Michigan's Bowl Game History
1998 Rose Bowl
Michigan vs Washington State
Pasadena, California
Jan. 1, 1998
Attendance: 101,219
| Scoring by Quarter | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| Washington State | 7 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 16 |
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 Nian 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.
| 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 |
| 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 | 6/40.3 |
| 1/2 | Return Yards | 5/56 |
| 0/0 | Fumbles/Lost | 0/0 |
| 4/40 | Penalties/Yards | 4/43 |
| 32:14 | Time of Possession | 27:46 |
| 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 | ||