Orientation Edition 2004 sports.michigandaily.com sports@michigandaily.com SPORTS 22 A rose for 'U' MICHIGAN 35, Ohio State 21 From midseason woe, the Wolverines a-Rose 0 Michigan senior running back Chris Perry, surrounded by media and fans, proudly holds a rose in the air celebrating a Big Ten title. Varsity captures Big Ten, smells roses COURTNEY LEWIS Full Court Press November 24, 2003 When the final seconds of the 2003 regular season expired, John Navarre raised both arms, the right one clutching the ball, the left one clenched into a triumphant fist. And then the place erupted into an exhilarating celebration. I was in the middle of it, swallowed by the joyous crowd and swept to the center of the field. I could barely breathe, although I'm not sure if it was because the crowd was smothering me or just because it was so unforgettable. For the seniors on the team, who felt firsthand in October the threat of their last season slipping away, the feeling must have been even more special. "I can't even describe it right now," fifth-year cornerback John Shaw said. "When you come to Michigan, you just feel like you're going to get (to the Rose Bowl). And I think about the class before us that didn't get a chance to play at the Rose Bowl. Fans and players, in one exuberant mass, celebrated the Wolverines' 35- 21 win over Ohio State, Michigan's sixth straight victory and its biggest in years. The past disappointments and the crushing upsets were washed away by the pure emotion that filled the Big House. "What a great, wonderful time it was during the game," fifth-year tight end Andy Mignery said. "Words can't ---r- hn T+feel riht now -. To he out there in our victory formation, when the last minute was winding down, and to see all the people react. Just the emotion the crowd was giv- ing. It was what Michigan-Ohio State is all about - the greatest rivalry in football." It was a feeling that we almost did- n't even get a chance to have in Ann Arbor. At that midway point, the season looked like it would be forgotten in its mediocrity - or worse, remembered for its demise. The team that had so soundly beaten Notre Dame and announced itself as a real national-title contender had quickly unraveled. Then, something happened. Staring down its knockout punch in the Min- nesota game, Michigan turned it around right there in the Metrodome. Since that 31-point fourth quarter, the Wolverines have been a different team - focused and determined. On Saturday, Michigan was the team we expected this season. The Wolverines won with big plays from their big stars and with contributions from everybody else. They won as a team. When the Buckeyes were threat- ening and Michigan desperately need- ed to answer back, little-known tight end Tyler Ecker came up with a 30- yard catch. During that electric post-game bed- lam, I eventually ended up in the midst of a throng of fans that had surrounded defensive end Larry Stevens, chanting, "Larry! Larry!" Stevens held upa deli- cate rose in his giant hand and said. "This is all that matters. This is all that matters." The missed chances, the losses, the criticism were all forgotten in one sweet moment. I looked down and saw a single red petal lying on the turf, and I picked it un and nti n mncket November 24, 2003 By J. Brady McCollough Daily Sports Editor Sitting in the visiting lockerroom at Kinnick Stadium after their 30-27 loss to Iowa Oct. 4, the Michigan football team's seniors were in the midst of some major soul-searching. The Wolverines were 4-2 and had lost their chance atla national championship. With one more loss in their remaining six games, the seniors would likely leave Michigan without playing in a Rose Bowl. "We never thought we'd be 4-2 at that point in the season," Michigan fifth- year senior captain Carl Diggs recalled. "I never imagined that." Celebrating their 35-21 win over Ohio State Saturday on a rose-covered field with an emotional student body, the Wolverines were a long way from their somber lockerroom in Iowa. With six straight wins, Michigan rewrote the script of its season, clinching its first outright Big Ten title and Rose Bowl berth since 1997. "It's like a storybook (ending)," sen- ior tailback Chris Perry said. "It feels surreal right now, but after I get home and sit down and think about it, it'll feel even better." Perry better have gotten some ice before he sat down. Struggling with pain in his right hamstring throughout the 100th meeting between Michigan and Ohio State, Perry ran for 154 yards and two scores on 31 carries. The Buckeyes, previously leading the country allowing just 50.5 rushing yards per game, gave up 170 to the Wolverines. The Michigan line also gave quarterback John Navarre ample time to throw, holding the Buckeyes without a sack. "It's a great feeling," Michigan offen- sive tackle Tony Pape said. "That was the No. 1 defense in the nation. They're the defending national champions, and they were a great defense." Michigan coach Lloyd Carr had to resort to trickery to get the Wolverines on the board with 39 seconds left in the first quarter. To the delight of the 112,118 strong at the Big House (a new NCAA record), Michigan receiver Steve Breaston lined up behind center, and Navarre spread out wide with the Wolverines facing 3rd-and-goal from the 3-yard line. Breaston sprinted to his right and followed the right side of the line into the endzone, giving Michigan an all-important 7-0 lead. Two minutes after Breaston's score, Navarre hit Edwards on a slant. Edwards shed safeties Will Allen and Nate Salley on his way to a 64-yard touchdown reception. With less than six minutes left in the half, quarterback Craig Krenzel led the Buckeyes on an 81-yard drive to cut Michigan's lead to 21-7 - the first points given up by the Michigan defense at home in the first half all season. Ohio State, showing the will of a defending national champion, fought back with two consecutive scores to come within 28-21. Two drives later, Lydell Ross qui- eted the Big House crowd with a 2- yard touchdown run to bring Ohio State within seven. On the Wolverines' ensuing posses- sion, Navarre underthrew Edwards, and Ohio State cornerback Chris Gamble intercepted the ball at the Ohio State 36. "We love sudden changes," Michigan linebacker Scott McClintock said. "We thrive on it. We like getting on the field with as much on the line as possible." With its season on the line, the Michigan defense held strong, giv- ing the ball back to the Michigan offense atits 12. Eight plays and 88 yards later, Michigan took a 35-21 lead on a Perry 15-yard scamper to the outside with less than eight min- utes left in the game. Barring a collapse from Southern Cal. and Louisiana State, the Wolver- ines (7-1 Big Ten, 10-2 overall) will spend New Year's Day in Pasadena, Calif., playing in the Rose Bowl, affec- tionately referred to as "the Granddad- dy of them all." No matter where the Wolverines spend New Year's, they can look back to Iowa. "I'd be a fool to say it wasn't a turning point," Perry said. "It showed how much heart and pride we had within ourselves." 0 Fans show off "the claw" as they celebrate Michigan's 35-21 victory over Ohio State.