Wolverines’ Big Three Spoil Day for Tigers

Michigan has been spoiled by its big-play receiver, dominating running back and efficiency expert quarterback.

The Wolverines’ Big Three were at it again in Monday’s Citrus Bowl.

Anthony Thomas ran for 182 yards and two touchdowns and Drew Henson passed for two touchdowns as the No. 17 Wolverines held on for a 31-28 victory over No. 20 Auburn.

David Terrell caught four passes for 136 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown, to become the first Michigan receiver to pass 1,000 yards twice.

“There’s a lot of talent between the three of them,” Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville said. “You have to be able to stop one of the three of them to have a chance to win.”

On offense, Auburn tailback Rudi Johnson was held to 85 yards in 25 carries. Johnson, the Southeastern Conference player of the year, had been held under 100 yards only two other times, both losses.

Henson was 15 for 20 for 294 yards for Michigan (9-3), which has won bowls in four consecutive years for the first time.

“As a quarterback, it’s everything you could ask for: a running back that can block and playmakers on the outside,” Henson said about Thomas and Terrell. “It’s nice to go week to week knowing we had those weapons.”

The anticipated duel between Thomas and Johnson instead became a showdown with Tiger quarterback Ben Leard.

Down 31-21, Auburn (9-4) stayed alive when Leard passed to a leaping Deandre Green for a 21-yard touchdown with 2:26 left.

Michigan had failed to gain a first down in its previous series with a chance to milk the clock.

“We had a chance to put it away, but they just wouldn’t let us do it,” Michigan Coach Lloyd Carr said. “There was no quit in them.”

Michigan’s Ronald Bellamy then recovered an onside kick and the Wolverines ran out the clock.

Leard was 28 for 37 for a season-high 394 yards and three touchdowns, both Auburn bowl records. He also threw two interceptions.

Michigan’s offense racked up 456 yards against the SEC’s top defense.

Thomas, who carried 32 times, earned Citrus Bowl most valuable player for the second time.

His 11-yard touchdown late in the second quarter gave the Wolverines a 21-14 halftime lead and took care of Michigan’s career record. He passed Jamie Morris as Michigan’s top rusher with 4,472 yards and set modern era scoring marks for touchdowns (56) and points, breaking a tie with Tyrone Wheatley.

“It was something that was special,” he said of the record. “Right now, it hasn’t really set in on me.”