Tag: John Navarre

Posted on

THE GAME – 𝑳𝑶𝑶𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑩𝑨𝑪𝑲: 𝑴𝑰𝑪𝑯𝑰𝑮𝑨𝑵 𝑽𝑺. 𝑶𝑯𝑰𝑶 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑻𝑬, 2002

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

The third installment of this week’s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State takes us to 2002. Five years after Michigan’s 1997 National Championship, the landscape looked a little different. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel established the previous season that he would be a force to be reckoned with; a sobering reality for Michigan fans who had thoroughly enjoyed the rivalry during the John Cooper years.

Adam Finley provided much of the spark in the first half for Michigan. Finley’s three field goals sent the Wolverines to the locker room with a 9-7 lead at halftime.

With less than seven minutes remaining, Ohio State faced a critical 3rd down and 7 yards to go. Michigan needed just two stops to give the ball back to the Wolverine offense. Someone from Michigan had to make a big play.

Unfortunately for the Wolverines, that player was Ohio State quarterback Craig Krenzel, a native of Michigan. After gaining six yards on third down, Krenzel stretched past the first down marker, giving Ohio State a fresh set of downs. A few plays later, Krenzel pitched the ball to Maurice Hall, who ran into the corner of the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown.

But Michigan was not done. With one second left on the clock, the Wolverines were 24 yards from the end zone. All Michigan needed was one clutch play to secure the victory.

Sadly, it was not to be. Will Allen intercepted John Navarre’s pass short of the goal line, ending the game. The loss was frustrating for the Wolverines, who earned 26 first downs to just 13 for Ohio State. Unfortunately, the Wolverines were not able to complete any drives, a key point in the defeat.

A little more than a month later, the season ended on a high note for the Wolverines, as the offense found the warm Florida sun to its liking. Michigan topped the Florida Gators, 38-30, securing the Wolverines’ 10th win of the season. The following season would bring new opportunities—and new glory— for Michigan.

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

Posted on

THE GAME – 𝑳𝑶𝑶𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑩𝑨𝑪𝑲: 𝑴𝑰𝑪𝑯𝑰𝑮𝑨𝑵 𝑽𝑺. 𝑶𝑯𝑰𝑶 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑻𝑬, 2003: 𝑻𝑯𝑬 100𝑻𝑯 𝑮𝑨𝑴𝑬

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

The first installment of this week’s series looking back at the football rivalry beween Michigan and Ohio State takes back to 2003 for the 100th game in the series. For the first time since 1969, Ohio State entered “The Game” as the defending national champion, a fact that provided extra motivation for a hungry Michigan team.

Michigan approached 2003 with redemption on its mind. John Navarre had been named the starting quarterback in 2001, after Drew Henson left early to pursue a baseball career. Running back Chris Perry had toyed with transferring, but opted to stay the course and stay in Ann Arbor. For both men, the 2003 iteration of The Game represented one final shot to cement their legacy.

The first sign that this was Michigan’s day came very early.
Michigan safety Ernest Shazor’s tackle of Ohio State tight end Ben Hartsock prevented an easy first down, forcing the Buckeyes to punt. Then the Michigan offensive line seized the momentum. Perry gashed the Ohio State defensive line for sizable gains, and suddenly the Wolverines were at the Ohio State 3-yard line, facing a 3rd down and goal to go. Steve Breaston, usually a receiver, lined up at quarterback and scored a 3-yard touchdown to give the Wolverines the early lead. The Wolverines extended that lead when Navarre connected with Braylon Edwards for a 64-yard touchdown pass highlighted by a broken tackle. Once Edwards freed himself from the defender, he went all the way for the touchdown to give Michigan a two-score lead. Navarre and Edwards connected for a 23-yard touchdown pass later in the second quarter to make the score 21-0. The Wolverines had a comfortable cushion, or so they thought.

Ohio State kept plugging away, and after Lydell Ross scored on a 2-yard run early in the fourth quarter, the Wolverines’ lead was only a touchdown. Undaunted, Michigan went back to basics. Perry completed a drive that lasted almost four

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

Posted on

Little Brown Jug — Looking Back – 2003

Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins

Ahh, the 2003 season. Things had gone off the rails a bit during the previous two seasons, but the Wolverines got back to basics in 2003. John Navarre was now firmly entrenched as Michigan’s starting quarterback, and a rededicated Chris Perry emerged as the Wolverines’ most dangerous running back. The Wolverines had reloaded, and they were ready to make some noise.

The fourth installment of the series looking back at the Little Brown Jug rivalry takes us to the latter part of the 2003 season. Michigan was obviously enjoying a good season, and the Wolverines were virtually unbeatable at home. Road games were a different story.

Michigan had dominated Minnesota since 1987, a fact that wasn’t lost on the Minnesota players. Michigan struggled for most of the game, with Steve Breaston’s touchdown pass to quarterback John Navarre serving as the only bright spot. After three quarters, Minnesota led, 28-7, and even the most optimistic Michigan fan had reason for concern.

The Wolverines mustered all their concentration and determination as the fourth quarter began. Slowly, Michigan started to make some plays. Less than a minute into the fourth quarter, Navarre connected with Perry on a perfectly designed screen pass that went 10 yards for a touchdown. The guys in the winged helmets were showing signs of life, while Minnesota coach Glen Mason was showing signs of agita.

On the very next play, Michigan cornerback Leon Hall blitzed off the edge, forcing an ill-advised pass from Minnesota quarterback Asad Abdul-Khaliq. The pass was intercepted by Michigan safety Jacob Stewart, who had an easy path to a touchdown. Michigan was within one touchdown, and momentum was wearing a Wolverines jersey.

