1998 FBL vs. Michigan State -- postgame notes
9/26/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
For the second time in three weeks, the University of Michigan set a new NCAA single-game attendance record as 111,238 fans watched today's game. The "Big House" record crowd surpassed the previous mark of 111,012 set in the 1998 season opener vs. Syracuse (Sept. 12).
Michigan Gets 145th Consecutive Crowd of Over 100,000
Today's crowd of 111,238 fans marks the 145th consecutive home game the Wolverines have drawn a crowd of at least 100,000, a streak which dates back to Purdue in 1975 (Nov. 8).
Balanced Attack
Michigan's offense showed its best balance of the season with 208 yards passing and 206 rushing for 414 total yards.
Ground War
For the 29th time in the last 30 games in the series, the winner of the Michigan/Michigan State game gained more rushing yards. The Wolverines outgained the Spartans 206-110 on the ground in the contest.
Feely Ties Career Long
Senior placekicker Jay Feely (Odessa, Fla.) tied a career long with a 51-yard field goal midway through the first quarter. Feely kicked a 51-yarder against Baylor last season (Sept. 20). It was the 16th kick in school history of 50 or more yards. With the field goal, Feely became just the fifth kicker in school history to kick more than one 50 yard field goal (Bob Bergson, 3; JD Carlson, Mike Gillette, Mike Lantry, 2). Feely added kicks of 45 and 38 yards later in the game.
AT Goes Long
Sophomore tailback Anthony Thomas (Winnfield, La.) set a new career long with a 69-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. His previous long was a 58-yard run against Iowa last season (Oct. 18). Thomas ended the game with 97 yards rushing on 13 carries.
Patmon Recovers First Fumble
Sophomore safety DeWayne Patmon (San Diego, Calif.) collected his first career fumble recovery late in the first half. Patmon forced the ball free with a tackle of Michigan State wideout Plaxico Burress, then beat a scrum of players to the loose ball. The Wolverines converted the turnover into a 45-yard Jay Feely field goal. Patmon ended the game with seven tackles, an interception (team-leading second of the season) and a pass breakup to go along with the fumble recovery.
Knight Moves
Junior wideout Marcus Knight (Sylacauga, Ala.) led the Wolverines in receiving for the second time this season with 98 yards (on four receptions).
30th For Sword
Senior inside linebacker Sam Sword (Saginaw, Mich.) made his 30th career start in the Michigan State contest. Sword responded with a productive first half that included 11 tackles (eight solo). He ended the game with 15 tackles (tying his career best set against Notre Dame last season), 11 solo and one sack for a loss of eight yards.
Firsts ...
Sophomore fullback Ray Jackson (Indianapolis, Ind.) made his first career start ... senior defensive lineman Nate Miller (Imlay City, Mich.) recorded his first career sack (a six-yard loss) midway through the third quarter and added a second sack (10 yards) late in the fourth quarter ... true freshman Larry Foote (Detroit, Mich.) recorded his first career sack (a nine-yard loss) with 3:09 left in the game.
