1998 FBL vs. Penn State -- postgame notes
11/7/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
This is the first time Michigan has won at home against Penn State (lost previous two, a 29-17 loss on Nov. 16, 1996, and a 31-24 setback on Oct. 15, 1994). The victory evens the all-time series at three wins apiece. The win marks Michigan's 100th victory over a ranked team since the Associated Press poll began in 1936. The Wolverines are 8-0 against top-10 opposition under head coach Lloyd Carr and 13-6 all-time against ranked opponents under Carr.
Defense
The Michigan defense recorded its first shutout since a 37-0 victory at Indiana last season (Oct. 4). It was the first Wolverine home shutout since Purdue on Nov. 11, 1995 (5-0). This was also the first time this season that Michigan has held an opponent scoreless for the first half. It was the first time Penn State has been shut out since a 10-0 loss at Pittsburgh on Nov. 14, 1987, a span on 130 games.
Thomas Reaches 1,000 Yards Rushing
Sophomore running back Anthony Thomas (Winnfield, La./Winnfield HS) became 47th player in Michigan football history to rush for 1,000 yards in his career. Thomas ended the game with 36 yards on 11 carries and one touchdown. He has 1,013 career rushing yards on 252 attempts and has scored 11 rushing touchdowns.
Tai's Touchdown
Senior wideout Tai Streets (Matteson, Ill./Thornton Township HS) hauled in a seven-yard fade pass for a 17-0 Michigan lead with 54 seconds left in the first half and ended the game with three receptions for 38 yards. It was his eighth touchdown of the season and 16th of his career. Both are tied for the fifth most in Michigan history. Anthony Carter (1979-82) holds the Wolverine career record with 37, while Desmond Howard (1989-91) holds the single-season Michigan mark with 19 TD grabs.
Sword Makes 35th Career Start at Linebacker
Senior inside linebacker Sam Sword (Saginaw, Mich./Arthur Hill HS) made his 35th career start, tied with Paul Girgash (1979-82) for the fourth most by a Michigan linebacker. Jarrett Irons (1993-96) holds the record for most career starts by a Wolverine linebacker with 46. Sword finished the game with three tackles, all solo. He currently leads the team in tackles with 81 on the year and looks to become the first player to lead the squad in outright tackles three straight years since Erick Anderson (1988-91) led the Wolverines in 1989-91.
Other Milestone Starts
Senior co-captain Juaquin Feazell (Fort Valley, Ga./Peach County HS) and junior rush linebacker James Hall (New Orleans, La./St. Augustine HS) made their 20th career starts in the Penn State game. Joining the defensive duo with a milestone start is sophomore center David Brandt (Jenison, Mich./Jenison HS), who started his 10th career game on the offensive line.
Shea Scores
Junior fullback Aaron Shea (Ottawa, Ill./Ottawa HS) gave Michigan a 7-0 lead with a 26-yard touchdown reception from Tom Brady (San Mateo, Calif./Serra HS) 4:26 into the game. It was Shea's second career TD, the first being a 25-yard pass two seasons ago against Penn State. Shea ended the game with three receptions, equaling a career-best, for 38 yards and the one touchdown.
Hall Strikes Again
James Hall recorded his third blocked kick of the season and fifth of his career on a 34-yard field goal attempt with 4:52 left in the first quarter. Hall blocked extra-point attempts at Notre Dame and against Eastern Michigan this season and against Iowa and Washington State last season.
Penn State Notes
Michigan became the first team to score a touchdown on Penn State in the first quarter this season ... Penn State did not score in the first half for the first time since the Michigan game last season ... Eric McCoo is the first true freshman to start at tailback for the Nittany Lions since D.J. Dozier in 1983 ... David Macklin collected his team-high fourth interception on the season.
