Linebacker Steve Morrison seemed offended by a question about Michigan’s national title dreams, which probably evaporated in a 27-26 loss to No. 7 Colorado Saturday afternoon.
“It’s ridiculous to even sit here and talk about the national championship,” he said.
Of course, that’s true most years here. Sometimes Notre Dame throttles Michigan’s aspirations, and other times Ohio State does it. Something has happened every fall since 1948 to deny Michigan the mythical national crown.
It looked like things could be different when fourth-ranked Michigan stole a two-point victory from Notre Dame on the last snap of the game two weeks ago.
But the championship dream probably (Michigan still has a faint hope) slipped away on a deflected 64-yard pass from Colorado’s Kordell Stewart to Michael Westbrook as the clock expired.
The defeat also did little to boost the Heisman Trophy hopes of tailback Tyrone Wheatley, who had a substandard performance in his first appearance after missing the season’s first two games with a separated shoulder.
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“The kids feel as bad as I do,” Michigan coach Gary Moeller said. “To lose a game like that is just sad.”
For Michigan, it was the second late misfortune here in as many years. Last season, Illinois rallied in the last minute on a Johnny Johnson-to-Jim Klein TD pass.
A late Wolverine fumble set up the Illini score. This time disaster came because Michigan couldn’t run out the final 2:15 after it recovered an onside kick at the Colorado 45.
After the Buffaloes burned their last timeout during the possession, all the Wolverines needed was a first down. But on third and 2 at the 37, someone jumped on the Michigan line.
On third and 7, tailback Tshimanga Biakabutuka picked up only 4 yards, and Michigan had to punt.
Moeller said he thought about having quarterback Todd Collins pass for the first down. But he feared an interception or a clock-stopping incompletion.
“The only thing that screwed us up was when we jumped on third and 2,” Moeller said. “The gosh-darned offense screwed us up. I always say every play matters.”
Wheatley (50 yards on 17 carries, one TD) said through a Michigan spokesman that the time off probably affected his timing but that his shoulder felt fine.
He refused to talk to reporters because he was too upset, according to a Michigan spokesman. So much for Heisman hype.