Pick Six No Gamble For Michigan Wolverines Stop Rival Spartans By Grabbing Six Interceptions

Charles Woodson returned to the scene of his worst game and produced one of his best.

The Michigan cornerback came up with two acrobatic interceptions in the second half as the fifth-ranked Wolverines flexed their defensive muscles for a 23-7 victory over No. 15 Michigan State on Saturday.

“My freshman year, coming here was a bad experience for me,” said Woodson, who bobbled a potential game-saving interception in the Wolverines’ 28-25 loss in 1995.

“So I think they were definitely trying to test me. I think it was the wrong move.”

Testing the Michigan defense hasn’t been a good idea, either. The Wolverines (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) haven’t allowed a point in the fourth quarter all season and have permitted just three field goals in the second half.

This time, Michigan did it with six interceptions - five in the second half - as the Wolverines are off to their best start since 1986. Woodson’s second interception led to a touchdown that put Michigan ahead 20-7 early in the fourth quarter.

“The greatest players have the biggest games in the most important games and that’s true of Charles Woodson,” Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said.

“I also know he had a bad game up here two years ago, and he hasn’t forgotten that,” Carr said.

The Wolverines held the Spartans to 95 yards rushing and Sedrick Irvin had 81 of them as well as 77 yards on nine receptions. Irvin’s 22-yard TD catch from Bill Burke off a fake field goal with 3:39 left in the first period were Michigan State’s only points.

The Wolverines took a big step toward a Nov. 8 showdown against No. 2 Penn State, while the Spartans (5-2, 2-2) dropped their second straight game and fell out of contention in the conference race.

Before the Lions and Wolverines meet in a game with Big Ten, Rose Bowl and national title implications, both must win next week - Penn State at Northwestern, Minnesota at Michigan.

Todd Schultz was the victim of Michigan’s iron-clad defense, throwing five interceptions, while Burke had one. Schultz was 16 of 30 for 130 yards.

For Michigan, Brian Griese was 10 of 17 for 102 yards, with a 1-yard TD run that capped a 95-yard drive at the end of the half to put the Wolverines ahead. Cornerback Marcus Ray also had two interceptions.

The interception total was the most for the Wolverines since picking off six against Miami’s Bernie Kosar in 1984. For the Spartans, the total matched a school record set in 1950 against Maryland and equaled in 1958 against Minnesota.

Next for Michigan: vs. Minnesota.

Next for Michigan State: vs. Ohio State.