Michigan's Bowl Game History
2007 Rose Bowl

The third-ranked University of Michigan football team was unable to overcome a pair of turnovers and 16 unanswered points in the third quarter to No. 8 Southern California on New Year's Day, losing 32-18 in the 93rd Rose Bowl Game played at the Rose Bowl. The Trojans (11-2) snapped a 3-3 halftime tie and scored 16 unanswered points in the third quarter following a pair of turnovers by the Wolverines (11-2).

USC's defense limited the Wolverines to a season-low 12 yards rushing on 27 carries, as junior tailback Mike Hart had a season low 47 yards on 17 carries. Junior quarterback Chad Henne led the offense for the Wolverines completing 26 of 41 passing attempts for a season-best 309 yards and two touchdowns. However, Henne was sacked a season-high six times by the Trojans.

Senior wide receiver Steve Breaston tied his career best with seven receptions for a career-high 115 yards, and he scored on a 41-yard touchdown pass from Henne. Fifth-year senior tight Tyler Ecker had a career-best 78 receiving yards as he matched his season total with six receptions against the Trojans.

Fifth-year senior linebacker David Harris and junior cornerback Morgan Trent led the defensive effort with eight tackles each. Senior defensive end LaMarr Woodley collected his team-leading 12th quarterback sack in the second half, matching the U-M season record of 12.

Each team gained a first down on its opening possessions of the game but the drives stalled on the second set of downs when the defenses forced punts. U-M took the opening kickoff of its 20th Rose Bowl appearance after USC won the toss and deferred until the second half.

The Trojans used the field position game to its advantage and grabbed a 3-0 lead on a 26-yard field goal by Mario Danelo at 4:02 of the first quarter. USC's second possession began at its 42-yard line, and the Trojans proceeded to gain three first downs before the drive stalled at U-M's nine-yard line. Quarterback John David Booty completed four of six passes for 43 yards, including an 18-yard pass to wideout Dwayne Jarrett that converted a third-and-12 in Wolverine territory. Tailback C.J. Gable added three carries for six yards on the 10-play, 49-yard scoring drive.

Michigan answered the USC field goal with one of its own, a 43-yard kick by senior kicker Garrett Rivas at 13:35 of the second quarter. The Wolverines took the ensuing kickoff and marched 54 yards in 13 plays before the drive stalled at the Trojans' 26-yard line. Henne completed his first five passes of the drive for 50 yards before a pair of incomplete passes ended the series. Hart added three carries for 11 yards.

The Trojans threatened on the following drive, but senior linebacker Shawn Crable stripped the ball from Booty and junior defensive tackle Alan Branch recovered at the U-M 21-yard line. USC moved from its 32-yard line to U-M's 21 prior to the turnover, with Booty completing three of four passes for 41 yards.

Both teams were held scoreless for the remaining 9:24 of the second quarter. The 3-3 halftime tie was the lowest scoring half of the season for the Wolverines and their opponents.

Michigan's first possession of the third quarter ended on an interception by defensive end Lawrence Jackson. Henne attempted to throw a middle screen to Hart but was short on the throw and Jackson intercepted the pass and returned it three yards to U-M's 38-yard line.

The Trojans took advantage of the Wolverines' miscue and regained the lead, 10-3, on a two-yard touchdown pass from Booty to wide receiver Chris McFoy. Booty faked the handoff and rolled right to find a wide-open McFoy for the game's first touchdown. Booty completed all four passes for 38 yards on the drive, including a 25-yard pass play to Jarrett on the skinny post to U-M's two-yard line.

Southern California scored a touchdown for the second straight possession as Booty tossed a quick slant to Jarrett, who broke a tackle and took the ball into the end zone for a 22-yard score. The five-play, 70-yard scoring drive took 1:09, with Booty completing three of five passes for 65 yards. The Trojans' key play came on a quick slant to wide receiver Steve Smith that covered 35 yards to the U-M 22-yard line. Danelo missed the point-after attempt to keep the score 16-3.

USC was provided with excellent field position at Michigan's 32-yard following a turnover by the Wolverines. Defensive end Brian Cushing sacked and stripped Henne and Jackson fell on the ball to gain his second turnover of the contest. The Trojans converted fourth-and-two and a third-and-10 chances to provide a first-and-goal opportunity. The Wolverine defense held the Trojans out of the end zone and Danelo converted the 26-yard field goal attempt to increase the lead to 19-3.

Michigan found the end zone at 13:25 of the fourth quarter as Henne completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Adrian Arrington. The scoring drive covered 80 yards in eight plays, with Henne completing all six passes for 62 yards and picking up four yards on a run. Hart rambled into the end zone on the two-point conversion to trim the deficit to 19-11.

The Trojans answered with a long 62-yard touchdown pass on a fly pattern from Booty to Jarrett at 11:18. The six-play, 73-yard scoring drive consumed 2:07. Booty tossed a nine-yard pass to Jarrett to open the drive and rushed for two yards on a third-and-one play. Danelo missed his second straight PAT to keep the score 25-11.

Michigan moved the ball inside the USC 20-yard line but was unable to convert on a fourth-and-12 opportunity, relinquishing possession at the 15-yard line.

USC moved down the field quickly on four successful pass plays, capped by a seven-yard touchdown pass from Booty to Smith. Booty began the drive with a 26-yard pass to Smith, then Booty completed a 29-yard jump ball to Jarrett, and tight end Fred Davis hauled in a 23-yard, one-handed reception to set up the first-and-goal at the seven-yard line. USC converted the PAT to increase the advantage to 32-11.

The Wolverines closed out the scoring with a six-play, 70-yard drive in 71 seconds with Breaston scoring on a 41-yard pass from Henne. Breaston (13 yards) and Arrington (16 yards on third-and-10) had the other receptions on the drive.

USC recovered the onside kick attempt by Rivas and ran out the final 1:09.