Michigan In Top-25 With Stunning Win

Sports Betting News - September 13th, 2009 - Written by John

In a day that showed how quickly freshman can make an impact on the field, it was Tate Forcier who was an unlikely example.

The true freshman led Michigan to a game-winning drive, capped off with a touchdown pass to Greg Mathews with 11 seconds remaining, to lead the Wolverines past no. 18 Notre Dame, 38-34, Saturday. More importantly he did a lot to lead Michigan past the haunting memories of the last two seasons, where the Wolverines lost to Division I-AA Appalachian State in 2007, and followed it up with a 3-9 campaign last year.

"It will go down in history as one of the greatest games in the Michigan-Notre Dame rivalry," Mathews said on ESPN.com. "I'm glad I got a chance to play in it."

The win vaults Michigan into the 25th spot in the AP poll, the first time it's been in the rankings since the end of the 2007 season.

"If they stay humble and hungry and keep getting better," Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez said after the game. "Then some of that national respect that all of us want -- our fans and players -- they'll get it."

The score capped a 57-yard drive that started with 2:13 left in the game after Notre Dame scored two straight touchdowns to take the 34-31 lead.

Forcier's five-yard toss to Mathews was the most important of his 23 completions on the day. He also did it with his feet, running for 70 yards on the ground. He dazzled the arena with a 31-yard touchdown run on fourth down to give Michigan a 31-20 lead before Notre Dame's two-touchdown semi-comeback.

Irish quarterback, Jimmy Clausen, had a great game in the loss, going 25-for-42 for 336 yards and three touchdowns.

"I told them the same thing that Coach said," Clausen told ESPN.com. "We have to decide how we're going to go from here."

Michigan certainly needed the boost after being engulfed in controversy in the weeks leading up to the game. It was reported that several former and current players had an axe to grind with Rodriguez, who they claim worked them too strenuously and violated NCAA rules. The Wolverines have a relatively easy slate for most of the remainder of it's schedule.
A lot of teams have said that lately. USC is 14 for their last 16 in games against top-10 opponents.

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