football team michigan football team represented university_of_michigan ncaa division football season year head coach michigan compiled perfect record won big conference championship defeated rose bowl declared national champion associated_press numerous polls went undefeated beat tennessee captured spot final coaches poll michigan defense led intercepted passes scored touchdowns pass runs punt return primarily defensive player win defensive end team selections college football america team defense included quarterback sacks tackles tackles sacks defense allowed fourth quarter points second half touchdowns games season unit performance games total defense yards game scoring defense points game lowest marks big conference football team season offense michigan team yard yard receiver leading receiver receiving yards led team rushing rushing yards set michigan single season records pass pass attempts tight end player offensive unit selected team american totaled receiving yards touchdowns members team honored big conference selections running named thirty members football team went play nfl prior compiled consecutive loss seasons won national championship michigan team schedule pre season pre season ranking going season ranked pre season coaches poll experienced consecutive loss seasons time michigan football teams michigan won national championship nearly years played rose bowl game season michigan team team rose bowl veterans early september wrote michigan noting longtime beast big lost predicting michigan schedule doesn create feeling swing quarterback competition months season opener featured uncertainty quarterback position started games team fifth year senior relieved ohio state game injured helped team recover deficit faced competition sophomore future super bowl mvp shortly season opener head coach announced selection starting quarterback receiving corps despite uncertainty quarterback michigan entered season solid group receivers including returning big tight end analysts believed solid season michigan lead productive season passing game anticipated regarded versatile athletes college football play offense offensive line offensive line uncertainty team team selected nfl draft center 3rd round overall offensive guard 4th round overall defensive tackle 7th round overall result michigan began season offensive offensive tackle started game junior consecutive starts entering season offensive line weakened left tackle suffered appendix spring practice offensive line coach plea help staff meeting searching talent fill line fill holes offensive line defensive moved offensive line strength schedule adding challenges facing team michigan entered season toughest schedule schools based records previous year days season opener compared schedule expedition noted little akin climbing climbed great preparation determination great attitude think players assure looking forward season summary week colorado michigan opened season home game colorado years earlier colorado defeated michigan game nicknamed miracle michigan yard pass time ran michigan won game margin eliminated possibility minute miracle completed forward pass attempts yards touchdowns tight end yards defensively michigan intercepted passes thrown colorado holding yards passing game michigan relied man man defense pressure man defensive line colorado threw times passes intercepted michigan yard line connected yards play plays later executed yard dive points day late second quarter completed yard pass kicked field goal final play half michigan lead halftime michigan opened second half yard play drive included yard pass followed penalty drive ended yard touchdown pass quarter michigan scored points span minute seconds second touchdown followed interception returned yard line touchdown scored yard pass baker closed scoring yard field goal fourth quarter loss colorado worst defeat head coach lowest point total games fewest yards total offense years michigan fifth consecutive season opening win fifth straight win team associated_press poll week second week season michigan defeated michigan stadium scored running michigan yard line bears touchdown called offensive holding penalty kicked yard field goal michigan took lead remaining quarter yard wide receiver screen play added touchdowns second quarter michigan lead halftime howard second touchdown capped play yard drive consumed half minutes true freshman scored yard run quarter complete michigan second yard drive day fourth quarter yard touchdown catch called false start penalty kicked yard field goal scored michigan final touchdown yard run remaining game michigan total offense totaled rushing yards including yards howard yards thomas added yards total offense including yards rushing completed passes yards yards defense held yards second half allowing plays possessions second half allowed catches tackles loss played downs defense special teams offense win improved michigan big conference september week notre dame game season michigan faced notre dame 27th match college football programs michigan won game crowd sixth largest history michigan stadium time year coach notre dame lost consecutive games entered michigan stadium time creation poll notre dame ended day game losing streak years quarter notre dame scored yard touchdown pass culminating play yard drive second quarter tied game yard touchdown run complete play yard drive notre dame regained lead late second quarter yard drive ending yard run seconds left