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ORLANDO, Fla. — Michigan coach Lloyd Carr was doused with water, surrounded by dancing players and then carried onto the field.
He went out a winner.
Chad Henne threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns, Mike Hart ran for 129 yards and two scores and the Wolverines upset No. 9 Florida 41-35 Tuesday in the Capital One Bowl to win their first bowl game since 2003.
This one was special.
Michigan’s senior class won its first bowl game in four tries and Carr ended his coaching career on a high note.
“It’s extremely meaningful on a personal level,” Carr said. “But the reason it’s meaningful is because I can be in that locker room with the guys that did it. Our coaches put together a great game plan, our players executed. Of course, we were big so-called underdogs.
“To come up with that kind of effort and to find a way to win means that we have some memories that we’re all going to be able to celebrate for years to come.”
Henne, Adrian Arrington and Mario Manningham torched Florida’s secondary all game. Arrington caught nine passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns, and Manningham added five catches for 78 yards and a score.
The Gators (9-4) kept it close thanks to four turnovers and plenty of big plays by Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and speedster Percy Harvin.
Playing with a broken bone in his non-throwing hand and facing constant blitzes, Tebow was 17-of-33 for 154 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 57 yards and a score.
Harvin ran 13 times for 165 yards and a touchdown, and caught nine passes for 77 yards and a score.
It wasn’t enough.
Florida failed to convert a fourth-down play at its 25 yard line, and K.C. Lopata’s 41-yard field goal put Michigan (9-4) ahead 41-35 with 2:21 remaining.
The Gators got another shot, but Tebow threw four straight incompletions to end any chance of a comeback.
“You definitely don’t want to end the season on a losing note, so it definitely does take a little bit of the positive out of (the season),” Tebow said.
The Wolverines dumped a bucket of ice water on Carr in the closing seconds, then players started jumping up and down and dancing around their retiring coach.
They also carried him to midfield for the postgame handshake and interviews. His players dropped him off and headed straight to the Michigan section for a raucous celebration — one they haven’t had after a bowl game since beating Florida in the Outback Bowl.
“We couldn’t ask for anything else,” Hart said. “We were all happy for him. Any time we get a victory, we’re always happy. But we knew it was his last game, the seniors’ last game, and when we leave on top like that, it’s awesome.
“Obviously it was emotional after the game. It’s sad but happy. It was my last game in a Wolverines jersey and his last game coaching. We all had mixed emotions.”
Carr announced his retirement Nov. 19, two days after another loss to Ohio State. Michigan hired Rich Rodriguez to replace him, and Rodriguez watched part of the game from the sideline and part from a private box, trying not to be a distraction.
He wasn’t for the players, who vowed to send Carr out with a victory.
“It was an amazing feeling for us to send him out the right way,” said Henne, who completed 25 of 39 passes. “He deserves so much and we really played our hearts out and put everything out on the field and let him go out the right way.”
Michigan may have had a much easier game had it not been for the turnovers.
Hart fumbled on the Florida 4 in the second quarter, and Henne threw an interception near the goal line on the next possession.
Michigan started to pull away in the third. The Wolverines recovered the kickoff — a pooch kick the Gators couldn’t field — and promptly marched to the 1. Hart’s second rushing touchdown made it 28-14.
Tebow got Florida right back in it, though, driving the Gators 56 yards and capping it with a 1-yard scoring run.
Florida’s defense continued to struggle, allowing Henne to move the Wolverines with ease. But Hart’s second fumble — this one at the goal line — gave the ball back to Florida.
The Gators looked like they would stall, but coach Urban Meyer called for a fake punt on fourth-and-7 at the 23. Florida scored a few plays later to tie it up.
Florida capitalized on Henne’s second interception and led 35-31 with 5:49 to play. But the lead was short-lived.
Henne put Michigan ahead for good with his 18-yard strike to Arrington with 4:12 remaining. He was 3-for-3 passing for 61 yards on the four-play drive that included Arrington’s juggling, one-handed catch along the sideline.
“I don’t think we coached very well in certain areas,” said Meyer, who lost for the first time in his last five bowl games.
Meyer sized up the loss this way: Florida didn’t give Tebow much time to throw, couldn’t get pressure on Henne and failed to cover Michigan’s receivers.
“The deflater is when you go ahead and score on the fake punt and that (touchdown) drive and then boom, boom, boom, right down the field and they score,” Meyer said. “You have to answer score for score. I really thought we’d have a chance to come back and win that thing, but we didn’t get it going.”
Michigan did — and it sent Carr out a winner.
“What they did in this game and this environment, well, I love them to death,” Carr said.
© 2008, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by mdvol on January 1, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Should have been Vols in Citrus and Gators in Outback.
Posted by dvols27 on January 1, 2008 at 5:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fulmer needs to consider Loeffler. He and his QB just showed everyone how a slower team with lesser talent can beat the Gators.
