Sooou-eeet!

Late scores seal Citrus Bowl win

Michigan 45

Arkansas 31

ORLANDO - Rob Renes called it "a microcosm of the entire season," and a close look at Michigan's Jan. 1 Citrus Bowl game against Arkansas would seem to back him up.

The Wolverines got themselves into trouble with turnovers and penalties, but eventually came back with a strong fourth quarter and won, 45-31, before 63,584 fans.

The victory was the 10th in 11 games for Michigan, which finished 10-3 after starting the season 0-2. To many players, it meant the difference between a great season and a forgettable one.

"There was a huge difference between 9-4 and 10-3," Renes said. "Anytime you have 10 wins, that makes for a great team."

Sophomore running back Anthony Thomas was voted the game's most valuable player on the strength of his 132 yards rushing and three touchdowns, and senior Tai Streets, in his final collegiate game, caught seven passes for 129 yards.

But in the fourth quarter, with the game on the line, Michigan was propelled by the heroics of DiAllo Johnson and James Whitley. Johnson pulled in a 21-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady with 2:25 left in the game to give the Wolverines a 38-31 lead.

And on Arkansas' ensuing possession, Whitley sealed the deal when he returned an interception 26 yards for a touchdown.

Michigan nearly self-destructed, thanks to a host of penalties, two interceptions by Brady, a fumble by Thomas, a 36-yard pass interference call against Whitley and a missed field goal.

A 24-10 halftime lead had evaporated less than three minutes into the fourth quarter, and Arkansas went up 31-24 after quarterback Clint Stoerner's second touchdown pass of the afternoon.

But the Razorbacks did not score again, and Michigan controlled the play for the rest of the game.

"This was the way we wanted to finish," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said after the game. "We had started this season in a way that no one expected. And this was a great way to end it."

Michigan struck first in the game's first quarter, with a 44-yard Jay Feely field goal. On Michigan's next drive, Drew Henson took over at quarterback. A bit of excitement followed - Henson threw behind the line of scrimmage to Johnson, who then threw back across the field to a diving Henson - but the result was a third-down incompletion and a Michigan punt.

Big tackles by Whitley, on third down, and James Hall, on fourth down, stalled the Razorbacks' next drive inside Michigan territory. After the Wolverines couldn't move the ball, Arkansas struck with a 35-yard touchdown reception by Michael Williams, who stiffarmed Marcus Ray after the catch en route to the end zone.

Clarence Williams returned the following kickoff 40 yards, putting the wolverines in position for their first touchdown. Streets took a short Brady pass 33 yards, Williams carried for 11 on the next play and three plays later, Thomas went two yards for the score.

Two minutes later, linebacker Ian Gold picked off a pass and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown to make the score 17-7.

After Arkansas added a field goal, Brady moved the Wolverines 69 yards in 1:38. The result was another short touchdown run by Thomas, and a 24-10 halftime lead. The second half was up-and-down, but the end result was OK by the Wolverines.

"For the program, it gives us great momentum going into next year," said senior Sam Sword, Michigan's defensive MVP for the game. "And for the seniors, it was great to go out in style."

WARREN ZINN/Daily Tailback Anthony Thomas ran for three touchdowns, as the Wolverines bettered Arkansas in the Citrus Bowl on New Year's Day. Michigan finished the season 10-3.

01-06-99