Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins Highlighting Key Rivalry Games
Among the many traditions that are part of the Michigan vs. Michigan State football rivalry, one is rarely discussed: New coaches are usually given a brutal introduction to the series.
The third installment of this year’s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State takes us to 1995. The national economy was slowly starting to wake up, and if you listened carefully, you could hear a few people discussing something known as “the Internet.” If you paid attention to college football, it was becoming apparent that Michigan’s interim head coach, Lloyd Carr, was pretty good. Unfortunately for Carr, the Michigan State Spartans didn’t plan on giving him a warm welcome to the in-state rivalry.
Of course, it didn’t help that Michigan State also had a first-year head coach named Nick Saban, and in the mid-1990s, he was just looking forward to a bright future. The matchup of first-year coaches produced a classic Big Ten battle. With snow flurries falling to produce a memorable environment, Remy Hamilton gave Michigan the first lead of the game with a 35-yard field goal. Shortly after that, Michigan State’s Derrick Mason took a punt and weaved his 70 yards for a touchdown to give the Spartans a 7-3 lead, and the momentum. By halftime, the Spartans led, 14-3, and the mood surrounding the Michigan team was as dark as the snowy fall sky in East Lansing.
The Wolverines then came out with a new resolve to start the second half. Michigan lined up in several two-tight end sets, and started to run the ball with conviction, as Tim Biakabutuka and Chis Howard took turns battering their way through the Michigan State defensive line. Finally, with three backs in the backfield, quarterback Brian Griese handed off to Will Carr, normally a defensive lineman, and Carr barely made it over the goal line for the touchdown. After Griese connected with Mark Campbell for the two-point conversion, Michigan State’s lead was cut to a mere three points. The teams then traded scores, but when Griese found Mercury Hayes in the back corner of the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown, it looked as if Michigan was in control. The Wolverines had a four-point with 3:38 to play. Greg Mattison was coaching the defense. Jarrett Irons was playing middle linebacker. Chuck Winters was playing safety. A freshman named Charles Woodson was playing cornerback.
But Spartan quarterback Tony Banks still had time. On 4th and 11, Banks connected with Mason for an 11-yard gain, and the meaurement indicated it was a Michigan State first down. Then Woodson bobbled a would-be interception, and Mason caught the ricochet for a catch deep in Michigan territory. On the next play, Banks scrambled and saw Nigea Carter twisting around toward the goal line. Banks heaved the ball, and Carter twisted the right way at the right time for a Michigan State touchdown. Suddenly, Michigan trailed with just 1:24 left to play, in hostile territory.
Finally, with six seconds left on the clock, Michigan had one, final, desperate hope. Griese faded back to pass, and threw with all his might, but his pass landed harmlessly on the ground. Suddenly, a 7-1 MIchigan team had just lost a game they weren’t supposed to lose. It shows that nothing can be taken for granted against Michigan State.
Thanks to ESPN Classic, ABC Sports, YouTube poster ROLL TIDE Graham 2 and YouTube for the highlight film of this game. As always, neither I nor anyone involved with umgoblue.com make a profit off this blog post, which is intended strictly for the enjoyment of readers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukwTFhCxXK0
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