Michigan
7-1 , 5-0
Purdue
5-2 , 2-2
U-M Sneaks Past Purdue, Remains Unbeaten in Big Ten
10/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Sophomore kicker Garrett Rivas (Tampa, Fla./Jesuit HS) connected on the game-winning 35-yard field goal with 2:45 remaining as the No. 13 University of Michigan football team defeated No. 12 Purdue, 16-14, Saturday (Oct. 23) before a sellout crowd of 65,170 fans at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Wolverines (7-1, 5-0 Big Ten) won their 11th straight Big Ten game dating back to last season and their fourth straight game against the Boilermakers (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten).
| | Woodley sacked Kyle Orton twice for a loss of 17 yards. |
Senior strong safety Ernest Shazor (Detroit, Mich./Martin Luther King HS) ended the Boilermakers' last-ditch effort to win the game by stripping wide receiver Dorien Bryant and sophomore cornerback Leon Hall (Vista, Calif./Vista HS) recovered the ball on Michigan's sideline with 2:03 left in the game. Senior cornerback and co-captain Marlin Jackson (Sharon, Pa./Sharon HS) held the Big Ten's career receiving leader Taylor Stubblefield to one reception for 10 yards. Senior inside linebacker Lawrence Reid (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington HS) led the defense with a season-best nine tackles and two pass breakups.
Freshman quarterback Chad Henne (Wyomissing, Pa./Wilson HS) completed 22-of-39 passes for 190 yards and one touchdown. Senior tight end Tim Massaquoi (Allentown, Pa./Parkland HS) led the receiving effort with a career highs in receptions (five) and yards (60). Senior wideout Braylon Edwards (Detroit, Mich./Bishop Gallagher HS) added five catches for 25 yards and junior wide receiver Jason Avant (Chicago, Ill./Carver HS) grabbed five passes for 45 yards.
Purdue gained a 7-0 lead at 10:23 of the first quarter as tailback Jerod Void took a pitch from quarterback Kyle Orton and ran left untouched from a yard out. The Boilermakers drove 65 yards in 11 plays, with Void rushing six times for 32 yards and Orton adding a four-yard draw on first-and-goal from the five-yard line. Orton completed two-of-three passes for 21 yards.
The Wolverines answered on the ensuing drive on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Henne to Hart. Senior right guard Matt Lentz (Ortonville, Mich./Brandon HS) and Avant led Hart down the right side and into the end zone on the screen pass that capped a seven-play, 80-yard drive in 2:43. Hart had four carries for 18 yards prior to his first career receiving TD, and Henne completed all three passes for 62 yards.
Michigan snared a three-point lead, 10-7, at 8:56 of the second quarter as Rivas connected on a 30-yard field goal. The Wolverines moved 53 yards in nine plays, with the key play coming on a 24-yard pass from Henne to Massaquoi on third-and-two from U-M's 33-yard line. Hart carried four times for 20 yards and Edwards made two catches for nine yards on the field goal drive.
The Wolverines moved inside the Boilermakers territory on two second-quarter possessions but were unable to add any points. Henne had a pass intended for Edwards intercepted by Antwaun Rogers at Purdue's 19-yard line to end a scoring chance.
Purdue threatened late in the first half, but kicker Ben Jones had his 44-yard field goal attempt blocked by senior defensive end Pat Massey (Brecksville, Ohio/St. Ignatius HS) to preserve Michigan's 10-7 halftime lead. The Boilermakers kept the drive alive as Orton completed a 37-yard pass to Brian Hare on third-and-14 from their own 16-yard line. With the ball at U-M's 47-yard line, Orton hit Ray Williams for six yards and added a 10-yard run to put the ball at the 31-yard line. Purdue was called for a 10-yard holding penalty on the ensuing play and Wolverine sophomore outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley (Saginaw, Mich./Saginaw HS) sacked Orton for a 10-yard loss to Purdue's 49-yard line. Orton got the Boilermakers back within field goal territory following a 24-yard pass to Bryant with five seconds remaining in the half.
