[size=+1]#16 Michigan (10-2) vs #5 Oregon State (11-1)[/size]
Pasadena, CA - When your a team with a drought of not being to the Rose Bowl since 1965 before last season, of course it is a big deal to make it to the granddaddy of them all. But for the Beavers, it felt a bit like "been there, done that." However, Beaver fans clad in orange and black were still excited to make the trip to Pasadena for another Rose Bowl. Oregon State would try to make it back-to-back Rose Bowl victories with a win over a Michigan team that finished undefeated in the very tough Big Ten. The Beavers had hoped to get 5th year senior HB Tim Taylor back from his broken ankle. But Taylor would not suit up so Beaver fans had already seen his last game in the orange black.
The Wolverines opened up the game with a long, methodical drive as QB Ryan Sims was able to continue finding the open receiver for a 1st down. Finally, inside OSU territory on 3rd down, a Sims pass was knocked down at the line of scrimmage. Thus Michigan had to settle for a 42-yard field goal to take the early
3-0 lead.
Oregon State quickly countered back when HB Derrick Andrews broke containment on the outside and was off to the races down the sideline where he was caught and brought down at the Michigan 3-yard line. Not long after, backup HB Derek Holmes fought across the goal line on a 1-yard TD scamper to put OSU in front
7-3.
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OSU HB Derek Holmes fights across the goal line on a 1-yard TD scamper.[/size]
On the ensuing possession, the Wolverines found themselves with a 3rd-and-short near midfield. HB Kevin Fox got the handoff and was immediately stuffed by OSU DE Brandon Webb in the backfield. As a result, Michigan was forced to punt after a three-and-out. On the ensuing punt return, Bill Faaeteete was able to break some tackles for a gain of 32 yards to give OSU the ball near midfield. Unfortunately the terrific field position was squandered when QB Justin Rust rolled out and threw an ill-advised pass into the flat to TE Adam Banks. Michigan CB Brad Love was in the way, made the pick and took it in for six. Just like that, the Wolverines recaptured the lead,
10-7.
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Michigan CB Brad Love takes the pick in for six.[/size]
As the 2nd quarter started, the Beavers were not done shooting themselves in the foot. QB Justin Rust tried to get a ball to WR Brian Horn on a short dumpoff. But Michigan CB Brad Love jumped the route and stole the ball away from Horn for his 2nd interception of the game. Fortunately for the Beavers, Michigan QB Ryan Sims was picked off by OSU OLB Cole Alexander. Oregon State had dodged a huge bullet. The Beavers found their rhythm again on offense with a balanced attack. Inside Michigan territory, Rust was given all day in the pocket, floated a pass up over the Wolverine secondary where it landed in the hands of WR Bill Faaeteete for a 26-yard TD to regain the lead for OSU,
14-10.
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OSU WR Bill Faaeteete open for a 26-yard TD reception.[/size]
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After the touchdown pass, the defense picked up for both sides as Michigan was held to a three-and-out. Then Rust was sacked twice to force Oregon State to punt from deep inside their own end zone. Nick Carpenter boomed it as Michigan took over at midfield. Where they were again held to another three-and-out. Oregon State had the ball with under a minute left. Rust was able to the Beavers out to midfield with a couple completions to TE Adam Banks. Then Rust found enough time to bomb it deep to WR Brian Horn in man-coverage. Horn jumped up and made a tremendous catch with the corner draped all over him. In the process of making the catch, Horn was taken down in mid-air, crossing the goal line for a spectacular 48-yard TD reception. Rust ran down the length of the field to celebrate with his Canadian teammate. But Horn was still on the ground and was now holding his ankle. Horn had sold out his body to make the tremendous catch for his team but he would leave with what was determined to be an ACL sprain at halftime. Oregon State took a
21-10 lead into the break.
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OSU WR Brian Horn makes a tremendous 48-yard TD reception.[/size]
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The Beavers continued making big plays on offense to start the 3rd quarter. QB Justin Rust gunned it over the middle, hitting TE Adam Banks on a post in stride who took it to the house for a 44-yard TD and putting Oregon State out in front
28-10.
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OSU TE Adam Banks take it to the house on a 44-yard TD reception.[/size]
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The Wolverines continued to fail to find any answer to put points on the board. HB Kevin Fox showed glimpses of stardom on some runs, but Michigan just could not move the ball consistently. And would again go three-and-out. However, Michigan's fortunes were about to change as Rust was tried to go over the middle to TE Adam Banks again. This time Michigan CB William Brooks picked him off. Michigan was able to finally move the ball and soon found themselves just inside OSU territory. It would be fourth-and-one wher Rich Rodriguez decided to risk going for it. Fox got the handoff and scurried through a small hole to easily get the 1st down. On the next play, QB Ryan Sims rifled it to WR Scott Smith deep over the middle where OSU FS Scott Vinson tackled air. Smith avoided Vinson and raced into the end zone for a 43-yard TD to cut the lead to
28-17.
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Michigan QB Ryan Sims rifles it to WR Scott Smith for a 43-yard TD.[/size]
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Heading into the 4th quarter, it seemed like we had a game again. OSU QB Justin Rust was sacked again. One area that the Wolverines seemed to have an advantage was at defensive line as they continued to pressure Rust. Oregon State would be forced to punt. The Wolverines now had been given a window of opportunity to make a comeback. But just when it looked like Michigan was about to get back into the game, Sims was picked off by OSU CB John Biggers.
The Beavers took the opportunity to milk the clock with a long, methodical drive as HB Derrick Andrews pounded it up the middle with success. The drive only stalled at the goal line as the Michigan defense made a nice goal line stand to prevent either Andrews or Holmes from getting into the end zone. As a result, the Beavers settled for an 18-yard chip shot to take a
31-17 lead with only 1:37 left to go in the game. On the ensuing possession, the Wolverines moved into OSU territory with a few passes but showed no sign of urgency. The clock ticked triple zero and the Beavers celebrated back-to-back Rose Bowl victories.
#16 Michigan 17
QB Ryan Sims: 21-29, 192 yds, td, 2 int
HB Kevin Fox: 13 car, 36 yds
WR Scott Smith: 3 rec, 51 yds, td
CB Brad Love: 5 tkl, 2 int, td
#5 Oregon State 31
QB Justin Rust: 18-25, 251 yds, 3 td, 3 int
HB Derrick Andrews: 23 car, 143 yds
TE Adam Banks: 6 rec, 82 yds, td
MLB Casey Wright: 9 tkl, tfl, sk