half seconds second half streets connected passes yards tie game michigan scored minutes later yard run floyd michigan defense overcame fourth quarter held notre dame scoreless second half preserve lead lost michigan yard line diving interception end zone remaining game notre dame recovered loose ball minutes later yard line michigan defense forced punt suffered turnover late fourth quarter notre dame recovered michigan yard line notre dame drove yard line key stop fourth howard helped michigan run final runs seven yards notre dame michigan total offense margin yards yards notre dame offensive passing yards receiving yards notre dame times yards including holding pass interference penalty michigan offensive stars game passing yards howard rushing yards rushing carries streets yards week indiana fourth game season michigan defeated michigan posted second quarter touchdowns indiana got close michigan end zone quarter win eighth consecutive 23rd michigan indiana michigan shutout november game pitted michigan michigan assistant coach year head coach passed yards touchdown giving way series quarter baker kicked field goals extra points howard led michigan receivers yards catches led yards carries yard reception michigan defense held indiana negative return yards rushing yards carries quarter baker yard field goal scoring seconds second quarter howard yard run gave michigan lead later quarter michigan scored touchdowns span connected streets yards thomas added yard yard scoring runs michigan lead remaining half baker added yard yard field goals quarter complete scoring week northwestern michigan defeated northwestern fifth game season entered game record northwestern won previous meetings northwestern kicked career best yard field goal northwestern ahead quarter michigan took lead points second quarter starting yard yard field goals baker left half threw yard touchdown pass kicked second field goal early quarter missed end quarter early fourth quarter michigan sustained yard scoring drive consumed half minutes game clock drive completed passes yards including yard pass streets yard pass williams yard touchdown pass northwestern got ball intercepted pass returned yards northwestern michigan added yard field goal baker remaining complete scoring michigan leaders offense passing yards touchdowns howard rushing yards carries yards touchdowns baker field goals defense held opponent touchdown fourth time games field goals provided northwestern points defense remained perfect fourth quarter giving fourth quarter points games michigan yard advantage defense interception recovery loss fourth row northwestern week iowa michigan closest contest year week iowa scored points second quarter halftime lead responded second half win game final score iowa running opened scoring seconds second quarter yard touchdown run michigan responded tying game yard touchdown pass streets remaining half michigan drive iowa intercepted returned ball yards michigan yard line iowa ahead touchdown run remaining final play half iowa american tim white lightning dwight returned punt yards touchdown giving iowa point lead halftime michigan scored touchdowns quarter tying score remaining quarter quarterback sneak 4th goal yard line iowa retook lead field goal yard return dwight late fourth quarter iowa continued hold lead connected yard touchdown pass remaining game iowa responded driving michigan yard line intercepted seconds left secure victory iowa scoring fueled plays resulting gains yards banks rushed yards carries michigan offense fueled passing yards rushing thomas yards carries howard yards half carries defense michigan maintained season long fourth quarter shutout allowed points field goals quarter games defenses came big plays including total week michigan state meeting rival schools fought paul trophy annually start best team strength zero fourth quarter points second half points michigan entered game tied nationally average points allowed second yards total offense allowed defensive pass efficiency entered game points game average schools best team michigan held series edge home team won meetings won consecutive home games sophomore linebacker led michigan tackles previous games second defense tackles season team tied school record brought career total second school history baker field goals time weeks michigan shut opponent second half holding yards final drive garbage time field game second time surrendered team score michigan defense able produce touchdown fake field goal special teams sophomore produced yards half rushing receiving held yards carries yards second half scored yard pass field goal formation important play early game yard run seconds remaining half cap play yard drive lead drive started illegal block punt return michigan deep field howard yard run followed yard run large total yards remaining quarter michigan holding lead handed interception left foot landing inside second interception possession led touchdown established michigan firm control game thrown time opener colorado despite second half remained points start fourth quarter week minnesota week michigan faced minnesota annual battle michigan won straight minnesota previously ruined perfect season michigan team michigan entered game ranked nationally scoring defense points game pass efficiency defense rating minnesota drove yards possession scored game points yard field goal led quarter opening drive michigan defense shut golden allowing yards total offense remainder