Michigan - Texas
With the 2008 NCAA Bowl season just around the corner and the Michigan Wolverines not participating in a bowl game for first time in 34 years, I thought it would be as good of a time as any to relive one of Michigan’s most exciting bowl games.
The 2005 Rose Bowl (held for the 2004 season) pitted the No. 4 Texas Longhorns against the No. 12 Michigan Wolverines. This game was the coming out party for Texas QB Vince Young and propelled them to beat South California the following year in the Rose Bowl to win the National Championship. Michigan on the other hand was propelled, to well, the Alamo Bowl the following season where they lost to Nebraska.
The game remained scoreless until late in the 1st quarter when Young scored on a 20 yard run, capping off a four minute drive. After the PAT, Texas goes up 7-0. Michigan would answer early in the 2nd quarter with a 39 yard hook up between Chad Henne and Braylon Edwards. After the PAT, it’s all tied up at 7.
On their next possession, Texas marched down the field for over seven minute drive and scored on an 11 yard pass from Young to Dave Thomas. PAT is good and Texas takes a 14-7 lead. After a forced fumble by Michigan’s Anton Campbell, Michigan would score on another Henne to Edwards touchdown pass, this time for eight yards. PAT is good and we’re all knotted up at 14.
Texas opened up the second half with a drive ending with a 60 yard touchdown run by Young, followed by a Pat to put Texas up 21-14. Michigan then answered with a 50 yard pass from Henne to Steve Breaston, and with the PAT, we’re tied up at 21. Michigan would then take its first lead of the day on their next possession, when Henne and Edwards hooked up for a third time, on a nine yard touchdown pass. PAT is good and Michigan goes up 28-21. Late in the 3rd quarter, Garrett Rivas kicked a 45 yard field goal to extend Michigan’s lead to 31-21.
Less than four minutes into the 4th quarter, Young struck yet again with a 10 yard run touchdown run and along with the PAT, to pull Texas with in three points, 31-28. Michigan took advantage of a 14 yard penalty against the Texas defense and scored on a 32 yard field goal by Rivas to put Michigan ahead, 34-28. Texas wasted no time in answering when Young scored his third rushing touchdown of the day, this one on a 23 yard run. After the PAT, Texas had erased a 10 point deficit to take a 35-34 lead.
The drama was far from over when Michigan scored on their next possession on a Rivas 42 yard field goal with under three minutes left in the game to reclaim the lead for Michigan, 37-35. Texas started the final drive from their own 35 yard line and drove down to the Michigan 19 yard line where Dusty Mangum kicked a 37 yard field goal with: 02 left in regulation to give Texas a 38-37 win.
In the end, this game was what college football is all about. Two of the most storied programs in the country trading score for score on the grandest stage of them all.
