1998 Rose Bowl

NCAAFootballSingleGameHeader
Name=1998 Rose Bowl
Date=January 1, 1998
Year=1997
Visitor School=University of Michigan
Visitor Name Short=Michigan
Visitor Nickname=Wolverines
Visitor Record=11-0
Visitor

Visitor Coaches=1
Visitor Coach=Lloyd Carr
Visitor1=0
Visitor2=7
Visitor3=7
Visitor4=7
Visitor5=
Visitor Total=21
Home School=Washington State University
Home Name Short=Washington State
Home Nickname=Cougars
Home Record=10-1
Home

Home Coaches=7
Home Coach=Mike Price
Home1=7
Home2=0
Home3=6
Home4=3
Home5=
Home Total=16
Type=bg
Stadium=Rose Bowl Stadium
City=Pasadena, California
Attendance=101,219
MVP=Brian Griese (Michigan QB)
Anthem=Washington State Cougar Marching Band
Halftime=Washington State Cougar Marching Band, Michigan Marching Band
US Network=ABC
US Announcers=Keith Jackson, Bob GrieseThe 1998 Rose Bowl was the 84th Rose Bowl game and was played on January 1, 1998 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, was a college football bowl game. The game featured Michigan beating Washington State by a score of 21–16. The ending of the game involved some controversy; as Washington State was driving, Ryan Leaf spiked the ball to stop the clock. However, the clock continued to run until time expired, securing a victory for Michigan. Brian Griese was named the Rose Bowl Player of the Game. [http://www.bowlprograms.com/rosebowl/?pg=182 2008 Rose Bowl Program] , 2008 Rose Bowl. Accessed January 26, 2008.] This was the last year that the Rose Bowl was not part of the Bowl Championship Series. This was also the last year that the game was not branded with corporate sponsorship.

Teams

University of Michigan Wolverines

Washington State Cougars

The Rose Bowl Representative from the PAC 10 conference was chosen in the very first week of the season. In Pullman, Washington State defeated UCLA 37-34. UCLA failed to score on a 4th and goal situation in the final minute of the game. UCLA running back Skip Hicks had taken himself out of the game because of exhaustion after running for 190 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries. [Maisel, Ivan - True Blue Grit. Sports Illustrated, November 24, 1997] UCLA would lose only once more, to #3 ranked and eventual Bowl Alliance participant Tennessee. Washington State would defeat USC in Los Angeles in the second game for the Cougars. The only blemish would be 31-44 loss at Arizona State. The Cougars defeated the Washington Huskies 41-35 in the Apple Cup game. With the win, and the fact that they had defeated UCLA, Washington State got the Rose Bowl invitation. UCLA and Washington State shared the PAC 10 title.

Aftermath

The next year, the Rose Bowl game would become part of the Bowl Championship Series. This would give a greater chance of the number one and number two teams meeting. Michigan was named the college football national champion for the 1997 football season in the AP poll. In the coaches poll, undefeated Nebraska was voted #1, jumping over Michigan who had entered the Rose Bowl #1.

This was the last Rose Bowl game with an attendance of over 100,000. The Rose Bowl Stadium was modified following the game to widen the playing field for soccer and remove lower seats that were blocked by players on the sidelines.

External links

* [http://www.tournamentofroses.com/rosebowlgame/ Rose Bowl Game official site]

References