game minnesota held yards total offense entire second half michigan extended fourth quarter shutout games michigan held opponent touchdown fifth time games shut minnesota effectively michigan started drives minnesota territory half played offensive plays gave michigan lead seconds second quarter yard touchdown run reverse play michigan scored second touchdown drive starting minnesota yard line following short punt connected thomas yards yard touchdown michigan halftime lead quarter michigan mounted yard drive ended yard touchdown run thomas baker added field goal final quarter michigan offensive leader game howard totaled rushing yards carries receiving yards game high catches added receiving yards catches minnesota totaled yards total offense responsible carries yards michigan overcame inside minnesota yard line missed field goal win michigan prevailed games minnesota week week michigan defeated record crowd beaver stadium entered game longest active winning streak major colleges games ranked poll coaches poll michigan ranked polls game matched michigan defense ranked scoring defense points game yards game pass efficiency rating offense ranked eighth total offense yards game ninth rushing offense yards game opening drive michigan drove yards took lead yard field goal play field goal sacked quarterback yard loss sacked seven yard loss forced punt losing yards drive punt michigan drove yards plays ending yard touchdown run second quarter michigan extended lead gained yards broken play completed yard touchdown pass michigan defense held yard possession offense drove yards plays scoring yard touchdown pass michigan led half largest halftime deficit joe era quarter ran yards touchdown baker added yard field goal end quarter michigan led scored points yard touchdown point conversion left game defeat worst home loss era began michigan defense held yards total offense passing yards rushing yards lowest total defense held single conversion attempts totaled tackles loss including quarterback sacks inside michigan yard line minutes game helped contain leading receiver receiving yards accounted majority offense rushing yards carries fifth consecutive yard game games michigan defense allowed average yards game lowest major college teams national champion alabama team gave yards game scored fourth quarter points second half touchdown michigan surrendered season michigan offense totaled yards led howard howard rushed yards carries pass yards completed passes yards added rushing yards michigan conversions overall edge half michigan yards total offense advantage downs edge benefit week wisconsin following convincing victory michigan traveled wisconsin ranked poll coaches poll nebraska remained unbeaten game drew largest crowd camp stadium michigan took opening drive yards plays ending yard touchdown run howard fourth drive michigan showed double pass play throwing field throwing ran ball yards yard line set score second quarter connected streets yard touchdown gave michigan lead baker missed extra point wisconsin responded yard play drive ended yard field goal remaining half final possession half michigan drove wisconsin yard line time fourth opted yard field goal lead halftime took baker rest game missed extra point wisconsin yard play drive samuel yard line added yard field goal fourth quarter howard added yard touchdown run remaining wisconsin posted yard touchdown pass left missed point conversion leaving points final margin despite fact wisconsin ankle michigan performance compared undefeated peers won wide margins defeated nebraska defeated iowa state week opponent ohio_state defeated illinois win gave record setting 11th straight win season game marked time attempts michigan won football game ranked number poll michigan rushing yards passing yards wisconsin totaled yards touchdown yards passing howard yards carries including touchdowns floyd added yards carries picked nation leading sixth interception yards yard pass completion new_york_times described double pass usa_today described pass streets yards yards carries place wisconsin quarterback picked yards carries according totaled yards according week ohio_state michigan concluded regular season win annual rivalry game ohio_state securing perfect regular season game drew record crowd michigan stadium began strong showing defensive units possessions ended ohio_state quarterback michigan took lead second quarter minute yard touchdown drive key plays drive yard pass yard run taking ball yard line slipped past middle linebacker touchdown michigan defense held ohio_state plays following drive returned ohio_state punt yards left michigan second touchdown remaining half blocked extra point attempt ran ball michigan yard line michigan led halftime ohio_state drives quarter ended ohio_state drove michigan seven yard line intercepted pass interception seventh season jackson ohio_state possession jackson passed ball grasp michigan intercepted pass returned yards touchdown giving michigan lead later quarter ohio_state scored yard touchdown pass ohio_state added final touchdown fourth quarter forced sack recovered ball michigan seven yard line returned yard line yards carries ran yards score play michigan held lead defensive end twice sacked final possession tackle loss fourth pass ohio state yard line seconds left game michigan offense forced punt times compiled yards total offense passing yards rushing yards held yards entire second half michigan touchdowns came defense