The Abdul-Khaliq threw a counter punch, running 52 yards for a score to extend Minnesota’s lead to 14 points. This was a different group of Golden Gophers, for sure.

Undaunted, Navarre led the Wolverine offense back, finding Braylon Edwards, who stretched into the end zone for the score. Again, Michigan had cut the deficit to one touchdown. With just under five minutes remaining, Navarre handed the ball to Perry, who made one cut, and found the end zone for the tying touchdown.

Now, Michigan was in absolute control. The defense stuffed Minnesota. Navarre then led Michigan on a methodical drive that resulted in a 33-yard field goal from Garrett Rivas to give the Wolverines their first lead of the game with 47 seconds remaining. With nine seconds left, Markus Curry intercepted a long pass to put the final exclamation point on Michigan’s win. The Wolverines defeated the Golden Gophers, 38-35, after trailing almost the entire game.

Many thanks to ESPN, YouTube, and YouTube poster RXwolverine2 for the video of this game. As always, we own nothing, and this blog post is provided strictly for the enjoyment of readers.

Posted on

Michigan vs Ohio State Football – Looking Back – 2003

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

The fifth and final installment of this year’s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State takes us to 2003. Just a year before, Ohio State had defeated Michigan in a tightly contested game, before a partisan Ohio State crowd that was exceptionally intense. The Wolverines fought hard that day, but things just didn’t go their way.

Twelve months later, the Wolverines were poised for a rematch, fully aware that the 2003 version of “The Game” would be the 100th playing of the rivalry. By the time the Buckeyes arrived in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines were ready for them.

Michigan leaders John Navarre and Chris Perry remembered the previous year vividly. Despite playing a very good game, the Wolverines were not able to make the necessary plays at the necessary times. That was not going to happen again.

From the opening kickoff, the Wolverines were in control of the 2003 game. Well, almost. Ohio State started well, gaining eight yards on its first two plays. On 3rd down and 2 yards to go, Ohio State quarterback Craig Krenzel threw to tight end Ben Hartsock, who was wrapped up immediately for no gain by Michigan safety Ernest Shazor, and the Buckeyes had to punt. The teams then traded a few possessions before Michigan took over at its own 11-yard line. Perry then gained a hard eight yards, zigging and zagging through the Ohio State defense, something he would do all day. A couple of plays later, Navarre and Perry connected on a screen pass for 11 yards, and suddenly the Wolverines were cooking. Near the end of the quarter, receiver Steve Breaston lined up under center and followed his right guard into the end zone on an option play to complete an 89-yard drive, giving the Wolverines a 7-0 lead that they would never relinquish.

Michigan extended its lead in the second quarter when Navarre connected with receiver Braylon Edwards, who broke a pair of tackles and went 64 yards for a touchdown. Suddenly, the game had established its identity: The Wolverines would lead with Perry on the ground, and when the Buckeyes committed too many players to stop Perry, Navarre would answer with a big pass play. A few minutes later, Navarre and Edwards connected again on a 23-yard scoring pass to give the Wolverines a 21-0 lead at halftime.

In the second half, Ohio State began to mount a comeback, and by the time Lydell Ross went over from two yards out in the fourth quarter, Michigan’s lead was down to just one touchdown. At that point, the Wolverines went back to basics, putting their faith in Perry and the offensive line. It was a wise decision, as Perry ran 15 yards for a touchdown to extend Michigan’s lead to 35-21, and the Wolverines were never threatened after that.

The victory gave Michigan the Big Ten championship. The Wolverines fell to USC in the Rose Bowl, but their performance in the regular season, with convincing victories over Notre Dame, Michigan State and Ohio State, had firmly reestablished them as a national power.

Many thanks to ABC for the attached game broadcast. As always, we own nothing, and this blog post and video are intended strictly for the enjoyment of readers.

Posted on

Michigan vs Ohio State Football – Looking Back – 2002

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

The fourth installment of this year’s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State takes us to 2002. Ohio State wasn’t yet the football monster it is today, or at least most people didn’t perceive it to be. The 2002 game was a tight, hard-fought contest, with Michgan playing very well on the road, in an extremely difficult environment.

But in the end, none of that mattered. Ohio State won, Michigan lost, and from the Michigan perspective, it was painful. Yes, the team played valiently. But it was painful, nonetheless.

Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said after the game that they knew at halftime they would need a touchdown to win. They almost got a touchdown, but not quite.

After Ohio State took a 14-9 lead with 4:55 to play, but the Wolverines still had plenty of fight left in them. Quarterback John Navarre led Michigan on a pair of drives, the last one getting to the Ohio State 24-yard line. From there, Michigan had time for just one play left. With Ohio State expecting pass, defensive back Will Allen intercepted the pass just short of the goal line, and the game was over. Ironically, the Buckeyes were led by quarterback Craig Krenzel, who hailed from Uitca, Michigan.

Michigan enjoyed solid performances from a pair of juniors, Navarre and tailback Chris Perry. Stoic and resolute, both players were already plotting their revenge against the Buckeyes, but that’s a story for another day. Maybe tomorrow, in fact.

The Buckeyes, as we all know, went on to earn a controversial win against Miami in the Tostitos Fiest Bowl, giving Ohio State its first national championship since 1968. Michigan concluded its season with a visit to the Outback Bowl, where the Wolverines began a long tradition of defeating Florida, earning a 38-30 win over the Gators in the first meeting between the two schools.

Many thanks to ESPN Classic for the film of this game. As always, we own nothing, and this film and blog post are intended strictly for the enjoyment of readers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1I1FoiHh7c