Michigan was unable to take advantage of Purdue's first turnover as Rivas missed a 38-yard field goal wide left at 6:37 of the third quarter. The Wolverines gained excellent field possession at their 42-yard line after Hall intercepted a third-down pass by Orton. U-M moved 37 yards to the Boilermakers 21-yard line but was unable to convert a third-and-10 play. Hart gained 24 yards on three carries. Avant added a 12-yard reception to move the chains and Ecker caught a five-yard pass on the unsuccessful third-down opportunity.
Purdue struck on a big play to grab a 14-10 lead as Orton floated a pass to running back Brandon Jones down the left side of the field. Jones outran senior inside linebacker Scott McClintock (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon HS) and took the pass 63 yards into the end zone for the touchdown. It was the only play of the drive for the Boilermakers.
The Wolverines responded and trimmed the deficit to 14-13 as Rivas connected on a 25-yard field goal at 1:06 of the third quarter. Henne opened the drive with 12-yard pass to Massaquoi followed by a 28-yard scamper by Hart into Purdue territory at the 40-yard line. After an eight-yard sack of Henne, Hart took the handoff up the middle and bounced off a tackler and ran to the right 33 yards to the Boilermakers 15-yard line. Freshman tailback Max Martin (Madison, Ala./Bob Jones HS) had runs of four and three yards prior to an incompletion by Henne ending the eight-play, 72-yard scoring drive.
Michigan moved inside Purdue's 20-yard line for the second straight series but was unable to take the lead as Rivas' 32-yard field goal attempt was blocked by linebacker Bobby Iwuchukwu at 10:08 of the fourth quarter. Junior Steve Breaston (North Braddock, Pa./Woodland Hills HS) provided the Wolverines with excellent field possession at Purdue's 46-yard line after a 26-yard punt return. U-M gained one first down rushing and another by penalty before the drive stalled at the 15-yard line.
Michigan grabbed the lead, 16-14, with 2:45 remaining in the game as Rivas connected on a 35-yard field goal. The Wolverines took possession at their 37-yard line with 6:21 left and moved 45 yards in nine plays. Hart started the drive with a 16-yard run. Henne tossed a nine-yard pass to Massaquoi and added a quarterback keeper for one-yard to move the chains on third down. Hart ran 11 yards to Purdue's 25-yard line. He added a one-yard run on first down and Henne completed a seven-yard pass to Edwards prior to the field goal.
Purdue started at its 20-yard line and gained a first down as Orton completed a 10-yard pass to wide receiver Taylor Stubblefield. It was Stubblefield's first reception of the game after receiving exclusive man-to-man coverage from Jackson the entire game. Orton tossed a slant pass to Bryant, who took the ball 25 yards before he was hit low by senior cornerback Markus Curry (Detroit, Mich./Bishop Gallagher HS). Shazor came flying across to dislodge the ball from Bryant, and Hall corralled the ball on Michigan's sideline with 2:03 left to clinch the Wolverines victory.
Taking possession at its 43-yard line, Hart moved the chains with runs of 11 and four yards. Michigan knelt twice run out the clock following Purdue's final timeout.
U-M returns to Michigan Stadium following its two-game road swing to face intrastate rival Michigan State on Saturday (Oct. 30). The battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy will be televised regionally by ABC Sports beginning at 3:30 p.m. EDT.
Media Contacts: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
Team Stats
MICH 0, PUR 7
PUR - Jerod Void 1 yd run (Ben Jones kick), 10 plays, 65 yards, TOP 3:39
MICH 7, PUR 7
MICH - Hart, Michael 25 yd pass from Henne, Chad (Rivas, Garrett kick) 7 plays, 80 yards, TOP 2:43
MICH 10, PUR 7
MICH - Rivas, Garrett 30 yd field goal 9 plays, 53 yards, TOP 3:52
MICH 10, PUR 14
PUR - Brandon Jones 63 yd pass from Kyle Orton (Ben Jones kick) 1 plays, 63 yards, TOP 0:09
MICH 13, PUR 14
MICH - Rivas, Garrett 25 yd field goal 8 plays, 72 yards, TOP 3:19
MICH 16, PUR 14
MICH - Rivas, Garrett 35 yd field goal 9 plays, 45 yards, TOP 3:36
