Category: Looking Back

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๐‘ณ๐‘ถ๐‘ถ๐‘ฒ๐‘ฐ๐‘ต๐‘ฎ ๐‘ฉ๐‘จ๐‘ช๐‘ฒ: ๐‘ด๐‘ฐ๐‘ช๐‘ฏ๐‘ฐ๐‘ฎ๐‘จ๐‘ต ๐‘ฝ๐‘บ. ๐‘ด๐‘ฐ๐‘ช๐‘ฏ๐‘ฐ๐‘ฎ๐‘จ๐‘ต ๐‘บ๐‘ป๐‘จ๐‘ป๐‘ฌ, 1998

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

The fifth and final installment of this weekโ€™s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State takes us to 1998. The previous year had been one of the greatest seasons of the last half century. Michigan fans, players, and alumni spent months basking in the glory. They followed that up with a stadium renovation that made Michigan Stadium the largest on-campus stadium in the nation. And the Wolverines signed Drew Henson, the nationโ€™s top-rated quarterback prospect. It seemed as if there werenโ€™t enough accolades in the world for the Michigan football program.

Then came the hangover. Michigan lost its first two games of the 1998 season. By the fourth week of the season, the opponent was Michigan State, and the Spartans were hungry for some revenge.

Plaxico Burress gave Michigan State an early 10-3 lead with a catch in the north end zone. He then introduced himself to Grady Brooks on the ensuing kickoff. The meeting didnโ€™t go well for Brooks, and Michigan State wound up with the football. The Michigan defense stopped the Spartans, and then Anthony Thomas took matters into his own hands. Thomas ran 70 yards on a counter for the tying touchdown. With that play, Michigan was wide awake.

Then a young quarterback named Tom Brady began to show off his talent. Brady displayed surgical precision in connecting with his receivers. His fade pass to Tai Streets in the north end zone gave Michigan its first lead of the game. As the teams went into the locker room at halftime, Michigan held a tenuous 3-point lead. It looked as if the 1998 game would be another nail-biter between the two in-state foes.

Instead, the second half showcased Michigan’s quiet dominance. The Wolverines produced the type of performance that has warmed the hearts of โ€œOld Bluesโ€ for generations. Jay Feely made his third field goal of the day. Brady connected with Marcus Knight for what seemed like a 49-yard touchdown pass. The officials spotted the ball just short of the goal line. Then, Brady sneaked over for a touchdown to give Michigan the winning margin of 29-17.

The Wolverines had a slow start that year. However, they enjoyed a fair amount of success in 1998. They finished the season with 10 wins. They also claimed a victory over Arkansas in the Citrus Bowl. The most critical win of the season was on a late September day against Michigan State. That day, the Wolverines got back to basics.

This and other great content can be found at newyorkwolverine.com

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๐‘ณ๐‘ถ๐‘ถ๐‘ฒ๐‘ฐ๐‘ต๐‘ฎ ๐‘ฉ๐‘จ๐‘ช๐‘ฒ: ๐‘ด๐‘ฐ๐‘ช๐‘ฏ๐‘ฐ๐‘ฎ๐‘จ๐‘ต ๐‘ฝ๐‘บ. ๐‘ด๐‘ฐ๐‘ช๐‘ฏ๐‘ฐ๐‘ฎ๐‘จ๐‘ต ๐‘บ๐‘ป๐‘จ๐‘ป๐‘ฌ, 1995

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

The fourth installment of this weekโ€™s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State takes us to 1995. This series has a long history of giving first-year head coaches rude introductions to the rivalry. In keeping with that tradition, the Michigan State Spartans gave Michigan coach Lloyd Carr a greeting that was as cold as the chilly, snowy day in East Lansing.

It started out well enough for Michigan. Remy Hamilton kicked a 35-yard field goal to put the Wolverines up, 3-0. But special teams play turned out to be a give and take proposition on that day, as Derrick Mason returned a punt for a 70-yard touchdown in the second quarter. That play turned the momentum in the Spartansโ€™ favor. Itโ€™s always a challenge to trail Michigan State on the road in a rivalry game.

Still, the Wolverines fought gamely as the struggle went back and forth. Quarterback Brian Griese connected with Mercury Hayes for a 22-yard touchdown pass that gave the Wolverines a 4-point lead, but Michigan State still had 3:38 to work with, and that was more than enough time. Then the ghosts of Paul Bunyan games past went to work. On a 4th down and 11 yards to do, Tony Banks connected with Mason along the Michigan sideline, and got the first down on a controversial spot. That play breathed new life into Michigan State. Michigan started missing tackles and Michigan State enjoyed some very fortunate bounces. Finally, Banks connected with Nigea Carter, who twisted and turned his way into the end zone for the winning score, as Michigan State beat Michigan, 28-25.

Michigan went on to finish the season with some excellent victories, but on this day, the Spartans reminded Lloyd Carr that itโ€™s not easy for a newcomer to win in this rivalry.

