1993: Michigan, 38 vs. Washington, 31

In 1993, the Washington Huskies had something to prove – they were attempting to validate a national championship season in 1992, and they were trying to become the first team in history to win three consecutive Rose Bowl Games.

Unfortunately for the Huskies, Michigan had something to prove as well. They had fallen decisively to the Huskies the year before in the Rose Bowl Game and were attempting to prolong an undefeated season.

Michigan carried the day, and tailback Tyrone Wheatley carried Michigan, as Wheatley and the Wolverines won, 38-31.

Wheatley, an obvious selection for Player of the Game, carried the ball 15 times and rushed for 235 yards and three touchdowns. He broke through for scores of 56, 24 and 88 yards. His 235-yard game was the second-best single-game performance in Rose Bowl Game history, falling 12 short of the record, and his 88-yard touchdown – the first play from scrimmage in the second half – was the longest run from scrimmage in Rose Bowl Game history.

“Wheatley can hit the home run,” said Michigan Head Coach Gary Moeller. “When he gets loose, he is something special. It’s nice to have that kind of weapon.”

Added Washington Head Coach Don James: “Basically, the thing that we needed to do was wrap him up, and we didn’t. He weighs 230 pounds, and, with pads, 250 pounds. With that speed, (tackling him) is no easy task.”

However, given that the numbers from Wheatley alone would have normally signaled a rout, this was a see-saw game, featuring six lead changes and the deciding touchdown coming in the final quarter.

Michigan struck first with a 41-yard field goal from Peter Elezovic. Washington answered on a 1-yard run by Darius Turner of Gardena, Calif. Michigan rebutted with a 49-yard pass from Elvis Grbac to tight end Tony McGee.

In the second quarter, Wheatley broke free for a 56-yard score, but Washington answered with big plays of their own, a 64-yard pass from Mark Brunell to Jason Shelley and an 18-yard strike from Brunell to another Mark B. – tight end Mark Bruener – to take the halftime lead, 21-17.

To open the second half, Wheatley exploded on his 88-yard run and he ended the quarter with his 24-yard touchdown run. However, in between, the Huskies stayed even with a touchdown and a 44-yard field goal by all-time Rose Bowl Game-leader Travis Hanson, his first of the game and fifth all-time.

Michigan used an 80-yard, 10-play drive to take the lead for good. Highlighting the drive were a pair of pass plays from Grbac to McGee, one for 32 yards and a scoring toss of 15 yards. .

Brunell was no slouch in his third Rose Bowl Game. Throwing for a personal-best 308 yards and two touchdowns in the game, he set records for career passes completed (39), passing yards (560), total offense (618 yards) and touchdowns responsible for (7).

Attendance
94,236

Weather
Clear; 68 degrees

Scoring
First Quarter
Mich – Elezovic, 41-yard field goal
Wash – Turner, 1-yard run (Hanson kick good)
Mich – McGee, 49-yard pass from Grbac (Elezovic kick good)

Second Quarter
Mich – Wheatley, 56-yard run (Elezovic kick good)
Wash – Shelley, 64-yard pass from Brunell (Hanson kick good)
Wash – Bruener, 18-yard pass from Brunell (Hanson kick good)

Third Quarter
Mich – Wheatley, 88-yard run (Elezovic kick good)
Wash – Kaufman, 1-yard run (Hanson kick good)
Wash – Hanson, 44-yard field goal
Mich – Wheatley, 24-yard run (Elezovic kick good)

Fourth Quarter
Mich – McGee, 15-yard pass from Grbac (Elezovic kick good)

Coaches
Michigan: Gary Moeller
Washington: Don James

Fun Fact
On New Year’s Day 1993, running back Tyrone Wheatley and the Michigan Wolverines thwarted the Washington Huskies’ attempt to become the first team to win three Rose Bowl Games in a row.

Individual Stats
Rushing
Mich: Wheatley 15-235; E. Davis 9-35; Powers 6-28; Legette 5-12
Wash: Turner 5-18; Kaufman 20-39; Brunell 10-32; Jones 2-4; J. Barry 4-4; R. Thomas 2-8

Passing
Mich: Grbac 17-30-175
Wash: Brunell 18-30-308

Receiving
Mich: Alexander 3-18; Malveaux 1-5; Smith 3-19; McGee 6-117; Wheatley 2-4; Hayes 1-10; Legette 1-2
Wash: Shelley 3-100; Mack 2-33; Bruener 4-85; Turner 1-4; Kralik 2-16; D. Barry 2-61

Punting
Mich: Stapleton 6-222
Wash: Werdel 5-196