Hail To The Victors: MICHIGAN FOOTBALL '99
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WOLVERINES SURVIVE IN INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (Oct. 30) - Hayden Epstein kicked a 20-yard field goal with 18 seconds to play as No. 15 Michigan withstood the upset bid of Indiana 34-31 Saturday. Michigan (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) had to bat down a ``Hail Mary'' pass in the end zone on the game's final play to avoid losing a third consecutive regular-season game for the first time since 1967. Indiana (4-5, 3-3) battled back from a 17-0 second quarter deficit to lead 24-17 on a 9-yard pass from Antwaan Randle El to Jerry Dorsey with 12:06 to play.
The Wolverines responded quickly, moving 65 yards in four plays to tie the score again on Tom Brady's 7-yard pass to Bennie Joppru. Brady set up the score with a 46-yard completion to David Terrell. Michigan then moved 66 yards in eight plays to regain the lead on a 4-yard run by Anthony Thomas, who had career highs of 42 carries and 197 yards. Thomas had five carries for 42 yards and two receptions for eight yards on the drive. Randle El, who threw for four touchdowns to claim the school record for a season with 16, kept the upset bid alive by hooking up with Dorsey for a 70-yard TD pass as he sprinted to his left, pump faked and uncorked the ball to his open receiver with 4:59 to play. Michigan took over on its 25 and moved downfield with the help of Brady completions of 13 yards to Terrell, 14 to Marcus Knight and 23 to Thomas. A 15-yard face mask penalty on an incomplete pass by Brady and a holding penalty by O.J. Spencer against Terrell also helped set up the winning score. Randle El wasn't finished. He gained 14 on a pass to Versie Gaddis, rushed for 12 and then threw the final pass to Dorsey, which was broken up by DeWayne Patmon and James Whitley.
Thomas, who moved from 18th to 14th on Michigan's all-time career rushing list, ran for three TDs while going over the century mark for the 10th time. His previous single-game high was 183 yards at Hawaii in 1998 as a sophomore. He now has 2,289 career yards. Sticking mainly to the ground, Michigan moved 77 yards in 11 plays following the opening kickoff to score on a 1-yard run by Thomas. The drive's big play was a 36-yard completion from Brady to Knight on a third-and-12 near midfield. The Wolverines got the ball back when Craig Osika fumbled on Indiana's second play from scrimmage and the Wolverines recovered at Indiana's 35. A 7-yard run by Thomas gave Michigan a first-and-goal at the 4, but the Wolverines settled for a 22-yard field goal by Epstein. Limited to 34 yards in the first quarter, Indiana had Michigan's Cato June block Drew Hagan's punt and the Wolverines took over on the Hoosiers' 15. Thomas, who had 113 yards rushing in the first half, made it 17-0 with a 15-yard run on Michigan's next play.
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My Game Notes
Well. Where do I start? Just when I thought Tom Brady was the man, I watched him throw a ball away on 3rd and 30 against Illinois along with 2 picks late in the game. I still thought he was the definate QB and should play every game in full. However, against Indiana Brady was running a stalled offense, that was lazy and extremelly conservative. Thank God A-Train finally showed up in the conservative game for 197 yards or else the game would have been lost. Now that Carr has chosen Brady as his full-time quarterback, I, the biggest Brady supporter, have my doubts. Over the last 2 weeks Brady has been nothing special. Henson could have made all of Brady's throws and could have escaped numerous sacks. I agree with starting Brady, as I have said all along, but I think Henson needs to act as a decoy, and an alternate with his totally different game.
Let me talk a little about this "seive". Oh yea that's the defense........They were racking up compliments early, and comparisons were made to the '97 team. Would the 97 team give up 35 points to the Illini, or 31 to IU? Would they let up big play after big play with no end? "People were comparing us to the 1997 team after five games," coach Lloyd Carr said. "That was ludicrous." The pass rush that was so prominent against Purdue and Cuse has vanished. Kittner faced no presssure on the 23rd, and Randle-El ate up the pressure and flat out beat it.
Thank God For DT; Dave Terell. He and Knight have saved the offense. DT's 45 yard catch to set up the late score involved running, catching, and field positioning. I really do not understand why Walker is not used often. When he plays, he dazzles and makes clutch catches.(OCT 23). Well, here is a positive: Hayden Epstein. I agree with Carr here. #1 rated kicker out of HS. Del-Verne did his job, but now we have to see what Epstein can do. 4 more points vs. the Illini would have won the game. And a few good punts would have been helpful. Epsten is a kicking stud, and will perform well. He was BIG TEN special teams player of the week.CLICK HERE FOR THE STORY
I hope Carr does not stay conservative after A-Trains 197 yard game. I hope he opens up the passing game and lets Terrell and Knight win the game. (i.e. Rice, Notre dame, wisconsin, purdue). The defense must suck it up. Granted that the offense only plays well in urgency, the defense must protect huge leads. When a lead grows Henson should be brought in the game with BJ Askew. |
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Indiana began its comeback by driving 80 yards in eight plays, scoring on Randle El's 7-yard pass to Kris Dielman in the end zone.
The Hoosiers trailed 17-10 when Andy Payne kicked a 23-yard field goal at the end of the first half and neither team scored again until Randle El hit fullback Jeremi Johnson on fourth down play from the 1 with 13:20 to play. Thomas fumbled the following kickoff and the Hoosiers moved ahead for its only lead of the game after taking over on the Michigan nine.
Randle El was 18 of 34 for 290 yards. Dorsey had five catches for 154 yards. Brady, who played the entire game for the first time this season, was 17 of 29 for 226 yards. Terrell had 100 yards on six receptions for the Wolverines.
-Associated Press
