2002 FBL vs. Washington -- Postgame Notes

Junior placekicker Philip Brabbs connected on the game-winning 44-yard field goal, which was the first field goal made of his career.

Saturday's last-second victory over Washington was the second for head coach Lloyd Carr in a home opener. The Wolverines defeated Virginia 18-17 in Carr's debut as the head coach in the Pigskin Classic on Aug. 26, 1995.

With the win, Michigan improved its opening-day record to 102-18-3. The Wolverines are 86-13-2 in home openers.

With the win, U-M head coach Lloyd Carr garnered his 40th career win at Michigan Stadium.

Chris Perry set a career high with 120 yards rushing. His previous high was 103 yards vs. Bowling Green (Sept. 2, 2000). This was Perry's second career 100-plus-yard rushing game.

Perry's 57-yard touchdown is the longest U-M rush and rushing TD since Anthony Thomas' 61-yard run at Purdue during the 2000 season.

With his 57-yard touchdown run, Chris Perry surpassed his previous career long of 42 yards, which he set in 2000 against Bowling Green (Sept. 2). Perry found paydirt again in the third and fourth quarters, setting his single-game best with three touchdowns. He is the first U-M player to score three touchdowns in a game since B.J. Askew scored three against Western Michigan last year.

John Navarre set a new career high with 268 yards passing, which was his 10th 200-yard passing game of his career. He also completed 22 passes, which was his fifth career 20-completion game and is his second best of his career. In his top completion game, he connected on 26 passes against Washington in 2001. In his two career games vs. Washington, Navarre has totaled 48 completions for 516 yards.

John Navarre is the fourth quarterback in Michigan history to start in the season opener three consecutive seasons (2000-02). Elvis Grbac (1990-92), Jim Harbaugh (1984-86) and Steve Smith (1981-83) also made three season-opening starts during their careers at Michigan.

Senior fullback B.J. Askew had a career-best seven receptions for 50 yards, breaking his previous best of six receptions for 30 yards that he set last season against Purdue (Oct. 13).

Recording career highs in tackles for the Wolverines were Markus Curry (6), Zia Combs (5), Lawrence Reid (4), Grant Bowman (4), Scott McClintock (2), and Ernest Shazor (2).

Making their first career starts in a Wolverine uniform today were Zia Combs, Zach Kaufman, Dave Pearson, Markus Curry and Braylon Edwards.

Sophomore receiver Braylon Edwards caught a 45-yard pass for the first touchdown of his career as a Wolverine. With the catch, Edwards has already exceeded his total number of receiving yards from last season (38). Edwards finished the game with five catches for 80 yards and one touchdown. His previous single-game best was two catches for 22 yards in the 2001 opener against Miami (Ohio).

Sophomore cornerback Markus Curry recorded his first career interception in the second quarter.

Washington's touchdown at 8:06 remaining in the second quarter was its first offensive touchdown in its last two games against Michigan.

Juniors Carl Diggs and Shantee Orr each blocked a kick against Washington. Last season the Wolverines blocked eight kicks, seven of them being punts.

Today's announced attendance of 111,491 fans is the fifth largest crowd in the history of Michigan Stadium. It also marked the largest attendance ever for a Washington game. The previous high for the Huskies was 105,611 on Jan. 1, 1982, vs. Iowa in the Rose Bowl.

Marlin Jackson recorded a career-high six pass breakups, breaking the Michigan single-game record of five, which was set by James Whitley (11/13/99) and Thom Darden (10/11/69).

Junior Tyrece Butler recorded a career-high six receptions for 85 yards against Washington. His previous high was one reception, which he achieved four times last season.

Defensive back Jacob Stewart was the first true freshman to play for the Wolverines this season, as he played on all kickoff coverage teams. Gabriel Watson was the second true freshman to play, seeing time during two goal line plays.

Washington Notes

Numerous Washington players recorded career firsts. Senior linebacker recorded his first career sack in the second quarter, sophomore fullback Zach Tuiasosopo had his first career carry in the second quarter, senior tight end Kevin Ware scored his first career touchdown in the second quarter and sophomore wide receiver Charles Frederick had his first career reception in the first quarter and his first career offensive touchdown in the third quarter.

Six players for Washington made their first career start today: guard Dan Dicks, wide receiver Patrick Reddick, defensive end Manase Hopoi, defensive tackle Terry Johnson, linebacker Joe Lobendahn and strong safety Jimmy Newell.

Cornerback Nate Robinson was the only true freshman to play for the Huskies today.