This and other great content can be found at newyorkwolverine.com

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๐‘ณ๐‘ถ๐‘ถ๐‘ฒ๐‘ฐ๐‘ต๐‘ฎ ๐‘ฉ๐‘จ๐‘ช๐‘ฒ: ๐‘ด๐‘ฐ๐‘ช๐‘ฏ๐‘ฐ๐‘ฎ๐‘จ๐‘ต ๐‘ฝ๐‘บ. ๐‘ด๐‘ฐ๐‘ช๐‘ฏ๐‘ฐ๐‘ฎ๐‘จ๐‘ต ๐‘บ๐‘ป๐‘จ๐‘ป๐‘ฌ, 1997

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

The third installment of this weekโ€™s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State takes us to 1997. The national economy was roaring, and so were the Michigan Wolverines. Years of hearing โ€œThe Block M stands for mediocrityโ€ lit a fire under the Wolverines in 1997, and they approached every opponent with a fierce intensity.

But the Michigan State game always presents some unusual scenarios, so the Wolverines were prepared for a fight. Michigan State made the first big play when Bill Burke connected with Sedrick Irvin for an easy touchdown pass on a fake field goal, giving the Spartans a 7-3 lead.

But this series has been built on running the football, and in the second quarter, the Wolverines embarked on a 95-yard drive puntucated by the hard running of Chris Howard, featuring a 51-yard run by Howard right up the middle. Brian Griese capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to reclaim the lead for Michigan.

Once Michigan grabbed the lead, the Wolverines took matters into their own hands on defense, literally. The Michigan defense intercepted six passes that day, two each by Marcus Ray and Charles Woodson, including a spectacular one-handed interception by Woodson along the sideline that will be shown on highlights for 100 years.

When it was over, Michigan won, 23-7, retaining the Paul Bunyan Trophy. It marked another milestone for the Wolverines on their march to a historic season. The Wolverines finished with a perfect 12-0 record and were named national champions by the Associated Press. Head coach Lloyd Carr would become a fixture in Ann Arbor, and many players went on to enjoy excellent careers, notably Charles Woodson and Tom Brady.

This and other great content can be found at newyorkwolverine.com

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๐‘ณ๐‘ถ๐‘ถ๐‘ฒ๐‘ฐ๐‘ต๐‘ฎ ๐‘ฉ๐‘จ๐‘ช๐‘ฒ: ๐‘ด๐‘ฐ๐‘ช๐‘ฏ๐‘ฐ๐‘ฎ๐‘จ๐‘ต ๐‘ฝ๐‘บ. ๐‘ด๐‘ฐ๐‘ช๐‘ฏ๐‘ฐ๐‘ฎ๐‘จ๐‘ต ๐‘บ๐‘ป๐‘จ๐‘ป๐‘ฌ, 1990

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

The second installment of this weekโ€™s 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 โ€™90 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 doesnโ€™t 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 ESPNโ€™s โ€œCollege 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 heโ€™s 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. Thatโ€™s 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 heโ€™d 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.

This and other great content can be found at newyorkwolverine.com

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๐‘ณ๐‘ถ๐‘ถ๐‘ฒ๐‘ฐ๐‘ต๐‘ฎ ๐‘ฉ๐‘จ๐‘ช๐‘ฒ: ๐‘ด๐‘ฐ๐‘ช๐‘ฏ๐‘ฐ๐‘ฎ๐‘จ๐‘ต ๐‘ฝ๐‘บ. ๐‘ด๐‘ฐ๐‘ช๐‘ฏ๐‘ฐ๐‘ฎ๐‘จ๐‘ต ๐‘บ๐‘ป๐‘จ๐‘ป๐‘ฌ, 2006

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

This weekโ€™s series looks back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State. The first installment takes us back to 2006. The previous season had been a disappointment for Wolverine fans, but 2006 turned out to be a renaissance year. A big win over Notre Dame served notice that Michigan was back, setting the stage for a memorable season.

This series has mostly been about smash-mouth football. However, every now and then, someone tries something new. Michigan State head coach John L. Smith was in his fourth season, and his teams ran a spread offense. By contrast, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr used a multiple offense. However, the Wolverines leaned heavily on a time-tested formula, relying on a stingy defense and the running of Mike Hart behind a dominant offensive line. On this day, Michiganโ€™s reliable formula worked to perfection. As the game unfolded, Michigan used that balance to set up Chad Henneโ€™s first touchdown pass to Adrian Arrington. This play put the Wolverines in front. In 2006, once the Michigan defense was handed a lead, the Wolverines were usually in pretty good shape.

With a 7-0 lead, Michigan continued to pound away with Hart running the ball, almost lulling the Spartans to sleep. After repeated runs, Henne found Mario Manningham wide open for a 41-yard touchdown pass, and the rout was on.

From that pont, Michigan cruised to a 31-13 win that was most dominant than the score would indicate. The Wolverines were never seriously threatened, and this game set them on a collision course with Ohio State.

This and other great content can be found at newyorkwolverine.com