Michigan Moves One Step Closer with 26-16 Victory Over Wisconsin

Saturday, November 15

Madison, Wis.

2:30 PM CT

Michigan

10-0 , 7-0

Wisconsin

8-3 , 5-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Michigan

Wisconsin

Michigan Moves One Step Closer with 26-16 Victory Over Wisconsin

11/15/1997 12:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

Site: Madison, Wis. (Camp Randall Stadium)
Score: #1 Michigan 26, #23 Wisconsin 16
Records: U-M (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten), WIS (8-3, 5-2 Big Ten)
Attendance: 79,806
Next U-M Game: Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Ohio State (Michigan Stadium), Noon

MADISON, Wis. -- The top-ranked Michigan Wolverines utilized a balanced offensive attack in defeating the No. 23 Wisconsin Badgers, 26-16, on a snowy, cold Saturday afternoon in Madison.

The Wolverines took the fourth-largest crowd in Camp Randall Stadium history (79,806) out of the game early, driving 80 yards on the opening drive for a 7-0 lead. Michigan scored on a one-yard Chris Howard (River Ridge, LA) fourth down run. The 13 play drive was aided by a 28-yard halfback pass from Charles Woodson (Fremont, OH) to quarterback Brian Griese (Miami, FL) that went to the Badgers one-yard line.

The Michigan defense asserted itself early, holding the Wisconsin offense to successive series without a first down. After holding the Badgers on their third drive of the game, the Michigan offense took over on its own 22-yard line.

The Wolverines struck quickly, marching 78-yards in 1:18, ending with a 38-yard touchdown pass from Griese to wide receiver Tai Streets (Matteson, IL). The four-play drive gave Michigan a 13-0 edge. Senior/junior Kraig Baker (Terre Haute, IN) had his consecutive string of 31 extra points snapped as he missed left.

Trailing 13-0, Wisconsin took the ensuing kickoff and put together a 14 play, 62 yard drive that ended with a 33-yard Matt Davenport field goal. Badgers' running back Carl McCullough carried the ball 10 times for 45 yards on the drive.

Michigan would answer the Wisconsin field goal with one of their own, an 18-yarder by senior/junior Jay Feely (Odessa, FL). The 10 play, 73-yard drive was aided by a 39-yard pass from Griese to wide receiver Russell Shaw (El Camino, CA) that went to the Badger one-yard line. Michigan was unable to punch the ball over the goal line from the one and settled for the field goal and a 16-3 halftime lead.

Wisconsin tried to drive the field before the half ended but Woodson intercepted a Mike Samuel pass to end the half with Michigan holding a 16-3 edge. It was Woodson's team and conference-leading sixth pick of the season.

Wisconsin took the second half kickoff and cut the Michigan lead to 16-10 with a methodical 11 play, 80-yard touchdown drive. The series ended with a one-yard plunge by quarterback Samuel on third down. The TD was only the second yielded by the Wolverines defense all season in the second half.

After trading punts, Michigan would start its next drive at the eight-yard line. The Wolverines put together a time consuming, seven minute and 23 second drive, that led to a 24-yard field goal by Feely. The 19 play, 85-yard drive was kept alive by four consecutive third down conversions (all four were passes from Griese). Michigan led 19-10.

After holding Wisconsin to three plays and out, the offense took over on its 38-yard line. Michigan put the game out of reach with a 62-yard drive that ended with a Howard four-yard touchdown run and a 26-10 lead. Howard carried the ball four times for 39 yards and caught one pass for seven yards on the drive, scoring his second TD of the game.

Wisconsin's Tony Simmons caught a late 21-yard touchdown reception from Samuel to close the gap to 26-16. The Badgers failed on the two-point conversion, and the ensuing on-side kick, sealing the win for the Wolverines.

The game ended with a 26-16 Wolverines victory.

With the win, Michigan claimed at least a share of the Big Ten title. The Wolverines will look for the outright conference crown when they host fourth-ranked Ohio State next Saturday (Nov. 22) on ABC at noon EST.