -- postgame notes
11/14/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
With its 27-10 victory over Wisconsin, the Wolverines have clinched at least a share of the Big Ten title. Michigan earned its Big Ten-leading 39th conference crown as the Wolverines are the only remaining undefeated team in the Big Ten Conference with one league game to play.
Wolverines Win 16th Straight Big Ten Conference Game
Michigan won its 16th consecutive Big Ten game, the second-longest streak in school history and tied for the fifth-longest string in conference history. The Wolverines' 19 straight wins from 1990 to 1992 is the longest string in Big Ten history, followed by Ohio State with 17 wins on three different occasions (1954-56, 1967-69 and 1974-76). Michigan tied Michigan State (1965-67) for fifth.
Carr Remains Unbeaten Against Top 10 Opponents
Head coach Lloyd Carr improved to 9-0 against top 10-ranked teams and has a 14-6 record against nationally-ranked teams in his four-year Michigan coaching career. The Badgers became the fourth undefeated team to fall to Michigan in November during Carr's stint as coach (Ohio State in 1995 and 1996 and Penn State in 1997).
Starting Milestones
Sophomore left guard Steve Hutchinson (Coral Springs, Fla./Coral Springs HS), senior running back Clarence Williams (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech HS) and senior cornerback Andre Weathers (Flint, Mich./Central HS) started their 20th career games in the Wisconsin contest. Williams gained 121 yards on 22 carries, while Weathers was instrumental in the defensive effort, collecting one tackle for loss and intercepting a pass on Wisconsin's initial series (his third of the season and fifth of his career).
Big Plays
On Wisconsin's second possession, the Badgers went 80-yards in just one play as Badger quarterback Mike Samuel hit Chris Chambers over the middle for the touchdown. The scoring play was the longest play given up by the Michigan defense this year and the longest passing TD since Minnesota's Marquel Fleetwood caught a 94-yard touchdown on Oct. 24, 1992. The play also tied for the fourth-longest passing play by an opponent vs. Michigan and the fourth-longest passing touchdown in Wisconsin history.
Attendance Record
Today's announced crowd of 111,217 fans brings the Michigan Stadium season attendance to 665,787 for the six-game schedule. The average attendance is 110,965 fans per game, breaking the NCAA record of 106,538 set last year by Tennessee.
Double Team
Sophomore Anthony Thomas (Winnfield, La.,/Winnfield HS) and senior Clarence Williams became the first Wolverine tandem to rush for over 100 yards each since Thomas (122) and Chris Howard (112) rushed for a combined 234 yards against Baylor on Sept. 20, 1997. Thomas finished today's game with 102 yards (13 carries) while Williams gained 121 yards (22 carries) against the Badgers.
Defense holds Wisconsin to Season Lows
The Michigan defense was impressive as it held Wisconsin to season lows in points (10) and rushing yards (58). The Badgers entered the game with the top-ranked rushing offense in the Big Ten (13th nationally), averaging 218.9 yards per game. The Badgers were only able to amass 58 yards on the ground today (31 attempts). Ron Dayne, who entered the game averaging a conference-best 141.4 yards per game, was held to a season-low 53 yards on 16 carries.
