Wolverines Defeat Nittany Lions in Overtime Thriller
10/12/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
by Bill Glesner, Sportswriter for the Day
On a beautiful fall Saturday in Ann Arbor the University of Michigan Wolverines were victorious in their first-ever regular-season overtime game over the Penn State Nittany Lions, 27C24. The fifth largest crowd in Michigan Stadium history (111,502) witnessed what coach Lloyd Carr described as the best played game between the two teams since the series inception.
The Wolverines were led by junior quarterback John Navarre, who passed for 244 yards on 27 of 41 attempts and two touchdowns, both to wide receiver Braylon Edwards. Navarre also scored on a 1-yard keeper. After a slow start, Navarre was able to get into a rythum and spread the ball around to seven different receivers.
| | Perry's three-yard run in OT gave U-M its sixth straight win over Penn State. |
The game was remarkably well played by both teams, with no fumbles, interceptions or turnovers of any kind by either team.
The Nittany Lions were led by sophomore quarterback Zack Mills, who was 19 of 31 in passing for 264 yards and two touchdowns, one to Mike Lukac and one to Bryant Johnson. Larry Johnson accounted for one touchdown, and Bryant Johnson also scored on a two-point conversion. Placekicker Robbie Gould booted a 20-yard field goal in the overtime to end Penn State's scoring.
The Michigan defense held Larry Johnson, the Big Ten's third leading rusher, to a total of 78 yards on 17 carries. However, wide receiver Bryant Johnson was able to burn the Wolverines for 138 yards on seven catches.
Undaunted the Michigan secondary was able to come up big in the overtime with two big pass breakups, one by Cato June on the Michigan one-yard line and one by Marlin Jackson on Bryant Johnson in the end zone, which forced Penn State into a field goal.
During his postgame press conference, Coach Carr stated that him was extremely proud of the way the teamed played today, with no turnovers or mistakes. This was especially impressive since the Wolverines were coming off a bye week because you never know what kind of effort you're going to get following a week off. Coach Carr also said that he takes his hat off to the Nittany Lions for the way the game was played, and that it was a tough game for either team to lose. He added that the key to the game was to protect Navarre and not have any turnovers or big mistakes.
The only dampener on the game was the first-quarter injury of cornerback Zia Combs, who was injured while trying to down the ball on Michigan's first punt of the game. Combs was carted off the field with no feeling in his arms and legs after colliding with a teammate in the end zone. After the game Coach Carr reported that all the X-rays were negative and that Zia had the feeling returning to his extremities.
Note: Bill Glesner's "Sportswriter for a Day" package is one of the "once in a lifetime" type items that are up for bid on MGoBlueAuction.com. All funds raised from the official Michigan Athletics auction site support the Michigan Athletic Scholarship Fund.
