Wolverines Squeeze Orange for 18-13 Victory

Saturday, September 18

Syracuse, N.Y.

8:00 PM

Michigan

3-0

Syracuse

2-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Michigan

Syracuse University

9/18/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score Postgame Notes

Site: Syracuse, N.Y. (Carrier Dome)
Score: #6 Michigan 18, Syracuse 13
Records: U-M (3-0), Syracuse (2-1)
Attendance: 49,249
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Sept. 25 -- at Wisconsin (Madison, Wis.), 2:30 p.m. CDT

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Michigan football team defeated Syracuse 18-13 Saturday, Sept. 18, in the Carrier Dome to open its two-game road stretch, and completed the non-conference schedule 3-0. The victory raised the Wolverines record to 10-4 all-time in indoor facilities.

Junior tailback Anthony Thomas (Winnfield, La./Winnfield HS) had an all-around game for the Wolverines, gaining 149 all-purpose yards in the contest (97 rushing, 30 receiving and 22 on one kickoff return). Sophomore David Terrell (Richmond, Va./Huguenot HS) added seven receptions for 110 yards, while fullback Aaron Shea (Ottawa, Ill./Ottawa HS) scored the team's only TD on a 22-yard pass from sophomore Drew Henson (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS).

Senior/junior Jeff Del Verne (Sylvania, Ohio/St. John's HS) added three field goals (from 41, 24 and 31 yards) and an extra point to run his double-digit scoring streak to three games.

Michigan, ranked sixth by Associated Press and fifth by USA Today/ESPN, took its first four possessions of the game into Syracuse territory but was unable to come away with any points. The first drive ended on a 53-yard blocked field goal attempted by sophomore Hayden Epstein (Cardiff, Calif./Torrey Pines HS). The next three Michigan possessions ended on punts by senior/junior Cory Sargent (South Lyon, Mich./South Lyon HS), with two pinning the Orangemen inside the 20-yard line.

The Wolverines defense held the Orangemen to minus-17 yards of total offense and to only one first down in the first quarter. The defense got things started in the second quarter as junior cornerback James Whitley (Norfolk, Va./Norview HS) provided the game's first turnover, intercepting a Troy Nunes pass at the Michigan 42-yard line. Henson led Michigan to the first points of the game on a 41-yard field goal by Del Verne. The key play was a 30-yard pass from Henson to Terrell. Thomas added nine rushing yards (two carries) on the five-play scoring drive that covered 34 yards.

Michigan's defense provided the offense excellent field position on the very next series as junior free safety DeWayne Patmon (San Diego, Calif./Patrick Henry HS) intercepted a deflected pass and returned it eight yards to the Syracuse 27-yard line. The offense reached the eight-yard line before the drive was stopped. Michigan gained a 6-0 lead as Del Verne connected on a 24-yard field goal attempt.

Syracuse crossed into Michigan territory for the first time halfway through the second quarter as Madei Williams passed 54 yards to wide receiver Pat Woodcock down to the U-M four-yard line. The Orangemen took the lead 7-6 on a six-yard pass from Williams to Clinton Spotwood. The second-down score ended a five-play drive that covered 65 yards in 3:41.

The Wolverines responded with a go-ahead score of their own, capped by a 22-yard TD reception by Shea on a screen pass from Henson. The 10-play, 88-yard drive was keyed by 7-of-9 passing by Henson for 81 yards, including four passes to Terrell (51 yards) and two to Thomas (eight yards).

Trailing 13-7 at the half, Syracuse came out and scored on its first possession of the third quarter. The 80-yard scoring drive for the Orangemen ended on a three-yard pass by Nunes to tailback James Mungro. Syracuse's big play on the nine-play drive was 43-yard pass to the Michigan one-yard line from Nunes to Spotwood. Senior rush linebacker James Hall (New Orleans, La./St. Augustine HS) kept the score tied by blocking the extra-point attempt for his fifth career extra point block.

Michigan gained the lead 15-13 with 4:57 remaining in the third quarter as Nunes was called for intentional grounding in the end zone. After scrambling away from several Wolverine defenders and retreating into his own end zone, Nunes heaved the ball out of bounds with no Orangemen receivers in the area.

Other than Syracuse's opening touchdown drive of the third quarter, neither team was able to generate any offensive drives until the Orangemen crossed into Michigan territory early in the fourth quarter. Williams gained 22 yards on an option play and moved to the Michigan 30-yard line before the drive was stopped by the Wolverine defense. Syracuse lined up to attempt a 52-yard field goal but the snap was high and the holder, Nunes, was forced to run with the ball. Nunes was tackled by cornerback Todd Howard (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook HS) for a 15-yard loss, giving the Wolverines possession at the 50-yard line. Michigan was unable to take advantage of the opportunity and punted away.

Michigan extended the lead to 18-13 on a 31-yard field goal by Del Verne with 3:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Wolverines defense provided excellent field position, forcing a Syracuse punt from the end zone that was returned 10 yards by senior wide receiver Marcus Knight (Sylacauga, Ala./Comer HS) to the Syracuse 28-yard line. Michigan's scoring drive took seven plays and gained 14 yards in 2:00.

Syracuse took the ensuing kickoff and moved down the field into scoring territory. The Orangemen moved down to the Michigan nine-yard line before Williams' fourth down passing attempt fell to the turf incomplete. Michigan ran out the remaining 2:02 for the 18-13 victory.

Michigan will open the Big Ten Conference schedule next weekend against Wisconsin in Madison, Wis. (3:30 p.m. EDT/2:30 p.m. CDT on ABC). The Wolverines have a 14-1 record against the Badgers in conference openers and a 43-10-1 (.806) overall record against the Big Ten foe.

Contact: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423