Michigan 21 Washington State 16

Michigan defeats Washington State 21-16 in the 84th Rose Bowl Game. The 11-0 Wolverines win the writers' version of the national championship by a large margin in the Associated Press poll. Nebraska, also undefeated, captures the coaches' poll by a mere two points and takes half the national crown. Brian Griese, son of 1967 Rose Bowl star Bob Griese, is named Player of the Game. He completes 18 of 30 passes for three touchdowns and a total of 251 yards. A crowd of 101,219 sees split end Tai Streets catch 53 and 58-yard touchdown passes, and Jerame Tuman pull in the game-clinching pass of 23 yards. Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf makes a desperate attempt to snatch an upset comeback, but runs out of time trying to stop the clock by spiking the ball on Michigan's 26 with two seconds to play. Leaf ends a great day by completing 17 of 35 passes for 331 yards. His 15-yard pass to Kevin McKenzie gives WSU an early 7-0 lead. Heisman winner Charles Woodson of Michigan prevents matters from getting worse when he intercepts a Leaf aerial in the end zone, which leads to the first Griese to Streets touchdown bomb and a 7-7 tie. A third quarter 99-yard Cougar drive produces a 14-yard touchdown slice by Shawn Tims for another Cougar lead, which is held to 13-7 by a James Hall block of Rian Lindell's try for the extra point. Michigan responds with touchdown catches by Streets and Tuman. With the score 21-16 after Lindell's 48-yard field goal, the final dramatics of time ensue.

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