Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins Highlighting Key Rivalry Games
The second installment of this weekโs series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State takes us to 1990. Virtually every rivalry has its share of controversy, and this one is no exception. The Michigan Wolverines entered the โ90 game against Michigan State with a stellar roster. Defensive back Tripp Welborne and offensive linemen Greg Skrepenak and Dean Dingman were named to the All-America team. Additionally, eight Wolverines were named to the first team on the All-Big Ten squad. Player for player, the Wolverines could hang with any team in the country.
The team with the better players doesnโt always win, though. This series, in particular, has a long history of odd bounces. And trips.
Michigan receiver Desmond Howard has become a household name of the past 35-plus seasons. Howard won the Heisman Trophy, the Super Bowl MVP award, and has become a fixture on a ESPNโs โCollege Football Gameday.โ
Eddie Brown is a stark contrast to Howard. Brown played defensive back at Michigan State. He was a pretty good player, but his legacy is that heโs a footnote to college football history.
Michigan State had played Michigan tough all day. The Spartans were led by running backs Tico Duckett and Hyland Hickson, who combined for 184 yards on the ground. Still, Michigan played gritty, tough football as well, and with the clock running down, the Wolverines had a chance to win. With 10 seconds left, Elvis Grbac threw a fade pass to Derrick Anderson. Derrick faked out the cornerback and caught an easy touchdown pass. This left Michigan trailing by one point. The Spartans had a decision to make. They could try to kick the extra point or go for a two-point conversion to win the game.
Michigan coach Gary Moeller chose to go for two points and the win. Thatโs when Eddie Brown became of the great villains in the history of Michigan football.
Brown took a calculated risk. Seeing Grbac standing in the pocket with Howard headed for the end zone, Brown knew he had a challenging situation on his hands. If Howard got the ball in his hands, Michigan would almost certainly win the game. So Brown made the only logical decision: He tripped Howard.
The play unfolded in a surreal manner. For a millisecond, it appeared that Howard had the ball, and a comeback victory, in his grasp. But just as Michigan fans started to jump in exultation, the ball fell away, and the Spartans wound up celebrating.
Michigan players looked around for a penalty flag that never appeared. Despite the obvious penalty, nothing was called, and Michigan State won, 28-27. Brown was grateful his teammates rushed him off the field quickly, well aware that heโd gotten away with the trip. Michigan players, fans, and alumni were dazed by the result.
Michigan bounced back, ending the season with a 35-3 win over Ole Miss in the Gator Bowl. But that game against Michigan State continues to gnaw at Michigan fans.
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