Converting Like Clockwork Third-Down Mastery Kills Clock, Cougars’ Chances To Complete Rally

Third and short, third and long, even third and a prayer; it didn’t seem to matter.

Michigan found a way to get it done on third down in Thursday’s 21-16 Rose Bowl victory over Washington State. And for that reason, the unbeaten and No.1-ranked Wolverines will likely lay claim to their first national championship since 1948 - presumably no matter what No. 2 Nebraska, or anyone else, does in today’s anti-climactic bowl matchups.

Michigan, after struggling offensively in the early going, converted nine consecutive third-down plays during one stretch and 10 of 12 in the second half. But the Wolverines were at their third-down best on their final possession when they hogged the ball for almost 7 minutes. Washington State got the ball back with only 29 seconds remaining.

The Michigan drive covered 51 yards and included four third-down conversions of 6 or more yards.

“That’s the game right there,” said Bill Doba, the Cougars’ frustrated defensive coordinator. “They made the third-down plays and we didn’t. I don’t know what the hell else there is to say.

“Those third downs were all made by about a foot or a yard or 6 inches. I’m sure (if) we stop them there and get the ball back for our offense, we’re going to score.”

Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr concurred.

“It was a tremendous possession there at the end of the game,” he said. “I did not want to give Leaf the ball with any time left.”

Michigan’s first big play of its final possession came on a third-and-11 situation from its own 18-yard line. Quarterback Brian Griese took a direct snap out of a shotgun formation, stepped up to get away from WSU’s pass rush, ducked out of the grasp of Cougars defensive end Dorian Boose and scrambled left.

He dived just beyond the first-down marker and avoided a big hit from WSU cornerback Dee Moronkola, who was closing quickly.

“We wanted to throw the ball down the field to get a first down,” Griese explained. “They did a good job of getting off and covering those guys up. I felt pressure. I broke one tackle and then I just ran for my life.

“I’m not very fast, but I barely got there.”

The Wolverines’ next crucial conversion came three plays later on third-and-7 from the Michigan 32 when Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson turned a seemingly doomed gimmick play into an important 8-yard gain and another first down.

Woodson, making one of his rare appearances on offense, took a lateral from Griese and ran left. He was supposed to fake a sweep and throw deep to tailback Chris Howard, but the Cougars’ secondary failed to bite.

Instead of throwing the ball into double coverage or even throwing it away, Woodson tucked it and ran - just past the first-down marker. WSU cornerback Ray Jackson may have had a chance to come up and make the tackle but hesitated briefly and failed to make the stop.

“Certainly, Woodson had a big play there,” admitted Carr, who said the Cougars were in a defense that he felt was susceptible to his gimmick call. “It was a big play, because it enabled us to possess the ball and use the clock.

“Here’s a guy, he’s only thrown one pass all year long, yet he has the presence not to throw (this one). Instead. he took the ball and made a big, big play. He’s quite a football player.”

WSU coach Mike Price was as impressed as anyone with Michigan’s flawless execution in the final minutes.

“They made the plays they had to make when they had to make them,” he said. “That’s the sign of a champion, and they’re the national champion, no question about it.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 4 Color photos Graphic: Keeping the game’s key drive alive