The highly-regarded defensive units of Michigan and Alabama were showcased in the New Year’s Day Outback Bowl, but it was a Crimson Tide offense that led ‘Bama to a 17-14 victory.
Michigan entered the game ranked 18th nationally in total
defense while Alabama brought the No. 8 defense into the game. Neither unit disappointed.
The Wolverines held the Crimson Tide to 247 yards of total offense and effectively shut down Alabama for most of the game.
Alabama opened the game’s scoring with a 43-yard Jon Brock field goal just 2:07 into the game. Remy Hamilton knotted the game for Michigan with a 44-yard field goal with 8:03 left in the first half, then gave the Wolverines the lead with a 22-yard field goal 20 seconds before the intermission.
The turning point came as Michigan, already leading 6-3 early in the fourth quarter, worked a drive deep into Alabama territory. On third-and-five, quarterback Brian Griese, who started his first game of the season, attempted a short pass
across the middle, but was deflected and intercepted by Alabama linebacker Dwayne Rudd. Rudd turned upfield and raced to an Outback Bowl record 88-yard interception return. The score, which came with 12:13 left in the game, gave the
Crimson Tide a 10-6 lead that they never relinquished.
Alabama put the game away two possessions later when running back Shaun Alexander dashed 46 yards to put the Crimson Tide up 17-6 with 2:15 left in the game.
Griese hit receiver Russell Shaw with a nine-yard touchdown pass to end a nine-play, 80-yard drive with 1:16 left. After a pass-interference call, fullback Chris Floyd ran the ball in for a two-point conversion to bring Michigan to within three, 17-
14.
The Crimson Tide recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock. Michigan finished the game with 415 yards in total offense, but it was unable to put the ball in the endzone.
Three times the Wolverines failed to score after moving within the Alabama 35-yard line. Griese completed 21-of-37 passes for 287 yards. He threw one touchdown and one interception.
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SCORING
First Quarter
UA Brock, 43-yard field goal
Second Quarter
M Hamilton, 44-yard field goal
M Hamilton, 22-yard field goal
Fourth Quarter
UA Rudd, 88-yard interception return (Brock PAT)
UA Alexander, 46-yard run (Brock PAT)
M Shaw, nine-yard pass from Griese (Floyd run)
Team Stats UM AL
First Downs 22 13
Net Yards Rushing 124 182
Net Yards Passing 291 65
Total Plays 79 53
Total Yards 415 247
PA/PC/Int 38/22/1 18/9/1
Punts/Avg. 7/26.1 6/46.5
Return Yards 90 9
Fumbles/Lost 3/0 2/1
Penalties/Yards 6/47 8/42
Time of Possession 34:32 25:28
Rushing — (M): C. Williams 12-58; Floyd 6-35;
Howard 12-27; Griese 10-5; Shaw 1-(-1)
(A): Alexander 9-99; Riddle 13-58; Foust 5-29;
West 1-4; Kitchens 7-(-8)
Passing — (M): Griese 37-21-287; Woodson 1-1-4
(A): Kitchens 18-9-65
Receiving — (M): Shaw 6-84; Williams 5-113;
Knight 3-41; Woodson 3-25; Streets 2-12;
Tuman 1-6; Shea 1-6; Griese 1-4
(A): Alexander 3-4; Vaughn 2-27; Rutledge 1-13;
Hape 1-12; Riddle 1-6; Hall 1-3
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