U-M claws its way past Wildcats
Nick Meyer
Issue date: 11/1/05 Section: Sports
Michigan moved down to the Northwestern five-yard line and had a chance to put the game away but three Jerome Jackson runs netted only three yards and another field goal to make it 27-10.
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr appeared upset with offensive coordinator Terry Malone for the lack of aggressive play calling.
With just 51 seconds left in the half, Northwestern got back in the game with a stunningly easy six-play, 80-yard drive. Philmore caught a 35-yard heave in the right corner of the endzone to make it 27-17 Michigan at the half.
The Michigan defense came out in the second half and seemed to take the drive personally, playing their best half of the year.
Their hard-hitting defensive backfield got in the heads of the undersized Wildcat receivers, forcing several dropped balls.
They stopped Northwestern cold on all seven second-half drives, including five punts and two fourth-down stops.
Another key was Michigan's run defense, as they held Northwestern to just 89 yards, 125 below their season average.
Punter and kickoff specialist Ross Ryan was an unsung hero for the Wolverines, repeatedly pinning the Wildcats back by kicking the ball out of the endzone.
The Michigan defensive line, led by tackle Alan Branch and end Pierre Woods, disrupted the Wildcats' offense in the second half, leading to numerous offensive holding calls.
Rivas added second-half field goals of 38 and 27 yards in the fourth quarter, going four-for-four on the day.
Jackson and Grady salted the game away on the ground, and Michigan eventually ran out the clock to go to 6-3 on the season, 4-2 in the Big Ten.
Northwestern fell to 5-3, 3-2 in the Big Ten.
Jackson finished with a career-high 105 yards on 24 carries and Grady had 64 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown.
Henne had a shaky game for Michigan, going just 17-30 for 174 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions.
Next up is a bye week for the Wolverines before hosting Indiana and then Ohio State.
The bye gives Michigan a chance to heal some nagging injuries.
The Wolverines were without arguably their best offensive (running back Mike Hart) and defensive (rush linebacker LaMarr Woodley) players.
Michigan trails Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State by one game in the race for their third straight Big Ten championship. Penn State plays at Wisconsin next week.
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr appeared upset with offensive coordinator Terry Malone for the lack of aggressive play calling.
With just 51 seconds left in the half, Northwestern got back in the game with a stunningly easy six-play, 80-yard drive. Philmore caught a 35-yard heave in the right corner of the endzone to make it 27-17 Michigan at the half.
The Michigan defense came out in the second half and seemed to take the drive personally, playing their best half of the year.
Their hard-hitting defensive backfield got in the heads of the undersized Wildcat receivers, forcing several dropped balls.
They stopped Northwestern cold on all seven second-half drives, including five punts and two fourth-down stops.
Another key was Michigan's run defense, as they held Northwestern to just 89 yards, 125 below their season average.
Punter and kickoff specialist Ross Ryan was an unsung hero for the Wolverines, repeatedly pinning the Wildcats back by kicking the ball out of the endzone.
The Michigan defensive line, led by tackle Alan Branch and end Pierre Woods, disrupted the Wildcats' offense in the second half, leading to numerous offensive holding calls.
Rivas added second-half field goals of 38 and 27 yards in the fourth quarter, going four-for-four on the day.
Jackson and Grady salted the game away on the ground, and Michigan eventually ran out the clock to go to 6-3 on the season, 4-2 in the Big Ten.
Northwestern fell to 5-3, 3-2 in the Big Ten.
Jackson finished with a career-high 105 yards on 24 carries and Grady had 64 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown.
Henne had a shaky game for Michigan, going just 17-30 for 174 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions.
Next up is a bye week for the Wolverines before hosting Indiana and then Ohio State.
The bye gives Michigan a chance to heal some nagging injuries.
The Wolverines were without arguably their best offensive (running back Mike Hart) and defensive (rush linebacker LaMarr Woodley) players.
Michigan trails Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State by one game in the race for their third straight Big Ten championship. Penn State plays at Wisconsin next week.