Michigan
Michigan State
U-M Shuts Out Spartans to Claim Paul Bunyan Trophy
10/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 16-ranked Michigan football team shut out rival Michigan State 14-0 on Saturday (Oct. 21) to claim the Paul Bunyan Trophy in front of the third largest crowd ever at Michigan Stadium (111,514). With last week's shutout victory over Indiana (58-0), the Wolverine defense has now held its opponents scoreless for eight quarters.
The Wolverines took the opening possession on their own 20-yard line and marched down the field on the strength of key plays from tailback Anthony Thomas (Winnfield, La./Winnfield HS) and wide receiver Marquise Walker (Syracuse, N.Y./Henniger HS). Walker made two crucial third-down receptions of nine and eight yards, respectively, to keep the U-M drive going. A 21-yard run by Thomas moved the ball to the MSU 11. Three plays later, on first-and-goal from the one, Thomas took the handoff and ran a right sweep, avoiding tacklers and crossing the goal line untouched for the score. The one-yard touchdown plunge earned him the modern-era school record for career rushing touchdowns with 48, breaking a tie with Tyrone Wheatley (1991-94). The drive covered 80 yards in 12 plays, giving Michigan a 7-0 lead.
After exchanging punts during the remainder of the first and second quarter, Michigan threatened to score on its final possession of the half. Starting at its own 48, quarterback Drew Henson (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS) completed two passes for 24 yards to wide receiver Calvin Bell (Simi Valley, Calif./Simi Valley HS), moving the ball to the MSU 28. With two seconds remaining in the half, placekicker Jeff Del Verne's (Sylvania, Ohio/St. John's HS) 45-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left. At the half, Michigan held a 7-0 advantage.
The Spartans opened the third quarter with the ball and marched down the field threatening to score. Starting at its own 26-yard line, the Spartans featured solid runs by tailback T.J. Duckett and controlled passing from quarterback Ryan Van Dyke to penetrate deep into U-M territory. On third-and-goal from the two-yard line, Duckett took the hand off and was hit hard by linebacker Victor Hobson (Mt. Laurel, N.J./St Joseph's Prep HS), forcing a fumble that was recovered by senior co-captain Eric Wilson (Monroe, Mich./Monroe HS) at the Wolverine eight-yard line.
Michigan took advantage of the Michigan State turnover with a five-play, 92-yard drive that culminated with a fantastic touchdown run by Thomas. The drive started with a short run by Thomas, followed by a nine-yard reception by David Terrell (Richmond, Va./Huguenot HS). An 18-yard run by Thomas moved the chains for Michigan. On first and 10 from the Michigan 39, Henson found Terrell open for a 16-yard completion and a 15-yard personal foul penalty against Michigan State moved the ball into MSU territory. On the next play, Thomas took the handoff and ran up the left sideline, breaking two tackles and bowling over two Spartan defenders to cross the goal line for the touchdown. His second score of the game put Michigan on top 14-0 with 6:27 remaining in the third.
The Wolverine defense sealed the victory, stopping Michigan State three separate times on fourth down in Michigan territory during the fourth quarter.
Thomas paced the Wolverine attack with 175 yards and two TDs on 25 carries. Henson finished 17-of-31 passing for 138 yards.
Michigan's defense was led by inside linebacker Larry Foote (Detroit, Mich./Pershing HS), who finished with a career-high 14 tackles, including two for loss. Cornerbacks Todd Howard (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook HS) and James Whitley (Norfolk, Va./Norview HS) each added eight tackles. Michigan's defense also posted a season-high six sacks.
The 14-0 win over Michigan State and 58-0 Homecoming victory over Indiana (Oct. 14) mark the first time since 1987 that Michigan has posted back-to-back shutouts (Long Beach State and Wisconsin, both 49-0). It also marked the 29th time in school history U-M has shut out its instate rivals, the most shutout wins of any opponent (last time 31-0 in 1985).
Michigan has a week off before resuming Big Ten Conference action at Northwestern. The Wolverines and Wildcats will play at Ryan Field on Saturday, Nov. 4 (time and television network to be announced).
Contact: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