interception return special teams punt return carried field teammates conclusion game michigan offensive leader completing passes yards thomas posted rushing yards carries michigan leading receiver catches yards played key role yard punt return quarter interception yard pass reception michigan ranked poll coaches poll game ohio_state ranked polls ranked lost florida leaving michigan nebraska major college teams remained unbeaten win ohio_state loss michigan received place votes poll rose bowl set consensus participant rose bowl award season award season honored players michigan history selected michigan valuable player team big player team american december received college football player year december won award defensive player defensive margin votes votes cast beaten award award season culminated invited announcement fellow finalists manning won manning margin points place votes defensive player receive award michigan players recognized award season included team americans members team honored big conference selections running named head coach won paul bear award rose bowl big champion michigan faced champion rose bowl game matched nation best defense number offense michigan defense allowed average yards game regular season averaged points yards game featured quarterback offense established passing records yards touchdowns game marked michigan rose bowl going game michigan held place vote lead fellow unbeaten nebraska respectively national television broadcast game featured father michigan quarterback alumnus radio television announcer quarter downed punt michigan yard line forced punt regaining possession michigan yard line leaf threw yard touchdown pass lead remaining quarter possession intercepted leaf end zone later found yard touchdown pass tie game left half leaf opened second half yard drive ahead touchdown lead extra point blocked ensuing possession threw yard touchdown pass streets play action pass lead left quarter punt led play yard drive ended yard play action touchdown pass giving michigan lead remaining fourth quarter fourth quarter leaf converted 3rd play connecting yards eventually settled yard field goal play score michigan started drive included consecutive conversions consumed clock conversions follows 3rd michigan 3rd lateral faked pass running yards drive alive 3rd yard pass 3rd pass taking ball punt field goal formation left washington seven yard line seconds remaining final drive began yard line seconds left play leaf completed yard ball michigan drew illegal formation penalty seconds remaining executed hook lateral play yards michigan yard line yard catch yard run tackled jones seconds play clock stopped chains left leaf football referee crew shook head leaf contested decision michigan victory series big rose bowl wins apiece michigan totaled yards offense game slightly yards offense gained selected game valuable player completed passes yards touchdowns leaf completed passes passing yards fifth highest total rose bowl history running injured muscle held yards carries team totaled yards rushing streets yards final rankings following rose bowl michigan needed wait days final polls january revealed nebraska overtaken michigan points place votes coaches poll earn split major national polls nebraska beaten tennessee totaled yards total offense including rushing yards record setting rushing yards michigan held final place vote lead poll deficit coaches poll permanent creation final post bowl game poll winning team lost lead following bowl game colorado football team lost coaches poll following orange bowl victory notre dame addition bowl game victory margins retirement big cumulative bowl game record considered factors leading split polls michigan named national champion following polls statistical achievements michigan defense set record fewest yards allowed pass completion yards completion course season including conference non conference games michigan defense led statistical categories including rushing defense yards game passing defense yards game passing defense efficiency points game total defense yards game scoring defense points game michigan season totals total defense scoring defense lowest marks big football teams season big team lower scoring defense mark michigan team held opponents points game including season michigan won big statistical championship rushing defense times years offense quarterback set michigan single season passing records pass pass attempts case surpassed records set broke records coaching staff players offensive starting lineup awards defensive starting lineup awards roster players selected nfl draft day declare nfl draft early january junior decided collegiate eligibility joined class dozen included leaf moss green spikes returned college play included following michigan players claimed nfl draft team members advancing nfl total members team played nfl 32nd player drafted suffered career ending fracture weeks training camp 33rd player played seven years team members played nfl statistics offensive statistics rushing passing receiving defensive statistics tackles tackles loss sacks pass break ups special teams statistics returns punt returns field goals pat conversions awards honors individuals sections earned recognition performances national americans year award jim award jack trophy paul bear award conference conference sports year big freshman year team captains player john award marcus knight dick award award
1997 Michigan Wolverines football team