1998 Michigan Wolverines football team

The 1998 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1998 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fourth year under head coach Lloyd Carr, the Wolverines compiled a 10–3 record (7–1 against conference opponents), finished in a three-way tie for the Big Ten championship, and were ranked No. 12 in the final Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN coaches' polls. They outscored opponents by a total of 359 to 235, ranking 42nd nationally in scoring offense (27.6 points per game) and 14th in scoring defense (18.1 points per game).

After the 1997 team won a share of the national championship, the 1998 team opened its season ranked No. 5, but lost two consecutive games (Notre Dame and Syracuse) at the start of the season. The team then won eight consecutive games before losing its rivalry game against Ohio State. The season ended with a victory over No. 11 Arkansas in the 1999 Florida Citrus Bowl.

Quarterback Tom Brady completed 200 of 323 passes for 2,427 yards with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The team's rushing offense was led by Anthony Thomas and Clarence Williams with 761 and 568 yards, respectively. Tai Streets was selected as the team's most valuable player and led the team's receivers with 60 receptions for 906 yards and 11 touchdowns. Jay Feely was the team's leading scorer with 82 points on 34 extra points and 16 field goals. Offensive tackle and team co-captain Jon Jansen was the only Michigan player to be recognized as a first-team All-American.

The team played its home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Eastern Michigan
On September 19, Michigan defeated Rice, 59–20, before a crowd of 110,438 at Michigan Stadium. On Michigan's first possession, Michigan drove 70 yards for a touchdown on four plays - all runs by Anthony Thomas, including runs of 36 and 26 yards. Michigan drove 39 yards on its second possession, scoring on a two-yard touchdown run by Thomas. On their third possession, the Wolverines were held to a 24-yard field goal by Jay Feely. Late in the first quarter, Eastern Michigan struck back with a 71-yard pass from Walt Church to Brandon Campbell to the one-yard line; Eastern then scored on a one-yard run by Ethan Vannoy. It was the first time Eastern Michigan had scored against a Michigan football team.

On the opening drive of the second quarter, William Peterson intercepted a tipped pass and returned it 51 yards for a touchdown. Peterson's interception return resulted in the only points scored in the second quarter. Michigan led, 24–6, at halftime.

Early in the third quarter, Michigan's James Whitley fumbled a punt return, and Ken Philpot of Eastern Michigan recovered the loose ball at Michigan's 37-yard line. On the next play from scrimmage, Church completed a 37-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Sheffield with Whitley covering. After the Sheffield touchdown, Tom Brady led Michigan on an 80-yard, 16-play drive that consumed seven minutes and 12 seconds. The drive ended with a four-yard touchdown run by Thomas. On its next possession, Michigan again drove downfield for 62 yards, starting with a 34-yard pass from Brady to Marcus Knight and ending with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Brady to David Terrell (Terrell's first college touchdown). Michigan led, 38-13, at the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, freshman Drew Henson entered the game at quarterback on a four-play, 39-yard drive ending with a 32-yard touchdown pass from freshman Henson to freshman Terrell. Less than a minute later, Anthony Jordan intercepted a pass from Church and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown, giving Michigan a 52–13 lead. Eastern Michigan responded with a 12-play, 80-yard drive ending with a four-yard touchdown pass from church to Ethan Vannoy. Henson then led Michigan on a 61-yard drive ending with a one-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Justin Fargas.

Eastern Michigan tallied 424 yards of total offense, surpassing Michigan's 418 yards. Eastern Michigan quarterback Church completed 24 of 32 passes for 343 yards, though he was intercepted four times. True freshman receiver David Terrell had four receptions for 65 yards and two touchdowns. Michigan captain and safety Marcus Ray was suspended indefinitely from the team prior to the game after notification from the NCAA of a tip that Ray allegedly had unpermitted contact with a sports agent during the summer.

Penn State
On November 7, Michigan, ranked No. 22 in the BCS Poll, upset Penn State, ranked No. 10 in the BCS poll, by a 27–0 score before a crowd of 111,019 at Michigan Stadium. On Michigan's first possession, Tom Brady led the Wolverines on an eight-play, 63-yard touchdown drive, concluding with a 26-yard pass from Brady to Aaron Shea. On the next drive, Kevin Thompson of Penn State fumbled, and Josh Williams recovered the loose ball for Michigan. Michigan capitalized with an 18-yard field goal by Jay Feely. Penn State drove to Michigan's 17-yard line on the next drive, but Michigan's James Hall blocked Travis Forney's kick for field goal. Clarence Williams then fumbled the ball back to Penn State inside the Michigan 10-yard line.

On the first play of the second quarter, Penn State ran the ball on fourth-and-goal from the two-yard line, but Sam Sword stopped the runner short of the goal line. Late in the second quarter, Brady led Michigan on an 80-yard touchdown drive, featuring a 40-yard gain on a screen pass to Anthony Thomas and ending with a seven-yard pass to Tai Streets. Michigan led, 17–0, at halftime.

In the third quarter, Dewayne Patmon intercepted a Kevin Thompson pass near midfield, and Michigan again capitalized as Feely kicked a 49-yard field goal. No other points were scored by either team in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Brady led Michigan on an 11-play, 46-yard drive ending with a one-yard run by Anthony Thomas.

