EVANSTON - For the first time since 1958-59, Michigan lost to Northwestern two years in a row.
And after Saturday's 17-16 loss in front of 48, 187 sold-out Dyche Stadium, the sixth-ranked Wolverines (1-1 Big Ten, 4-1 overall) have nobody to blame but themselves.
Leading, 9-0, at the beginning of the second half, Michigan marched 80 yards on its first possession.
The drive culminated in a three-yard Chris Howard touchdown run and a 16-point Michigan lead.
Then the game blew up in the Wolverines' faces. And they pushed the detonator.
The Wolverines gained just 28 yards in the game's final quarter, while giving up 172 to the Wildcats.
As a result, No. 22 Northwestern (2-0, 4-1) charged back into the game, and junior kicker Brian Gowins nailed a 39-yard game-winning field goal with just 13 seconds left.
"We couldn't get any offense going after the first drive of the second half," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "Our defense was on the field too long, and it came down to too many mistakes."
Northwestern coach Gary Barnett said, it was the biggest win of his career.
"I've coached a lot of big games, but right now there doesn't seem like there's one that's bigger, better or sweeter than this one," he said.
In many ways, the game followed the same story line as Northwestern's 19-13 win at Michigan Stadium last year.
The Wildcats simply hung around until Michigan made a mistake. Last season, it was two interceptions and a late fumble.
This season, it was two fumbles and a myriad of missed opportunities.
The Wolverines were forced to settle for field goals on their first two drives after pushing the ball to Northwestern's 20- and 14-yard lines, respectively.
Michigan's first drive actually went deeper than the 14 after a roughing the passer penalty on Northwestern had given Michigan the ball on the Wildcats' 12-yard line.
However, Michigan was flagged for a false start on the very next play, and a holding penalty moved the ball back further two plays later.
Still, the game ran smoothly for Michigan into the third quarter. And then it fell apart.
The Wolverines were forced to use their first time out of the half when Northwestern looked like it would go for a first down on fourth-and-three from the Michigan 41 with 7:47 left in the third quarter.
The Wildcats punted after the time out, and the Wolverines used their final two time outs on the ensuing drive.
Michigan looked to be back in good shape when Northwestern punter Paul Burton downed the ball at his own 42-yard line after a low snap.
The Wolverines picked up a first down, but on second-and-10 from the Wildcats' 31-yard line, receiver Tai Streets fumbled a completed pass and gave the ball back to Northwestern.
The turnover led to the Wildcats' first score, a three-yard run by Levelle Brown. Northwestern quarterback Steve Schnur hit receiver D'Wayne Bates in the back of the end zone for the two-point conversion to make the score 16-8.
On Michigan's next play from scrimmage, Howard fumbled the ball and Northwestern recovered at the Michigan 20. Six plays later, Gowins hit a 23-yard field goal to bring the Wildcats to within five.
Michigan failed to gain a first down on its next possession and gave the ball back to the Wildcats on their own 40.
The Wildcats again drove the ball down field. On a third-and-10 play from the Michigan 46, Schnur hit Bates for 18 yards. Schnur then connected with Bates again, this time for 12 yards, and Northwestern was inside the Michigan 20.
After Schnur threw two incompletions, Gowins hit his second field goal of the game from 33 yards out to bring the Wildcats to within two points.
Michigan was forced to punt again on its next possession, and instead of downing the ball inside the 10, the Wolverines got greedy, trying to kill it on the goal line, and allowed the ball to bounce into the end zone for a touchback.
The Wolverines forced Northwestern to a fourth-and-nine situation on the ensuing drive, but Schnur hit receiver Brian Musso for 12 yards. Musso fumbled the ball, but recovered it.
"We feel that if we get third-and-long, we should stop it," Michigan defensive end David Bowens said. "That fourth down really hurt us."
Northwestern picked up one more first down before Gowins hit his game-winner.
For a Michigan team that had all sights set on Pasadena, it was a devastating loss.
"We prepared way too hard and we had a great non-conference schedule," Bowens said. "It's just very discouraging."
For Northwestern, the win is another step towards proving last season wasn't a fluke - proof the Wildcats are a good football team.
"What you just saw play was a group of warriors," Barnett said. "What you just saw was a lot of heart."
Without a game next week, Michigan has two weeks to think about how to get back on the Rose Bowl road. A road that now leaves the Wolverines very little room for error.
"There wasn't any room to begin with," center Rod Payne said.
JOE WESTRATE/Daily
Michigan running back Chris Howard fumbles the ball en route to the Wolverines' 17-16 loss to Northwestern on Saturday. Howard fumbled on the first play of the first drive after Northwestern's touchdown cut the Wolverines' lead to 16-8. Northwestern recovered the fumble and drove to the Michigan six-yard line, setting up Brian Gowins' 23-yard field goal, his second of the game.