Quoted:
The Cougers got ripped off in that game to, they still had time on the clock. Stupid refs were in on it I swear.
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trying to claim phantom touchdown circumstances? UofM got screwed in 1979! On second down at the Michigan three-yard line, Trojan tailback Charles White dove through the heart of the offensive line in an attempt to score. During the ensuing contact, White lost the ball and Wolverine linebacker Jerry Meter came up with an apparent fumble recovery on the one-yard line. However, the line judge determined that White had crossed the goal line before losing control of the ball and signaled for the touchdown. It ranks as one of top 10 worst calls in sports history (it's number 10) by ESPN.comNaw, they Coug'd it!
No. 1 ranked Wolverines laid claim to the national title, winning the Rose Bowl, 21-16, over No. 7/8 Washington State. The Wolverines finished the season 12-0 and undefeated and untied for the first time since the 1948 national title.
WSU won the toss and took an earl 7-0 lead. The Cougars gained the lead as quarterback Ryan Leaf hit receiver Kevin McKenzie on a 15-yard TD pass. The first quarter scoring drive that covered 47 yards in six plays (3:09), was only the third touchdown scored on 'M' during the opening quarter all year.
Michigan rallied as quarterback Brian Griese and receiver Tai Streets connected on a 53-yard TD. The three-play, 66-yard drive took 56 seconds and knotted the score at seven, the halftime score.
The Wolverines took the second half kickoff and marched to the Cougars' 37-yard line before the drive was halted. Leaf led WSU on a 99-yard scoring drive. The Cougars scored on a 14-yard reverse by wide receiver Michael Tinis as the Cougars drive took 3:45. Michigan's James Hall kept the deficit at 13-7 when he blocked the extra point attempt.
Michigan responded immediately as Griese and Streets connected on a 58-yard pass play, the longest score of the season, giving the Wolverines' a 14-13 edge (with placekicker Kraig Baker's extra point conversion). The seven-play, 80-yard scoring drive took 3:26.
The Wolverine defense held the Cougars. Michigan used one of its patented time-consuming drives to take a 21-13 lead. Griese rolled right and hit tight end Jerame Tuman on 23 yard Td reception. The 14-play drive took 5:25. Michigan managed four first downs and converted twice on third down.
On its next possession, Washington State managed a 48yard field goal by Rian Lindell. The scoring drive carried 49 yards (eight plays and 3:56).
The Wolverines iced the contest as they chewed up all but the final 29 seconds. Michigan ran 16 plays which used 6:56. After lining up for a potential 47-yard field go Jay Feely received the direct snap Proceeded to pooch punt.
WSU took over on its seven-yard line. After two incomplete passes and a delay of game penalty, Leaf connected with Rian Taylor on a 46-yard reception. Leaf hit Love Jefferson who lateralled the ball to Jason Clayton for a 36-yard gain. With the ball on the 'M" 16-yard line, Leaf's attempt to stop the clock was thwarted as time ran out.
Griese was named the Rose Bowl MVP after throwing a Michigan Rose Bowl record three touchdowns. He completed 18 of 30 passes for 251 yards. His 18 completions were the most by an 'M' quarterback in a Rose Bowl.
Tai Streets caught four passes for 127 yards, including a career-best two touchdowns. His TD's of 53 and 58 yards were the two longest by a Wolverine all season.
Dhani Jones sacked Leaf twice and led the team with 10 tackles. Tommy Hendricks totaled seven tackles. Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson had the lone interception and tied for second all-time in Michigan's single-game record book with PBUs.
SCORING
First Quarter
WSU McKenzie 15-yard pass from Leaf (Lindell kick)
Second Quarter
M Streets, 53-yard Pass form Griese (Baker kick)
Third Quarter
WSU Tims 14-yard reverse(Lindell kick blocked)
M Streets, 58-yard pass from Griese (Baker kick)
Fourth Quarter
M Tuman, 23-yard pass from Griese (Baker kick)
WSU Lindell field goal, 48-yards
STATISTICS
Wolverines Cougars
22 First Downs 19
41-128 Net Yards Rushing 28-67
251 Net Yards Passing 331
63 Total Plays 71
379 Total Yards 398
30/18/1 PA/PC/Int 35/17/1
6/30.5 Punts/Avg 6/40.5
1/228 Return Yards 5/56
0/0 Fumbles/Lost 0/0
4/40 Penalties/Yards 4/43
32:14 Time of Possession 27:468
Rushing-- (M): Howard 19-70, Thomas 7-13, C. Williams 2-12, Floyd 4-7, Woodson 2-6, (WSU) Black 7-24, Gilmore 8-20, Tims 1-4, Leaf 10-6, Clayton 2-3
Passing-- (M): Griese 18-30-1-251 (WA): Leaf 17-35-1-331
Receiving-- (M): Shaw 6-49, Streets 4-127, tuman 2-33, Howard 2-13, Thomas 1-14, woodson 1-7, campbell 1-7, Williams 1-1 (WSU): Jackson 9-89, McKenzie 5-78, McWashington 2-41, Tims 2-9, Taylor 1-46, Gilmore 1-42, Jefferson 1-8, 1-8