Countdown to kickoff - day 3

November 22, 2003

Michigan 35 - Ohio State 21

This was the 100th meeting between Michigan and OSU (it was also, unfortunately, the last time Michigan has won.) I had to convince my dad to come down and take advantage of M inviting all former players to form a tunnel to the "M Club Supports You" banner as the team takes the field. He did finally decide to come down. We went to an M basketball game the night before (a rare victory) and then to the chili brunch where he picked up his tickets on the morning of the game. It is unfortunate M didn't hold out to win the 2005 M-OSU match-up so I could highlight his exploits against the OSU band.

Our seats were in section 9 in the second to last row at that time. During pregame a fly-over was planned and the spotter was standing right next to us, so we could hear the back and forth. He actually asked us how much longer the pre-game show would continue...

Michigan broke onto the scoreboard late in the 1st quarter with some trickery. On 3rd and goal from the 3, Steve Breaston snuck into the QB role and ran an "option" keeper for the TD.

On Michigan's next possession, John Navarre hit Braylon Edwards on a crossing pattern. Edwards broke a couple tackles and ended up with a 60+ yard TD reception, putting M up 14-0 early in the 2nd. Michigan's defense held again. M was moving the ball but faced a 3rd and 9 from the Buckeye 23, when Navarre hit Edwards for a second TD. In just about 10 minutes of clock time, Michigan had turned a defensive battle into a rout!?!

The defense got a little soft and allowed an OSU score just before the end of the half. 21-0 is infinitely better than 21-7, with the other team just getting the 7. I was not as happy as I'd hoped at halftime.

The second half was Chris Perry's time to shine. He capped off the opening drive of the half with a long TD run where he made a great move after breaking through the line to juke the last defender wit ha chance. And M was back up by 21 points.

After a long Navarre - Edwards TD pass was called back on a holding call, the Buckeyes answered on another Craig Krenzel TD pass - cutting the lead back to 14 midway through the 3rd. When OSU added their third TD early in the 4th. That 21 point lead was all but squandered. M lead by just 7 points with almost 14 minutes to play. When Navarre was picked off in the next series, it could have gotten REALLY BAD.

But the defense held. Chris Perry put M back up by 14 midway through the 4th. From there the defense held on - Ernest Shazor finished the Buckeyes last drive with a tipped interception.

Michigan had won the 100th meeting against their hated rival, they were Rose Bowl bound for the first time since the National Championship team of 1997.