Utah coach Ron McBride usually fumes at such a pathetic offensive performance.

On Saturday, his offense sputtered, crashed and burned as it compiled nine three-and-outs and just 13 yards on the ground. McBride could have been extremely disappointed that his one-dimensional Utes didn't crack the 100-yard total offense mark in the first half, or that they didn't cross midfield until midway through the fourth quarter.

But on Saturday, such a dismal performance by the Utes was nearly enough to beat No. 14 Michigan at the Big House, as the Wolverines squeaked past Utah, 10-7. After the game, Michigan players said they felt a huge sigh of relief and were "glad it was over," while the Utes said they wondered why everyone makes a huge fuss over the Wolverines.

"We didn't come here to play them close, or to gain respect," McBride said. "We came to win, and anything other than that is not acceptable. Period."

Said Utah running back J.R. Peroulis: "You know what, they're a great team, but out on the field I don't think there as good as people said they were. All you hear is Michigan this, and Michigan that, but we played them tight. They have better athletes, but as a whole I don't think they lived up to the hype."

Utah's lone drive past midfield resulted in its only touchdown - a 29-yard reception by Travis LaTandresse. The Utes had a chance to win when they got the ball back with under two minutes left. But they self-destructed, getting called for two holding penalties before quarterback Lance Rice threw a fourth-down interception near midfield to end any hopes of an upset.

After the game, Utah defensive end Jason Kaufusi - an All-America candidate who reminds teammates of former Ute and current Detroit Lion Luther Elliss - delivered an emotional and biting speech to his teammates in the lockerroom, mostly about Utah's offense leaving its defense on the field for more than 70 plays and giving them just seven points to show for it.

"We can't keep doing this to ourselves," Kaufusi yelled. "I'm getting sick and tired of it."

Peroulis agreed: "He's right. We have to complement our offense. You can't ask for more from our defense than giving up just 10 points to Michigan, and we didn't do our job."

But according to Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, the Wolverines' "new" offense also didn't do its job. Despite rushing for 175 yards against the third best rushing defense in the nation, Michigan had a horrendous, 5-of-19 conversion rate on 3rd down and the Wolverines couldn't cash in when they were in the red zone. Michigan's average starting field position was at its own 39, but on 10 different occasions the Wolverines found themselves watching drives past midfield stall from either penalties, poor throws by John Navarre, botched catches from receivers or a costly Chris Perry fumble.

"When you get the ball 1st and goal at the 2-yard line, that's got to be a touchdown," Carr said.

Safety Julius Curry started the drive in question with one of his two interceptions on the day and ran it back to the Utah 15-yard line. After the drive sputtered, kicker Phil Brabbs lined up for an apparent chip shot. But instead, Brabbs took a handoff from Navarre and and ran 7 yards down to the Utah 2-yard line on a fake-field goal.

"I'm so excited about that play," Carr said. "Since I've been head coach, I've ran a number of fake field goals and none of them worked, and that one worked to perfection."

But two plays later, Perry tried to do too much by leaping over several offensive lineman into the end zone. He ended up fumbling, and Utah recovered. He was benched for the rest of the first half.

Michigan responded by scoring on its next drive. Two big pass plays to sophomore receiver Braylon Edwards, including a 12-yard out pattern for the score, gave Michigan a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.

Ironically, Phil Brabbs' 37-yard field goal late in the second quarter was the difference in the game. Michigan's kicking game has been woeful all season, and Carr said he was "very concerned" after Brabbs missed two other field goals later in the game - Michigan is 3-for-11 on the season. Carr was also concerned with the injury to defensive lineman Shantee Orr, who had an undisclosed injury to his right knee. Carr said he could be out for "a while."

"I'm glad it's a win and glad it's over," defensive end Dan Rumishek said. "It was really not a great game but it ended up well."