Tom Brady completed 17 of 30 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns and was selected as the Chevrolet Michigan player of the game. Linebacker Mac Morrison had 12 tackles and was selected as the Chevrolet Penn State player of the game. After being suspended for the first six games of the season, defensive back Marcus Ray returned to the lineup for Michigan.

Wisconsin
On November 14, No. 15 Michigan upset No 8 Wisconsin by a 27–10 score before a crowd of 111,217 at Michigan Stadium. In the first minute of the game, Andre Weathers intercepted a pass by Wisconsin quarterback Mike Samuel. Michigan took over at the Wisconsin 25-yard line. On fourth down, Jay Feely faked a field goal but was stopped short of the first down. Samuel later connected with Chris Chambers on an 80-yard touchdown reception. Later in the quarter, Michigan tied the score on a six-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Jerame Tuman.

Michigan scored two touchdowns in the second quarter. Early in the quarter, anthony Thomas ran 59 yards for a touchdown. Later in the quarter, Michigan drove 89 yards with Brady passing to Marcus Knight for 32 yards and Thomas scoring on a 15-yard run at the 0:48 mark. Michigan led, 21–7, at the half.

In the third quarter, Wisconsin blocked a Michigan punt from behind the goal line and took over with excellent field position. Michigan's defense held, and Wisconsin settled from a 39-yard field goal. Feely also kicked a 29-yard field goal. Feely added a 49-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.

The Wolverines held Wisconsin running back Ron Dayne to 53 rushing yards (3.3 yards per carry) and no touchdowns.

At Hawaii
On November 28, Michigan defeated Hawaii, 48–17, before a crowd of 26,786 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

Florida Citrus Bowl (vs Arkansas)
On January 1, 1999, No. 15 Michigan defeated No. 11 Arkansas, 45–31, before a crowd of 63,584 in the 1999 Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida.

Post-season and awards
In the final polls issued after the bowl games, Michigan was ranked No. 12 by both the Associated Press (AP) and USA Today/ESPN.

Offensive tackle Jon Jansen was the only Michigan player to receive first-team honors on the 1998 All-America college football team. He was selected by the American Football Coaches Association.

The following Michigan players received recognition on the 1998 All-Big Ten Conference football team:
 * Steve Hutchinson, offensive guard - media (first team), coaches (first team)
 * Jerame Tuman, tight end - media (first team), coaches (first team)
 * Jon Jansen, offensive tackle - media (first team), coaches (first team)
 * Jeff Backus, offensive tackle - media (second team)
 * Tai Streets, wide receiver - media (second team), coaches (second team)
 * James Hall, defensive line - media (second team), coaches (second team)
 * Rob Renes, defensive line - media (second team)
 * Ian Gold, linebacker - media (second team)
 * Sam Sword, linebacker - media (second team), coaches (second team)
 * Tommy Hendricks, defensive back - media (second team), coaches (second team)
 * Andre Weathers, defensive back - coaches (second team)

Jansen also received the coaches' award as the Big Ten offensive lineman of the year.

Wide receiver Tai Streets won the 1998 Bo Schembechler Award as the team's most valuable player. Other team awards were presented as follows:
 * Meyer Morton Award: Tai Streets
 * John Maulbetsch Award: Maurice Williams
 * Frederick Matthei Award: Dhani Jones
 * Arthur Robinson Scholarship Award: Rob Renes
 * Dick Katcher Award: Rob Renes
 * Hugh Rader Jr. Award: Jon Jansen
 * Robert P. Ufer Award: Mark Campbell
 * Roger Zatkoff Award: Sam Sword

Statistical achievements and leaders
The team led the Big Ten in passing defense by holding all opponents to 181.2 yards per game and conference opponents to 139.2 yards per game. The team also led the conference in total defense in conference games (244.6), while Ohio State led for all games.

Passing
On November 21 against Ohio State, Tom Brady set multiple Michigan single-game passing records, including:
 * 56 pass attempts, a total that remains Michigan's single-game record as of the 2022 season;
 * 31 pass completions, a total that remained Michigan's single-game record until 1999 when Brady completed 34 games against Alabama;
 * 375 passing yards

Brady set several other team passing records: single-season pass attempts record (350), ranking eighth as of 2022; and single-season completions (214), ranking sixth as of 2022.

Coaching staff

 * Head coach: Lloyd Carr (4th season)
 * Offensive coordinator: Mike DeBord (2nd season)
 * Defensive coordinator: Jim Herrmann (2nd season)
 * Assistant coaches:
 * Teryl Austin
 * Erik Campbell - wide receivers (4th year)
 * Brady Hoke - defensive line (2nd year)
 * Fred Jackson - assistant head coach and running backs (2nd year)
 * Terry Malone - offensive line (2nd year)
 * Bobby Morrison - special teams (2nd year) and recruiting coordinator (3rd year)
 * Stan Parrish - quarterbacks (3rd year)


 * Trainer: Paul Schmidt (8th year)

1999 NFL Draft
The following players were selected in the 1999 NFL Draft:
 * Jon Jansen - drafted by Washington Redskins in second round
 * Jerame Tuman - drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers in fifth round
 * Tai Streets - drafted by San Francisco 49ers in sixth round
 * Andre Weathers - drafted by New York Giants in sixth round