Defense Rises To Occasion Michigan Stops WSU Run, Praises ‘Amazing’ Leaf
Michigan locker room
Coming into the Rose Bowl game Thursday, Michigan defensive players were concerned with containing the Washington State running attack so they could focus on quarterback Ryan Leaf.
The Wolverines held the Cougars, who played the second half without injured Michael Black, to 67 yards rushing in a 21-16 victory.
But they couldn’t quite keep Leaf in check, gaining even more respect for the WSU junior, who passed for 331 yards and one touchdown.
The yardage was the fifth-best Rose Bowl game performance ever.
“He’s got an incredible arm,” nose tackle Rob Renes said of Leaf. “He’s an incredible athlete. He’s amazing.”
Changing momentum
Michigan linebacker James Hall’s block of Rian Lindell’s extra-point attempt after the Cougars moved ahead, 13-7, with 8 minutes, 33 seconds to play in the third quarter became more significant as the game progressed.
“Everything that happens on special teams might come back to haunt you,” Hall said.
Hall, a 6-foot-3, 251-pound sophomore, busted untouched through the Cougars offensive line.
“I slipped through a crease,” he said. “It shifted the momentum.”
Leaf on the run
The Wolverines harassed Leaf repeatedly, sacking him four times and putting considerable pressure on the Cougars quarterback even when he was able to get off his throws.
Hall had one of the four sacks and sophomore linebacker Dhani Jones had two.
“You have to attack the main artery, just like Washington State wanted to attack (quarterback) Brian Griese” said Jones. “The ability of Michigan’s defense is to hold its head high and carry the goal through the end.”
Jones, who had a game-high 10 tackles, provided a glimpse of the Wolverines locker room after the game.
“A whole lot of crying, a whole lot of holding hands, a whole lot of hugging,” he said.
Woodson’s numbers
Michigan’s Charles Woodson was the seventh Heisman Trophy winner to play in the Rose Bowl game in the season in which he won the award. Woodson had one reception for 7 yards, carried twice for 6 yards and returned three punts for 18 yards. He made only one tackle, broke up four passes and had one interception.
We’re No. 1
As you might expect, every Michigan player and coach felt their team proved it was worthy of the national title.
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr broke a season-long silence on his vote in the coach’s poll by saying that he would vote for Michigan this week.
“I have no doubt we should be the national champs,” said quarterback Brian Griese. “We played the toughest schedule in the country by far and we played a great Washington State team in the Rose Bowl and won. I ask you, is there anything else you want us to do?”
Michigan players didn’t seem to think so, as most wore national title hats or T-shirts afterward.
Carr ends bowl slump
The win was the first bowl victory for Michigan’s Carr as a head coach. The Wolverines lost 22-20 to Texas A&M in the 1995 Alamo Bowl, his first season, then fell 17-14 to Alabama in the Outback Bowl last January.
Michigan perfect against WSU
Michigan has won all four games it has played against Washington State. Each of the other three games was in Michigan Stadium.
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