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Michigan vs Alabama – Looking Back – 1997

Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins Highlighting Key Rivalry Games

The second installment of the series looking back at football games between Michigan and Alabama takes us back to the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1, 1997. Michigan completed the 1996 regular season on a high note, knocking off an undefeated Ohio State team for the second consecutive year, this time in Ohio Stadium. The Wolverines roared into Tampa feeling pretty good about themselves, but each game is different.

Michigan appeared to start the game with a bang, but a holding penalty negated a tremendous kickoff return. A brief offensive series went nowhere, and the ensuing punt rolled backward, giving Alabama excellent field position. Fortunately, the defense stiffened, and Alabama settled for a field goal and a 3-0 lead.

Michigan advanced deep into Alabama territory in the fourth quarter, but Brian Griese’s arm was hit as he attempted to throw, resulting in an interception that Dwayne Rudd returned for an Alabama touchdown.

Trailing by 11, Griese connected with Russell Shaw for a 9-yard touchdown pass, and fullback Chris Floyd bulled his way into the end zone for a 2-point conversion to cut the deficit to three points. That was as close as Michigan got, as Alabama recovered the onside kick and ran out the click to beat Michigan, 17-14.

In spite of the loss, Michigan’s performance contained many silver linings. This game showcased many players and strategies that would lead Michigan to success in 1997. Cornerback Charles Woodson showed off multiple abilities, playing on defense, offense, and special teams. Griese connected with Woodson on a post pattern, which the Wolverines would use to jumpstart the offense against Ohio State the next season. Floyd displayed an impressive ability to lower his shoulder and bulldoze his way through would-be tacklers.

Then, of course, there was the defense, which held Alabama to 17 points, foreshadowing an excellent performance in 1997.

Thanks to YouTube for the ESPN broadcast of the 1997 Outback Bowl, which is attached.

About Jeff Cummins

Jeff Cummins has written about football since 1998, including nine years with The Record of Hackensack, N.J. He frequently contributes feature stories to Touchdown Illustrated, an insert in the national college football game program, published by University Sports Publications, and he has also written the official pregame stories for the game programs of the Rose Bowl, the Cotton Bowl, the Sugar Bowl, the Gator Bowl, and the BCS National Championship game. He has written the preview story for the official program for the NHL Winter Classic at MIchigan Stadium, and numerous college basketball feature stories for College Hoops Illustrated, another game program insert published by University Sports Publications. In addition, he has written stories about theater, music, physical therapy, and newsletter marketing. He’s an avid Michigan football fan and long-time New York Jets season ticket holder, and he can be reached at jeffcummins@optonline.net.