Will They Go Against Law? : Michigan Cornerback Has Been on Losing End of Some Big Plays

It not only happened once to Ty Law, it happened twice. Two times the grief. Two times the ignominy.

It happened during his freshman season two years ago in the din of Notre Dame Stadium when a questionable pass-interference call in the end zone with 11:25 left helped the Irish gain a 17-17 tie against Michigan.

Then it happened again in September before 106,427 at Michigan Stadium during the game’s final play against Colorado.

Law, a cornerback, was in the middle of a game-deciding play. This one, though, was a spectacle.

“You see it all the time on (ESPN’s) SportsCenter, in the news,” Law said the other day in San Diego as No. 20 Michigan prepared to play No. 10 Colorado State in Friday’s Thrifty Car Rental Holiday Bowl.

“It’s in all the highlight films. I’ve been on the cover of Sports Illustrated.”

Law was victimized in what was perhaps the season’s most exciting play, a 70-yard Hail Mary pass from Colorado’s Kordell Stewart that was tipped before the Buffaloes’ Michael Westbrook dived, caught it and rolled in the end zone with no time remaining for a 27-26 victory.

“It was nothing spectacular,” said Law, one of the few who think it wasn’t. “It was a wish play . . . just a bunch of hope. He threw it a long ways . . . further than expected. . . . It went straight up and came straight down. It had a lot of velocity, it was very fast.”

Law, the backbone of Michigan’s much-maligned secondary, turned in midair and grabbed Westbrook, but it was too late. Colorado (10-1) was on its way to a great season; Michigan (7-4) was headed to a pedestrian year that would include the wrong Southern California bowl game.

“That’s something that will always stick in the back of my mind, something that I can always look at (and say), ‘Damn, why me?’ ” Law said of the play.

Losing like that seemed to deflate Michigan. The Wolverines lost to Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin to finish third in the Big Ten. If they lose to Colorado State on Friday, it will be Coach Gary Moeller’s worst record since taking over for Bo Schembechler in 1990.

“When you play a game so hard and you have it, then it’s taken away from you, it takes a lot out of you,” said Tyrone Wheatley, Michigan’s running back.

At least Law was prepared for the scrutiny. The pass-interference call in 1992 came in his first game for Michigan against one of the Wolverines’ biggest rivals.

“People thought it would break me,” he said.

It hasn’t. And neither did the Colorado game. Law, who had six interceptions his junior season but none this year, was named All-Big Ten for ’94 because of his outstanding coverage. He also made two All-American teams.

Law, 6 feet and 201 pounds, came to Ann Arbor after leading Aliquippa High to the Pennsylvania state title in 1991. Although Penn State is playing in the Rose Bowl this season, Law has no regrets about leaving Pennsylvania. After growing up in suburban Pittsburgh and being raised by a grandfather who worked in the steel mills for 30 years, Law wanted to get away.

He does wonder what would have happened had he gone south instead of north.

“If I had gone down to Florida State where I could showcase my talents on what I do best on the field. . . .” his voice trails off thinking of what might have been.

“I feel (like) more of a flashy guy, a Florida State or Miami player,” Law said. “I like to go out there and (play) man-to-man the whole game. Strut a little bit.”

Not at Michigan, where Moeller runs a hard-nosed, disciplined program. Law realizes the benefits of the system.

“Maybe it’s better for me down the road,” he said.

Whether that road leads to the NFL next season or another fall in Ann Arbor, Law will not say. He hopes to have the kind of bowl game that gets attention. If so, he might forgo his senior year.

Colorado State’s quarterback, Anthoney Hill, is expected to test Michigan’s secondary and Law. The Rams play wide-open Western Athletic Conference football and are quicker than the Wolverines.

“This is all you can ask for,” Law said. “There are times you get out there and get kind of lackadaisical because you know they are going to run the ball . . . and never pass.”

Law said the defensive backs want to redeem themselves to critics.

“They say we hurt this team,” Law said. “We can prove we are not what they say we are.”

Despite the apparent failings of the secondary, Moeller has been more than satisfied with Law’s improvement this year, particularly with his tackling.

“Any guy can get beat,” Moeller said, “but he has made some fine plays.”