Michigan Falls to Syracuse, McNabb in Home Opener

Saturday, September 12

Michigan Stadium

3:30 PM

Michigan

0-2

Syracuse

1-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Syracuse

Michigan

9/12/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

By: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: Syracuse 38, Michigan 28
Records: U-M (0-2), Syracuse (1-1)
Attendance: 111,012
Next U-M Game: Saturday, Sept. 19 vs. Eastern Michigan (Michigan Stadium), 12:10 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, MICH. -- Playing in a newly expanded stadium in front of an NCAA-record crowd of 111,012, Michigan suffered its second straight loss, falling 38-28 to Syracuse in the Wolverines' home opener Saturday (Sept. 12) at Michigan Stadium.

Utilizing an option offense run by Heisman Trophy candidate Donovan McNabb, Syracuse jumped out to a 24-0 advantage, took a 24-7 edge into the halftime break and scored two third-quarter touchdowns to lead 38-7 before a 21-point Wolverine comeback in the final seven minutes of the contest shaved the final margin to 10 points.

Syracuse took the opening kickoff and marched 78 yards in 11 plays. The Orangemen scored on a six-yard run by Kevin Johnson, who took the pitch from McNabb.

Michigan's first offensive possession proved to be an omen of things to come, as quarterback Tom Brady's attempted pass to Marcus Knight on second down was intercepted by David Byrd. Syracuse quickly capitalized on the turnover as McNabb connected with a wide-open Rob Konrad on third down for a 26-yard touchdown.

With Syracuse ahead 14-0, Michigan could do little to get back into the game. The Orangemen were as tough on defense as they were on offense, holding the Wolverines without a first down until midway through the second quarter.

Nonetheless, Michigan had chances to rebound. McNabb fumbled a first-down snap on the 22-yard line, and linebacker Anthony Jordan recovered the ball, setting up a scoring chance for the Wolverines. After failing to convert on third down, Michigan tried a fake field goal, but the pass to kicker Jay Feely was short of the first down, and Syracuse took over again.

McNabb and the Orangemen responded immediately, moving the ball 86 yards in 14 plays. The drive culminated with a 17-yard touchdown run by McNabb.

Michigan was held scoreless until late in the second quarter, when Brady connected with Tai Streets for a four-yard touchdown pass. Syracuse headed into the locker room at half with a 24-7 lead.

Michigan went three-and-out to start the second half, as Brady was sacked for seven yards by Jason Poles. With Michigan's offense sputtering, Syracuse broke through the U-M defense again as McNabb executed a 59-yard, 11-play drive that culminated with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Johnson with 5:27 remaining in the third quarter. The Orangemen scored again on a nine-yard pass from McNabb to Konrad and Syracuse led 38-7 with 1:47 left in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Michigan scored three times behind the playmaking abilities of two freshmen -- running back Walter Cross and quarterback Drew Henson. Cross broke through the Syracuse defense for a 66-yard run that set up his own one-yard touchdown plunge, and he scored another touchdown on a five-yard run with 0:55 to play.

After Streets recovered an onside kick, Michigan moved the ball 48 yards in nine plays and scored the game's final points when Henson connected with Marcus Knight for a 16-yard score. Cross finished the game with 10 carries for 104 yards and two touchdowns, while Henson completed seven of 20 passes for 92 yards and one TD.