One That Got Away Boose Has Big Game, But Defensive End Given Slip By Griese At End

Washington State defensive end Dorian Boose knelt at the 42-yard line. He tried to cover his face with his hands, but tears kept slipping through his fingers.

About 20 yards away, a mass of Michigan players and coaches were celebrating a 21-16 Rose Bowl victory over WSU.

At roughly that same spot on the field late in the fourth quarter, Michigan quarterback Brian Griese had slipped away from Boose to collect a key first down to help seal the Wolverines’ win.

It was one of the few plays Boose didn’t make.

The senior from Tacoma had six tackles - three for losses - and batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage. But he wouldn’t mind having a mulligan on Griese’s 11-yard scramble on third-and-11.

“That was a little bit frustrating,” said Boose, adding that he didn’t get into proper position to finish the tackle. “We still had momentum on our side. Unfortunately we gave up too many first downs and they ate up the clock.”

Michigan converted on three more third downs before punting, leaving WSU at its 7 with 29 seconds remaining.

“We really needed to hold them one time and I know our offense would have scored,” said Larry Lewis, WSU defensive ends coach. “Dorian definitely could have had that sack, but Griese just kind of ducked under his hands.”

Boose’s hands were all over Michigan running backs in the first half. He took turns beating tackles Jon Jansen and Jeff Backus, both of whom were second-team all-Big Ten Conference.

“That (WSU) defensive front is made up of big guys,” Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. “We’re still relatively young.”

“Dorian and (linebacker) Brandon Moore played a hell of a game,” WSU defensive tackle Leon Bender said. “We accomplished everything we wanted, except we didn’t win.”

WSU’s primary goal was to muffle Michigan’s rushing attack, Lewis explained. The Wolverines gained only 21 yards on 15 attempts in the first half. Michigan’s lone score came on Griese’s 53-yard pass to Tai Sheets.

The Wolverines had more success in the second half, but finished with only 128 ground yards, 60 below their usual output. Again, it was Griese who inflicted the damage with two more TD passes, both as he rolled out of the pocket.

“They did a lot more of that than I thought they would,” Boose said, “but we got a great look from our scout team.”

Sheets, who beat cornerback Ray Jackson on his first-half touchdown, slipped away from Dee Moronkola for a 58-yard score in the third quarter. Both were perfectly thrown by Griese.

“Everyone gets beat once in a while, even the pros,” Jackson said. “You can’t take anything away from our defense. We played well.”

Maybe too well. Taking away Michigan’s run forced the Wolverines to Plan B - Griese’s arm.

“When you shut out the run like we did, you know, they’ve got to do something,” Lewis said. “I think at that point they were grasping for straws and it seemed to work for them.”

As Lewis, Boose and the rest of WSU’s defense found out.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: BRINGING DOWN MICHIGAN Leading tacklers for WSU Steve Gleason 9 Brandon Moore 9 Duane Stewart 8 Todd Nelson 8 Lamont Thompson 6 Dorian Boose 6 Leon Bender 5