Posted by Plasticman on January 1, 2008 at 5:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe Urban Meyer is becoming an Urban Myth. Michigan put a hurt on the gators and the score should have been worse except for key turnovers by Mich. Hope Chavis studies tape of Mich. "D" to see how to stop the "two-man offense" Tebow and Harvin!!
Posted by Chainsaw on January 1, 2008 at 6:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of Gaytors!
Posted by jobrando on January 1, 2008 at 6:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a great day for the VOLS. They win the EAST and finish above the Gators in the final polls. That's what is all about. Go Vols in 2008
Posted by BigVolinCarolina on January 1, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Florida, way to be the "Tennessee" of last year and lose to an inferior Big Ten team.
Michigan outplayed Florida and just wanted it more in this year's Citrus Bowl. Penn State did the same thing to Tennessee in the Outback Bowl last year.
Talent & coaching are vital, of course: but when will folks ever realize just how important EFFORT and HEART really are? Today's Citrus Bowl just goes to show that.....
Posted by jobrando on January 1, 2008 at 6:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dont want to break anybodys bubble but Michgan is like 26 and 5 aganst SEC. Big Ten plays good football.
Posted by dallasdog1 on January 1, 2008 at 6:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Urban,
How could you not beat a team that gives you four turnovers? I guess you are not the water walker you are given credit for. Tebow came close to tears again.....i loved seeing those guys put hats on him....Auburn only team in the SEC to do it.
Posted by inquiry on January 1, 2008 at 6:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chomp Chomp.. just back here in Orlando from the Outback Bowl, I could see the Gator tears from 20 miles away coming into town tonight... GO VOLS..Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of guys.
Posted by huntined on January 1, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hope Chavis looks at the Fla. game as Michigan knew how to stop them.
Had a bunch of turnovers that were sure points. Fla. was not ready for this game,thought Michigan was slow.
They know better now
Posted by beartn on January 1, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
By the way, Loeffler could also be interviewing as a QB coach. That was his current role, and he is looking for a job. My guess is that he could be a candidate as OC and QB position coach.
Posted by tennisvol on January 1, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Michigan showed how to defend Tebow. Rush, rush, and rush him some more. Pressure, pressure, and more pressure. Good to see Carr go out a big winner against the Gators.
Posted by BigVolinCarolina on January 1, 2008 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Right on, tennisvol. But, I would add one thing along with bringing pressure: TACKLING! Michigan tackled.
Hope our players take note of that for next year's game.
Posted by andy112382 on January 1, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well I didn't know much about Michigans QB coach until that article that mentioned him as a candidate, but all I need to know right now is that he was part of an offense that handled Florida and that is a heckuva start right there. If anything, consider getting him on the staff in some form with multiple openings, he does need a job after today!
Oh, and make sure to study that tape for next season! That tape and the UGA/UF game tape!
GO VOLS!!!
Posted by james on January 1, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Coaches, Get a copy of this game film and learn from it. Florida can be beat. They lost several times this year. Hate to see SEC teams lose but I hate to see the Gators win. Mixed emotions. GO VOLS
Posted by philfan on January 1, 2008 at 7:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I always pull for the SEC teams, but...well, it was Florida who was beaten. Sorry, just this once I am not too upset about their losing to a better team. Sorry.
Posted by BigVolinCarolina on January 1, 2008 at 7:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WHOA everyone. I'm already seeing people that want to give Michigan's QB coach the slot as our offensive coordinator. He may be the guy, but let's make sure.
Remember:
1. Michigan LOST to Appalachian St., Oregon, Wisconsin & Ohio State this year. They couldn't put up any points against Ohio State, either.
2. Though Florida is beatable, Urban Meyer rarely gets outcoached (it kills me to say that about him, too, but it's true). Meyer will have 9 months to look at that tape and make corrections.
So, let's don't give the Michigan QB coach a job just because he beat Florida one time. Let's do it for the right reasons.
Posted by pdhuff on January 1, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Urban Meyers, no running game or running backs caught up with you for the 4th time this season.
When Tebow got slowed down mid-season, the wheels slowly started coming off.
Oh well, stay the course.
Posted by weisgarber2003 on January 1, 2008 at 8:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
SEC or not, very pleasing to see any Florida Gator team lose.
Posted by yeavols on January 1, 2008 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
SEC or no SEC loyalty..I am not going to lament over the gator's loss. If the truth be known, it was actually pleasurable. Sorry about that.
Posted by mparker on January 1, 2008 at 10:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Michigan has 10 wins against VANDY. The tv announcers never bothered to mention that.
UF embarrassed themsleves, they are the UT or last year.
I can understand if you don't like UF, but I DESPISE the big 10 (I live in big 10 country, it is the pits).
Posted by mparker on January 1, 2008 at 11:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
here ya go, if you won't to check it out...
http://mcubed.net/ncaaf/series/index....
Posted by dfreeman on January 1, 2008 at 11:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Talk about not absorbing some of the blame!! Meyer threw a coach or two under the bus didn't he? I mean he just publicly criticized his coaching staff and took none of the blame for himself!! Sore loser maybe??
