Postgame Notes: #8 Michigan 35, #5 Alabama 34 (OT)
1/1/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Overtime First
Michigan played in its first overtime game in the three-year history of the college overtime system. The Wolverines' 35-34 overtime victory was also the first OT game played in the Bowl Championship Series.
10 Again
With its thrilling 35-34 overtime victory against Alabama in the FedEx Orange Bowl, Michigan reached 10 wins in a season for the third consecutive year. The Wolverines posted a 12-0 record during the 1997 national championship season, claimed a 10-3 record last year en route to its second straight Big Ten Conference title and a Citrus Bowl victory, and finished 10-2 and won its first Orange Bowl game this season. This is the first time since 1976-78 that Michigan has won 10 games in a season three straight years. The Wolverines won 10 or more games in a row from 1971-74, with the school-record string of five consecutive 10-win seasons coming under Fielding Yost from 1901-05. Michigan has won 10 or more games in a year 22 times during the 120 years of football at the University.
Carr Continues Record March
Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr finished his fifth year with a 49-13 record, tied for the fifth best career start by a Division I-A coach (tied with Texas A&M's R.C. Slocum). Carr led Michigan to its third straight bowl victory and with today's 35-34 overtime win claimed his 20th win against a top 25 ranked team (20-7 record). The Wolverines have compiled an 11-1 record against top 10 teams under Carr.
Brady Finishes Career as One of Michigan's Best
Senior quarterback Tom Brady (San Mateo, Calif./Serra HS) finished his career in the FedEx Orange Bowl as one of the top statistical signal callers in school history. Brady started his 25th straight game in the Orange Bowl and compiled a 20-5 record as the starting quarterback over the last two seasons. He became the third U-M quarterback to surpass 5,000 career passing yards, finishing his career with 5,351 yards on 443-of-711 passing. He finished tied for second in passing attempts, ranks third in completions and is fourth in passing yards. With his four touchdown passes against Alabama in the FedEx Orange Bowl, Brady completed his career fifth in career touchdowns with 35.
Brady Sets Bowl Game Records
With his passing performance against Alabama in the FedEx Orange Bowl, Tom Brady set Michigan and Orange Bowl single game bowl records. Brady completed 34-of-46 passing attempts for 369 yards and four touchdowns. He led the team to another of his patented come-from-behind victories, erasing a 14-point deficit twice in the game and gaining the first lead of the contest after the first possession of overtime. Brady's completions, attempts and passing yards set Michigan bowl records, while his four-touchdown passing game equaled the four thrown by Elvis Grbac in the 1991 Gator Bowl (the four are Brady's career high).
Knight and Terrell Become Most Prolific Receiving Tandem
Senior wide receiver Marcus Knight (Sylacauga, Ala./Comer HS) and sophomore wide receiver David Terrell (Richmond, Va./Huguenot HS) become the most prolific one-season receiving duo in Michigan history as they combined for 13 receptions for 178 yards and three touchdowns in the FedEx Orange Bowl. They surpassed the school-record yardage mark of 1,685 yards set by Mercury Hayes and Amani Toomer in 1994. The Knight-Terrell tandem hauled in 110 receptions for 1,837 yards and scored 13 receiving touchdowns.
Terrell Set Michigan Bowl Marks, Named Orange Bowl MVP
Sophomore wide receiver David Terrell was named the Orange Bowl MVP after setting career bests in receiving yards (150) and receiving touchdowns (three) as well as equaling his career high in receptions (10). Terrell's receptions and receiving touchdowns set Michigan single-game bowl records, while his receiving yardage total is second only to Desmond Howard's 167-yard game against Mississippi in the 1991 Gator Bowl.
Knight Claims Victory over Home State Crimson Tide
Senior wide receiver Marcus Knight finished his collegiate career with a victory over his home state Alabama team, evening his record to 1-1 against the Crimson Tide. Knight caught three passes for 28 yards in the FedEx Orange Bowl and in the process surpassed the 1,500-yard receiving mark for his career (88 career receptions for 1,508 yards). Knight finished second on the team in receiving this season with 39 catches for 794 yards and scored six receiving touchdowns.
Gold Leads Team in Tackles; Tops 200 in Career Stops
Senior inside linebacker Ian Gold (Belleville, Mich./Belleville HS) led the team in tackles against Alabama in the FedEx Orange Bowl, tallying 12 tackles (9 solo, 3 assists). He finished the season tops on the squad with a career-high 95 tackles (71 solo, 24 assists), and in the Orange Bowl topped the 200-tackle mark in his career (204).
Frysinger Makes First Career Start
Junior defensive end Jake Frysinger (Grosse Ile, Mich./Grosse Ile HS) made his first career start in the FedEx Orange Bowl. Frysinger started and played at defensive end. He has played in 34 career games and tallied 42 career tackles (29 solo, 13 assists), 11 TFLs and four sacks.
Ziemann and Thompson Make Milestone Starts
Senior right guard Chris Ziemann (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley HS) and sophomore tight end Shawn Thompson (Saginaw, Mich./Nouvel HS) made milestone offensive starts in the FedEx Orange Bowl against Alabama. Ziemann started his 20th career game and Thompson his 10th in the contest. Thompson caught two passes for 22 yards in regulation and hauled in the 25-yard game-winner from Tom Brady on the first play of overtime.
Wolverines Against 1999 Heisman Candidates
Michigan defeated all three teams sporting a Heisman Trophy candidate this season. The Wolverines beat Wisconsin and eventual Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne (22 carries for 88 yards and one TD) in Madison and the following week defeated Purdue and Heisman Trophy finalist Drew Brees (20-of-49 for 293 yards) in Ann Arbor. Michigan capped the year by defeating Alabama and Heisman candidate Shaun Alexander (24 carries for 157 yards and three TDs).
Alexander Tops 100 Rushing Yards Against Michigan
Alabama tailback Shaun Alexander became only the second running back to top the 100-yard mark against the Wolverine defense this year. Alexander carried 24 times for 157 yards and scored three rushing touchdowns in the FedEx Orange Bowl, with his rushing total being the top effort in a bowl game against the Wolverines. Illinois tailback Rocky Harvey was the other player to surpass the century mark against Michigan this season, gaining 106 rushing yards on 17 carries and scoring two touchdowns (one rushing and one passing).
Wolverines vs. the SEC
Michigan now has a 16-4-1 record against the Southeastern Conference. The Wolverines are 2-1 against Alabama.
Senior Class Finishes in Style
Michigan's seniors finished their careers with a 40-9 record and a 26-6 Big Ten Conference mark. The class played in four straight New Year's Day bowl games and won the last three, taking the 1998 Rose Bowl in the national championship season, the 1999 Florida Citrus Bowl and the 2000 Orange Bowl.
