Wolverines Defeat Badgers, Clinch Share of Big Ten Title

Saturday, November 14

Michigan Stadium

12:10 PM

Michigan

8-2 , 7-0

Wisconsin

9-1 , 6-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Wisconsin

Michigan

Wolverines Defeat Badgers, Clinch Share of Big Ten Title

11/14/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

By: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: #15/16 Michigan 27, #6/8 Wisconsin 10
Records: U-M (8-2, 7-0 Big Ten); Wisconsin (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten)
Attendance: 111,217
Next U-M Game: Saturday, Nov. 21 -- at Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio), noon

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan football team used a strong defensive effort and a balanced offensive attack to defeat the Wisconsin Badgers 27-10 in front of 111,227 fans in Michigan Stadium. With the victory, the Wolverines grabbed sole possession of first place in the Big Ten Conference and clinched at least a share of the Big Ten title.

The U-M offense gained 476 total yards (257 rushing, 219 passing) while holding the Badgers to 190 total yards. Two Michigan running backs gained over 100 yards: Clarence Williams (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech HS) with 121 on 22 carries and Anthony Thomas (Winnfield, La./Winnfield HS) with 102 on 13 carries and two touchdowns.

The defense was paced by Sam Sword (Saginaw, Mich./Arthur Hill HS) with 11 tackles, Ian Gold (Belleville, Mich./Belleville HS) with eight tackles and James Hall (New Orleans, La./St. Augustine HS) with seven tackles, two sacks and his first career interception. The Michigan defense held Wisconsin tailback Ron Dayne to 53 yards on 16 carries, his lowest output of the season.

The Wolverine defense started strong as Andre Weathers (Flint, Mich./Flint Central HS) intercepted a Mike Samuel pass at the Wisconsin 25-yard line on the second play from scrimmage. After the drive stalled at the Wisconsin 22-yard line, Michigan lined up for a 38-yard field goal attempt, which turned out to be a fake. Punter Jay Feely (Odessa, Fla./Tampa Jesuit) took the direct snap but was stopped short of the first down and the Badgers took over on downs.

After the two teams traded punts, Wisconsin got on the board as Mike Samuel hit Chris Chambers on a first-down, play-action pass which went for 80 yards and Chambers' sixth touchdown of the season. Matt Davenport tacked on the extra point and Wisconsin led 7-0 with 3:38 left in the first quarter.

Michigan responded to the Badger score with a touchdown of its own, as Tom Brady (San Mateo, Mich./Serra HS) hit Jerame Tuman (Liberal, Kan./Liberal HS) on a six-yard scoring pass. It was Tuman's second touchdown reception of the season and the 13th of his career. The Wolverine offense marched 65 yards in 3:35, including two third-down conversions.

The Wolverines took their first lead of the game (14-7) on their next offensive possession. With 12:04 left in the first half, Thomas took the hand-off on second down and went 59 yards for his seventh TD of the season.

Michigan added to its lead as Thomas scored his second touchdown of the game with a 15-yard run with 48 seconds left in the second quarter. The touchdown capped a 13-play, 89-yard drive which took 4:08 off the clock. Aaron Shea (Ottawa, Ill./Ottawa HS) was the key to the score, sealing off the corner by blocking three Badgers and allowing Thomas to get to the outside untouched. The Wolverines converted three third downs earlier in the drive, on a 32-yard pass to Marcus Knight (Sylacauga, Ala./Comer HS), a 20-yard run by Williams and an 11-yard pass to Tai Streets (Matteson, Ill./Thorntown Township HS).

The Wolverines started the second half strong, moving 59 yards in six plays. The offense moved to the Wisconsin 35-yard line before the Badgers' Jamar Fletcher intercepted a pass in the end zone and returned it to the 25-yard line.

The Michigan defense stopped the Badgers, but Wisconsin punter Kevin Stemke booted a 69-yard kick, pinning Michigan at the two-yard line. The Wisconsin defense held Michigan to three plays and out, and Tim Rosga blocked the punt, giving the Badgers the ball at the Michigan 10-yard line. The Wolverine defense pushed Wisconsin back 11 yards on the series, led by a 15-yard sack by Hall on third down. Matt Davenport cut the lead to 21-10 with a 39-yard field goal.

The Wolverines responded to the Badger score by marching 68 yards on six plays, culminating in a Feely 29-yard field goal. The Wolverine drive was keyed by a 44-yard run by Williams, and both Williams and Thomas surpassed the 100-yard mark before the end of the third quarter.

Feely closed out the scoring 16 seconds into the fourth quarter with a 49-yard field goal to push the lead to 27-10. The Wolverines moved 41 yards on eight plays, led by a 23-yard pass to Knight, to set up the kick.

Michigan will close out its Big Ten schedule in Columbus, Ohio, next Saturday, Nov. 21, in the annual "Big Game" against the Ohio State Buckeyes. The game will be broadcast nationally by ABC beginning at noon EST.