Wolverines-Buckeyes circa 1997

When the Wolverines ran the table and won the National Title in 1997, they played some nail bitters throughout the season, including close home wins against Notre Dame and Iowa along with a tough road win at Wisconsin. But none of these games would be more emotional or more personal then playing their arch rival Ohio State. So, we take a trip down memory lane and revisit November 22, 1997 when the Wolverines hosted the Buckeyes with a trip to Pasadena on the line.

           

The defenses dominated most of the first half as neither team could get on the board in the 1st quarter. With less than two minutes remaining in the 1st quarter, Wolverines defensive lineman Eric Wilson drilled Buckeyes quarterback Stanley Wilson, causing a fumble that fellow Wolverine lineman Glen Steele would recover. Although the momentum was with the Wolverines, they failed to convert on the following possession

           

The first points of the game wouldn’t come until nine minutes into the 2nd quarter when Wolverines running back Anthony Thomas scored on a one yard run, capping off 62 yard drive. Wolverines kicker Kraig Baker added the PAT and the Wolverines took a 7-0 lead.

           

After a three and out by the Buckeyes, Wolverines cornerback Charles Woodson returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown. Baker’s PAT attempt was blocked but the Wolverines still took a 13-0 lead into halftime.

           

The score would remain that way until midway through the 3rd quarter. That’s when Wolverines cornerback Andre Weathers intercepted a pass from Wilson and took it 43 yards for a touchdown. Wolverines kicker Jay Feely adds the extra point to give the Wolverines a 20-0 lead.

           

The Buckeyes would get on the board a few drives later when Buckeyes quarterback Joe Germaine (who replaced Wilson) hit  wide receiver Davis Boston on a 56 yard pass, capping off a 72 yard drive. Buckeyes kicker Dan Stultz added the PAT to bring the score to 20-7.

           

Business really picked up when Buckeyes defensive end Clinton Wayne forced Thomas to fumble and the Buckeye’s Rodney Bailey recovered, giving the Buckeyes new life.

           

Although the Buckeyes couldn’t score on the ensuing drive, they got the ball back very quickly when Buckeyes safety Gary Barry forced Wolverines quarterback Brain Griese to fumble, which was recovered by Buckeyes linebacker Jerry Rudzinski on Michigan’s two yard line.

           

Buckeyes running back Pepe Pearson ran in it for a two yard touchdown and a Dan Stuitz PAT made it a one score deficit, 20-14 to end the 3rd quarter.

           

The 4th quarter saw both the Wolverines and Buckeyes defenses stand on their heads. The Wolverines defense only gave up 10 yards in the 4th quarter while the Buckeyes only gave up a mind boggling 5 yards.

           

The end truly came on the Buckeyes last drive with a minute and half left in regulation. The Wolverines stuffed the Buckeyes, only giving up a seven yard pass in four plays to get the ball the back with 42 seconds left to seal the deal on a perfect regular season. Just one of the exciting games in this storied rivalry. Let’s hope we have the same kind of competitive game in Ann Arbor in November 2009.