ANN ARBOR, Michigan -- Michigan played like it still
had a hangover from its loss to Notre Dame.
Safety Julius Curry had two interceptions, including one with a
minute left, and the 14th-ranked Wolverines held on for a 10-7
victory over Utah in the first-ever meeting between the schools.
"I did sense some uneasiness. Those guys can't afford to play a
10-7 game with the University of Utah," Utah coach Ron McBride
said. "But make no mistake about it, we came here to win."
Michigan (3-1) tumbled eight spots in the coaches' poll after a
heartbreaking 25-23 loss to Notre Dame last week and squandered
opportunities on Saturday before barely holding off the Utes.
Chris Perry fumbled at the goal line to spoil a first quarter
scoring threat and Philip Brabbs missed a pair of fourth-quarter
field goals for Michigan, which will begin Big 10 play next
week at Illinois.
The lost opportunities almost proved costly when Lance Rice hit
Travis LaTendresse with a 29-yard touchdown with 5:58 left in
the fourth quarter to pull Utah within 10-7.
After Michigan held the ball for four minutes and stalled at the
Utah 27, Brabbs was wide left on a 42-yard field goal with 1:59
left. It was his sixth miss in nine attempts this season.
"I'm very concerned," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said of the
kicking situation, which is 3-of-11 overall on field goals with
two misses by Troy Nienberg. "We've been excellent in practice
but we haven't been able to take that to the game."
But Utah (2-2) was hurt by two holding penalties, negating two
completions by Rice, and Curry's interception at the Utah 43 on
a fourth-down play sealed the win.
"I guess you can say it was a bit of a relief," said Michigan
linebacker Victor Hobson. "They hurt themselves with two
penalties, but we held them when we had to."
Braylon Edwards starred on offense for the Wolverines, catching
nine passes for 109 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown in the
first quarter.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed (with the score),
but we have faith in our defense and we knew they would come up
big," Edwards said.
John Navarre was 19-of-36 for 186 yards and Perry rushed for 91
yards on 26 carries for Michigan.
But it was the Wolverines' defense which earned this victory,
not allowing Utah to cross midfield until its scoring drive in
the fourth quarter.
Michigan held Utah to nine first downs and 13 yards rushing on
20 carries.
"We were sitting in a passing mode all the time," McBride said.
"We didn't move the line of scrimmage and they filled it well
with their safeties. You don't have a running game, you're
one-dimensional."
Rice was 23-of-38 for 208 yards, but was picked off twice by
Curry after not throwing an interception in Utah's first three
games.
Curry had the first one, returning an overthrown pass by Rice 20
yards to the Michigan 15. After two carries by Perry for five
yards, Navarre had a ball swatted at the line of scrimmage by
defensive end Josh Savage on a third-down play.
Knowing his kicking game has been horrendous, Carr called for a
fake and Brabbs took a handoff from the holder and ran to the
Utah 3 for a first down. However, two plays later, Perry
fumbled the ball into the end zone with 3:38 left in the first
quarter and was benched for the remainder of the half.
"Chris Perry is a very good football player, but as a team we
have to take care of the football," Carr said. "If you don't
take care of it, somebody else will get a chance. It's an old
coaching cliche that the best teacher is the bench. He's a
competitive guy and we knew he would respond well (in the second
half)."
On Michigan's next possession, Navarre looked to Edwards, who
caught a 44-yard pass over the middle to the Utah 11. Two plays
later, Edwards ran by safety Antwoine Sanders on an out pattern
for a 12-yard touchdown with 1:36 left in the quarter.
Edwards also had a 14-yard reception in Michigan's seven-play,
46-yard scoring drive in the second quarter. After Navarre
overthrew Edwards down the sideline, the Wolverines settled for
a 37-yard field goal by Brabbs with 4:24 remaining in the half.
However, Brabbs missed a 27-yard field goal attempt wide left in
the fourth quarter before Utah started its only scoring drive,
marching 80 yards in seven plays. Rice hit fullback Rob
Sirstins with a 22-yard pass and connected with Josh Lyman on a
33-yard pass to highlight the drive.
The Utes begin Mountain West Conference play next week against
Air Force.
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