Posted by nicksjuzunk on January 2, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
99gator must be licking his wounds. i didn't see it coming either buddy.
Posted by lnbadger320 on January 2, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i know we are supposed to cheer for the SEC but after the gaytor beating i wasn't sad or bummed at all. oh well, Carr seems to be a pretty classy guy. so i'll not cry about the gaytor's loss.
Posted by gravegr on January 2, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GREAT LOSS GATORS. HOPE YOU HAVE MANY MORE.
Posted by tngeoff on January 2, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gators were downright embarrassing for the SEC yesterday. How humiliating to have such big mouths stuffed full of Michigan, Big Ten (11) crow. I think they call it Magpie a la mode up there. Enjoy gators. The only thing you can do until next year is run your mouths about what shoulda', coulda' and woulda' have happened if only.... Actually, I've already heard some much should coming out gator supporters that they obviously have should all over themselves. Please, get cleaned up and get that stench off you! Learn to keep your big yaps shut and life will be a lot better for you.
Posted by tngeoff on January 2, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As for Tebow? I had a lot of respect for him, but yesterday he looked like a boy who was scared of the men that were coming after him. It kinda' reminded me of Ohio State's Heistman Trophy winner last year who looked bad against the gators. What a role reversal. By the way, I agree with dfreeman, what a lame excuse for a coach Meyer looked like in his blameshifting. Urban legend? No, Urban illusion.
Posted by mparker on January 2, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't know how much was tebow. Mostly it was that pisspoor defense, the one that has killed them all season.
Look at UF scores, you'll see some bad performances by the D. What do you expect when you lose so much to the pros???
Tebow is not a pure passer. That is where you miis a chris leak qb. Urban now has a problem: do start platooning a heisman winner with a dorpback passer???
Probably not; more likely, he'll try to get a strong runner, a big, bad Jamal Lewis type player.
Posted by mparker on January 2, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
playoff;
if any year puts a playoff in view, this is it:
-USC playing well;
-Oklahoma playing well (pending what they do to wv)
-Mizzou playing well
-UGA playing well
LSU and OSU highly suspect as the 2 top teams.
what the he##, do a 32-team, starting on the first weekend in december:
32-16-8-4-2
corresponds to Month (possible dates in parens)
Dec (1-7)
Dec (8-15)
Dec (16-22)
Dec (23-30)
Jan (1-7)
Games played at home of top-seeds except the championshiip game. bowls can still exist, take the losers of various rounds.
Posted by sjt18 on January 2, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
UT's win is only slightly more satisfying than UF's loss.
Michigan found yet another way to slow down the offense that alot of "we want change" folks think is the solution for UT. One subtle thing is that hitting Tebow causes Meyer to change his playcalling.
UF's D isn't good and honestly unless they have some RS's step up big.... I don't think they'll get good enough by next year to win an SEC championship much less a BCS championship.
In case TDTN is lurking... I would like to remind him that before the season, I predicted that UT would win 10 and that UF would lose 3 to 5 games....
For those who feel compelled to always root for SEC teams... Why? We definitely want enough winners to keep the reputation of the conference up. OTOH, it also benefits UT when other programs (in particular those that UT competes with head to head in recruiting) underachieve like UF did.
Guys who are diehard Gators will still go there. Anyone on the fence might look at a good UT bowl win and an exciting coaching change as big positives.
Posted by tngeoff on January 2, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sjt18,
Good post.
Posted by grvol on January 2, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fl's D is and has been terrible all year. Too bad Cut couldn't take advantage. With a new OC may have a better shot next year.. if Vols show up.
Posted by sjt18 on January 2, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
grvol, It doesn't matter much now with Cut leaving... but I think that game probably had more to do with Ainge's pinky and recently revealed shoulder injuries than anything else.
If you ask "Why didn't they play a back up?"... I'm with you. I try to be reasonable with my criticism... but that was a bad call that didn't benefit UT at all. Had they played Crompton or Stephens for 3 or 4 games... that would have given Ainge 5 weeks with the bye to recover and STILL get UT to the SEC CG. He'd have been healthy.
Not really fair to second guess... but playing a hurt Ainge rather than a healthy back up was probably the biggest factor in the UF debacle.
Whether UF knew about the should or just the pinky, their D gameplan seemed to expect the short game. They took away the run and then pressed.
Posted by OrangeNation on January 2, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Uh, can some of you explain how giving up 35 points amounts to stopping Florida? I think Michigan outscored Florida & based on the Michigan turnovers the score should have been worse. But giving up 35 points to another team is not stopping anyone.
Posted by sjt18 on January 2, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OrangeNation, they slowed them and took them out of their gameplan by putting pressure on Tebow. Without 4 Michigan turnovers... UF wouldn't have been that close and probably wouldn't have scored over 20.
Posted by pdhuff on January 2, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I took no pleasure from watching an SEC team give up 500+ yards. I can do no dissing to a team that put 59 on us. It just puts our season in perspective watching Michigan do what we could not.
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