Woodson pick ends Cougars' key drive

Third-down success key in Michigan win

PASADENA, Calif. - The shoulder shake and body swagger ended just as his teammates rushed over to pat him on the head and on his pads.

Cornerback Charles Woodson gave his usual swagger in the end zone after intercepting his eighth pass of the season in Michigan's 21-16 victory over Washington State.

The interception proved to be one of the biggest plays in the 84th Rose Bowl game, preventing the Cougars from possibly going up 14-0 early in the second quarter.

Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf launched the ball from Michigan's 12-yard line, intended for receiver Kevin McKenzie in the left corner of the end zone. Woodson cut in front of McKenzie and grabbed the ball on a soaring leap, ending what woul

WARREN ZINN/Daily Charles Woodson's second-quarter interception of Ryan Leaf's end-zone bound pass elicited quite a reaction from Michigan fans. Woodson broke up four passes, caught a pass and ran for a first down.

d have probably culminated in a touchdown on the 65-yard drive.

The Cougars had gone up 7-0 after Leaf hit a streaking McKenzie on a 15-yard pass and Rian Lindell converted the point after attempt.

"I thought the play Woodson made was definitely a big play for us because being down 14-0 against a team as prolific as Washington State is would have been difficult for us," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said the day after the game.

Woodson's eight interceptions were a team high this year and are the most in a single season since Tom Curtis' eight in 1969. Woodson was the Heisman Trophy winner, the first primarily defensive player to win the award, and the defensive player of the year.

Third-down conversions: The Wolverines failed to convert any of their five third-down opportunities in the first half, while the Cougars converted three of their nine opportunities. The first Cougar third-down conversion led to their first score two plays later.

The Wolverines did an about-face in the second half, converting 10 of their 12 second half opportunities.

The Wolverines' conversions were instrumental in keeping their last drive alive, the same drive that ate a huge chunk of the clock late in the fourth quarter. The Wolverines converted four straight third downs to burn 6:56 off the clock.

One of the biggest plays of the drive was quarterback Brian Griese's 11-yard run deep in Michigan territory. Facing a third-and-11 from the Michigan 18-yard line, Griese broke free of a tackler's hold and raced for the first down.

Then on the next third down, on a third-and-seven, Griese hit Woodson on a lateral who faked a pass then raced up the sideline for the first down. Griese then hit receiver Russell Shaw and Woodson once more on the next two third down opportunities, respectively.

"Griese certainly had great plays," Carr said. "Just imagine if we haven't had gotten those first downs."

Other notes: Michigan's Rose Bowl victory was the first time since 1973 that a consensus No. 1 coming into the Rose Bowl has won the game. Top-ranked Southern Cal defeated Ohio State, 42-17, in 1973 and went on to win the national title. ... Michigan finished the season 12-0 for the first time in school history and won its 11th national championship.

WARREN ZINN/Daily Tight end Jerame Tuman lifts wide receiver Tai Streets into the air after one of Streets' touchdowns. The pair accounted for all three Michigan scores.

01-07-98